Guest blogger: Fr. Anthony

Greetings again.  As Fr. Steve is at a donor luncheon in Tucson, Arizona, I have the opportunity to share with you what happened over the weekend here at St. Joseph’s Indian School.

Our celebration of Catholic Schools Week ended with the students taking part in a spelling bee.  This year’s class winners have the chance now to take part in the national spelling bee and will move on to the regional “bee” in Mitchell, South Dakota at the world-famous Corn Palace. 

The students also had a prayer service to bring the celebration to a close in which they wrote the prayers and expressed thanks and gratitude to their teachers, house parents and counselors as well as St. Joseph’s benefactors as part of the week’s theme—Catholic Schools an A+ for America.

We have been dealing with lots of snow here in Chamberlain, South Dakota as we have had six straight weekends of snow.  The ground crews have done a great job keeping the campus open. 

The local school system lost two days of classes due to the weather, but we were able to hold normal class schedule.  The snow has played havoc with our sports’ schedule due to cancellations and re-schedules.  We have been able to hold our Intercity League Girls’ Basketball, which is a program that involves 7^th and 8^th grade students from St. Joseph’s and the Chamberlain area.  The teams are mixed so as to give them the chance to meet and interact so, if they go on to Chamberlain High, they know each other right at the start. The boys’ league was held before Christmas.

This past Thursday was the feast of St. Blasé when the blessing of throats usually takes place.  We offered the blessing for all those students and staff who wished to participate at our Sunday liturgy in Our Lady of the Sioux chapel. 

Deacon Bud Jetty, a Native American, who helps at St. James Parish in Chamberlain,  was able to be present to help with the blessing.  After the liturgy, we were talking and thought it appropriate that we blessed the throats when we did as they were probably going to be a bit strained as the students and staff took sides in rooting for their favorites in the Super Bowl.

One of the homes here on campus hosted a Super Bowl party which was super.  The high school students hosted some of our 8^th graders, so to help them get some insight into the high school program.  A great time was had by all except by those who back the Steelers.

We also had a bit of good news as it was announced that two of our upcoming high school graduates received word that they had been accepted by their first choice of college!  One will be attending University of Creighton in Omaha, Nebraska, and the other will enroll at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Thanks for your support of St. Joseph’s Indian School so that these and the other students may have the opportunity to dream big and pursue their futures.

Thank you for all you do.  May the blessings of the Great Spirit continue to be with you and yours.  Until next time …

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ

St. Joseph’s Indian School

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School