St. Joseph's Indian School

Friday, October 15, 2010

Today, I attended the funeral of a 34-year-old, Brian who was killed in a car accident. I knew his folks well from my days in Lower Brule where they helped out so generously with everything in the parish. When words can’t heal the heart of a parent who has to bury their child, sometimes all we can do is be there, offering a handshake or a hug.

Brian’s dad’s cousin is a priest, so Fr. Mike led the services. I know from experience that it’s hard emotionally to do a family funeral, but it means so much. Fr. Mike’s words expressed what his relatives were feeling from a very personal level. He could also tell a few family stories that helped people laugh and remember, which stirred more sharing and stories at the meal afterwards.

In the evening I stopped by the Rec Center to work on some of the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist. The Ambrose (1^st – 3^rd grade boys) and Afra (1st  – 3^rd grade girls) homes had a free evening in the gym, and I stopped to join them. We shot a few baskets and tossed a football back and forth. I made the kids laugh at my feeble attempts at keeping a hula hoop going. My sisters were pretty good at that, but I could never master it.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Today our Board of Directors met for our semi-annual meeting. We listened as the auditors presented their annual findings. The numbers seem to be in good order, and I compliment our staff for having a good sense of stewardship with the donations people send in.

Fr. Jack was new to our Board, and he told us afterwards that he was impressed by the quality of materials our staff uses to brief the Board on how our programs are doing. In addition to all that’s going on around campus, we also heard reports from the Mission Churches in Lower Brule and Crow Creek, as well as the ongoing Social Services work taking place on the Cheyenne River Reservation. We are involved in a lot of outreach.

I have a wonderful Board and feel lots of support from them, yet still these meetings are stressful. I have to make sure to make them aware of issues we struggle with – trying to work on retention and graduation rates, keeping our costs to raise a dollar down, providing quality health care for employees with spiraling medical costs . . .  but we have been blessed by many generous people who believe in our work and help keep it going. Once the meeting was finished, I felt a sense of relief, but also a recommitment to work on areas of programs, staffing and infrastructure that need improvement.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

I squeezed in three different department meetings today. Nothing earth-shaking, but just the regular discussion of staff and students in need of support. We try to be aware and proactive in addressing issues sooner rather than later, and it’s a never-ending process.

In a phone conference our architect went over cost estimates for the museum expansion that is to include collection storage and work space, a center for alumni and a historical display about St. Joseph. We can keep some of the costs down because our facilities staff is able to do significant parts of the project. Yet it will still be a significant investment in the campus. Five years ago when we identified the need as part of our strategic plan it seemed like a distant dream. But as plans develop it look more and more within our reach.

I drove three hours to Eagle Butte to be ready for tomorrow’s meeting at the Sacred Heart Center. I had some language tapes to listen to and practice with, then a baseball game on the radio to keep me company. Each time I go back to Cheyenne River Reservation (where I spent ten years) I get nostalgic as I pass houses and natural landmarks that bring back many encounters with the people there.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Stopping by the Akta Lakota Museum, I was introduced to Bruce. He went to school here in the 60’s just for a brief time, but that first time away from home made a big impact on him. Bruce has been a respected sculptor for many years now, and showed some marble works that the museum is in the process of acquiring. I offered him a tour of the campus, which stirred many memories and stories.

We ate supper with the Ambrose boys (1^st – 3^rd grade) which gave him a glimpse of what he may have been like at the same age when he attended St. Joseph’s. The boys were full of both questions and things they wanted to share. Daiss showed Bruce drawings of cars that he had done. Jashon brought out a ceramic cup he made in art class. Bruce encouraged our students to pursue their dreams. Those words ring truer from one who has been in their shoes.

I went to the office at night to finish up some paperwork and ran into the High School girls gathered in a prayer circle outside the building, as part of their Daughters of Tradition meeting. Afterwards they stopped by my office and told me they’d been including prayers for my own health, strength and healing. Their care lifted my spirits in a significant way.

Monday, October 11, 2010

West Hartford CT – I had a day of wonderful visits. My cousin Kevin picked up some fresh bagels and we sat around the house over breakfast before he went to work. He is just 2 years older than I, and was like a big brother growing up. We did so much together when we lived closer, but now the miles get in the way. Still, it’s a relationship that we can pick right up, and talk about ourselves and our lives freely.

Another friend from the seminary days, Fr. Steve, lives a hour away and came to town for lunch. Afterwards, we sat in the backyard enjoying lovely fall weather. Steve is recovering from a break on his kneecap; so he with his cane, and me with my limp, was each going about the right speed for each other. He works as a prison chaplain, and finds many wonderful encounters with people who’ve had lots of time to consider ways they’ve hurt people, and also often reflect on the hurts in their own lives. Steve tries to help them experience healing and forgiveness.

As kids, Kevin and I spent many hours playing board games, especially strategy ones. Our favorite was always RISK. For several hours this evening Steve, Kevin, my cousin’s son Brendan and I tried to conquer the world. We strategized, laughed and talked. We all found the evening playing together so relaxing.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

West Hartford CT – My cousin Kevin and his family joined us for our 2^nd Donor Appreciation Luncheon. Dean and Dominic were much more relaxed, as always happens on the 2^nd day. They were able to fill in more details about the school and their lives. One donor had just been out to Chamberlain for our Pow Wow in September, and it was good seeing her again, and meeting her children.

After the luncheon I went to stay with my relatives, while the rest of our St. Joseph’s crew drove to Mystic to get a taste of the ocean. I’ll look forward to hearing their tales when we all return. I used the evening to enjoy a lovely home cooked meal with extended family, relax and catch up.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Hartford CT – About 60 people showed up for our Donor Appreciation Luncheon. We had a lively crowd which asked lots of questions, and were fun to visit with. At some gatherings we ran into a lot of folks who’ve made the trip out to South Dakota, but in this group there was only one. The rest were so excited about meeting staff and students. And it’s always a pleasure for us to say thank you in person for their generosity which makes our work with the students possible.

Lunch with compassionate donors.

In the evening we walked to St. Patrick / St. Anthony for church. The parish was celebrating 20 years of Franciscan presence. We encountered a full church, active participation and incredible music. The cantors sounded like Broadway stars. The songs based on St. Francis’ praise of Mother Earth, Brothers Wind, Air, Fire and Water reminded me of the themes common to Lakota spirituality.

Dean told me that for him the hour long mass flew by, which is a real compliment coming from a High School boy.  When you enter into a good prayer experience, the time often seems over before you know it – time outside of time.

We found a restaurant that had plenty of TV screens to follow some college football games. One of my travel rules is that the students have to try some new kinds of foods each day, and we jointly decided that the calamari on the menu looked like an interesting appetizer. The students weren’t too sure when they saw what it looked like, but once they started, we cleaned the whole plate in no time. Then we took an evening stroll and took in the sights and sounds of downtown on a crisp, cool night.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Hartford CT – We flew from Sioux Falls, SD to Hartford, CT for this weekend’s Donor Appreciation Luncheons. Dominic, one of our seniors in High School, had never flown before, and was quite excited about the experience.

The highlight of the day was visiting the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts. One display case celebrated Indiana High School basketball, remembering the Milan Miracle that inspired the movie “Hoosiers”. I thought of the day Dad and I stopped by Milan and I heard the story of the underdogs who beat the giants. My favorite personality to remember was former UCLA coach John Wooden. Besides being a winning coach, he taught his players good lessons about life. “Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out,” or “failure to prepare is preparing to fail”.

The boys at the Basketball Hall of Fame

The center of the museum contained a court for people to play and reminisce. I even hit a few three pointers. Dean enjoyed the rims that were lowered so he could dunk.

Our chaperones, Steve and Jan, used to live on the outskirts of Hartford, and we drove by their old homestead and let them tell a few stories about their life before they came to St. Joseph’s. We finished up the day with supper at a restaurant near a mall, and a chance for the students to look for a few souvenirs to take home as mementos.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I stopped by the 1^st grade classroom to lead the kids in singing Happy Birthday to Shelby, their teacher. I only wish I could get them to sing that loudly and enthusiastically in church! Shelby got called out of the room for a while, and I was left with a pointer and smart board, so I reviewed all the “sight words” such as have, did, see, am . . . All the students were very enthusiastic about being called upon, and I had fun in front of a class for the first time in a while.

We wrapped up Clergy Days with some time with our Bishop. One resolution I came away with was to step up my efforts in support of other clergy, and to encourage others that this serving God and people through church is not only a worthwhile life, but a highly satisfying one. Much is written of scandals and difficulties, but being a priest has brought me lots of fulfillment and so many rich encounters with people.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Afternoon brought a break from our Clergy Days meetings, and I came back to campus to check on things.

St. Joseph’s is hosting a workshop called “Healing Racism.” We’re starting with a mixed group of our own staff, some of our students’ parents, and key people in the community. It’s a key issue in our part of the world, and I suspect in many others as well. We try to teach our students to see beyond externals and come to know and appreciate people from different backgrounds. In order to do that with credibility, we have to model those ourselves. I dropped by to see how it was going. One of our parents found it intense, because it raised feelings she usually tried to put aside. But she agreed it was helpful to do so in a supportive environment.  

Tonight the Chamberlain Knights of Columbus hosted all the priests of the diocese for a steak fry at St. James Parish center. The Knights do many charitable projects, like helping with the Special Olympics, and try to be supportive of priests and vocations. Gathered around small tables, the evening gave me the chance to get to know many of the priests across the Eastern half of the state that I don’t get to spend much time with. Lots of them impressed me as being so committed and passionate about passing on the faith.