Perfect day for a picnic

Mike, a motorcyclist from Michigan was returning from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and saw our St. Joseph’s Indian School sign along Interstate 90. As I was walking to chapel for midday prayer, he drove up and introduced himself.

“I send a little money when I can and just wanted to make sure you had a real school and I wasn’t just sending money to a fat cat driving a limousine. But you look like your picture and I can see you have a lot for the kids to do on campus, so I’m glad to meet you and glad I stopped.”

Then he was on his way. We’re always glad when people are passing through and able to stop and see what we’re about.

Most of our planning and preparation meetings are over, and we finished the day with an “All Staff Picnic”. It’s fun to spend time with the spouses, children and family that belong to our staff and I don’t get to see too often during our workdays. Some of the kids I hardly recognize as they’ve changed and grown so much in a year. Some may even continue on a family tradition and someday become part of our staff themselves. The past couple of years the picnic has been beset by too much heat. Today the temperature was perfect, but then a fierce rainstorm blew in. While it sent a few people scurrying home, it caused more than the usual crew to stay and visit.

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.

2 thoughts on “Perfect day for a picnic”

  1. Dear Fr. Steve,

    This brought to mind a saying I found on an icecram stick. I had it last night and didn’t know why I would norice it until I saw this post. It goes like this:

    “Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet.” , Just thought I’d share this with you.

    We’re still trying to get up the money to send out the package we have for your students and the fish I crocheted for Summer. We haven’tt forgotten we just are strapped right now until our disability kicks in. Please pray it does quickly? Thanks.

    God Bless,

    Nancy & Kenny

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