Greetings from a quiet St. Joseph’s Indian School campus!
It is just not the same on campus this week without the Lakota boys and girls; it is Spring Break for the elementary students (grades 1-8) and staff.
They will return Monday, March 16, but in the mean time we have about 10-12 students who are staying in our break home and our high school students who attend Chamberlain High School (they have a slightly different break schedule). Students in the break home will be going to visit some of the local sights and enjoy a fun and relaxing week.
You may recall the old saying ‘March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb’ or the opposite, in like a lamb and out like a lion. Well, in South Dakota, we had that all happen within five days! Last week we had a blizzard with snow, cold and strong winds. Just a few days later, the sun came out, the temperatures were up and the snow was melting. Today the weather is mild, with cool mornings and warmer days. We are hoping the break in the winter weather lasts!
Last week, St. Joseph’s students celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday. It was pajama day at school and the children spent time reading to one another.
Our seventh and eighth graders also took part in Camp Med last week, which is a hands-on health career learning opportunity. The students learned about the job duties, educational requirements, rewards and challenges they might encounter in a variety of health careers. They experienced everything from reading x-rays and filling prescriptions to stabilizing a trauma patient and rehabilitating a stroke patient.
And Friday at 2 p.m., school was out!
That evening, several staff members headed to South Dakota’s largest city, Sioux Falls, to take in a basketball game. As a way of saying thank you to everyone who has helped in the rec center during the first semester, Bryan, our Rec Director, hosted an outing to a D (Developmental) League game between Grand Rapids,
Michigan and the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Grand Rapids is a developmental team for the Detroit Pistons and Sioux Falls is a similar team for the Miami Heat. The arena is brand new and very fan friendly. The game was exciting – players were shooting up threes from all over the court. Offense was king and defense showed up occasionally. Everyone had a great time and a few even went home with a t-shirt and other goodies tossed into the stands.
I hope you have a wonderful week. Pilamaya – thank you – for your support, encouragement and prayers! We’ll be starting our Novena of Masses for you and your special intentions on Wednesday, March 11 and conclude on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
Sincerely,
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain
Well, I´m spending here in Germany. What I also can do, is sending parcels with clothes, bed-linen, and something like this. On my costs.
Thank you for your kindness Beate!
How much of the money that gets sent to you actually helps the families or children? 100%? 80%? 50%? 20%? or %?
Of each dollar raised, 67 cents goes to the children in our care and for future planned program growth. These funds provide them a loving, safe, living and learning environment. Our program and supporting funds also provide needed services for the Lakota people on three reservations. These services include a womenâs shelter, licensed adolescent group care center, and counseling services. Please let us know if you have additional questions. Thank you!