St. Joseph’s Countdown is in Single Digits!

Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School.

The countdown to the start of the new school year is in single digits, as our students arrive on campus this Sunday!

All-Staff Orientation is also coming to a close. We began with a prayer service on Tuesday and had a picnic Wednesday evening. Various groups have been busy going over policy and expectations. Teachers and Houseparents have been preparing their classrooms and homes for the students’ arrival!

This year, God has blessed us with a good group of newcomers whom we welcome to the ministry here at St. Joseph’s, dedicated to meeting the needs of our students ‘heart, mind, body and soul.’ While we welcome them aboard, we will miss the veterans who are no longer with us. We ask the Great Spirit’s blessings upon them all!

Last week, I had the opportunity to return to our headquarters in Hales Corners, Wisconsin to attend the funeral of Fr. Peter Mastrobuono, SCJ. Fr. Peter was very involved in the Province’s Hispanic ministry in Texas, but his first assignment after ordination was to South Dakota. When one of our priests or Brothers die, the South Dakota community sends one of our group to represent us at the funeral. Since our students have not yet arrived, I was honored to be the one designated to go. I ask that you keep Father Mastrobuono, SCJ in your prayers.

Recently, a new Shopko Hometown store was opened here in Chamberlain to replace an ALCO store that had closed. Everyone eagerly watched the new store take shape. managers of the new store began a challenge, encouraging others to ‘pay it forward’ and help clean up the city. Two of our high school boys, Davis and Louie, got involved and did their part to help beautify our town. At the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, Shopko made a donation to the Chamberlain School District.

Another opportunity to give back to the community recently took the form of a two-day golf clinic. Chris, a St. Joseph’s staff member, his son, Coleman, a state champion and collegiate golfer, and St. Joseph’s incoming senior, Danny, joined with local members of the Chamberlain Golf Course and golf coaches from the area to offer 40 youngsters the chance to learn some golf basics.

As part of their efforts to build better communities in the area they serve, NorthWestern Energy gifted St. Joseph’s new health center, the Heath and Family Services Center, with a $20,000 room sponsorship. We are very grateful for their generosity towards the new addition.
The health center is currently under construction, with a goal completion date of mid-late 2017. We eagerly anticipate the day it opens!

Though our summer vacation ends this weekend, we hope you and yours still have some time left to enjoy various activities in the great outdoors. Hope it is not too hot where you are. Stay safe and have fun!

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain

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