St. Joseph’s students and their Native American Studies teacher, LaRayne, gather around for a picture while cooking frybread during Service Day as part of Catholic Schools Week.
Beginning Sunday, January 25, St. Joseph’s Indian School joined Catholic schools across the country in celebration of Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme, “United in Faith and Community,” felt especially close to our hearts. We know how truly blessed we are to call ourselves a Catholic school. It is a gift to freely talk about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and even more incredible to encourage our students to explore faith. Being able to teach and nurture spirituality through both Catholic and Lakota (Sioux) traditions is a privilege we will never take for granted.
We didn’t just celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we cherished it. With prayer, service, leadership, culture and plenty of fun mixed in, each day offered meaningful moments that reminded us how special St. Joseph’s truly is.
The week began on Sunday with a beautiful Lakota Mass, one of the unique monthly traditions that brings students and staff together at St. Joseph’s Indian School. Honoring both Catholic faith and the rich culture of the Lakota people, students dressed in traditional regalia and shared dance as part of the celebration. Lakota Mass was a powerful start to Catholic Schools Week.
LaRayne, St. Joseph’s Native American Studies teacher, said, “The Lakota Mass is always a great way to show our kids how their culture and spirituality come together for good powerful, prayerful energy.”
Monday was all about grounding ourselves in prayer and trust in God. The day started with a prayer service in Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel and continued with Native American prayer lessons in the classrooms. These activities helped students reflect on faith in both word and action.
Tuesday centered around servant leadership as older students stepped up to assist younger classmates with activities. Leadership rooted in love, dignity and example came to life during the Fr. Leo John Dehon knowledge game, where learning and leadership went hand in hand.
Wednesday was known as a Service Day. From the kitchen to classrooms to departments across campus, students put faith into action in countless ways:
- They hosted a chili cook-off, complete with the 8th graders making and serving fry bread.
- Thank you cards were written for campus departments.
- First graders hung affirmation posters and wrote letters to nurses.
- Thirdgraders painted kindness rocks and placed them around campus.
- Fourth-sixth graders hosted a campus food drive.
- Fifth-graders delivered thank you notes to departments.
- Seventh-eighth graders created Valentines for a local care facility for those with developmental disabilities.
- Teachers delivered cards and meat & cheese trays to the campus maintenance garage.
- Students engaged in leadership lessons from Joseph Marshall and Black Elk during Native American Studies class.
“The eighth-graders did a great job of mixing, making, working together and taste testing the frybread. The kids were happy to share this with staff for the soup/dessert cook-off,” said LaRayne.
On Thursday, students learned how generosity helps St. Joseph’s grow and thrive. Tours of the Development building offered a behind-the-scenes look at how marketing, storytelling and donor support help make student programs possible.
Joe, St. Joseph’s Mission and Integration Director, said, “It is especially meaningful for our students to see firsthand how our benefactors’ generosity is received, processed and distributed. We are truly blessed at St. Joseph’s.”
On Friday, the week wrapped up with a joyful celebration of identity. Students wore ribbon skirts and shirts to honor who they are, individually and collectively. A Spelling Bee took place that morning and afternoon, which brought friendly competition and lots of cheering.
“Holding Identity Day during Catholic Schools Week is always powerful and meaningful. It is a reminder to be proud of who we are and to take pride in what God has created,” said Joe.
Catholic Schools Week was a reminder that faith isn’t just something we learn, it’s something we live together. From prayer and leadership to service and celebration, this week truly showed what it means to be united in faith and community.
Learn more about St. Joseph’s Indian School by visiting stjo.org.
