Good day from St. Joseph’s Indian School!
Even though summer officially began on Monday, temperatures are and have been very high around here for a few weeks. I hope everyone is making sure to stay cool and hydrated.
Last week, I was able to attend the ordination for two new priests for the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana. During the 1st Mass of the newly ordained priest that I had baptized 25 years ago in Houston, Texas, the pastor mentioned that the parish has had 18 priests ordained in the last 11 years and will have another next year. The parish has also been supportive of those who have entered the Brotherhood or convent. May we keep the need for more vocations in our prayers.
We hosted our yearly Scranton Prep students from Scranton, Pennsylvania last week. They raise funds every year to bring their upcoming senior class to South Dakota. During their time in-state, they do some sightseeing in the Black Hills and visit several reservations prior to working as counselors for our summer camp. Several of the students mentioned how helping out at St. Joseph’s has really educated them of the Native American Culture. They appreciated the opportunity to bond with the young people at camp.
Today is the last day of the 2016 Rising Eagle Day Camp. We’ve had a great time getting to know over 200 children from the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Reservations and look forward to some of them returning to campus for school this fall!
Andy, our new Alumni Director, has taken to the road in St. Joseph’s Bookmobile. In addition to bringing books to communities who do not have local libraries, Andy is also using his trips as a way to interact with St. Joseph alumni and join with Family Service Counselors to pass out application packets and touch base with families of current students to see how things are going.
He has already been to Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations and will be touching base with those in Lower Brule, Crow Creek and Mitchell over the next few days.
I hope you continue to have a wonderful summer, finding ways to enjoy the outdoors and stay active. If you are coming through South Dakota, please feel free to stop in and visit St. Joseph’s campus and the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain
PS As I was writing this, the bus from Lower Brule arrived for the Rising Eagle Day Camp today bringing 50 young people to take part in the events planned. There were also several new participants. A BIG thank you for your generous support in making the Rising Eagle Day Camp a reality.
Good Afternoon Fr Anthony.. Boy, yesterday was the last day of classes here on Cape Cod, MA.. Camps start next week.. your’s already finished.. wow, what a difference. Hope you all are able to rest a bit before classes start 🙂
Wow, Antonia! We start our school year mid-August every year. Does Cape Cod start later??
Blessings to you!
Do you need friends to send books to you for the bookmobile….children’s books
Diane, thank you for your question! We can always utilize books to re-stock our bookmobile during our summer visits! Please visit http://www.stjo.org/site/PageServer?pagename=prog_bookmobile for more information. Blessings to you!
Dear Father Anthony, My oh my, what a small world this is. Just yesterday, the day of our country’s Independance, My daughter and son-in-law came to watch the annual parade at our home which is on the route. This year was especially precious to my husband and I as we were priviledged to meet their special friends Robert Cummings and his lovely wife, Ayla. Robert and Ayla, it turns out are a part of the very special group of men and women here in MI that are motorcycle warriors that ride for a very special cause. Children of Agent Orange as are my daughter & hubby. Robert is a Vietnam Vet and lost 2 children to AO complications. Best part of this miraculous meeting is that Robert is a Lakota and grew up in SD. His wife taught school in one of your schools also. He is a very nice person as is she. I am honored to know that they are in my children’s life and that this is the good people you send into our world to spread the love and peace of God.
Diana Gallagher
What a wonderful weekend of reunions and meetings! Blessings to you!