I’ve been on the go a lot, and appreciated the chance to visit with my spiritual director and reflect on what’s been happening in life since we last met. While I face frustrations and bumps along the way, the past two months have been a good ride.
There are times of disturbance and discouragement when our Native American students or staff are having problems. But, those are countered by the times I can help others see with vision, and find reason to hope and move forward.
Afterwards, I took advantage of being away from phone calls and mail to immerse myself in spiritual reading and prayer. In the busy demands of an administrative position, I can’t afford to forget that it’s prayer that nourishes and keeps me going.
We’re a real crossroads this time of the year, but don’t get a whole lot of visitors in February!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
St. Joseph’srenovations
I didn’t have many meetings today, so I was free to move about campus and check in on what’s been going on.
I talked with Tom, head of our facilities department. Tom updated me on all the summer projects our maintenance crew has been up too. It’s obvious what they do when you see one of the homes being gutted and remodeled. There’s so much behind-the-scenes work that goes on; people may not notice.
The campus was surveyed for drainage to improve problem spots. The electrical system on our geothermal Templifier was upgraded, so we won’t have problems heating the campus this winter. Our crew takes great pride in all that goes into keeping the campus safe and beautiful.
I checked out our pool after it got a paint job and a new surface on the surrounding deck. I ran into Patrick, a houseparent I hadn’t seen for about a month. There are so many folks on campus I so enjoy sitting down to share with … even if I only take a few minutes to catch up.
Silent auction brings new friends
There’s been lots of activity at the pavilion where we’ve been silent auctioning off furniture we’ve replaced over the years.
First, we gave staff on campus the chance to look over what we have and switch out anything they could use for offices or campus homes. Now, we’re making a few bucks and clearing out needed storage space. Seems like the biggest spenders were parents of college kids, looking for some worn but usable couches and chairs for setting up an apartment. You’d think they’d buy more of the bookshelves, but no!
Our Lady of the Sioux chapel visitors
Over at the chapel I saw a man kneeling in prayer and another looking at the artwork. I turned on more lights so they could get a better look. They were two priests visiting from Massachusetts, on the way to Alaska. I answered questions about the school until their traveling companions showed up and urged them to hit the road on their westward journey.
Fr. Peter, an SCJ from Ottawa Canada, also surprised us with a visit. He’d been on a tour of many of the National Parks, and just stopped in for a cool drink and the chance to say hello before he continued his journey east. We’re at a real crossroads this time of the year, but don’t get a whole lot of visitors in February!
I doubt I’ll ever spend 18 hours straight in a confessional; but I pray I can be a humble and good priest, and help people feel both the need for conversion and the love of God.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Feast of St. John Vianney
I doubt I’ll ever spend 18 hours straight in a confessional; but I pray I can be a humble and good priest, and help people feel both the need for conversion and the love of God. To do that I have to fully accept both those realities in my own life.
Visions for St. Joseph’s
Our management meeting dealt with a broad array of topics. Some issues are immediate like reshuffling janitorial duties, or how we’ll split our presentations to the all staff gathering next week. Other topics require long-term planning, such as adding on to the museum or starting our next strategic plan.
Four years ago our staff came together and worked out our vision for St. Joseph’s, which laid the groundwork for much of what we’re doing now. Our next plan will take us to 2017; so we’re laying out a time frame for that process now.
Celebrating birthdays with conversation
Two of my three member management team, Kory and Donna, have birthdays this week. After our meeting we went out to lunch to celebrate. It’s fun to visit with staff when you’re not just talking business and getting to know each other in a more personal way. If you’re going to have good teamwork, it’s important to build relationships.
Speaking of blood, since my clotting factor was too high last week, I had more blood work today. My level stabilized and is where the doctors want it.
Monday, August 02, 2010
New Staff
This morning I welcomed our seven new houseparents and one new teacher as they began their week of orientation. Three are South Dakota residents; one couple is from Michigan. The others represent Oklahoma, Louisiana and Ohio.
We get the most geographic diversity within the houseparent job. Most of our staff have local roots. The newcomers bring lots of enthusiasm, plenty of questions, and a little bit of anxiety as they tackle this new endeavor.
Mike, our Executive Director of Child Services, spoke about his first years as a houseparent. There are days that are fun and memorable; other days when the students frustrate and upset you terribly. He encouraged everyone to work through both the good and the bad. It’s the whole mix of admiring kids at their finest, and working with them at their lowest, that really makes the job get into your blood.
Doctor visit
Speaking of blood, since my clotting factor was too high last week, I had more blood work today. My level stabilized and is where the doctors want it.
Our Tiyospaye – extended family
Darby – who works on our computers – was back at work today after becoming a brand new Dad for the first time last week. His wife and son are both doing well. He just needs to have a “man-to-man” talk with his son about keeping it a little quieter in the middle of the night.
Encounters like this remind me that besides the students we serve and friends like you, our staff have family and loved ones that become part of our Tiyospaye – extended family.
During the school year, Sundays can be anything but a day of rest. However, today was very peaceful. I had plenty of time for reading and prayers.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
During the school year, Sundays can be anything but a day of rest. However, today was very peaceful. I had plenty of time for reading and prayers. Several phone calls came in from family and friends that lifted my spirits.
The only real work I did occurred when a donor arrived with a truck load of non-monetary goods; I was the only person he could find on campus. I helped him unload, and tomorrow Central Receiving will have their hands full once again.
I ventured out to the campus recreation center to see how much of a workout I could do. I increased my time and speed on the treadmill, and the soreness in the foot was more easily put out of mind with a closely fought baseball game on the TV. I’m not much of a weight person; but I worked on some upper body strengthening, since that part of me feels fine.
Tomorrow our new Child Service’s staff – 7 houseparents and 1 teacher – arrive and start their orientation. While the calendar still says we have much more summer left, tomorrow our summer at St. Joseph’s comes to an end.
But I have gradually been chipping away at piles and projects, and have been making long term progress … even if I don’t see it day-to-day. Sometimes recovery and recuperation is like that too.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Today we had to get everything off the floor before leaving the office for the weekend because the carpet cleaners will scrub the building on Saturday. It’s a sign that summer is ending and the 2010-2011 school year is close at hand.
My office has been disorganized since the surgery; with even more piled on the table and desk, it really looks unmanageable. But I have gradually been chipping away at piles and projects, and have been making long term progress … even if I don’t see it day-to-day. Sometimes recovery and recuperation is like that too.
Today I showed up for a meeting in the Development office and was the only one in the conference room … until I realized I was a half hour early!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Often I get tied up with something around campus and run late for the next meeting. Today I showed up for a meeting in the Development office and was the only one in the conference room … until I realized I was a half hour early!
It gave me a good chance to walk around the office and check up on the many folks who work year round to handle bills and payroll, send out and answer mail, and try to answer the questions and needs of our donors.
The meeting was with the architect who is working on possibilities for our proposed alumni and historical center and museum storage addition. She presented three plans, and during the discussion we took elements of each and shifted the location to a different side of the museum so she can start drafting the fourth plan.
Her assistant just got his degree and joined their firm a month ago. I enjoyed watching how quickly he could use the computer program and shift things around and project them on the screen to give us immediate 3D visuals. One dream is to also think about adding an events center that would accommodate all our students and staff together, or be used to host public events. The project is still a couple of years off, and we have to see how much we can afford.
In the afternoon we started to have some power outages. First only my phone and computer went out, so I tackled a pile of letters on my desk. Next the lights went out, but I was able to keep going by the natural light. It’s amazing how quiet the office is without phones or electricity, and I secretly enjoyed the solitude.
Ironically, I thought about my leg; I’d be happy to get back to my old heights. That will take slow and steady efforts.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Our Child Services Team (CST) gathered around the table for the first time in about a month to give each other updates about all that has been happening over the past month.
During the year we meet weekly, but less frequently during the summer months. Still a lot happens.
Mike, our Executive Director, put out a theme: “This is the year we soar to new heights!” Ironically, I thought about my leg; I’d be happy to get back to my old heights. That will take slow and steady efforts. But so will improving our programs to help the students thrive and grow.
Our principal, Kathleen, shared the highlights of a presentation she has prepared to help staff see the difference between a residential school and a day school. Because the students are here around the clock, we are their primary adult relationships during this time in their lives. When we can get the homes and school and counselors working together on the same page with integrated services, we have an opportunity to reach kids in a way that other schools cannot.
Our Admission’s committee met again and accepted more students; we are down to our last few openings. It’s hard to get the right balance of students for the homes. We have a shortage of 4th and 5th grade boys, but have to put many junior high girls on the waiting list. It can vary so much from year to year. We’ve prioritized children in each age group who we will accept if other students don’t come back, and the committee will meet throughout the year as needed whenever there are new openings.
We’re expanding to five high school homes this year. Although they will not all be completely filled, we have our biggest group of high school students projected at 48!
I’ve been told by several staff members that I’m walking a lot better now. Another told me that my smile was back the way it used to be, which is an even better sign.
Monday, July 26, 2010
I worked from 8:30 to 5:00 today at the office. Countless people do that day after day; but for me it was a small triumph and sign that I’m getting my energy back. Hopefully there are more of those days to come, because school begins three weeks from today. We still have a lot of work to prepare for our student’s arrival.
I find that I can put up with the pain in the foot a lot easier when I’m able to be up and about and doing things on campus. While I may not notice progress, I’ve been told by several staff members that I’m walking a lot better now. Another told me that my smile was back the way it used to be, which is an even better sign.
When I went to the clinic today I took the stairs instead of the elevator – another small triumph. I had my blood checked for the first time in 4 weeks. The clotting factor had dropped a little on the low side, so they made a slight increase in the strength of my prescription. They tell me that it’s an ‘inexact science’ and they have to continue checking and adjusting.
Last year was the first time I was able to participate as a supporter, and was very moved by the whole event. Little did I imagine that one year later I’d be wearing a survivor’s shirt.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Today was a memorable day in three ways:
Brother Clay’s vow renewal
Shooting a TV interview
Taking part in Chamberlain’s Relay for Life
Brother Clay renews annual vows
When first joining the SCJ’s, one must profess annual vows for at least three years before being eligible for Final Vows. This gives you the chance to really decide if this vocation is where you find meaning and are fulfilled.
This morning we went to the downtown parish for mass, and were joined by two of the SCJ priests in Lower Brule as well. Before Fr. Bill, Clay renewed his vows and prayed an act of oblation. Watching his fervor, I prayed that I can recapture more of the passion I had in my early days; to give myself more fully to God. Afterward we all went out to breakfast at Casey’s restaurant.
Brule band member visits St. Joseph’s
Paul LaRouche of the musical group Brule produces a TV show for RFD TV. It is called Hidden Heritage. Paul is from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. He was adopted as an infant, and never knew of his heritage and roots until he was an adult. His show highlights positive projects and people in Indian country.
Brule performs around the country, and Paul has been asked many times about
St. Joseph Indian School. He figured what we do here would make an interesting feature. Paul has known about St. Joseph’s since childhood – remembering pictures stuck to the refrigerator in his home.
We sat outside to take advantage of the lovely day, and Paul put me right at ease during the interview. I gave an overview of our programs. We don’t have many students on campus these last weeks of summer, but three of our high school students who are working here were able to show him around and talk about their experience.
When we were touring the museum, visitors found out who Paul was. There were a few who immediately bought one of his CD’s to have autographed.
Chamberlain’s Relay for Life
The last event of the day was the Relay for Life … to remember those who have died from cancer and celebrate those who have survived. Last year was the first time I was able to participate as a supporter, and was very moved by the whole event. Little did I imagine that one year later I’d be wearing a survivor’s shirt and walking the first lap with others who have done battle with cancer and come out on top.
The festivities were cut short when a big storm rolled in and sent everyone scattering for cover. We got pea and marble sized hail and heavy winds. A full but wonderful day all around.
Fr. Steve walking during Friday's Relay for Life photo courtesy of Chamberlain/Oacoma Sun
