Friday, July 9, 2010
I’m going to spend the next week on the Cheyenne River Reservation, where I lived and worked from 1984 – 1995 … I have so many fond memories.
Two of the towns, Dupree and Eagle Butte, are celebrating their centennials, and I figure I’ll be able to see a lot of people at the celebrations. The change of scenery should be helpful as I put office work aside for a week and just enjoy whatever comes my way each day.
The drive is 3 hours, but I stopped half way in Fort Pierre to visit former parishioners who have retired there. Glady and Andy are always gracious hosts, and besides good conversation and a huge meal, I’m so much at home there that I could even take a two hour nap before continuing the journey.
I’m staying at the rectory which was home for ten years of my life and ministry. It too is home when I get up here a few times each year. I was first greeted by the women who work in the rectory and keep the place going, now, as well as when I was here, and they’re all treasured friends. Later when Fr. Brian and Fr. Matt got home from their rounds, they gave me updates on folks in the area and made me feel most welcome. They cover an area about the size of Connecticut, and serve nine small mission parishes from here.