community – Page 30 – St. Joseph's Indian School

Kitchen conversations with Lakota (Sioux) friends

Charlotte’s neighbor Mary also joined us for conversation. Both pray with quality and consistency. I hope I can be as dedicated as these two women when I promise to pray for people.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

I headed out, driving down the gravel roads along the Moreau River past Whitehorse. I had a great plan to phone folks along the way until I remembered that there are places so country that there is no cell phone service in the area and none of my calls went through. But it worked out fine anyway, as I focused my efforts on seeing some of the elders.

At 91 years-old, Charlotte is one of the matriarchs on the east end having raised a large family on their ranch. Many of the tribal members work on this part of the Indian reservation ranch, although it gets harder to make it financially each year without some outside income.

Many people work for the tribe or have a job in town, which requires daily drives of 80 to 100 miles. Charlotte remembers the horse and wagon days – having to make or grow most of what they needed … or go without.

Charlotte’s neighbor Mary also joined us for conversation around the kitchen table. I was humbled to learn both have been following my progress and praying for me; praying with quality and consistency. I hope I can be as dedicated as these two women when I promise to pray for people.

Louie is a widower, a World War II vet, and living independently, relying on himself to get around. His house was a beehive of folks coming and going as his family prepared to have the Sun Dance – Wiwanke Wachipi – on their land. Tree Day marks the first day of this special event. The prayer leaders selected a cottonwood to cut down and move with care by hand to the center of the dance grounds. I saw lots of relatives and friends coming and going, but also a little treasured one-on-one time before bidding Louie adieu.

I found Bunny home watching her grandchildren that I got to meet for the first time. Having been away quite a few years, I haven’t been a part of the births and baptisms as I once was. But when you sit at someone’s kitchen table, the passage of time evaporates and you get the chance to catch up with family and community happenings. I always learned the most about what is important to people around the kitchen table.

Tugie is 89. She’s lived on her land for over 60 years, and recently sold to neighbors. They told her she can live in the house for however long she wants and stop in daily to check on how she’s doing. Betty Anne was there as I pulled up, and it was so good getting to see her as well. Tugie still gets around pretty good on her own; hearty souls these folks are that work the land so many years.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Today the town of Dupree (population 434) celebrated their centennial with a parade. Small town parades are an experience all in themselves. I wanted to get to main street early so I could get a good seat, but there was plenty of room because almost everyone in town was in the parade.

The town was founded on land donated by Fred Dupris, a French and Lakota trader whom the town was named after. He and Scotty Phillips are credited with saving the buffalo when they were almost hunted to extinction. One of the floats included many of his descendants who live in the area.

Another float had all the grandchildren of the Norwegian homesteaders who came to the area in 1910. There were antique tractors, powwow royalty riding in the back of pickups, and politicians positioning themselves for the November elections. All threw candy into the streets as children scrambled for the goodies.

I actually got to see the parade twice. Main street is only 5 blocks long, and the parade went south along the length of the town, then did a U-turn and came back north again.

Just a month ago a tornado went through the heart of town. The elderly manor was hit hard and residents had to be relocated to other area towns. Pioneer Hall – the community center – was damaged beyond repair and had to be bulldozed. In its place stands a large circus tent; the show and the centennial must go on.

It’s very indicative of life on these isolated prairie towns. People face great hardship with weather and life circumstances, but they find it within themselves to rebuild and keep going.

As I walked the sidewalks and stayed at the church for Saturday evening mass, the best part was seeing folks that I spent ten years of my life with. Some of those I remember as children are now parents. We recalled weddings and baptisms, sad funerals and times that made us laugh. So many of these folks have kept me in their prayers these past months and it was wonderful to be able to thank them in person and renew the ties of friendship.

Visitors and sunshine give new perspective

I’ve received so many prayers for my healing and recovery, and I am grateful for each one. The prayers and kind thoughts seem to be working as I continue to mend!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Two visitors brightened my day!

Fr. Byron drove in from Milwaukee to check in on how I’m doing. He was my formation director and mentor during my college years and retreat director several times after. He hadn’t been to St. Joseph’s in 13 years, so I took some time to give him a tour to see what’s new since then.

For more than an hour, we walked the campus and met people who explained their role at St. Joseph’s. I learn something new and appreciate more each time I hear staff reflecting on their jobs.

But, I also realized at the end of our tour that was the most walking I’ve done in some time. With a good friend at my side, and a nice sunny day, I just didn’t feel so sore and tired in my leg!

Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City also stopped in to see how I’m doing, and he joined us for lunch. Recently, we heard he’ll be leaving Rapid City to oversee the Spokane, Washington diocese. I felt it was even nicer of him to take the time to see me given all the transition and wrapping up that he has to do in the next month.

At the end of his visit, we went to the chapel and each said a prayer for each other. I’ve received so many prayers for my healing and recovery, and I am grateful for each one. The prayers and kind thoughts seem to be working as I continue to mend!

Weekly Reflection

After masses were done, all the SCJ priests and our seminarian gathered in Lower Brule for our monthly time of meeting, fellowship, prayer and food.

Sunday, July 4

After masses were done, all the SCJ priests and our seminarian gathered in Lower Brule for our monthly time of meeting, fellowship, prayer and food. The discussion at the meeting was lively and continued through supper. We have a good and committed group here trying to fulfill the mission of our community in South Dakota.

We live at the western edge of the Central Time zone, so it’s not dark enough here for fireworks until after 10.

Chamberlain/ Oacoma always puts on a good show, and our house sits high atop a hill for a good view from our back yard without having to go anywhere. The drawback of the yard is that it’s been so wet here this year we have a bumper crop of mosquitoes, so inside was better for viewing.

I watched the first few explosions to get a flavor of the holiday, then crashed into bed because that was late enough for me to stay up.

Monday, July 5

Today was the business holiday on campus. Almost all our staff had the day off, so campus was very quiet. When I went to check on the summer home, I found out even they were gone for an outing.

I stopped by the school gym to try my had at free throws. So much of my shooting power comes from the legs, and at first, I shot like the NBA centers who get intentionally fouled because they can’t hit anything. It took me many tries even to get myself back to a 50/50 rate.

While I feel sharp mentally, physically I have a long way back. This morning, I tried some simple yoga I’ve done for years and found even that painful.

But, whether I rest or exercise, my foot still hurts, so I may as well go and exercise!

Tuesday, July 6

A couple from Portland, Oregon, who has been giving to the school many years, stopped by for the first time today.

They’d been to Mt. Rushmore and figured the extra 200 miles was worth it to see what they’ve been a part of. I answered their questions as best I could and showed them one of the homes where the students live.

They were grateful and satisfied and headed back west toward the sunset. I’m always grateful, too, for our wide and varied array of donors who make St. Joseph’s possible.

Heavy rains, some hail and tornado warnings filled our afternoon and evening.

Because we’re redoing the chapel roof, we had some water seeping through and had to get out the buckets to catch where it was leaking. That’s one of the calculated risks of redoing a roof, but the years have taken their toll and it needed doing. We expect the new roof to be lots more energy efficient and last for many years when it’s all done.

Wednesday, July 7

I tackled the hill today!

From our house to the office is just 2/10 of a mile, and the hill has a pretty steep grade in parts. I used to walk it all the time, but since surgery, I’ve had to drive.

Tonight after supper, I needed something from the office and decided to give it a try on foot. Down and back would normally take 10 minutes, but today it took me a half hour.

I huffed and puffed climbing back up, and I’m sore in places that are not where the nerves are hurting. But, it was a good feeling as I try to get back to tackling bigger hills and more important issues.

As people on campus and in town ask how I’m doing, I wish I could say “better every day,” but I’m stuck in the position of feeling about the same every day.

When the doctors told me 6 – 12 weeks of recovery, I optimistically believed I could whip it in six, but as that time nears, I know it’s going to take longer and have to deal with that disappointment.

But, I need to not forget to ask people how and what they are doing and listen with care and empathy.

Fr. Steve’s updates

While the foot pain from my nerves is ongoing and bothersome, the hardest part of this stage of recovery is the lethargy, tiredness and lack of drive.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

While the foot pain from my nerves is ongoing and bothersome, the hardest part of this stage of recovery is the lethargy, tiredness and lack of drive. The weekend does bring more time for rest, but I feel worn out from sleeping large chunks of the day away.

Projects I would like to get to are started and left hanging as I lose energy, focus and staying power. What I think will only take a few minutes turns into a much longer production. I did at least catch up with some reading and long overdue letters.

Except for the museum – where we do have a good number of visitors – campus is eerily quiet for the long holiday weekend.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’ve been consistently able to put in three or four hours a day in the office. Even if I don’t accomplish so much, it at least helps me from going stir crazy.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I’ve been consistently able to put in three or four hours a day in the office. Even if I don’t accomplish so much, it at least helps me from going stir crazy.

Today our business office supervisors all met to check in. We don’t receive as much mail or as many phone calls during the summer months, but that gives everyone more time to take inventory – not just physically, which we do this time of year – but to look at what’s working and what needs improvement.

Sometimes it’s in the quieter times that good ideas crop up and beg to be explored.

I stopped to check in on the progress in the Rooney/Speyer homes. The inside demolition was accomplished quickly after school was out, and our crew is already hard at work building new walls and replacing all the windows with ones that will insulate much better.

I obviously haven’t stopped in as much as when I’m running at full speed, but I know folks appreciate it when I take interest in the work they’re doing. And our staff does a lot of good work, even if much of it is behind the scenes.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I appreciate good staff, grow close to them and hate to see them go. But we always seem to find others who take up the commitment to our mission and help out with their own unique gifts, talents and personalities.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

At afternoon work break, our business office said goodbye to Desiree, who will leave us to work at home on the family ranch. I appreciate good staff, grow close to them and hate to see them go. But we always seem to find others who take up the commitment to our mission and help out with their own unique gifts, talents and personalities.

We have two homes open for our students who need the support of St. Joseph’s summer program. I stopped in for supper in the Summerlee home, and enjoyed the company of a half dozen of our young women, grades 3-8. They have three hours of school each morning, then afternoons filled with recreation or other activities. The favorite activity seems to be the trips into the town pool, and playful interaction with other kids their age.

Fr. Steve’s updates

As a priest, you don’t always know the lasting impact you make on people that you see each Sunday in church.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

As a priest, you don’t always know the lasting impact you make on people that you see each Sunday in church. Today a family from Texas that I got to know from helping out in Pleasanton stopped by on their way back from a family wedding in Michigan.

We have kept in touch with cards and letters over the years, but a visit was a nice pick me up during my recovery time. I gave Del, Janelle and Devin a tour of St. Joseph’s and then we had lunch together and time to fill in the missing events of the past 9 years.

When we first met, Devin had just started guitar. I showed him a few ways to easily move between chords; then he took off on his own and sped way past me musically. He is now working on his masters in music, and from recordings I’ve heard, his guitar work is wonderful.

In education, you always hope your pupils surpass you, and it’s gratifying to hear from those who have. That gave me more hope and encouragement for my work at St. Joseph’s.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Fr. Joe invited me to stay for lunch afterwards and over a bowl of chili we caught up on doings on the Indian reservations and in our SCJ province.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The weekend was slow in one way because I slept a lot. The doctors said I would need extra rest as my body continues to heal.

Saturday night we said goodbye to Juan Carlos, our SCJ seminarian who worked at the day camp and took part in other activities this past month. After some vacation time he’ll begin his novitiate at the end of July.

We had supper at Charley’s restaurant, and there were plenty of towns folk I hadn’t seen since the surgery. My trip to the salad bar took 20 minutes as folks came up to me and got the update on how I’m doing. When we went to pay the bill, it had already been picked up, courtesy of Doc Holland, the retired physician who for many years took care of all the St. Joseph’s students and staff.

Today I did my first driving of any distance, a half hour to Lower Brule where I concelebrated the 11:00 mass. I’ve been on many prayer lists, and I got to thank the parishioners and tell them the good news that so far I’m cancer free.

Fr. Joe invited me to stay for lunch afterwards and over a bowl of chili we caught up on doings on the Indian reservations and in our SCJ province.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Fr. Anthony, two of our high school girls, a houseparent and two staff from Planned Giving took off for New Jersey, where they’ll have a couple of appreciation luncheons for our donors.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Fr. Anthony, two of our high school girls, a houseparent and two staff from Planned Giving took off for New Jersey, where they’ll have a couple of appreciation luncheons for our donors.

I’m usually the MC at those, but I still need to get a little stronger before I start traveling.

Before the crew left I went over to the high school house to wish the girls well. Talia said she was a bit nervous, so I had her practice with me the things she planned to say.

I didn’t see Shay until just before they were ready to leave, but I sent her off with a hug and load of good wishes.

I find that our students have a lot to say about life on Indian reservations and hopes and dreams for a better future. It just takes a lot of encouragement to get them to believe in themselves and know that so many people are interested in what they have to say.