Tag: culture

David Home- Spotlight

Every Tuesday for the next few months, we will be highlighting one of our 20 homes on St. Joseph’s campus.

Here at St. Joseph’s, we provide nationally-accredited home-away-from-homes for Native American children in grades one through twelve.

There are no dorms at St. Joseph’s. Children live in one of our campus homes with two specially-trained houseparents. They live and play together as any family would. The boys and girls learn life skills and enjoy spending time with their ‘St. Joseph’s family’.

St. Joseph’s DAVID HOME is one of our 1-3 grade girls’ homes on campus.

Luisa and Jachin are the David Home 6-day houseparents. They do a fantastic job with the young girls in our care here at St. Joseph’s!

Here are a few fun facts about the girls of David Home:   Continue reading “David Home- Spotlight”

Sharing our struggles

I called Fr. Jim, a fellow SCJ, to check in. He’s been of great support during this time of illness and recuperation.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sharon, a friend of one of our houseparents, dropped in to share an idea. She had the text from the apology to American Indians Congress passed in December. What she has done with people is gather them together, read through what is said, and then talk about it as a group. Folks were encouraged to share their reaction.

There were tears, a little anger, but mostly gratitude for a new beginning. It may work out well to do something similar with our older students … to make them aware of the past, but also present efforts at healing and reconciliation.

Last night my leg was hurting and I didn’t sleep well. That turned my post lunch siesta into a three hour deep sleep that I needed; but that shot the entire afternoon. I just have to pay attention to what my body needs and accept it when I’m forced to slow down.

I called Fr. Jim, a fellow SCJ, to check in. He’s been of great support during this time of illness and recuperation. I can be honest with him about the times I lack energy and motivation. Ironically, it helps rekindle the fire within. We all need people with whom we can share the struggles.

Fr. Steve’s updates

The Sunday before surgery the good parishioners had their mass said for the intention of my healing, and I got a whole bunch of get well cards that I’ve not yet answered.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Friday and Saturday the other priests and brothers were gone, and with no meetings I soaked up the quiet. I got in lots of much needed sleep, with reading and TV in between.

Today Juan Carlos – our seminarian helping this summer – drove me to church in Kennebec, 30 miles west of St. Joseph’s. I used to be pastor there.

The Sunday before surgery the good parishioners had their mass said for the intention of my healing, and I received a bunch of get well cards that I’ve not yet answered. I wanted to thank them and join them for this week’s mass.

The day was a nice reunion, with some catching up time. Folks have been genuinely worried about the seriousness of my cancer, and were relieved to see me up and about.

I still have trouble standing for a long time, but with Fr. Joe leading mass, I was able to make it through.

After lunch I took another nap, packed my bags for a few days, and now await Fr. Bill. We’ll journey back to the clinic where I have post surgery appointments Monday and Tuesday. I’ll have several tests and scans, and have appointments with the radiologist, oncologist and surgeon to check up on how the recovery is going.

Hopefully the good news and results will continue.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Two students finished degrees in Native American Studies, which is so needed to pass on the culture and values. One woman is finishing her degree as an industrial engineer and will hopefully inspire others to follow her footsteps.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Letters have gotten stacked up over these past weeks. I answer what I can and then feel more behind with the day’s new batch.

But, today I wrote cards to the college students we’ve been helping with scholarship monies who graduate this year.

Two students finished degrees in Native American Studies, which is so needed to pass on the culture and values. One woman is finishing her degree as an industrial engineer and will hopefully inspire others to follow her footsteps.

Another went back to college after 30 years of working and raising a family … showing it’s never too late to pursue an education and fulfill your dreams.

I’m glad St. Joseph’s is able to help such students find the means to attend college.

The end of the school year is also a time of transitions. Brenda, who has worked as a houseparent for 19 years, will retire when school is out. Her co-workers gathered for lunch at the Marina, and I was able to join them. Brenda has so many memories and stories of the kids in all those years, and I laughed as she reminisced.

Another goodbye was to Jan, who is retiring from the Title program. Those teachers are actually employees of the Chamberlain School district, but I always say that their heart belongs to St. Joseph’s. Jan and all the Title teachers show wonderful care for our students and help those most in need of individualized attention.

I stopped to videotape a message for our high school seniors who graduate from the Chamberlain program in just two weeks. They were sixth graders when I started here, and I have lots of memories as I’ve seen them grow up.

Then, it was on to the chapel to take the official graduation photo for the newspaper. Wow – so many milestones are fast approaching!

Wow – so many milestones are fast approaching!

Fr. Steve’s updates

Saturday is a good day for me to be in the office, with few calls or interruptions. I spent the afternoon finishing up the weekend homily and lining up things for church tomorrow.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

A former houseparent is now working at a school in Wisconsin, and led a group with eight sixth grade girls to St. Joseph’s for a cultural exchange.

Yesterday, they shadowed our sixth graders to see what a day at St. Joseph’s is like in school. I watched them learning how to make dream catchers. The girls ate supper in the homes and over the dinner table could talk about the differences and similarities in their lives.

Today, the Wisconsin visitors played in a four team basketball tourney at our Rec Center. We must have shown good hospitality, because they were relaxed and fresh and beat our St. Joseph’s team quite handily. But, they left definitely more friends than rivals.

Saturday is a good day for me to be in the office, with few calls or interruptions. I spent the afternoon finishing up the weekend homily and lining up things for church tomorrow.