Easter – St. Joseph's Indian School

Holy Week at St. Joseph’s

Happy Holy Week from St. Joseph’s Indian School!

What is the old adage, ‘if you don’t like the weather just wait a few moments?’ That has been the truth here in Chamberlain these past few days. It was in the 80’s on Saturday and then on Monday, the temperatures dropped to the low 30’s along with rain, sleet and snow. On Tuesday, most of the snow melted and on Wednesday, the weather was overcast and rainy. The moisture is allowing the grass to green-up nicely!

WAX MUSEUM
Last Friday, our 3rd graders hosted a ‘wax museum’. Continue reading “Holy Week at St. Joseph’s”

Greetings from St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph's Chaplain — Fr. Anthony, St. Joseph’s Chaplain

I hope everyone had a blessed and Happy Easter. Our students and staff arrived on campus Monday morning rested, refreshed and ready to go for the remainder of the school year. Thankfully, our students were all able to return to campus before the snow began falling.

This week is very special for a number of our students as they are in the homestretch of their preparation for reception of Sacraments (Baptism, 1st Communion and Confirmation). The students prepared by completing our Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) Class.

We’ll have a number of students receiving all three Sacraments! Continue reading “Greetings from St. Joseph’s Indian School!”

A bit of everything

Greetings once again from St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. As Fr. Steve Huffstetter, SCJ is on his way back from a donor luncheon in the Miami, Florida area, I have been asked to bring you up-to-date on what happened here at St. Joseph’s over the weekend.

It was a weekend that had a bit of everything happen. Friday afternoon had one of our 4^th grades present a ‘living’ Way of the Cross entitled The Week That Changed the World to our students and staff. Friday also saw the end of the bowling season as all the participants had a fun afternoon in which trophies were awarded and snacks provided. A lot of fun was had this year and several of the students improved remarkably over the course of the season.

While we were at the bowling lane, word was received that the Chamberlain water supply was experiencing some difficulty and that the water should not be drunk. The whole town and campus were affected. As those working on the problem were not sure how long it would last, there was a run on bottled water. Luckily the disruption was fixed overnight and we could drink and use the water in cooking.

The end of the month also brought an end to our Home Prayers for March and the theme of St. Joseph. We had the homes pray the Litany of St. Joseph and talked with the students about who St. Joseph was and why he plays an important role in salvation history as the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.

Saturday saw the Spring session of FAST (Families And Schools Together) hold its graduation. We had five families complete the program which encourages interaction among the students, their families and St. Joseph’s staff. It was wonderful to see several homes attend the graduation as a sign of support and encouragement for their students who took part in the program. A nice reception took place afterwards.

Should the popular movie, The Hunger Games, have a sequel, several of our students are ready to try out. Due to the beautiful weather we have been having, those who have been practicing their archery skills were able to shoot outside on the football field. They seemed to really be into the experience as they were out there for several hours.

Several of the younger grades are taking part in a gymnastics camp offered in the Chamberlain community. It seems a very popular event; one of our students even participated on the Chamberlain High School Gymnastics Team as a 7^th grader. We hope that taking part in such a camp helps the students get the basics and establish some friendships with Chamberlain students. When they meet up again in high school, we hope good team work values may be established and will bear fruit as Chamberlain’s gymnastics team competes locally and on a state wide basis.

You know Spring has come when you see your first riding lawn mower! I am not sure if it was out to be used or was being moved to be prepared for the upcoming grass cutting season, but it was moving about the campus. I hope that is a positive sign that no more ‘wintery’ weather will hit the campus until next Fall and Winter.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday and we began our liturgy by gathering outside in front of the Benedict Homes for the blessing of the palms and then the procession into Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel.

I hope that each of you will have a meaningful and grace-filled Holy Week. As we continue our journey to Easter and witness what takes place on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, may we be grateful for the love and mercy the Great Spirit shows His people through the witness Jesus gives as He willingly pays the price for our sins. May we always be grateful and echo the statement of the Roman officer heard in yesterday’s reading of the Passion,

‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’

May we live out that gratitude by following Jesus’ example of love and service to all those we encounter in our journey through life.

During our Sunday liturgy we make various announcements. Our high school program asked us to share some wonderful news. Erin, one of our high school seniors, has just been awarded the opportunity of a lifetime. She is one of only six South Dakota students to receive a Davis-Bahcall Scholarship. This will enable her to spend a month studying particle physics at some great laboratories world-wide. She’ll spend a week at Sanford Labs in Lead, South Dakota, which used to be an active gold mine, and then two weeks at the Fermilabs just outside Chicago, Illinois, where the Manhattan Project was begun. She ends the program with a visit to northern Italy where CERN’s Gran Sasso lab, which houses the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest, is housed. The Chamberlain High School principal stated he ranked this as one of the two highest honors a student could receive in the science field. We congratulate Erin on this honor. It was also mentioned that Erin and D’Kera have both been accepted at South Dakota State University following graduation.

Have a Happy Easter and know we continue to keep all of you in our prayers in gratitude for your generosity.

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ

Chaplain

Fr. Steve’s updates

I’ve received piles of get well cards and letters. People share their own struggles to overcome, offer prayers and hope, advice and recipes, cartoons and pictures, prayer books and medals, and even some original art work.

Monday, April 5, 2010

When Brother Clay left this morning, he made sure I had the large box with my mail from the past three weeks.

Again, I’ve received piles of get well cards and letters. People share their own struggles to overcome, offer prayers and hope, advice and recipes, cartoons and pictures, prayer books and medals, and even some original art work.

I was torn between reading through them and watching the White Sox opening day on TV. So, I did both.

Baseball is a leisurely game, and doesn’t require constant attention, so I sat down in the common room with my box and started reading. When the game got exciting, I paid closer attention, and during the lulls, I read a few more notes.

Some were from names I recognized right away, but many shared this common sentiment – “although we’ve never met, through your letters I feel like we’re old friends and I just wanted you to know we’re thinking of you …”

There are so many folks who, over the years, have been such a blessing to St. Joseph’s and now are a real blessing to me.

I had the first seven innings to myself and the letters. The last two innings, I was joined by a couple of other sports fans who came back from their treatments; the talk turned more to baseball and a little to sharing our medical stories.

My team won, and it was a lovely way to spend a good part of the afternoon.

Fr. Steve’s updates

This year’s Holy Week has been so different for me, not having to prepare any homilies or lead services. Instead, I con-celebrated mass this morning at the local parish, where there was uplifting music and a good spirit among the overflowing crowd.

Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter

The pastor introduced me and told folks that I was here for cancer treatments. Standing in the doorway afterward to shake hands and wish folks a happy Easter, countless folks came up and offered their prayers and support. Some told me briefly of their being survivors. All urged me to have faith and courage. And, the experience of prayer and community increased my faith and courage.

I’ve been told it’s important not to lose much weight before surgery, and having two Easter dinners probably has me looking to gain rather than lose over the weekend!

Right after church, Brother Clay and I went to a downtown hotel for a lovely Easter brunch. In the evening, some of the Franciscan sisters invited me over for dinner. One sister, who was in novitiate during World War II (she has just a few more years of religious life than me!) recalled how disappointing it was that they couldn’t initially receive their profession cross because silver was rationed at that time! But with 65+ years as a sister, I think her vows definitely took.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I grew up in Indiana, and seeing Butler’s improbable run to the championship game has been exciting. It continues the tradition and history we fondly call Hoosier Hysteria.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

I’m a person of many lists, and usually, before turning in each night, I make a list of what I want to accomplish the next day. I seldom get everything on the list done, but writing goals down helps me make progress and keep my eye on what is needed.

But, today was a wide open day, with no treatments or appointments, and no list. I took it easy, read quite a bit and went to a mall to buy a new pair of walking shoes. Then, proceeded to put a few miles on them.

I am noticing more tiredness from the radiation. Some days it’s hard to coax myself out of bed. Today, it was nice not to have to get out of bed until the tiredness was off of me.

I also got several phone calls from family and friends, knowing I’d be busy on Easter, and wanting to touch base and offer prayers and support, which means so much.

Tonight, the basketball fan in me had to watch the NCAA tournament with a few other sports fans who congregated around the common TV. I grew up in Indiana, and seeing Butler’s improbable run to the championship game has been exciting. It continues the tradition and history we fondly call Hoosier Hysteria.