friendship – St. Joseph's Indian School

Success begins in the heart

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.

Fr. Steve of St. Joseph's Indian School — 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.

Our Tiyospaye – extended family

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.

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.

Answered prayers

I took it easy today, and spent most of my time at home, puttering around with different odds and ends. In the evening I drove 40 miles to the parish in Stephan for mass.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

I took it easy today, spending most of my time at home puttering around with different odds and ends. In the evening I drove 40 miles to the parish in Stephan for mass. My former parishioners have let me know they’ve been praying hard for my recovery. This was a good time to join them for prayer. Being with them in person reassured them that our prayers are being answered.

It had been a while since I’d been to church there. As the families continue to grow and flourish I saw several new babies that I had to get introduced to – new life for the families and continued life for the church.

The healing power of laughter and friendship

With my presence at yesterday’s public events, word got out around the community that I’m in town, and folks that I hadn’t yet seen started stopping by the rectory to say hello.

Friday, July 16, 2010

With my presence at yesterday’s public events, word got out around the community that I’m in town … Folks that I hadn’t seen yet started stopping by the rectory to say hello.

Judy came while I was away at mass, so afterward I tracked her down at the arts and crafts fair. We had a good visit while she was setting up all the quilts and pillows she’s sown.

Judy lives on a ranch about 15 miles off the paved roads. During the winter and rainy seasons she may go several weeks without getting to town, and that’s her time to channel her creative energies into such beautiful items.

I also received calls to make some other stops. I visited the bank and hung out in the break room as workers came by in shifts and got the chance to catch up. I visited a couple that was so good to me ever since the first summer I arrived in Eagle Butte 30 years ago. With health issues they don’t get out much, but are still sharp and delighted at the company.

For lunch, I ate at the Senior Center. They always have a nutritious meal; but more importantly a place for the elders of the community to come for some friendship and company. What I noticed this time was that many of the elders I remember were not there any longer, and a new generation of folks I remember have now joined the ranks of elderly. I had several good conversations.

Later, I stopped at Landmark Hall where people were registering for the school reunion. I ran into some dear friends there.

In the evening a family invited me over to their house for supper. I got to meet the newest generation of the clan. What I told them I most appreciated, besides the good food, was the laughter as they told stories about one another and life’s events.

Laughter and friendship is one of the most healing things.

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.

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

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

I mostly answered cards and letters and got my desk cleared off as much as possible. I really don’t know how long I’ll be gone for medical leave.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

I spent most of the day in the office, with no one else around.

I mostly answered cards and letters and got my desk cleared off as much as possible. I really don’t know how long I’ll be gone for medical leave.

Rather than feeling like a chore, each letter gave me a sense of blessing and being cared for. I also fielded several phone calls from friends and relatives checking up on me and offering their encouragement.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I filled my new prescriptions downtown at Casey’s drugstore, and met with Jim, the pharmacist, to learn more about possible side effects. Like so many other townsfolk, he asked for the latest update and assured me of his ongoing prayers.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

First time I’ve blogged in a few days.

My digestive system is in a bit of disarray, but other than that I’m feeling pretty good.

I’ve gone back to my regular schedule of meetings. Finances are in good shape for now. Child Services are busy planning for graduation and all the end of the year activities that makes May one busy month. In Human Resources, we hired one new houseparent for next year and are checking references for others we’re interested in interviewing.

In between meetings, I’ve tried to make up for time away by making campus rounds and checking up on people and projects.

I ran across the 4th and 5th grade girls taking part in their Red Path group. The program tries to address the stresses of drug and alcohol abuse within their lives.

We have two new staff since I’ve been gone. Becky helps in the production room with sending out mail. Amanda is our new Family Service Counselor and will be working with our older girls and their families. I looked them both up and welcomed them.

On a rainy Monday, the Maintenance crew was looking for a fourth person to play a quick game of pitch during break. I never played before, but they quickly ran through the rules and gave me my cards. Through sheer luck Roger and I won, which drew both teasing and praise.

Then, we caught up on all that’s in the works on campus. I checked the progress of the Carola Home remodeling. The demolition is finished and workers are now dry walling.

A group of High School Junior ROTC Thunderbirds Drill Team from Flandreau Indian School paid us a visit and did an after lunch performance for our student body. Their program emphasized discipline to achieve goals in life, and living by a creed which makes you and the creator proud.

Our mentor program had the last group event of the year – Bingo and finger food supper at the Dining Hall.

I’ve never really liked Bingo ( I must not be a good Catholic!) but enjoyed the company of those around me as we played for prizes. I never came close to winning, but our team made sure everyone got at least a consolation prize. I took home a new dish towel since you can always use those upgrades in the kitchen.

On my way to the business office, I came across a group of staff enjoying lovely spring weather during break. Jean carried a lovely bundle of lilac blossoms from our trees. She was planning to arrange them in a vase in the work room. Little touches of beauty and thoughtfulness add a lot to a workplace.

Yes, it feels great to be back.

Yes, it feels great to be back.