We greet you from the banks of the Missouri River as the last few days of winter slip away in
Fr. Anthony with the Lakota children
South Dakota. It’s not going out quietly… we had some snow on Saturday evening and are facing a winter storm today!
Last week was fairly quiet at St. Joseph’s Indian School while our Lakota (Sioux) students in grades 1-8 were on spring break. They returned Sunday and this week kicks off the fourth quarter of the academic year! Wednesday we will have a prayer service honoring our patron, St. Joseph, and asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the students and teachers for the final quarter of the school year.
Monday, eight students took part in an Opiciye Okizi – A Good Place to Heal. This special program is a “healing camp” for students who have recently lost someone close to them. Each child was joined by a family member for the day.
During the camp, St. Joseph’s staff members facilitate activities designed to start conversations and help the children reflect on life and death and talk about how we can honor and pray for those whom the Great Spirit has called home. It gives the students a chance to ask questions, especially if they have had a hard time dealing with the loss. The day ended with a traditional ceremony called the ‘wiping of tears.’
We hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day. Pilamaya – thank you – for making these programs possible for the
Healing camp helps the Lakota children who have experienced the death a loved one cope with the loss in healthy ways.
children and families who need them. May God’s blessings continue to be with you to reward you for your generosity!
Hello there! I’m Maija, and I have the best job at St. Joseph’s Indian School! I work primarily with the Lakota (Sioux) students in high school and junior high. I
Maija
get to plan fun activities with the kids, train new houseparents, call applicants and more.
I had the pleasure of putting together a series of five blog posts that you’ll see over the next few weeks – one post from each of our high school homes! We got started with the Hogebach Home, followed by the Crane Home last week.
St. Joseph’s high school students live on campus, but attend Chamberlain High School, so their schedule is a little different than our younger students.
I hope this blog gives you a glimpse into our world; the activities the kids are involved with, their hopes, and goals.
GILES HOME
The Giles home boys came up with some very creative descriptives for their home:
Relaxing and playing some Monopoly in the Giles Home.
Spontaneous
Fantastic
Brilliant
Miraculous
Fun
Fabulous
The boys never give up on each other, get along well, and don’t hold grudges…for the most part.
The Giles Home’s overall GPA has improved and the boys are worked hard to end the second semester strong. In addition to improving their grades, several of the guys have applications in to local businesses and hope to have part-time jobs and steady income soon.
These young men have some impressive goals for the remainder of the school year. They all hope to pass second semester with good grades and have no F’s.
Dawson especially hopes to pass his driver’s test, get a car and help his grandma out.
Deavontay is most grateful for the houseparents’ persistence in helping them succeed. The boys all agree – their houseparents never give up on any of them and always show they care.
This was obvious while visiting the home; the camaraderie and banter between staff and students was light-hearted and entertaining.
Pilamaya – thank you – for your support of St. Joseph’s and these awesome kids!
Have a great week,
Maija & the Giles boys
The Giles Home boys and their houseparents during their home trip to Minnesota.
Good day from the staff and Lakota (Sioux) girls in the William Home (4th and 5th grade girls)!
Mike, a St. Joseph’s houseparent
The year has gone by quickly; it is hard to believe, but we will be starting the final quarter next week when school resumes after spring break.
We have finished up our walking program for the year. Each morning, we got up early to go to the rec center and walk laps. As a home, staff and students walked a total of 21,460 laps this year. That is equal to 1,070 miles!
Now, hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can get outdoors and play in our free time. We have our home trip coming up soon and everyone is excited. A fun weekend away from campus towards the end of the year is always a great time to reflect on our school year and the relationships we have built. We are planning on going to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and visit the Butterfly House, the Washington Pavillion to take in some science exhibits and then the Sky Zone for some trampoline time.
Right now, I am working in the spring break home. Some of St. Joseph’s students stay on campus during breaks for a variety of reasons. There is always a place for them here. It is a relaxed time and the kids enjoy recreational and leisure activities.
The Lakota (Sioux) girls in the William Home got up early every morning to walk at the rec center and meet their goal.
Staff members can apply to work one of the shifts in the break home, or just take the time off – it is not mandatory for any staff to work in break homes. Many students in the spring break home are younger and I also have a couple girls from the William Home. It is nice to get to know younger students and spend some extra time with the kids I already know.
We hope you have all survived the winter months! I hate to say it, but I’m done with my shift today and headed out to hit some golf balls – our snow is gone and we’re supposed to get up to 60 degrees!
Hello there! I’m Maija, and I have the best job at St. Joseph’s Indian School! I work primarily with the Lakota (Sioux) students in high school and junior high. I get to plan
Maija
fun activities with the kids, train new houseparents, call applicants and more.
I had the pleasure of putting together a series of five blog posts that you’ll see over the next few weeks – one post from each of our high school homes! We got started last week with the Hogebach Home.
St. Joseph’s high school students live on campus, but attend Chamberlain High School, so their schedule is a little different than our younger students.
I hope this blog gives you a glimpse into our world; the activities the kids are involved with, their hopes, and goals.
CRANE HOME:
The girls in Crane Home describe themselves as close friends who are like one big family of cooperative, energetic, funny, and AMAZING girls! They love doing things together, like hanging out, watching movies, and going on home trips. They feel blessed to be big and little sisters who will always stand up for each other.
New houseparents Bob and Angie, who joined our staff after many years in residential care elsewhere, say they have never seen a houseful of teenage girls get along so
For their Valentine’s Dinner, the girls toasted their favorite beverage – pomegranate juice with diet Sprite!
well.
Ashley, a freshman, is proud of how well she is adjusting at Chamberlain High School. All the girls shared that they are making new friends, becoming more outgoing, are comfortable and able to be themselves at school.
The girls are celebrating having the least amount of missing assignments of the school year. Their goal is to earn the trophy again. The quarter ended March 7, so we’ll know soon if they were successful!
In St. Joseph’s High School program, there are two traveling trophies that circulate through the high school homes:
Highest average home GPA
Fewest missing assignments per home
These trophies are awarded at mid-term and at the end of every quarter, so the homes have eight chances each year to steal it away from the previous winners.
Some recent excitement for these young ladies was when the one-act play, “Afghan Women,” earned a superior rating at the South Dakota State One-Act Competition. Erica has been involved with the drama team at Chamberlain for three years now! She admits the practices are sometimes long and hard, but the performances are outstanding and worth the effort. She likes that the Crane Home has good drama, not bad drama.
Katie is happy to be chosen to attend the donor luncheon in Los Angeles and is very excited about being a participant in the upcoming student exchange in Handrup, Germany this summer. She would like to learn some basic German prior to leaving.
Leahanna, Katie, Danielle, Ashley, Kezrai, Erica, Martina and Lilly make up the Crane Home at St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Each girl in the Crane Home has progressed academically and works hard at keeping up with their studies. The girls’ hope for the remainder of the school year is to stay as close as they are right now.
Pilamaya – thank you – for your support of St. Joseph’s and these awesome kids!
You can tell a lot about a person from how they handle a rainy day and tangled Christmas lights. Or even a snowy day and plugged up bottles of Elmer’s glue.
Claire
That was my weekend at least. Last Saturday was the retreat for St. Joseph’s Lakota (Sioux) students who have chosen to go through sacramental preparation. In typical South Dakota fashion, the weather didn’t go exactly as envisioned – bad weather and icy roads prevented some family members from joining in the activities.
When we gathered at noon to begin our day, I saw many glum faces gazing in disappointment at the fog and snow coming down outside. Just when I was beginning to feel blue myself, I noticed a young man in a snazzy dress shirt and tie. He really, really, really wanted to be there. I found his enthusiasm inspiring … even infectious.
Our Native American students were divided into groups for the hands-on activities. As they came to the station led by Karen and me in the Art Room, the students regaled us with tales from their other stations—tasting unconsecrated wine (ew yuck!); touching or trying on vestments (perhaps some future inspiration, eh?); baking unleavened bread; learning the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (for which they received candy prizes) and more.
Karen and I were assigned to help the candidates make their stoles for receiving the sacraments. This involved several days of preparation: cutting out 25 white felt stoles and drawing, cutting and assembling an assortment of felt symbols to be glued to the stoles: doves, candles, crosses, hosts and water.
The whole family was there to help – even the baby!
All this done, they day was here. Students were arriving!
When we started, we were stymied by the Elmer’s bottles, which had become plugged with dried glue. I bet Martha Stewart never had days like this… jamming pencils into the bottle necks and slathering the glop onto the cutout chalices and crosses.
Sticky hands, sticky tables and what? A nosebleed?
Somehow it all came out right, even though Karen had to do some serious hot-glue repairs the next day.
I asked one family to pose for a picture and they beamed with pride. Everyone was there to help, even the baby. They surrounded the candidate with hugs and smiles as they assembled his stole.
Another group was definitely feeling the absence of missing family members. They stuck together tightly. All boys, they seemed a little awkward standing there with their stoles and glue. An affectionate family wrestling match broke out and eased the tension. When I asked for a picture, the eldest got quite serious. He put on his stole with the glue still drying. It made him seem older and wiser somehow.
When we all joined together as a large group once again before Mass, the feeling was relaxed and happy. Nate led them all in an unintelligible game of “What if…?”
Everyone created a stole to wear on the day they will receive the sacraments.
What if you had to choose to eat a spider or a snake?
“I’d eat a spider!”
You would eat a spider? Are you crazy??
The boys couldn’t get enough of it and they hung on him like he was a jungle gym.
What could I take away from this mini-retreat? As always, I was awed by the contagious power of joy. When a person has it, they can’t help but pass it on.
I was also reminded of God’s love — a love that knows and accepts in all circumstances; a love that calls by name and overlooks the mess and the fuss; a love that is felt even when it can’t always be seen “in person;” a love that does not forget or abandon.
I feel fortunate to help prepare these precious children for a deeper relationship with God. I feel even more blessed in how they help my faith to grow as well.
Thank you to St. Joseph’s many benefactors who make learning like this possible!
What a busy week it’s been at St. Joseph’s Indian School!
Last Saturday, we held sacramental preparation for those Lakota (Sioux) students who have chosen to take this step with the support of their families. We have 21
Fr. Anthony visits with the students participating in Sacramental Preparation about vestments and the celebration of Liturgy.
preparing for all three Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation and five preparing for First Communion.
The students’ families were invited to come and take part as the children had different sessions learning about the gifts of the Spirit, bread making, the stoles they’ll wear at Baptism, and an explanation of the vestments worn and items used in the celebration of the Liturgy.
However, a snowstorm forced some changes in plans and only a few families were able to come. The students will receive the Sacraments on April 27. Please keep them in your prayers over these next few weeks.
On Sunday, the Knights of Columbus used St. Joseph’s rec center gym to host the statewide finals of their annual free throw contest. Participants from all over South Dakota were able to come and shoot it out. The atmosphere was tense and focused – you could have heard a pin drop as contestants took their turn. St. Joseph’s own Keshaume placed fifth in his category!
Monday saw the local religious community have a day of recollection offered by Fr. Wayne Jenkins, SCJ, who is the archivist for the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJS). He gave us a reflection on the Last Supper and the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. He was excited to visit St. Joseph’s campus and see the new Alumni & Historical center that has been added to the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.
Tonight, the Chamberlain High School Cubs will host Miller in a regional play-off basketball game. The boys had a tough fight when they met this opponent during the year, so it should be an exciting contest.
The CHS Lady Cubs won a thriller last week when they beat Cheyenne Eagle Butte 55-53. It went right down to the wire! The Cubs were almost knocked out by a former St. Joseph’s student, Jaylnn, who transferred to Cheyenne Eagle Butte – she had 14 points and was tough defensively.
The girls’ next game is Friday night when they play Winner, a team that was 19-1 during the regular season.
I hope you have a great week! May God bless and reward you for your generosity for the Lakota boys and girls!
And that’s certainly what they were doing when I peeked into gymnastics practice with the first and second graders the other day! Forward rolls, back bends, and the
Anita, rec center
splits…YIKES!
Our Native American girls are learning all this under the watchful eyes of Coaches Mark (Recreation Center staff) and LaRayne (teacher at our elementary school). Yes, the girls are definitely having fun while they are being active, learning coordination, body awareness and image, plus persistence and perseverance!
There is an active gymnastics program at the middle and high school levels in Chamberlain; in fact, two members of the high school team (and the children of St. Joseph’s staff members) were at the state finals in Aberdeen, South Dakota last weekend.
St. Joseph’s first, second and third grade girls practice basic tumbling skills.
Watching the younger girls on the mats, you can see that we’ve got some good potential developing at St. Joseph’s Indian School!
Another thing our young Lakota (Sioux) girls enjoy is the CHEER TEAM! This program has been underway for several years. Besides having fun, learning cooperation and the responsibility of being a team member, they provide leadership and LOUD cheering during our basketball games here on campus!
The groups are coached by former cheerleaders Melissa, Jona & Amanda. These ladies come from very different areas: Jona works in St. Joseph’s Development office, Amanda is a Family Service Counselor and Melissa is the wife of a staff member.
St. Joseph’s Cheerleaders get the crowd fired up!
That’s it from the Rec Center for today…but we’ll be back soon with more updates!
Hello there! I’m Maija, and I have the best job at St. Joseph’s Indian School! I work primarily with the Lakota (Sioux) students in high school and junior high. I get to plan
Maija
fun activities with the kids, train new houseparents, call applicants and more.
I had the pleasure of putting together a series of five blog posts that you’ll see over the next few weeks – one post from each of our high school homes!
St. Joseph’s high school students live on campus, but attend Chamberlain High School, so their schedule is a little different than our younger students.
I hope this blog gives you a glimpse into our world; the activities the kids are involved with, their hopes, and goals.
HOGEBACH HOME: When one enters the Hogebach Home, they can just feel the good vibes emanating from these young ladies. They describe their home as:
Positive
Smart
Busy
Loud
Full of laughter
The best homeever
Amazing
Full of independent girls
Michelle sums it up by saying “we’ve got style.”
Ashley, Michelle, Amber, Cassidy, Irene, Melvina and Angela, along with Eya the Dog, make up the Hogebach Home.
Hogebach houses two freshmen and six upper-class Native American girls. The upper-class girls are glad to have such smart freshmen in their home and have done a great job encouraging the younger girls to keep their grades up. They do this in part so they can earn back the academic trophies.
In St. Joseph’s High School program, there are two traveling trophies that circulate through the high school homes:
highest average home GPA
fewest missing assignments
These trophies are awarded at mid-term and at the end of every quarter, so the homes have eight chances each year to steal it away from the previous winners.
The Hogebach Home once proudly held both trophies for quite a long time. The Hogebach girls have been working hard and hope to win at least one trophy back at the end of the third quarter, which is March 7.
The girls love having Eya, their houseparent’s 13-year-old Australian Shepherd, in their home. They are the only home on campus with a dog and consider him a part of their family. Irene says that Eya loves popcorn and is smart; he knows when someone is sad and he’ll sit by them. Amber states the dog is hers. Either way, the smart dog and smart girls get along very well in the Hogebach Home!
On their home trip to the Black Hills, the girls and their houseparent, Cheryl, had a blast tubing!
The end of the school year will be here before we know it. All the girls in Hogebach hope they get the trophy back, have no missing assignments ever again and everyone finishes the year staying positive!
Pilamaya – thank you – for your support of St. Joseph’s and these awesome kids!
Hello, my name is Celia and I am a Residential Coordinator here at St. Joseph’s Indian School; I supervise houseparents in our first, second and third grade community. I
I wanted to be part of the program because so many of our Lakota (Sioux) children could really benefit from another positive adult relationship in their life. I have been matched with Martina since 2007.
She was in third grade when we were matched and is now a sophomore in St. Joseph’s high school program – time goes so fast! I enjoy mentoring her because I feel like I can give her another person to talk to in her life. I can also be there for her if she needs someone to just listen.
We enjoy the activities scheduled by the mentor committee, like picnics, movie night and scavenger hunts, but also enjoy going out to eat or to the movies. I have watched her grow into a nice young lady, and she has so much potential to do great things in the future!
I feel that our time together has been beneficial for both of us. Martina has also said that she feels having a mentor has helped her through the years. I look forward to continuing our relationship as she graduates from high school and continues her journey through life.
We recently had a bit of excitement with a mild earthquake in our neck of the woods! It only measured 2.9 on the Richter scale and was located about 17 miles southeast of
Jacquelynne and Alyssa are excited to visit Florida!
Chamberlain. Nobody at St. Joseph’s Indian School felt it, and there was no damage in the area. Thank goodness!
Two of our young Lakota (Sioux) ladies, Alyssa and Jacquelynne, will be joining other staff members traveling to St. Joseph’s next Donor Luncheon in Cocoa Beach, Florida this weekend. Cocoa Beach is in the Cape Canaveral area. They are looking forward to visiting with benefactors and friends who attend.
While they may not make it to any of the Daytona 500 going on up the coast, they are looking forward to the Florida weather, a dip in the Atlantic Ocean and a visit to the Cape Kennedy Space Center. If you are going to be in the Cocoa Beach area and would like to attend, please let us know as soon as you can by calling 1-800-584-9200.
Not going to be near Cocoa Beach? Check our schedule of donor events. We may be coming to an area near you!
St. Joseph’s fourth, fifth and sixth grade basketball teams had the chance to take part in a tournament sponsored by the City of Chamberlain over the weekend. There were teams from communities in the area and even some who came a great distance. There was good play on everyone’s part. Though some of the scores were a bit lopsided, the players had fun. Our fourth grade team captured 3rd place in their age group thanks to a last second, buzzer-beating shot by Keshaume as he was falling out of bounds! You may recall Keshaume recently won his age group at the Knights of Columbus regional free throw contest.
St. Joseph’s staff members – from teachers to houseparents to counselors – make our work possible with the Lakota children!
St. Joseph’s will be holding a Staff Appreciation Breakfast this coming Wednesday morning. The Priests of the Sacred Heart (the religious community that runs St. Joseph’s) does this each year as a special way of saying wopila tanka – many thanks – to our employees.
Their efforts combined with your generosity enable us to offer the programs the Lakota boys and girls need – a safe home, food, clothing, counseling and more. We hope this humble gesture is one way of showing our gratitude and appreciation for those who are part of the team here on campus.
I hope each of you has a great week ahead! We will finish the novena of Masses for you and your intentions on February 19. We offer up a novena each month for all our Benefactors as our way of saying pilamaya — thank you – for your support.
