Tag: Native American

We experienced sadness today on campus. We heard that after an illness that has lasted a few months, one of our long time staff members, Jerry Vaad, died this evening. He worked in the Rec Center and drove the bus to games and always encouraged our kids in so many ways. He had a heart of gold and will truly be missed.

Another one of our former houseparents, Dot, died a few weeks ago, and this was the evening the high school girls who knew her picked to have a memorial prayer service outside the home by the garden Dot loved to work in.  Roz is in college now, but working here for part of the summer, and she stopped in as well. Mark played a drum song in her honor, and we gave folks who knew her, the chance to offer a few words of remembrance. I said a prayer and blessed the soil and plants with Holy Water. As they grow and thrive, it is a reminder of the new life that springs from the grain of wheat that must die.

As girls recalled the hope and levity Dot brought to their home, it was obvious that she shared with them a gift of life.

We had some violent thunderstorms last night, with hundreds of lightning strikes that constantly lit up the sky. This morning we saw the damage from the high winds. At the campground across the river three RVs had been overturned. One home was destroyed and one of our staff lost the roof on his apartment. Thankfully, no one was hurt. On campus we had no major damage, just lots of branches and limbs to collect this morning.

The new Diocesan Director of Catholic Schools dropped by today for her first visit. Kathleen, our principal and I gave Katie, and her husband, a tour of the school and talked about some ways that we can be of support to one another. When people visit and tour the campus, they get a better idea of how we try to integrate services to serve the complete needs of  student, not just academically, but also through our residential, religious, counseling and recreational efforts. I think we made a good first impression.

Ashley and Angelia are the two junior high girls who were selected to represent St. Joseph’s Indian School at our August donor luncheons in New York, and I met with them to practice. One of the fun questions I asked them to talk about was, “So tell us what you like best about New York?”

Ashley said, “We haven’t been there yet, how do I know?”

So then I said, “But I want you to imagine – what do you hope you’ll see and do?”

Both girls had many hopes – to see the Statue of Liberty, and pay a visit to Ground Zero. To meet some famous people and look at all the tall buildings. To fly in a plane, get on a subway and maybe even ride in a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. We’ll see how the trip does unfold, and I’m sure they’ll have lots of memories.

We were treated to a Native American Flute performance at the school assembly room this morning. I sat in with the group of 1^st – 4^th graders who had many questions about the flute, and enjoyed the sound. Two members of our drum group provided backup for rhythm.

Summerlee Home (4^th– 5^th grade girls) is leaving on their home trip after school today. They’ve saved up their recreation money so they can spend the weekend in Rapid City and the Black Hills. Each of them showed up at school today wearing T-Shirts they had made together as a home. Using finger paints, each was individualized and autographed by the other girls they will spend their time with. They were excited to be off on their adventure.

Cody and Marlo, two alumni who graduated high school in 2006, were back on campus this evening to talk to our high school girls about what life is like after high school, the challenges of college, the working world, and raising young children.

Hearing from those who have been here hit home. They told of how they hated all the rules that St. Joseph’s Indian School has too, but the structure really helped them in the long run. They encouraged each of our young women to hang in here, graduate, and keep going to improve themselves even more after that. Cody works in the business office at a school on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and Marlo is a juvenile probation officer at her home of Lower Brule. Each student who completes their education offers hope to those who will follow.

I just got back to campus after my latest excursion to visit the doctors. It has been 5 months since my last check up and this time I had blood work, a CT scan, and visits with my radiologists and oncologist. The news continued to be good. The scans and tests turned up nothing – no warning signs of the sarcoma returning, and no alarming blood values to keep watching. The doctors told me to keep working the leg, and maybe add some new exercises as the nerves may still recover yet a little more feeling and strength. I felt pretty good on the drive out on Monday and even better returning home today.

God is Good!

While I was at the hospital, I visited Jerry-part of our Recreation Center staff-who has been ill with a puzzling illness for many weeks. The students sent Jerry a load of handmade cards that tugged at his heart-strings.

I ate supper with the Cyr Home (3^rd-5^th grade boys). When I arrived they were just beginning their enrichment activity. This week was a chance to work on a social skill. The houseparents led a lesson on how to politely enter into a conversation without interrupting, and how to ask follow-up questions to keep a conversation going instead of always shifting the focus to something you have done. Then they talked about the difference between tattling to get one of the other kids in trouble versus telling an adult if something bad is going on so that you can prevent a fellow student from getting hurt or in real trouble. We try not to take for granted what our students know and have a home curriculum that tries to address those basics.

Today was a quiet day of answering letters and working on strategic planning.

This evening the local parish, St. James, celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Several of the young people who were confirmed I know well because they are children of our staff. Others I know from helping out downtown occasionally, or going to events at the high school. The church hosted a wonderful and spirit filled celebration. For me, the most enjoyable part is wandering around the church hall afterwards, visiting with people and getting to meet extended family who made the trip to be of support.

22 years ago today I was ordained a priest.

I give thanks to God for all the blessings that have come to me because of this vocation. I pray I can be a good priest set an example that helps students, staff and the many people who help make St. Joseph’s Indian School possible to feel God’s love.

Today, we held our annual Spring Sobriety Walk on a windy, yet warm and sunny spring afternoon.  The assembly began at the Rec Center and our whole student body, along with members of the student leadership group from Chamberlain High School, walked into town. Wearing matching t-shirts designed by Kianna, one of our Freshmen. The students carried banners and flags during the walk. At a designated point the Homes split off into the four directions around town and later met up at a rally point on the south end of main street. My foot and nerves held up quite well during the two-mile walk, and it felt great to be strolling and talking with the students.

When we returned to campus, everyone enjoyed a picnic supper in the pavilion. Then guest speakers addressed the students in two different age groups. They shared their own stories of recovery and hope, and encouraging our youngsters to make the right choice regarding drugs and alcohol, so they can building a brighter future for themselves and their families.