Tag: Native American

Fr. Steve’s updates

Tonight, I got back from a “quick” trip to the hospital for pre-surgery tests and appointments. The drive is long, 375 miles each way, but I’m feeling well enough to do that by myself.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tonight, I got back from a “quick” trip to the hospital for pre-surgery tests and appointments. The drive is long, 375 miles each way, but I’m feeling well enough to do that by myself.

I drove out Wednesday and back today. Driving on the prairie isn’t all that stressful when the weather is good. There’s little traffic, and I just put the cruise control on and use the time to pray, think or listen to music or a ball game.

The doctors packed in a lot of tests, and results I have back so far are encouraging. My blood work shows that my counts have climbed back to normal, which is especially good news for my immune system.

The CT scan of my chest shows the cancer has not affected my lungs. The EKG told the doctors my heart is strong (maybe part of my charisma as a Priest of the Sacred Heart?) and able to handle surgery.

I had two tests that the results are still pending from. The vascular surgeon ordered an ultrasound of the veins in my abdomen and legs, to look at the blood flow, and help them determine how much the blood vessels have been affected by the tumor. If some of the veins need to be resected or replaced that will be one of the more complicated parts of the surgery.

I had another MRI to see what effect the chemo and radiation has had on the tumor, but those results were not back by the time I met with the oncologist. When he looked over the other results, he was quite pleased. He doesn’t’ expect me to need any more chemotherapy, which is definitely good news.

With a little over a week to go before surgery, I’m feeling pretty good going in. I tell folks I’m about 85% of normal. The doctors expect 6 – 12 weeks of recovery, and I’ll just have to let the medicines and my body take the time to heal.

I came back home to another pile of cards and letters with lots of prayers and encouragement. I have certainly felt blessed and loved through this whole process!

Fr. Steve’s updates

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Today, I had the usual meetings with the Director of Child Services and the Child Services Team. As we wrap up the last three weeks of school, everyone is getting in full gear for the summer.

As soon as school is out, we start a seven week smorgasbord of summer programs. The high school program has the most complicated schedule to coordinate. Our students come and go to a variety of camps, jobs and summer classes.

We also had our monthly Strategic Protection Committee meeting, which deals with issues of campus security ranging from preventing accidents to monitoring access to campus and the homes. We place a premium on staff and student safety.

There are so many trainings our staff do that I forget about until being reminded. The college students who will work on maintenance crew for the summer need a defensive driving course.

Other staff need a refresher course in lawnmower and forklift safety. I appreciate that our supervisors make sure those happen.

I ate supper with the David Home girls. Afterwards, I experienced a battle of the books. I tried to get two first graders to take turns reading, but they were not in a very sharing kind of mood.

Both Sasha and Jasmine wanted my full attention. First graders are sometimes hard to reason with, so both girls read different stories out loud on either side of me, a competition in stereo. But, they both seemed OK with that, so I just bounced back and forth to listen as I could and to help or correct where needed.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

Monday, May 10, 2010

I didn’t accomplish anything big today … just stayed with 10 and 15-minute tasks, phone calls, questions and emails that can fill up so much of the day. Monday seems to have more of those small but time-consuming tasks as people have time over the weekend to think, then get back to work.

At the development office, we’ve seen an upswing in interest from Europe about Lakota culture and our school programs. We discussed ways to continue connecting with those folks.

Overall, it was a cold, rainy day! In South Dakota we appreciate the moisture most anytime, but it has been hard on our track team.

They’ve competed three times, but had four other meets rained out. At this point in the school year, with all the other events, there is no chance to reschedule, so our season came to an inglorious end.

After school the coaches passed out the ribbons our athletes earned for the season, and held a pizza party. No school records were broken this year, but the students showed a lot of heart in their events.

Fr. Steve’s updates

A small crowd in church for Mother’s Day. A few homes were away on a trip to Rapid City, but many of the students were checked out to be with their families.

Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother’s Day

A small crowd in church for Mother’s Day. A few homes were away on a trip to Rapid City, but many of the students were checked out to be with their families.

Sadly, we have a lot of kids whose mothers are absent in their lives. About a third of our students are being raised by the grandparents or other relatives for a variety of reasons.

Some of the students also live many hours from home and weren’t able to be with their moms.

It’s on days like these when kids might feel especially lonely or hurt; as always, our houseparents, counselors and support staff do all they can to nurture and support our children in positive ways.

I wrote out congratulatory cards for our six high school students who will be confirmed at St. James in Chamberlain next week.

I also started on the graduation cards to our 8th graders, trying to make them personal, especially since I’ll be gone for surgery at that time.

For Mother’s Day, I – of course – called home. Mom said that this blog has been a good way to keep up with me, and if nobody else reads it, at least she does. So HI MOM! LOVE YOU! Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I stayed home the rest of the day, occupied with laundry, reading, prayer, exercise, sorting baseball cards and watching some TV shows I’d recorded.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Yesterday and today have been rather low key for me.

Friday is my day off, and I only went into the office for a short while in the morning to answer mail. I stayed home the rest of the day, occupied with laundry, reading, prayer, exercise, sorting baseball cards and watching some TV shows I’d recorded. Not too exciting or noteworthy, but satisfying and restful to me.

Today, I met with Brother Clay for the first time in almost two months to review how his work has been going. Fr. Anthony has been supervising him in my absence.

When you first enter religious life, you renew your vows one year at a time until you’re ready for final vows. As Brother Clay asks to renew his vows this summer, we’re going  through the formal evaluation and request stage.

As he reflects on what he’s learning, where there joys and struggles are, it’s also a good reminder to me to take time to name where I need to grow and improve, and what brings me joy and satisfaction.

As the weather gets nicer, visits to the museum are picking up again. I was called to the museum to say hello to Dennis and Bonnie, donors visiting from California. I had time, so I gave them a tour of campus.

I enjoy the interaction and the chance for a “show and tell” look at the school. I can’t do that every time, but visiting with folks is so much more enjoyable than paperwork.

Fr. Steve’s updates

I met with my management team as a group for the first time in eight weeks. Instead of a long drawn out meeting, the time together was actually rather short.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

I met with my management team as a group for the first time in eight weeks. Instead of a long drawn out meeting, the time together was actually rather short. They’ve kept me, and each other, in the loop, and while I was gone what needed to be taken care of and worked on was attended to well.

Sometimes, when I get stuck in all of the immediate issues needing my attention, I break out of the rut by working on things far into the future.

As I’ve wondered how long my recovery after surgery will be and what I will or won’t be able to do, I haven’t looked too far past May 25. But, good long range planning helps me make good decisions about how to be a good steward of my time today.

So, I took my calendar, which goes until August 2011, and started working backwards on some of the events and projects that are farthest out. It gave me both a new perspective and a burst of creative energy.

The high school boys had an inipi (sweat lodge) ceremony for the last Sons of Tradition session of the year. One of the elders from the nearby Crow Creek reservation came to campus to lead the prayer ceremony.

We always make participation optional, and some students chose instead to help with the fire or the meal. It was the first inipi for two of our students, and I listened as Chris shared how good he felt after going in and praying with others in that traditional way.

I joined the group for the feed afterwards – delicious Indian Tacos with freshly made fry bread.

Fr. Steve’s updates

At our Child Services Team meeting, we looked back to review the year. We’ve also dealt with my illness and absences. There have been so many learning opportunities in these challenges.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

At our Child Services Team meeting, we looked back to review the year.

We began in August with the tragedy of losing Ryan, one of our houseparents. He died suddenly and unexpectedly from an aneurysm. We’ve also dealt with my illness and absences. There have been so many learning opportunities in these challenges.

Of course, this winter was also long and cold. In short, it’s been a tough year.

But, we highlighted progress with staff training, ongoing renovations and improvements that we’ve all pitched in to make happen. Even through the tough times, it’s important to look at the successes. In retrospect, we’re blessed to say there have been many successes!

After school, I umpired the last Tee Ball game of the season. With the youngest grades, you do lots of coaching and encouraging as well.

Some children needed the reminder to pay attention instead of rolling in the grass or looking for insects. Some needed to be told where to throw the ball or when it was time to run. It’s all part of the learning process, and it’s just fun watching the littlest ones play.

The high school girls at the Morningstar Home invited me for supper. We had goulash, and the girls teased that it didn’t seem right … every time I’ve visited this year, my company has fallen on Tater Tot Casserole night!

The high school students have just two weeks of school left, and everyone is working on end of the year projects and term papers. Final exams are coming up quickly. It’s a busy, and somewhat stressful, time for them, but with encouragement from houseparents and counselors, they’ll make it through.

Fr. Steve’s updates

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was May 1.

Monday, May 3, 2010

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was May 1.

Since that fell on a Saturday, we waited until today to have a prayer service at the start of the school day in honor of our Patron Saint.

The students surprised me at their gusto in their responses to the litany.

We also used this occasion to announce our Leo John Dehon (founder of the SCJs) Circle of Courage award. The Circle of Courage emphasizes the Lakota values of Generosity, Independence, Mastery and, Belonging.

This year, Leahanna, a seventh grader, was recognized for best exemplifying those values in school and in her home.

Our junior high students had a track meet here in Chamberlain, which was a perfect opportunity to cheer on their efforts.

Track meets alternate between short periods of intense and exciting competition and lots of waiting around, which makes for a good chance to wander around and check on staff and students.

Several of our staff had their own children taking part; I also I ran into kids from other area schools that I know from parish work.

I stayed for the field events and several heats of hurdles and sprints. But, after a couple hours, I played out.

I wanted to see all our students compete, but I had to listen when my body said “enough,” and I went home for a nap. People remind me that the battle against cancer is not a sprint but a marathon.

Fr. Steve’s updates

The illness has really forced me to take one day at a time. I don’t know how long it will take for me to bounce back from surgery or how much I will – or won’t – be able to do over the summer months.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

At our monthly SCJ meeting, this afternoon we shared our summer plans.

My family teases me about being the great planner and lining up dates and activities many months ahead of time.

The illness has really forced me to take one day at a time. I don’t know how long it will take for me to bounce back from surgery or how much I will – or won’t – be able to do over the summer months.

But, I will do what it takes to get in shape, bounce back and be active again.

Fr. Steve’s updates

Chamberlain High School held its fourth annual powwow today. Many of our students are active in the Native American Club at CHS, and they all pitched together to make it a successful day.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Chamberlain High School held its fourth annual powwow today.

I was so pleased when the school decided to sponsor such an event. Many of our students are active in the Native American Club at CHS, and they all pitched together to make it a successful day.

Not all of our students are dancers. Some used their talents to cook, organize or work at one of the many tables with information or raffle prizes. Many hands working together surely made the job easier.

At powwows, I enjoy walking through the crowd and catching up with old friends. I saw families from the nearby reservation communities where I served as pastor. This provided an opportunity to say hello and catch up on news. So many people assured me of their prayers and also asked for mine for family members who are having a hard time.

I had the chance to visit another crowd of folks in the evening when I attended a 60th wedding anniversary gathering.

Dick and Mae are active in the downtown parish, but I see them each Wednesday when they come to the daily mass here at St. Joseph’s. Their whole clan was gathered, as were many folks from the area. 60 years of commitment inspires me to keep going, even when the journey gets difficult. Again, I received lots of prayers and support.