Greetings from St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Things were a bit hectic here Monday as students began returning from Christmas Break. Due to the recent snow storms and cold snap in the upper Midwest, we are still missing a few students who have been unable to return.
We hope all students will be here by Sunday, as that is when we’ll be celebrating Christmas here on campus! After church, the students will be opening gifts provided by the generosity of benefactors. Our houseparents have been busy shopping and wrapping special toys and gifts for each student. I’ll be sure to give you a rundown on how things went next week.
Prior to Christmas, two of our students—3rd grader Ezmiah and 8th grader Pearl—joined Ezmiah’s grandfather, Wilfred, and 45 other riders to take part in the 330-mile Dakota 38 + 2 horseback ride across South Dakota and western Minnesota. The ride honors the memory of 38 Dakota warriors hung in December of 1862 and two hung in 1863 as part of the Dakota War of 1862.
The ride starts in Lower Brule, South Dakota and culminates in Mankato, Minnesota where the hangings took place. The goal of the ride is to encourage and promote healing and reconciliation.
Throughout the ride, riders stop at various towns along the way where they are provided meals and warm spots to spend the night through the generosity of locals.
To help compensate for the school days Ezmiah and Pearl missed here at St. Joseph’s, they have to write a paper on what they learned while on the ride and how it helped them become more aware of their heritage and the history of that era.
Two other students, Jeren and Keshaume, headed in the other direction early December, arriving in Las Vegas to attend a Donor Luncheon.
St. Joseph’s Donor Luncheons are a great opportunity for benefactors to get a feel of St. Joseph’s without having to make the trip to South Dakota. During the luncheon, there is a video on St. Joseph’s and a presentation by two students who are currently attending St. Joseph’s. Our students always look forward to speaking with St. Joseph’s supporters and friends, answering questions and thanking benefactors for their generosity and support.
Once the luncheons are over, the boys and their chaperones had the chance to explore Las Vegas and see the sights. They went to Circus Circus, rode go-cart and roller coaster rides, saw some memorabilia from the Captain America and Iron Man movies (one of Jeren’s favorites) and attended a performance of Cirque du Soleil.
They both thought it was really neat to be able to have breakfast brought to their room! This was also the first time Keshaume had ever flown and he made sure to have a window seat.
If you would like to take part in an upcoming Donor Luncheon, please feel free to contact us so we can give you information on the Luncheons in Palm Desert, CA on January 20th-23rd; New Orleans, LA on April 21st-24th and Phoenix, AZ on June 2nd -5th. Visit www.stjo.org/luncheon or call us toll-free at 1-800-584-9200 for more information.
On Wednesday, the 4th-8th grade boys’ basketball players had the chance to sign up for the upcoming season and receive their basketball shoes. There was a good turnout.
After some opening remarks from our Athletic Director, Bryan, in which he urged them to be on time for practices and make sure their academic grades do not suffer so they remain eligible, they split into the respective teams and had a brief meeting with their coaches about the upcoming season.
Our 5th and 6th graders will kick things off with a trip to Pierre to play PILC (Pierre Indian Learning Center) next Thursday and then the home openers will take place on January 17th when we host the 4th, 5th and 6th grade teams from Chamberlain.
The boys enjoy basketball and are eager to get things going. One of the teams even had their first practice later on Wednesday!
While the boys will be playing on the hardwood, the girls will have a chance to get involved with gymnastics and will work to hone their skills during these winter months.
We had a prayer service for the opening of the third quarter of the school year this past Tuesday. We asked the Holy Spirit to be with students, teachers and staff so that everyone can work together to live up to our school motto, ‘we serve and teach, we receive and learn.’
On behalf of all of us here at St. Joseph’s Indian School, I would like to take this opportunity to extend to you our best wishes for a very Happy, Healthy and Rewarding New Year of 2017.
Remember, as you look at a new calendar, the dates may be blank since you have not filled them in yet with the various activities you are involved with; but Jesus is already there waiting for you to catch up with Him so as to receive His blessings, guidance and strength during each and every day.
Know that we keep you and your intentions in our prayers, asking the Great Spirit to bless and reward you for your generosity. Pilamaya—thank you!
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ
Chaplain
I had both my husband of 17 yrs(our anniversary was on the 1st) and my Dad’s cousin who are both 79 were ill. I had an entire box of toys, but couldn’t get there in time to mail them to you. So, I decided to give them to the local Hope Center, where homeless addicted women and their children would have had no toys for Christmas. I will make this up to you. You are my pet project and I call the kids their “My Lakota kids.”I am grateful the Lord has given me enough to live on, and yet give just a little to just a few pet projects. Of course, I was raised an Orthodox Jew,so I tithe $50/month to the International Fellowship between Christians and Jews in Israel, my Christian Family Church, SA and my Messianic Congregation–as I have been a Messianic Jew for many,many moons now. I haven’t forgotten you, as a matter of fact, If you would please give me the names of 5 children who have upcoming birthdays, I do still have some gifts left over for the range of between 8-11 yr olds and they can be either boys or girls for either would enjoy them. Thanks so much for all you do for the Lakota Sioux In fact, I have some toys I forgot to enclose that went to the Hope Center. It was Christmas eve, and the toys would have never arrived anyway. P. Kathy Kleiman The Editing Chair: An Established Research Company San Antonio, TEXAS 78259 (210) 214-1208 24/7 78259
P. Kathy Kleiman,
Good afternoon! How wonderful it is to hear from you. We are happy to hear that the Hope Center is able to enjoy your generous gift- they sound like a truly deserving organization. Blessings to you!
I had both my husband of 17 yrs(our anniversary was on the 1st) and my Dad’s cousin who are both 79 were ill. I had an entire box of toys, but couldn’t get there in time to mail them to you. So, I decided to give them to the local Hope Center, where homeless addicted women and their children would have had no toys for Christmas. I will make this up to you. You are my pet project and I call the kids there, “My Lakota kids.”I am grateful the Lord has given me enough to live on, and yet give just a little to just a few pet projects. Of course, I was raised an Orthodox Jew,so I tithe $50/month to the International Fellowship between Christians and Jews in Israel, my Christian Family Church, SA and my Messianic Congregation–as I have been a Messianic Jew for many,many moons now. I haven’t forgotten you, as a matter of fact, If you would please give me the names of 5 children who have upcoming birthdays, I do still have some gifts left over for the range of between 8-11 yr olds and they can be either boys or girls for either would enjoy them. Thanks so much for all you do for the Lakota Sioux In fact, I have some toys I forgot to enclose that went to the Hope Center. It was Christmas eve, and the toys would have never arrived anyway. P. Kathy Kleiman The Editing Chair: An Established Research Company San Antonio, TEXAS 78259 (210) 214-1208 24/7 78259
I enjoyed your commentary on the return to school for the students and that you are having a Christmas there at the school . As a child we always had another Christmas on Jan 6 as that is the last day (and 12th day) of Christmas. A gift from those given on Dec 25th was held out and we all got gifts on what my mother who was not Catholic called “Little Christmas.” My mother said this was connected with her customs which were never made known completely to us while she was alive. I found out she was part Indian(Seneca) after she passed and I found out her Native background in her papers. I attended the pow wow at St Joseph’s in 2013 and was made to feel very welcome there, especially when the students found out I was part Native. Since I was also a veteran (Army) I was asked to be part of a contingent of benefactors who were veterans who would lead the parade–quite an honor for me. I love that the students are receiving instruction in their culture. Your school is top notch.
I have a request to make–could the students pray for the daughter of a friend of mine who has a non-malignant brain tumor that has resisted treatment so far. Her name is Annabella and she is 6 years old. We burn a Guadalupe candle for Bella every day (She is Mexican, so Guadalupe is important for her.) We all meditate on her every day, and the people at her Apostolic Church pray for Bella at every service. Please ask your students to pray for Bella. She is from a large family including a twin sister who misses that Bella cannot play as before. Thanks for listening to my request. Love your school and the caring students.
William,
We are so happy to hear that you had a positive time visiting our students and campus during our 2013 powwow. We are proud to honor our veterans each powwow- thank you for your service!
We have added Bella to our prayer list. May she be healed and may God’s blessings and mercy fall on her and her family.