Native American Day
For most people in North America, last Monday, October 14, was celebrated as either Columbus Day (USA) or as Thanksgiving (Canada). However in South Dakota it is also known as Native American Day, an official state holiday since 1990.
LaRayne Woster, Native American studies teacher at St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota, wrote about this year’s celebration:
“We, along with several other schools around our area, embraced the opportunity to have a ‘teachable moment’ while having fun reliving a part of our rich Lakota/Dakota/Nakota culture,” She wrote on St. Joseph’s blog site.
“The morning greeted us with a line of colored banners carried by students who read a brief description about the corresponding color and direction of the medicine wheel,” she continued. “Bridges were built between the Catholic and tribal spiritualities by centering ourselves with prayer and singing the hymn ‘There is a Well.’ Our drum group offered up two prayer songs to honor the day and what it might mean to our people.
“During the afternoon, classes circulated around eight game stations to compete against themselves, others and groups. Each game was explained with its historical significance and natural place in our world. A plethora of adults helped to make the day possible by guiding, encouraging, and even taking part with the group as the students scurried through the rain and mist between the recreation center, the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and the skating room.
“I hope our St. Joseph’s students went home knowing why this day was set aside for our tribal people to be honored for our place on this North American continent, rather than focusing on someone who thought they had found India. We love the land and the culture that respects our footprints upon it.”
If you are trying to call the Treasurer’s Office…
SCJs are reminded that this week, October 21-25, John Kuxhause and Kevin Stanke of the Treasurer’s Office are out of town at a workshop. They will have only limited access to email and voicemail during the week.
Dn. David Nagel, treasurer, is out of the office Monday through Wednesday.
Bishop Vann, Fr. Link receive SHST honors for distinguished service
Bishop Kevin Van of the Diocese of Orange, Calif., was the winner of Sacred Heart School of Theology’s 2013 Archbishop Cousins Vocation Award for his longstanding support of the seminary.
Fr. David Link, a former law school dean who entered the seminary at age 68, received the seminary’s 2013 Dehon Distinguished Ministry Award for his exemplary service in prison ministry. He is a 2008 SHST graduate who currently serves as assistant director of religious services for the Northern Region of the Indiana Department of Correction as well as chaplain at the Indiana State Prison, a maximum security facility.
The awards were given October 16 at Sacred Heart’s annual Awards Dinner, an event that culminates the seminary’s three-day Alumni Gathering.
Click here to read more about the awards and the men who received them.
Presentation available
“Fr. Dehon’s spiritual basis is an experience of God’s love… a love that inevitably led him to social and political engagement,” said Fr. Stefan Tertünte. Fr. Stefan was the opening speaker at the North American Continental Conference in September, 2013.
His presentation, “Fr. Leo Dehon’s Spirituality and his Social Engagement,” is now available on YouTube. Click here to view it.
To continue to live the founder’s spirituality in their own lives Fr. Stefan encouraged SCJs to “pray with open eyes” as a way to move “towards the lived union of the spiritual and the social in the tradition of Dehon.”
He added that it is not just HOW SCJs pray that is important, but where they pray.
“Pray in proximity to the people, to pray with open eyes you must be able to see something…
“Meditating on the Sacred Heart, the pierced side of the Lord, meditating on his love is quite different if you do it in the proximity of, or with people whose life is pierced, who struggle for hope and for daily bread.
“It’s not only important how we pray, but where we pray, where we live. For us — and for others.”
Viewing note: what is posted on YouTube is a condensed, lower quality file, appropriate for viewing individually or in a small group at a computer. A higher quality video will soon be available on DVD and memory sticks. If you would like to receive a copy, contact Mary Gorski and indicate which format you prefer (DVD or memory stick).
Please remember
+ Stanislaw Morawiec, the father of Fr. Zbigniew Morawiec, died October 15 in Poland. Fr. Ziggy is a member of the Houston community.
+ Br. Gerhard Majella Pape of the German Province died October 18. He was born in 1930 and professed in 1952.
+ Michael Rich, the brother of Christian Rich (Sacred Heart School of Theology’s director of liturgy and music), died October 18 after a long illness.
Provincial’s time
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter has meetings with the Provincial Council this week Wednesday and Thursday (October 23-24). Next Wednesday he will leave for Rome to take part in the Major Superiors Meeting at the Generalate November 4-9. He returns to Milwaukee on November 11.
