On Wednesday, June 5, members of the U.S. Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart elected Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, as their next provincial superior.
Fr. Steve, 54, is currently executive director of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D.
Originally from South Bend, Ind., Fr. Steve studied at and earned degrees from Loyola University and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At CTU, he received a D.Min. in theology and a D.Min. in cross cultural ministry.
Fr. Steve has had a commitment to ministry among Native Americans and the people of South Dakota since his initial years with the community. Before completing his seminary studies Fr. Steve worked for two years with the Cheyenne River Pastoral Team in Eagle Butte, SD.
Following his ordination in 1989, Fr. Steve returned to Eagle Butte, where he had also served as a deacon. In 1997, he moved from pastoral work to formation and became the director of the undergraduate program in San Antonio from 1997 to 2001.
Fr. Steve returned to South Dakota in 2001 and served with the Lower Brule Pastoral Team until 2004, when he was named president of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. He continues in that role. Among his other roles, Fr. Steve also serves on the Native American Commission of the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Talking about his ministry with Native Americans he said that “a challenge of working on the ‘Rez’ is the poverty and social problems that we see around us. Yet in my years here, what inspires me is people’s strength to keep trying and struggling to make life better in spite of the odds.
“The people I serve encourage me to have greater hope and trust in God. They show me what it means to pick up your cross and to embrace suffering rather than trying to run away from difficulties.”
Fr. Steve begins his new term on August 1. He succeeds Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, who completes his second, three-year term.
The province will now move toward the election of its five-member council.
