Volume 1, No. 1 News of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions August/September 2009

Bureau of Welcome to The Sentinel Catholic Indian Missions 2021 H Street, NW Dear Mission Family, Washington, DC 20006 Yes, this is the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions newsletter with a new look! For nearly 202-331-8542 two years many people have been involved with the evaluation process. I am grateful to Established in 1874 by the the “Come to the Table Committee” and “the Newsletter Committee” and all individuals of the United States who offered suggestions. I am pleased to officially announce the rebirth of the newsletter as we return to our roots with a fresh format. Welcome to the Indian Sentinel! Mission To further the interest Like the Indian Sentinel published from 1902–1964, the new Indian of the Catholic Missions Sentinel beckons you to watch for the stories of missionaries, to learn in the United States. about Native Americans and First Nation Peoples and to invite oth- ers to walk the mission trails by prayerful support and sacrifices. As Mission Locations reader, you continue to journey with me as I visit mission parishes, Alabama Montana chapels, Indian Mission Schools and a variety of ministry meetings Alaska Nebraska and conferences. Arizona New Mexico You will not only learn about the evangelization efforts of the California New York Church, as the good news of Jesus is shared, but you will also have the Colorado opportunity to become a Stay-at-Home Missionary, another feature we Idaho Oklahoma are bringing back. More information is forthcoming in a future issue Louisiana Oregon about the Children’s Mission Playhouse. “I’m lovin’ it!” So, keep your Kansas South Dakota eyes open! Michigan Washington Minnesota Wisconsin A few highlights not to miss in this issue include my visit to the 115th Sioux Indian Mississippi Wyoming Congress. I can hear the jubilee drums at the 70th Anniversary of the Tekakwitha Con- ference. Do you hear them, too? The learning curve is in your favor as you study the list Board of Directors of educational opportunities afforded Native Americans. Go ahead and research the fol- Cardinal Edward Egan lowing pages! With a quick review, you will discover more Indian Mission News. Cardinal Justin Rigali It is my desire that the renaissance of our newsletter will bring greater consciousness Edwin F. O’Brien of the cultural and spiritual gifts of Native Americans and First Nation Peoples. Further dialogue between leadership at all levels will hopefully lead to a reciprocal exchange of ideas that will elevate the dignity of the human person. Lone Man (Isna-la-wica), late Executive Director & Editor 19th century, Teton Sioux put it this way, “. . . I have seen that in any great undertaking it Reverend Wayne C. Paysse is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.” A concerted and genuine effort on the part of the and First Nation Peoples can only bring continued Office of the Vice-Postulator blessings to our wounded world. for the Cause of Together we continue the missionary journey . . . Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha In the Joy of Blessed Kateri, Monsignor Paul A. Lenz, PA Reverend Wayne C. Paysse Executive Director INSIDE: Collage 3-4 | Sahale Stick & Catholic Ladder 5-7 | Remembering Mission Moments 8 | College Scholarships 12 Who Was Kateri Tekakwitha?

By Sister Kateri Mitchell, SSA During her four years there, she was viewed as a young woman who ekakwitha was born in 1656 led an exemplary prayer life and in a Mohawk Village along the radiated holiness in her daily life. She TMohawk River, known today ministered to the sick, the children as Auriesville, New York. and elders. Smallpox swept through this village Kateri Tekakwitha was the first Native and left but a few survivors from this woman to take a private vow of virginity. dreadful disease. Tekakwitha was one She also performed many rigorous pen- of them. Consequently, at the age of ances for the forgiveness of her personal four Tekakwitha was orphaned and sins and those of her people. adopted by an aunt and uncle. At the age of 24 during Holy Week Tekakwitha was deeply affected in 1680, she was confined to bed and by smallpox and remained physi- those present by her cally frail. Her eyesight was poor and bedside remarked extremely sensitive to sunlight. She that they were in the lived her name, Tekakwitha, which presence of a very holy means putting things in order or person. When she 2 placing all before her with her hands drew her last breath, so that she would not hurt herself as she said the words: she walked in her village. “Jesus I love you”. At Even at a young age her spirituality that moment, they ex- appeared to be different than the mem- perienced a marvelous bers of her family and other members event. Kateri Tekak- of her community. She was attracted to witha’s scarred and an inner silence and a relationship with disfigured face from a Creator through nature. smallpox completely Later, she was intrigued with the disappeared before presence of Catholic priests in her their eyes. Her face

We continue to honor a holy woman who, even today, works marvels through spiritual, emotional and physical healings among people of many cultures.

village. Tekakawitha desired to know more about their God. At the age of 20 became clear and radiant. she requested baptism at the place to- It has been noted that some people day known as Fonda, New York. At this present actually experienced miracles time she was given the name Catherine, at that time. Kateri in the Mohawk language. We continue to honor a holy Shortly after her baptism, Kateri woman who even today works mar- Tekakwitha’s spiritual director, a vels through spiritual, emotional and Jesuit priest, recommended that she physical healings among people of relocate to a Christian village up many cultures. The spirit and holiness north which today is in the Canadian of this young 24 year old woman of province of Quebec. In this village the 17th century have spread to many she was free to practice her faith with countries around the world, and other Mohawk Christians without especially among her own people, the harm and prejudice. Indigenous of North America. A look around our missions,collage schools, churches and classrooms

St. Augustine reminds us that when we sing, we pray twice. Veronica Metcalf (left), president of the St. Mary’s Society, Mabel Picotte and Janice Howe led the Congress participants in a joyful song during the Mass. 3

Catholic Indian Congress June 5-7, 2009 Native Americans gathered at the 115th Catholic Indian Congress at Ft. Thompson, South Dakota. The Congress was a time for Native Americans to share their heritage and Catholic Faith. During the Congress, meetings, fellowship and worship gave enouragement to all present.

John Apple, president of the St. Joseph Society, presented a plaque to Cecilia Montgomery honoring her for her devotion to the Catholic Indian Congress.

Deacon Bud Jetty (left), who is ordained for the Diocese of Sioux Falls and stationed at Chamberlain, and Francis Jetty(right) met with Father Paysse. A look around our missions,collage schools, churches and classrooms Blessed Kateri Feast Day Mass

Friends of the cause of canoniza- tion for Blessed Kateri gathered July 10 for the annual Feast Day Mass at Holy Family church, in the Dio- cese of Houma-Thibodaux. Father Wayne Paysse, executive director of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Mis- sions, was the principal celebrant and homilist for the liturgy which filled Holy Family church in Dulac, Louisiana. After the Mass, a celebra- tion at Grand Calliou gym was at- 4 tended by an estimated 300 people. The festivities and social included dance demonstrations and a Native American Treater Band that played Father Rock Naquin, retired pastor of Holy Family, pre- Pierre Soulette, before Mass, led a Native American well into the night. senting gifts including a Native American ribbon shirt. ritual of smudging (similar to incensing).

Father Wayne Paysse greets the Native American dance group which participated in the Kateri Feast Day Celebration. Those who participated (from left to right starting at the back) were: Cacinda Voisin, Kayla Voisin, Lousie Billiot, Angelle Hatch, Father Paysse, Makayla la Verdin, Cheryl Parfait, Shelly Knight, Kayla Soares; (standing in the middle upper row) Mariah Parfait, Mariah Billiot, Morgain Parfait, Tyler Voisin; (in front) Laren Hatch, Kaisha Luke, Megan Parfait. In the background is Treater Band Drummer, Alvin Parfait. Sahale Stick and the Catholic Ladder

he Sahale Stick and the listeners and could be easily passed Catholic Ladders. Like the Sahale Catholic Ladder were used on to other members of the tribes. Stick, the Catholic Ladder was cre- Tsuccessfully by early mission- Father Blanchet carved into a stick ated in vertical format, describing aries to teach the faith. These totem- of wood simple symbols of bars, dots events from bottom to top. like devices are still considered one and crosses to represent the basic The charts allowed room to include of the best teaching tools to express tents of the Catholic faith. Akin to a more historical and doctrinal points, the validity of bible history and the miniature totem, the “Sahale Stick” as well as symbolic illustrations, church. enabled the missionaries to teach such as the sun, moon, and stars to The Sahale Stick was first used by religion from a historical-biblical represent creation and a small church two French-Canadian priests in 1838, perspective. Since the Indians were building to represent the Catholic Father Norbert Blanchet and Father used to transmitting their history Church. With a high demand for the Modest Demers. The two priests and traditions through oral pre- Catholic Ladders, the missionaries had a clear, simple and seemingly sentations, this method of teaching spent many hours drawing them by impossible assignment: to evangelize proved most successful. And, the hand. In 1842, Father Blanchet wrote indigenous peoples scattered through portable nature of the Sahale Stick to the of Quebec and asked the vast unsettled territory from the enabled the missionaries to distrib- if the charts could be prepared by Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Moun- ute the sticks to members of the printing press. Shortly thereafter, the tains, and from the California bound- tribes, giving them a head start on hand drawn ladders were replaced by ary up into Canada. their religious education. lithographed copies from Quebec. 5 On the next page, the Sahale Stick The chiefs to whom the Sahale As they were with the Sahale has been reproduced. Sticks were given took their respon- Sticks, the Indian Chiefs to whom

The famed Jesuit missionary, Father P.J. DeSmet, would later write, “The Catholic Ladder passed from nation to nation and the Indians explained it to others. It was for them a divine book.”

The missionaries soon recognized sibilities as catechists to their people the Catholic Ladders were given the need for an extraordinary way to very seriously. After eight days of were extremely conscientious about surmount the language barrier and instruction, Chief Tslalakum and his their duties as catechists. In imita- to reach across the daunting geo- 11 companions went back to their tion of the missionaries, they took graphic range of territory. tribe not unlike the Twelve Apostles, the charts back to the villages and News of the missionary’s where- determined to instruct others as they explained them by means of ques- abouts reached Whidbey Island had been taught. tions and answers. Indian Chief Tslalakum, who with 11 As effective as it was, the Sahale The famed Jesuit missionary, of his men traveled 150 miles to see Stick was limited as a catechetical Father P.J. DeSmet, would later write, and hear for themselves the “black tool. Only the skeleton of doctrine “The Catholic Ladder passed from robe.” Because the language differ- could be portrayed on a simple stick. nation to nation and the Indians ex- ences made it exceedingly difficult After eight more sticks were pro- plained it to others. It was for them a to discuss theological concepts, such duced, it was time to raise the Sahale divine book.” as the Incarnation and the Redemp- Stick to a new level. tion, Father Blanchet saw the need In 1839, Father Blanchet began for a visual aid that would command drawing his chronological religious attention, stay in the minds of his histories on paper, calling them Abraham, Issac & Jacob Abraham, children his and Abraham of callThe race a chosen people the Jewish make believe in theto true God, Yahweh. The six days of creation represent the represent creation of six days The creation of eons or days six yoms, human the first of the creation and Eve. and beings, Adam Six Days of Creation Six Days Noah’s Ark, built according to God’s God’s to according built Ark, Noah’s family his and Noah saves Instruction, the from animals the earth’s and God punishment as that sent deluge faithlessness. and corruption for Noah’s Ark Noah’s Commandments Ten The to given Ten Commandments The Jews the will God of for express Moses three first beings. The all human and to duties our give Commandments seven the last give and God in worship neighbors. to relations and duties our every all of people Anthropologically, observe respect ethnicity and the Ten way. in their own Commandments Annunciation The Mary and to appears Gabriel angel The the Word of the Incarnation announces The Spirit. the Holy of the power through history, of the crossroad is Annunciation which all events toward the point is, that radiates which faith from and converge God’s of all a result to as people forth history. human into intervention The circle represents an eternal God represents circle The end. without beginning or without No Beginning, No End No Beginning,

6 GOD

and Holy Spirit. Holy and

The Trinity The of tongues. of Adam & Eve the three equal Persons in the the equal three Persons Blessed Trinity: the Father, Son the Father, Blessed Trinity: The equilateral triangle represents represents triangle The equilateral presence and power. and presence The Tower of Babel Tower The The Twelve Tribes Twelve The Creation of the Angels of the Creation Moses leads the Hebrew people in the people leads the Hebrew Moses Forty Years in the Desert Years Forty sin upon mankind and necessitates a redeemer. necessitates and mankind sin upon creation of the world. They reflect God’s reflect They God’s the world. of creation The angelic powers are created before the before created are powers angelic The the Promised Land. It is a time of testing and and testing a time of is It Land. the Promised wander 40 years in the desert before reaching reaching in the desert 40 years before wander trials, as well as miraculous evidences of God’s God’s trials, evidences miraculous as of well as Exodus out of bondage in Egypt, but they must they must in Egypt, but bondage of out Exodus dawning and the reign of God is at hand. God of at is the reign and dawning supreme goodness and His transcendent beauty. transcendent His goodness and supreme to God. Paralleling the story of our first parents’ sin and and sin parents’ first our the story of God.to Paralleling The twelve sons of Jacob are the ancestors of ancestors the are Jacob of sons twelve The Sahale Stick-Catholic Ladder Sahale Stick-Catholic last days–and the restoration of the tribes–are the tribes–are of the restoration days–and last punishment, this presumptuous effort ends in the confusion in confusion the ends effort this presumptuous punishment, Driven by pride, Noah’s descendents attempt to build a tower a tower build to attempt descendents Noah’s pride, by Driven Our first parents’ sin of disobedience of pride inflicts orginialpride inflicts of of disobedience sin parents’ Our first the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Jesus’ creation of the of creation Jesus’ Israel. of Tribes the Twelve Twelve Apostles will later become a sign that the a sign become that will later Apostles Twelve

Pentecost: Inspiration Inspiration Pentecost: of the Church the represent of fire tongues and dove The the Apostles, upon Spirit the Holy of descent speak actand confidence afterwards, with who, in and others in teaching assurance and Church. in the early roles leadership assuming The Annunciation The Mary and to appears Gabriel angel The the Word of the Incarnation announces The Spirit. the Holy of the power through history, of the crossroad is Annunciation which all events toward the point is, that radiates which faith from and converge God’s of all a result to as people forth history. human into intervention First Official Scripture Official Scripture First Damasus I Canon A.D. Council of 382 the and Peter of the successor as Acting I Damasus Pope the Church, of voice of books a list time the first for approves which is in the canon, beto included known writings inspired of the catalog This Testament. New and the Old as of translations future for the way paves future for and Jerome St. by Scripture approved regarding decisions council thebooks Bible. of The Lord’s Supper: Center of Our Faith Lord’s The and of death the memorial living the becomes Supper The Last - insti Jesus betrayal, His of Christ. On the night of resurrection His Blood instructs and and sacrificeof Body the Eucharistic tutes We this sacrificialmemory. His meal in celebrate to the apostles isthe or “Thanksgiving,” Eucharist, The in the Mass. do this today God. to Christian gratitude act of object and supreme

7

The Crucifixion The The Church Today Church The century, bearing the marks of of bearing the marks century, st with Peter as its head. its as Peter with presence and power. and presence renewal, modernization and . and modernization renewal, Vatican Council II 1963 A.D. Council II 1963 Vatican public life and ministry. and life public guilt upon Himself, Who is the Lamb of God. of the Lamb is Who Himself, upon guilt The Incarnation The Resurrection on the Third Day Third on the Resurrection on Peter & His Apostles & His on Peter death, the crosses symbolize His taking our sins and and sins taking our His symbolize the crosses death, Foundation of the Church of the Church Foundation Jesus founds His Church on His disciples, disciples, His on Church His founds Jesus First Council of Jerusalem 52 A.D. 52 Council of Jerusalem First Moses leads the Hebrew people in the people leads the Hebrew Moses crosses are those of the two thieves. In addition to His His to addition thieves. the thosetwo In of are crosses The middle cross is that of Christ and the two flanking flanking and two the of Christ is that middleThe cross Jesus Christ rises from the dead on Easter Sunday. The The Sunday. Easter the Christ dead rises on from Jesus Forty Years in the Desert Years Forty Resurrection is the focal point of verifying the divinity of of verifying the of divinity the focal is Resurrection point and evangelizes into the 21 into evangelizes and holiness and authenticity given by its founder, Jesus Christ. Jesus founder, its by given authenticity and holiness the Promised Land. It is a time of testing and and testing a time of is It Land. the Promised wander 40 years in the desert before reaching reaching in the desert 40 years before wander the teaching authority of the Church from its very its beginning. from the Church of authority the teaching trials, as well as miraculous evidences of God’s God’s trials, evidences miraculous as of well as Christ and the promise that we, too, will rise again after death. will after rise again too, we, that the promise Christ and The Second Vatican Council is convened in 1963 by Pope John John Pope by in 1963 is convened Council Vatican The Second Exodus out of bondage in Egypt, but they must they must in Egypt, but bondage of out Exodus Under the guidance of the Pope, the Catholic Church flourishes flourishes Church the Catholic the Pope, of the guidance Under influx of Gentiles into the Church. Its radical decrees break away away break Its radical decrees the Church. into of Gentiles influx from the Judaic practices and rituals, and bear clear testimony to to testimony bear clear and rituals, practices and the Judaic from XXIII. It is considered a radical council in the Church (much like like (much in the a radicalChurch council considered is XXIII. It The First Council of Jerusalem is convened to address the massive massive the to address Jerusalemis convened of First Council The the Council of Jerusalem) due to its sweeping threefold mandate of of mandate threefold sweeping its to due Jerusalem) the Council of and dwells among us to redeem us. The 30 dots The us. redeem to us among dwells and life of Jesus. The three remaining dots signifyHis dots remaining The three Jesus. of life arranged in three rows of 10 represent the private the private 10 represent of rows in three arranged The son of God assumes our flesh, body and soul,and our flesh, of body God assumes The son From the office of the

postulator Monsignor Paul A.Lenz At Last,Yes, at Last, n article after article, I, as vice- a large stained glass window of the a Big Move: postulator for the canonization Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady The Canonization Iof Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, of Loretto, in Loretto, Italy, there is Process Moves Forward have been assuring all her friends Blessed Kateri for thousands of pil- and those truly devoted to Kateri, as grims visiting the Shrine to see. I am, that work was being done on a What do we do now? Simply, we definite miracle, one only needed, for continue to pray that the Secretariat the great honor to come to Kateri. for Beatifications and Canoniza- In the first week of July, after two tions at the Vatican will not delay the years, and much work on the part of a intense study to declare Blessed Kateri Tribunal and me, all the final docu- a Saint. mentation was sent to the Vatican in As soon as there is any information the diplomatic pouch of the Vatican on the movement of the documents Embassy here in Washington, D.C. provided, no time will be wasted in Were prayers offered for that big letting everyone know the results. It 88 move? Yes, and many on the part of will not happen overnight. How long you readers and people in other coun- it will take is not known. Therefore, tries in the world. please continue to pray. How international is Kateri? On Remembering Mission Moments Rainmaking, Old Style parts of the Papago Reser- vation, but these have been This item was first reported by Father somewhat Christianized in Solano Haugh, O.F.M, in the 1957 the meanwhile. The danc- July-August issue of The Catholic ers look authentic enough, Indian Sentinel. faces painted white, and green, grey, and white kilts n the Southwest, the land of on their otherwise unclad little rainfall, rain is a great and bodies. They skip about in longed-for blessing. It always has Sister Lucia and her young fellow Papago tribesmen in San Solano I a circle with a lively step. been. The existence of every living Mission, 1957 The songs that go with being depends upon it. Rain feeds the dance are short, and The Catholic Indians have a differ- the springs, fills waterholes and the words of these are poetic, but it is ent way, of course, of asking for rain. nourishes the crops. The Indians, hard to get any definite meaning out The old missionaries taught their who had no wells or reservoirs be- of them. converts that Divine Providence fore the white man came, fully real- I asked an old Indian to tell me governs the world and that God’s ized how vital rainfall and water are. about the performance. He said that blessings are to be sought by prayer. They thought they had the means of some Indians believe these songs and They made St. John the Baptist’s securing rain. They firmly believed dances come from Iatoi, the first man feast a big day and substituted other that certain songs and dances and whom God made. He went about songs and dances for entertain- other practices would compel the the world singing these songs and ment. This feast comes at the time clouds to come and bring the rain dancing, then he taught all this to the that rains are needed to moisten the when they needed it. Indians, after God had made them. earth and help the seeds produce a We find lingering traces of these be- They are sacred rites, supposed to harvest. The new order is pushing liefs and ceremonials today in remote bring rain and success in war. the old out of the picture. The Tekakwitha Conference Today

by Sister Kateri Mitchell, SSA following year Father Justin Sny- der, OSB, proposed that the annual s Executive Director of the gathering be put under the guidance Tekakwitha Conference, my and protection of Kateri Tekakwitha, Arole is multi-faceted. a young Mohawk-Algonquin woman Located in Great Falls, Montana, born in 1656. this national office has a staff of two. Throughout the years this group of We are kept rather busy overseeing clergy met annually from reservation all the tasks of the office and answer- to reservation and mission to mission ing requests on a in North and South Dakota, and in day to day basis Montana. In the 1967 due to the con- that need atten- tributions of the Benedictine Sisters tion relating to in anthropology, they were invited to the organization, attend. After that, a number of Native the Tekakwitha American Sisters attended. Then, two Conference, bishops and Sioux Indian lay men and Blessed Kateri women were invited to the gathering. Tekakwitha, Consequently, this annual conference Kateri Circles, began to change direction and face. In 9 resources for Na- 1977, a three member advisory board tive spirituality, (executive committee) was formed: Native catechesis, a Native woman religious, a Na- Native ministry tive Deacon, and a Capuchin priest. and many other In 1978, Father Gilbert Hemauer, topics. I gather OFM,Cap., was named president and articles and pro- executive director of the conference. duce the quar- With the cooperation of the new, terly newsletter full-time director and the new direc- ‘Cross and Feath- tor of the Bureau of Catholic Indian

As Executive Director of the Tekakwitha Conference, my role is multi-faceted.

ers’, updating and providing materials Missions, Monsignor Paul Lenz, the on Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Kateri Conference was integrated with the Circles and a variety of topics on Na- Bureau. The main office of the Con- tive issues. ference was at the Bureau and it was Another area of responsibility is almost totally funded by the Bureau. planning an Annual Tekakwitha Con- In 1979, the Tekakwitha Conference ference in various locations through- was incorporated in the State of Mon- out the U.S. In addition, I represent tana and a National Center was estab- Catholic Native Americans at the lished in Great Falls, Montana. Bishop U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops Thomas Murphy of Great Falls offered and other national and local groups. a substantial space for the permanent The Tekakwitha Missionary Confer- office of the Tekakwitha Conference ence began in Fargo, North Dakota, on 9th Avenue South and it continues in the fall of 1939 with 24 clergy and to operate from this location today. Bishop Aloisius Joseph Muench. The Faces of Faith, A History of the First Order of Indian Sisters

ne hundred and twenty years feather of Standing Rock Reservation. ago, a missionary priest of Another in the group was Susan OMohawk Indian descent was Bordeaux of Rosebud Reservation, called by God to begin a religious a granddaughter of Spotted Tail and sisterhood to serve the temporal and grandniece of Red Cloud. Susan is spiritual needs of Lakota Sioux fami- buried in the City Cemetery at Pinar lies on Dakota reservations. Unlike del Rio in Cuba. the European-born Benedictine mis- To learn more about this fascinat- sionaries who evangelized from es- ing and inspiring story, the Bureau of tablished schools and churches, these Catholic Indian Missions has made sisters, daughters of Lakota families, available a book entitled Faces of would work directly with and among Faith, A History of the First Order of the people. Indian Sisters by Thomas W. Foley. Father Francis Mr. Foley first became interested in M. Craft, a physi- Father Craft and the Indian sisters as cian himself, had a young boy back in 1943, when he a bold vision that found Father Craft’s papers in a closet his Indian sister- in his Aunt Mame’s Chicago apart- 10 hood would even ment. Among the papers were the serve as nurses, handwritten vows of some of the first operating a health sisters. When he retired, almost 50 clinic on the Fort years later, Mr. Foley researched the Berthold Reserva- life of Father Craft from the Dakotas tion in North Da- to the Vatican in Rome. kota. Beginning in He persuaded the University of Ne- 1888, Father Craft braska Press to publish a biography: recruited about a Father Francis M. Craft, Missionary dozen young In- to the Sioux, in 2002. Faces of Faith dian women from was published by Cathedral Press in Rosebud, Pine December 2008. In May, 2009, a third Mr. Foley first became interested in Father Craft and the Indian sisters as a young boy back in 1943, when he found Father Craft’s papers in a closet in his Aunt Mame’s Chicago apartment. Among the papers were the handwritten vows of some of the first sisters. Ridge, and Standing Rock Reserva- book: At Standing Rock and Wounded tions for the School of the Holy Child Knee – The Journals and Papers of Jesus at Avoca, Minnesota. Father Francis M. Craft, 1888-1890 In 1890, Father Craft took several of was published by the Arthur H. Clark these ladies to Fort Berthold where he Company, an imprint of the Univer- had founded Sacred Heart Mission. sity of Oklahoma Press. They formed the nucleus of the Con- Faces of Faith is available through gregation of American Sisters, with the Bureau of Catholic Indian Mis- Sister Mary Catharine Sacred White sions, 2021 H Street, NW, Wash- Buffalo named as the first prioress of ington, DC 20006. Cost, including the order. She was Josephine Crow- shipping and handling, is $20. feather, a daughter of Joseph Crow- Plugging into the Legacy of St. Katharine Drexel

it is also a time to recall with great among American Indians and Afri- esteem the legacy of St. Katharine can Americans. Drexel as she established many Today the Bureau of Catholic In- Indian Mission schools. dian Missions continues to support Katharine was born on November Indian Mission schools. It is our 26, 1858, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- way of plugging into the legacy of vania. She was the second daughter St. Katharine Drexel. of Francis Anthony Drexel and Let us renew our commitment to Hannah Langstroth. Mr. Drexel was Catholic education by supporting a banker and philanthropist. Both our Indian Mission schools with parents instilled in their children our prayers and sacrifices. Pope the idea that their wealth was sim- Benedict XVI, during his address at ply loaned to them and was to be Catholic University of America in shared with others. Washington, D.C., April 17, 2008, The first school she established reminded us that “education is in- was St. Catherine Indian School tegral to the mission of the Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1887. During her lifetime, she opened, to proclaim the Good News . . . it staffed and directly supported involves the entire Christian com- 11 by Father Wayne Paysse nearly 60 schools and missions in munity . . .” the West and Southwest United Let us also remember that educa- s the lazy summer days States. tion forms the heart as well as the quickly come to an end, On February 12, 1891, she pro- mind. This gift of intellect from God A another school year with fessed her first vows as a religious, proclaims “Truth” and “Knowledge” all its activities and hustle awaits founding the Sisters of the Blessed and invites the human person to many parents, guardians, teachers Sacrament whose dedication would respond in Christian service that and school administrators. For the be to share the message of the benefits society and the community Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions, Gospel and the life of the Eucharist of humanity.

BCIM Archivist Honored

ark Thiel, an archivist at , A colleague described received the Sister M. Claude Lane Memorial his work as “probably the MAward at the annual meeting of the Society of most important manu- American Archivists in San Francisco. script guide produced on Mr. Thiel’s exhaustive work on the five-volume “Guide to American Catholic ma- Catholic-Related Records About Native Americans” in terials in a generation.” electronic format garnered the award, which recognizes Mr. Thiel’s project is of individuals who have made significant contributions interest to scholars of to the field of religious archives. Mr. Thiel collected the American Indian history information for more than 25 years from over 12,000 and culture and Native repositories in 43 states and 15 foreign countries. Americans looking for their own data and records. “This reference work has been noted for its thorough- Mr. Thiel serves on the Advisory Council of the ness, its detail and the precision of its records,” noted Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions and oversees the the award committee. Bureau’s archives. Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions 2021 H Street, NW Washington, DC 20006

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Pray Daily for the Canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Bureau of Catholic Indian Mission 12 Scholarships Available to Native Students

oday, as over the years, the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY HERITAGE UNIVERSITY education of Native Ameri- of AMERICA For the Undergraduate School of Arts Tcan children is a high prior- In the field of Graduate Nursing, and Sciences, contact: ity for the Bureau of Catholic Indian contact: Office of Admissions Missions. The School of Nursing Heritage University In addition to the yearly grants Catholic University of America 3240 Fort Road given to elementary and high Washington, DC 20047 Toppenish, WA 98948 schools, the Bureau has established Phone: 202-319-5571 Phone: 509-865-8600 college scholarship endowments for Fax: 202-319-6174 Fax: 509-865-7976 Native American students to further their academic studies. For the Undergraduate School of Arts WYOMING CATHOLIC There are Native American and Sciences, contact: COLLEGE students attending all of the follow- Office of Admissions For the Undergraduate School of Arts ing Universities. Notes and letters and Sciences, contact: received from the students tell how Catholic University of America grateful they are for the opportunity Washington, DC 20047 Office of Admissions to attend college. They said educa- Phone: 202-319-5303 Wyoming Catholic College tion now makes a difference in their Fax: 202-319-6171 PO Box 750 life and they will help make a differ- Lander, WY 82520 ence in their community. XAVIER UNIVERSITY Phone: 307-322-2930 of LOUISIANA Fax: 307-322-2918 For the Undergraduate School of Arts and Sciences, contact: Office of the Registrar Xavier University of Louisiana 1 Drexel Drive New Orleans, LA 70125 Phone: 504-483-7575 Fax: 504-485-7905