Tekakwitha Conference Evangelization for 77 Years 1939-2015 On Care For Our Common Home “If We Destroy Creation, Creation Will Destroy Us” Pope Francis Declares Jubilee Year of Mercy December 8, 2015 November 20, 2016 Visit us at: http://www.tekconf.org E-mail us at: [email protected] November-December 2015 VOLUME 34 ISSUE 1 2 November-December 2015 TEKAKWITHA CONFERENCE NATIONAL CENTER NEWS From The Desk of The Executive Director Tekakwitha Conference Board of Directors 2015-2016 Friends of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Congratulations and Welcome to our new Board of Directors Lisa Franqui, Veronica Valandra, Regina Shontz and Cathy Vasquez. “… God, we give you thanks, and we praise your Welcome back to Gail Rando for her 2nd term. Welcome back to glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:13) Geri Kanesta-Rychner and Greg R. Williams. th ANNUAL TEKAKWITHA The 76 Annual Tekakwitha Conference participants Gail Rando experienced southern hospitality at its best. Truly, Saint Kateri CONFERENCE DATES Cherokee embraced all who visited the wetlands this past July in Region 1 Over the years, the Board and Sr. Alexandria, Louisiana. It was a celebration of Church, as God’s 2nd Term 2015-2018 Kateri have been questioned about the family united in prayer, friendship, love and hope. It was a time fact that the dates for the Annual that the people gathered from around the country shared the Tekakwitha Conference most always ‘joy of the gospel’ with their sisters and brothers. Lisa Franqui occur the third or fourth week of July. Navajo There are two main reasons for this. With deep gratitude for our Planning Committee members Region 2 (1) Some of our Youth attend year- from Region 4 especially to: Holy Family, St. Charles the Roch, 1st Term 2015-2017 round school, and the July dates work Blessed Mother Earth Kateri Circles of Louisiana and the best for their families. Since our Alabama, Tennessee and Texas Kateri Circles for all the Conference is a family event, these pre-conference planning and preparation. Your on-site dates afford youth and their parents hospitality and hard work were extra-ordinary during the Veronica Valandra the opportunity to attend together. entire event. Sicangu Lakota We also have a number of teachers Region 3 who teach in the year-round school Celebrating the spirit of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha during the 1st Term 2015-2017 systems, and who are regular Conference attendees. spring, summer and fall seasons have been a time of blessing and healing for many of our people as events took place in many (2) Dates are finalized approximately missions, parishes and Arch/dioceses. FIVE YEARS prior to the Conference Regina (Gina) Shontz when arrangements are made with the Tekakwitha Conference members were part of the Pilgrimage Tuscarora particular diocese and the venue that Region 4 will be used. This time frame helps to to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September 1st Term 2015-2018 to pray with Pope Francis and people from all around the guarantee an appropriate venue, and to help lock in an affordable price. world. What a blessing to celebrate, to witness and to be part Universities are no longer an option of this family gathering of our Universal Church in because of their summer school Philadelphia, ‘the city of brotherly love’ and sisterly affection! Geri Kanesta-Rychner schedules. Hotels also have to be Zuni booked at this time, as well, and much As we journey from fall into winter, may we with faith and trust Region 5 negotiating is done to keep the costs open our hearts to the many changes and opportunities that our 1st Term 2014-2017 down so that many Conference generous God has awaiting us as we enter the Jubilee Year of Members can attend. Mercy beginning December 8, 2015 – November 22, 2016. Gregory R. Williams For those of you who have a conflict Crow with the dates due to special Through the intercession of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, may her Board Appointee celebrations or tribal events, the love for Jesus be an invitation for us to deepen our relationship Region 5 Conference can be an opportunity for with Him as witnesses of joy, forgiveness, healing and love. 2014-2016 some members to attend in a particular year while others represent their tribe at their event. Tribal events and the Blessings for holy celebrations with family and friends for Conference are here for the “long run” Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas, Catherine (Cathy) Vasquez so there are ample occasions to enjoy Tohono O'odham both! Sister Kateri Region 6 1st Term 2015-2018 Board of Directors Summer 2015 Saint Kateri Tekakwitha inspire and guide our Board of Directors “Faith is to believe what you do not see; TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome Letter, Board of Directors ………..…………..…............ 1-2 the reward of this faith is to see what Prayer Intentions & Special Days………………….…...................... 3 Spring/Summer/Fall Events ….…………………………………………... 4-5 you believe.” (St. Augustine) Kateri Circles & Regional Groups…………………...….……………... 7-9 Upcoming Events ……………....…………………………………………… 10 Donations……………………………………………………………………….. 11 2225 North Bolton Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71303-4408 2015 Annual Tekakwitha Conference………………………………… 12-14 Phone #: (318) 483-3908 2016 Annual Tekakwitha Conference…………………………......... 15-17 Fax #: (318) 483-3909 Individual & Group Membership Forms………………................. 18-20 Toll Free #: (844) 483-3900 Gift Shop Items ……………………………………………………………….. 21-23 http//www.facebook.com/tekconf Holiday Greetings…………………………….……………………………... 24 VOLUME 34 NO 1 3 PRAYER INTENTIONS Saint Kateri Prayer Prayers for Healing and Special Intentions Diane Klena & Husband: poor health - PA By: Harold Caldwell Teresa Danks: health & recovery from stroke - ND O Saint Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks, Mary Morin: sister of Brenda Morin - SD Your love for Jesus, so strong, Kenneth Kenson: heart problems, father-in-law of so steadfast, grant that Kimberly Kenson - MI we may become like you. Lupe Espitia: recovery & healing - CA Your short and painful life showed us Lema HeCrow: health & healing - SD your strength and humility. Garvin Family - WY Grant that we may become forever Alden Family - MT humble like you. Jim De Corse, his daughter “T” & brother Robert - City Like the bright and shining stars at night, we pray that your light may forever shine of Angels Kateri Circle, CA down upon us, giving light, Sister Dorothy Bob: recuperating from surgery - BC hope, peacefulness and serenity Joseph Jacobs: cancer - NY in our darkest moments. Kyle: health problems - LA Fill our hearts, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Fr. George Belgarde, SJ: suffered stroke - NY with your same love for Jesus Special Intentions and grant us your strength and courage All who are battling cancer to become one like you in Heaven. That the Church be a sign of unity in its wonderful Amen. diversity That we be truly committed to proclaim God’s word Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Walk With Us That your Church be a place of welcome for all people That all children know their precious worth That the homeless be sheltered from the cold and elements That the peace of Christ reign in our hearts and rejoice with hope in the glory of God Rest In Peace Ramona Barraga: daughter of Christina Ray - AZ sister of Herman Ray Darrell Caldwell - QC December 8, 2015: Begins - Solemnity of the Sr. Lorraine Masters - IN Immaculate Conception Mary Ann Red-Cloud Janis - SD November 20, 2016: Closes - Solemnity of Our Lord Mr. Paysse: father of Fr. Wayne Paysee - LA Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Fr. Francis Paul Prucha, SJ - WI October May All Our Departed Tekakwitha Conference Members 12 Thanksgiving Day in Canada Kateri Circle Members and Family Members Proclamation for the Process of the Who Have Returned to the Creator, Rest in the Peace of Christ Canonization of the Floridian Martyrs “I am the Resurrection and the Life” 19 Saints Jean de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, priest & companions December 21 3rd Anniversary of St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Canonization Mary When the sun 28 Saint Simon & Saint Jude, apostles 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 13 Saint Lucy of Syracuse rises in the November 14 Saint John of the Cross 1 All Saints Day 25 Nativity of the Lord morning sky, 2 Commemoration of All Faithful Departed 26 Saint Stephen, first Martyr (All Souls) 27 Saint John the Apostle & Evangelist you will see 11 Veterans Day 28 Holy Innocents, the Savior, 21 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 22 Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of January 2016 coming from the Universe 1 Mary, Mother of God 26 Thanksgiving Day, USA 3 Most Holy Name of Jesus the Father. 30 Saint Andrew 6 Epiphany 4 November-December 2015 SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS Calvary Cemetery St. Kateri Preserve St. Kateri Celebration Salt River, Arizona April 2015 23rd Anniversary Mass & Presentation of AACC Fr. Rollins Lambert Scholar- ships-St. Joseph on Rio Grand Church Albuquerque Submitted by Tracy Hall Dayton, Ohio - April 2015 St. Michaels, Arizona May 2015 Holy Family Church Dulac, Louisiana July 2015 St. Kateri Feast Day - Fort Hall, Idaho July 2015 Photos compliments of All Kateri Events Photos above by: Herman Ray Susie Moss VOLUME 34 NO 1 5 PHILADELPHIA PILGRIMAGE 2015 Thursday, Arrivals Holiday Inn Lansdale, Meals Friday, Immaculate Conception Basilica, Washington, DC Photos by Herman Ray Saturday, New York City Photo Compliments of Toddy Yeats Saturday, Philadelphia, Ben Franklin Parkway Continued: Saturday, Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Photos compliments of Joyce McFarland, Karen Suazo, & Herman Ray Sunday, Ben Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia Monday, Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Bensalem, PA Photo Compliments of Herman Ray 6 November-December 2015 KATERI CIRCLE NEWS Ft. Defiance, AZ.----At last we have a St. Kateri Tekakwitha statue. Father Gilbert Schneider and Deacon Daniel Martin blessed the outdoor shrine on Sunday, October 4, 2015 after Mass at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament church.