Students Take Next Step in Realizing Catholic-Lakota Spirituality

posted on May 21, 2014

Growing up as a Catholic, Red Cloud student Jamie ‘15, who is now preparing to enter her senior year, always knew that she wanted to be confirmed. Over the last five months, she has been taking classes every other Sunday, working toward that goal. During that time, as her confirmation day grew closer, she says she could feel that this was the next step in getting closer to God.

“It was empowering, spiritually,” she explains, recalling the process of preparation and readying herself for the ceremony.

Last Friday, she came together with her peers at Sacred Heart Church in downtown Pine Ridge and, with the support of Rapid City’s Bishop Robert Gruss, renewed her baptismal rites in front of her community.

“It’s the next big step. It’s moving from being a student to a teacher. The Parish really wants you to be sure of your commitment as you become a member of the Church,” says Jamie. “For my Saint, I picked St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She was a queen, but she didn’t act like your average queen. She was so humble and served as a nurse during her life, which sort of reminded me of my grandma, who was also humble and was a nurse.”

For Jamie, her religion relates directly to her ability to make positive decisions in her life, whether about her social life or about what she wants to major in when she graduates.

“When I was learning about St. Elizabeth during this process, she inspired me in the way she cared for the poor and sick. In part, her efforts make me want to pursue a degree in healthcare even more. One day I hope to work in healthcare like Saint Elizabeth and my grandma.”

Jamie says knowing about the struggles that saints like Elizabeth of Hungary faced makes her everyday struggles seem just a little easier—and she takes comforting knowing she has her faith to support her. Seeing young people gain that knowledge is exactly why Sister Connie Schmidt, assistant for evangelization and formation at Red Cloud, works so closely with students at Red Cloud.

“While other youth receive their religious education in the parishes, Red Cloud also offers a religious education through classes, which is extremely valuable to our youth in their faith formation,” says Sr. Connie. “This is their faith in action, it’s not only on Sunday mornings but also during the week at school.”

She explains that Red Cloud and the greater parish community remain devoted partners in supporting the growth of students’ minds, bodies and spirits. That continued support, she says, enables students to flourish.

“Most of my family was there to support me at the ceremony,” says Jamie. “They support me because they know that I’m really religious with both my Catholic and Lakota spiritualities. I think it’s easier to mix the two than some people might think — they’re so similar.”

Jamie shares that she felt nervous before the service, especially when she met the bishop. But at the same time, she felt prepared to take the next step in confirming the unique Catholic-Lakota spirituality that continues to provide her with strength and direction.

"I always enjoy coming to Pine Ridge," said Bishop Gruss after the ceremony. The Bishop has been making the trip from Rapid City to the reservation for a number of years, noting that the community's faith can be seen in their ever-present friendliness and hospitality. This spring, as in years past, the Bishop returned for Confirmation and noted how impressed he was with the involvment of the parish community. 

"The number of students involved in this year's confirmation is a tribute to the pastoral staff and to the young student's desire to have their faith continue to be an intergral part of their lives."

 

Photos: All Rights Reserved ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014