Parish News: Confirmation

posted on May 11, 2011
by Shannon Grooms, Our Lady of the Sioux Parish

Six Catholic churches on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church, Red Cloud Indian School Campus, Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Father Steve Biegler presided over the Mass with concelebrants: Fr. George Winzenburg, SJ, Fr. Steve Sanford, SJ, Fr. Dan Gannon, SJ, Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ, Fr. Anand Pereira, SJ.

The Mass was a mixture of traditional Lakota and traditional Catholic ritual. It opened with the Cante Tinza Drum Group and the Azylia (cleansing ritual). Candidates were anointed with the Sacred Chrism and the choir sang a traditional Latin Song Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Confirmation candidates and there parishes are as follows:

Christ the King, Porcupine

Catechist: Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ
Carla Jasso, Sponsor: Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ

St Agnes, Manderson

Catechist: Fr. Phil Cooke, SJ & Joshua Peters, nSJ
Quentin Emery, Sponsor: Dani Her Many Horses
Joyce Tibbitts, Sponsor: Jo Ann Tibbitts
Norma Jo Tibbitts, Sponsor: Norma Jean Tibbitts

Our Lady of Sorrows, Kyle

Catechist: Gayla Adams
Myrtle Lucille Garnette, Sponsor: Arlene Iron Crow
Tonya Renee Hunter, Sponsor: Gayla Adams
Lia Whirlwind Horse, Sponsor: Dianna Lynn Whirlwind Horse

St. Ignatius, Wanblee

Catechist: Kristal Bush
Heather Red Willow, Sponsor: Kristal Bush
Kara Sitting Up, Sponsor: Frances Ashley
Talana Standing Bear, Sponsor: Frances Ashley
Karen Zirkle, Sponsor: Sandra Janis

Our Lady of the Sioux, Oglala

Catechist: Br. Mike Baranek, SJ
Samuel Blacksmith, Sponsor: Kyleigh Blacksmith
Stephen Kills Small, Sponsor: Trivean Blacksmith

Sacred Heart, Pine Ridge

Catechist: Sr. Barb Bogenschutz,OP
Dallas Greenwald, Sponsor: Clifford Buckman
Richard Greenwald, Sponsor: Melva Buckman
Christi Sioux, Bob Sponsor: Charles McGaa

If you are interested in learning more about Confirmation, or any of the Reservation Parishes contact pastoral team coordinator, Fr. Steve Sanford, SJ at 605/867-5491.

Shannon Grooms is a member of Our Lady of the Sioux Church. She taught Religion at Red Cloud Elementary School for four years until the birth of their oldest daughter. Shannon, her husband, and her two daughters live on a ranch nine miles north of Oglala, South Dakota.