Area churches build community during annual bazaars

posted on December 27, 2012,
by Shannon Grooms

To build community in faith, to raise resource for the community and to simply have a good time are often at the heart of church activities. At three of the churches on the Pine Ridge Reservation, this is how the month of December began!

Our Lady of the Sioux Church, Oglala, SD, held its very first Christmas Craft Fair in conjunction with its monthly flea market and bingo on December 1. Craft tables were available to local crafters and artisans, with items ranging from Christmas ornaments, potholders and homemade soap to beaded jewelry. In the economic environment of the reservation, events like this can be a welcomed opportunity for artists and crafters to proudly display and market their work.

St. Agnes Church, Manderson, SD, held its annual bazaar following the Sunday Mass on December 2. Tables, filled with toys, coats, hats, gloves, baked goods and crafts, lined the walls of the Tekakwitha Hall. There was a Fish Pond for the children and a prize bingo for the adults. Thanks to the generosity of both community members and friends from near and far, raffle tickets had been sold in advance of the bazaar and throughout the afternoon there was excitement awaiting the announcement of the winner.

“It was a great success,” said St. Agnes’s parish coordinator, Joyce Tibbitts. “We had a good turnout. None of this would have been possible without the generous donations and hard work of our parish. So many worked so hard to obtain many of the great prizes, including Rapid City Rush hockey tickets and restaurant gifts certificates for Subway, Sonic and other restaurants. We also raffled off a load of firewood, a night’s stay at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Rapid City, and a new microwave. People had such a good time and enjoyed one another!”

Our Lady of Sorrows, Kyle, SD, also held its bazaar on December 2. Under the direction of Gayla Adams-Loafer, Melanie Janis and Sally Broken Rope, the bazaar met its goal: To provide a good and positive atmosphere in faith for people to enjoy one another, eat good food, and have great fun. This parish is also very grateful for its generous members and friends who helped provide a fine meal, an exciting raffle, and a fun prize bingo.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the Catholic Churches on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, please contact Fr. Peter Klink at 605-867-5491, ext. 627.