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| Father Notebaart sits with his helpers: a driver for the van to help with the ministry and Janet Stapely, his most valuable assistant.
The setting is in the chapel at the Ministry. The lodge behind them was built by the community members during Holy Week. It is made of red willow. Their sacred objects are stored there. It also hosts the Blessed Sacrament. Behind Janet is their Eagle Staff, which is used at special times of the year. The Star Quilt on the wall was made by woman in the community. |
SJA's
Native American Ministry |
St. Joan of Arc is well known for having speakers who broaden our perspective and deepen our spirituality. Thinking back nearly 15 years, a special speaker was Father Jim Notebaart from the Diocesan Native American Ministry. He spoke of a little Native American boy who had suffered the loss of his dog but would not ask for help to find the dog. Father’s message continued to tell us that we ALL need to ask others for help through our journey of life. However, in the course of his homily Father never once asked for help for his Ministry. A parishioner, Clarence Von Eschen, took note of this and talked to Father after Mass. Possibly in a more gentle way Clarence told Father, “Practice what you preach”. He asked Father, “What can we do to help your ministry?”
This question was the genesis of a continuing connection with St. Joan of Arc and the Native American Ministry. Father shared that there was a need to help the families at Christmas.
Clarence and Avis Von Eschen coordinated the project for several years, and when they went to a warn climate for the winter someone else was needed. Avis prayed to find a person who was willing to do this, and her prayer was answered the next Sunday when she saw Mary Ellen Kennedy at Mass. Mary Ellen accepted the challenge and has continued to co-ordinate the program.
SJA’s efforts include working with Father Notebaart and Janet Stapely, assistant director from the Native American Ministry. Janet gives the coordinator the first names of families and their wish lists. The lists most frequently ask for warm clothing and an occasional toy for small children. Individual St Joan families volunteer and assume the responsibility for one family. They purchase the gifts and wrap them so they can be delivered to St. Joan’s on the Sunday before Christmas. The coordinator then takes all the gifts to Janet at the Native American Ministry on Park Ave. Janet distributes the gifts to the individual families. This allows
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| Avis and Clarence Von Eschen | Mary Ellen Kennedy |
for the anonymity for the families who are often in distress because of the illness of a parent. Also, this protects the parents’ self esteem that the children receive the gifts from the parents without the children needing to know that it was a donation.
St. Joan’s parishioners have been more than generous. Avis and Clarence and Mary Ellen could not have done this without the support of all the wonderful members, who have spent their time and money to buy and wrap the gifts. Some of the families have even made personal family decisions to give these gifts for the “spirit of the season” and not have as many gifts for their own families.
Other people in the parish who have been particularly involved with helping the coordinators with phone calls and gathering the gifts are Marianne and Dick Seekamp, Eileen and Larry Somers and Don Hall. Dick and Marianne Seekamp live close to church and have often used their home for a storage site until the Sunday delivery date.
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| Avis Von Eschen Parishioner for 22 years
...Retired school teacher
...St. Joan's Bridge Club
...Charter member of Adults Alive
...Co-ordinates Christmas activity for St. Joan's with the Indian Ministry
...Summer office volunteer.
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Plans are in progress for the 2003 Father Notebaart Collection.
You can reach Mary Ellen Kennedy at 763-535 7241. Delivery dates for this year will be Dec. 7th and 14th in the Egan Room.
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE
