Standing Rock Reservation Ministry
The Standing Rock Reservation ministry team is still reeling from the effects that Covid-19 has had on its small, Lakota parishes.
"People in general are leery of participating due to contagion at all levels of daily here," said Fr. Jim Hoerter.
So Fr. Hoerter, along with Franciscan sisters Sr. Jacque Schoeder, OFS, and Sr. Mathilde Akatshi, SSFAT, began an evening Mass that is followed by a rosary walk to a particular block of homes. "We recently have begun an evening Mass and rosary walk with a few local women parishioners. Each week, we dedicate one rosary to those living on that block of homes. We pray and sing aloud, asking Our Lady's intercession for families on that block. This has drawn children on bicycles to follow us as they ask for rosaries and learn to pray while riding their bikes in the weekly mini-parade. We've felt Our Lady's protection, as even the growling dogs have left us alone. We hope to build upon this weekly event," said Fr. Hoerter.
