Native American Ministry
As always, we have been busy at our Missions this Fall. Besides the usual activities of getting students in Religious Education classes, preparing adults coming into the Church through our RCIA programs and Children’s Baptism classes, we also had several other functions across the Reservations.
October was a busy month for our Missions and our Friars. We had three Feast Day Celebrations across the Reservations. Our St. Francis of Assisi-Salt River Pima Indian Community celebrated their Feast Day on Oct 5th with Mass, processions and, of course, food, dance and games. I have attached a picture from that celebration.
At St. John the Baptist Mission that same night (Oct 5th) the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit held a Blessing of the Animals in the Franciscan Tradition. Community members from the west side of Gila River Reservation came out to have their pets and livestock blessed by the Friars. I have attached on picture from that event.
October 12th was Our Lady of Victory Mission’s turn for their Feast Day Celebration on the Gila River Reservation. As with all our Feast Day Celebrations, the day started with a Mass and moved onto the other festivities for the day. This Mission really focused on the young children and provide many games and activities for them to partake. Unfortunately, I was not able to get any pictures from their special day.
The last of the three Feast Day celebrations was on October 19th for our St. Francis of Assisi – AkChin Community. Their community Newspaper, The AkChin Runner, was there to take pictures to memorialize the event. They shared with me one picture of the procession of the statue of St. Francis directly after Mass with Fr. Antony Tinker, FHS and community members. The picture is attached.
To wrap up the month of October, the Friars put on their 2nd Annual Franciscan Friars Fall Festival held at our St. John the Baptist Community on October 26th. The afternoon started with Mass with Bishop Olmsted celebrating their 4pm Vigil Mass and afterwards, the went directly to food and fun. The Friars put this on to help build community amongst the members of the Gila River Reservation on both the East and the West side of the Reservation. I have attached 3 pictures from the event including processing out of the Mass with Bishop Olmsted, dunking for apples, and last but not least….the ever popular ‘Friar Dunk’!
Lastly, our St. Francis of Assisi AkChin Mission celebrated two weddings in November with our Friars officiating! The AkChin Runner Newspaper photographer was there to capture the moments at one of the weddings and provided a high-resolution picture.
If it were not for the Black & Indian Mission support, none of these events would be able to take place. Your funds help pay the stipends and salaries for our religious staff teaching the Faith and training the people in our communities. They learn to love and celebrate their faith with others! Thank you so much!
