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Faithful Servants

August 31, 2021
Gus Pool & Sr. Deana Case

St. Augustine Indian Mission


St. Augustine Indian Mission's Faithful Servants

Father Mark Bridgman has had a busy summer saying the weekend Masses for four parishes, while our director, Father Mark Beran, has been visiting parishes in the region to share the St. Augustine Mission story.

St. Augustine Indian Mission is fortunate to have three Missionary of Benedictine Sisters living on the school campus. Sister Deana Case, Sister Jane Nyaki, and Sister Suelene Matos.

Sister Deana is responsible for all four of the Mission parish's records; she also led the annual corn processing effort with assistance from St. Jane and Sister Suelene. Workers from Ho-Chunk Farms planted heirloom seeds and harvested the corn crop. Volunteers cleaned, cooked, and carefully shelled the corn using traditional methods to keep the kernels whole. The corn kernels are placed on racks and dried in the sun. The dried corn, along with beef, buffalo, or deer meat, will be used in soup prepared for special events during the year ahead.

Sister Suelene is a much-loved paraprofessional in the kindergarten classroom. Sister Jane Nyaki cares for the convent, St. Augustine Church sacristy, and tends a large garden for the convent and community. In addition, Sister Deana, Sister Jane, and Sister Suelene work tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities we serve by working at the Mission's thrift store in Macy, Nebraska, and the food pantry in Walthill, Nebraska.

Fr. Mark Bridgman

Fr. Mark Bridgman

Sr. Frances, Sr. Ellen Marie, Fr. Mark Beran

Sr. Frances, Sr. Ellen Marie, Fr. Mark Beran

Sr. Jane

Sr. Jane

Sr. Suelene & Sr. Jane

Sr. Suelene & Sr. Jane