Please join the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions in celebrating the feast day of St. Kateri Tekakwitha on July 14th, patroness of the environment and ecology by joining us with your participation in this Novena.
Kateri, favored child and Lily of the Mohawks,
I come to seek your intercession in my present need:
(State your intention here…)
I admire the virtues which adorned your soul:
love of God and neighbor,
humility, obedience, patience,
Fr. Dan Wittrock, is the pastor of St. Augustine parish in Winnebago, in addition to St. Joseph in Walthill, Our Lady of Fatima in Macy and St. Cornelius in Homer all parishes in Nebraska. The parish has been busy with the annual harvest of Indian Corn which is a fundraiser to send parishioners and members of the Kateri Circle to the National Tekawitha Conference. The Indian Corn is considered a sacred plant by Native Americans. The tradition of planting and harvesting the crop at St. Augustine Indian Mission goes back many years.
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine is a place of beauty and prayer. The Shrine features a breath taking Dome Basilica with a contour of the Northern Hemisphere. Outside the basilica is an Avenue of Saints with over one hundred life size statues of saints including one for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and a beautiful Rosary pool. The shrine offers a St. Kateri Pilgrimage and Retreat once a year during the summer. They learn from St. Kateri on how to “put on a new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” Ephesians 4:23-24
On Sunday, April 3rd, 2016, 35 young people received First Communion at St. Andrew’s Mission in Pendleton, Oregon. Father Mike Fitzpatrick, SJ presided at the Mass with Deacon Daniel Martinez and acolyte Ren Feller assisting. Catechism teachers who prepared students for this sacrament were Patt O’Brien, Gloria Martinez, and Yadira Gonzalez. To celebrate, reception with cake and gifts followed the Mass.
