Greetings to all in the Lord! I am writing this message from my family home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It ha been some time since you have heard from me, so I wanted to make some contact with you before I leave the Country for six months or maybe a little more in a few days.
Our Franciscan Community, similar to other religious groups in the Church, is in a process of decreasing our ministry commitments in view of a decrease of personnel. One of the areas our leaders decided to discontinue was our ministry in the Sioux Falls Diocese. This action resulted in my being asked to leave serving at St. Paul’s in Marty and St. Mark’s in Lake Andes. I did not find this request to be an easy decision, because I enjoyed very much my service over the last sixteen years and the making of wonderful relationships during that period of time.
I drove out of Marty in the morning of January 22nd, and stopped for an overnight visit at Mayo Clinic where I was given a clean bill of health for a knee replacement I had at the end of November. When I arrived in Lacrosse, WI, I stopped for a three hour visit at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where I experienced a very pronounced presence of Mary. This time of prayer and reflection resulted in a very deep conviction by me that I should continue to serve the indigenous people in the Americas.
I took up residence at St. Francis Friary in Loretto, PA. The second day there I went down to St. Francis University and enrolled in a Spanish class for the remainder of the semester. At semester’s end I continued the study of Spanish up to this day. I spent a month in May in Baltimore, Maryland, taking care of two inner city parishes. After receiving permission and making the necessary arrangements, I will be spending the next six months or so with our Franciscan Friars in Mexico learning to speak Spanish, becoming more familiar with the culture, and grow accustomed in ministering to the Hispanic people. When I return to the States at the end of January, I will spend a period of discernment to discover where the Lord is calling me to serve.
On the 17th of July I will fly to El Paso and attend the National Kateri Tekakwitha Conference within which I will give two workshops on “The Empowerment of the Spirit and the New Evangelization”. At the end of the Conference I will fly to Mexico city to begin the next phase of the journey. It is impossible for me to express how deeply grateful I am for our relationship over the last sixteen years. I grew very much as a person, and discovered a wonderful new depth in the life of the Spirit. May God bless you all abundantly!!
With much love!
Fr. David
Update: We have talked with Fr. David via phone and he has arrived in Mexico City and is continuing his studies in Spanish.
Keith painting convent porch.
Doug and Rick building stairs with the help of Bruce.
Once again this year, four volunteers from St. Paul’s. Racine, WI, arrived to do mission service projects. They came in June instead of July which will most likely establish a precedent. The cooler temps made a great difference in completing the out door projects. Five days of good weather enabled them to accomplish much. One evening the Kateri Circle invited them to a potluck dinner and on another occasion, some of the women made Indian tacos and the trimmings and invited the families involved in the various service projects. It was a wonderful week; we are most grateful for their friendship and generosity.
Elaine Little, Assistant Director of the Kateri Center, with newly painted door.
New flower pots and flower beds in front of Church.
“Sprucing up” seems to be the best words to identify and explain some of the repair, maintenance and beautifying of the exterior of the Church and Convent this summer. We have added several flower pots and flower beds around the church-donated by the generosity of some of our parishioners.
Fr. David being honored by Kateri Circle members with a star quilt.
This is the letter that Fr. David gave to each of his parishioners before he left South Dakota.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I was 57 years old when I came to South Dakota. I will depart the next number of days at the age of 73. I am deeply grateful for the last 16 years that I have spent in your midst. They have been years of growing love and affection for you as I attempted to bring the Good News of the Gospel of Grace to you. It is my sincere hope that you have benefited from my sometimes faltering efforts. I have always tried to have yor best interests in mind in view of the many different ways I have served. I have enjoyed my years here very much, and frequently experienced the Lord’s gentle guidance and inspriation on your behalf.
I have noticed a profound change in my own spiritual life, to which all of you have contributed in many ways. And I am deeply grateful for those graces. These years have been happy years and challenging years. And it is with mixed emotions that we come to this time of departure: know there is a sad feeling in leaving those I love and care for, yet a joy in looking forward to what the Lord may have for me in the near future, and I have no idea of what that may be. That discussion will begin when I get back to Pennsylvania.
I have enjoyed very much living on the Reservation in this multi-culutural enviroment, and serving and pastoring the Ihanktowan People. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you all especially for the prayers and well wishes. I want to especially thank the Kateri Circle for honoring me with a beautiful Star Quilt. I am also grateful for the gifts and donations you have given me over this Christmas season, and on the occasion of my nearing departure. May the good Lord bless you all in every way possible according to your most hopeful and pressing need.
Affectionately in God’s good graces,
Fr. David Tickerhoof, tor
Elaine and Tara in the receiving room, sorting some of the clothes that recently arrived.
Thank you to all the benefactors that have given articles (food, clothing, monetary gifts) for the Kateri Center. You have helped fill a great need of the people in the area. We serve approximately 300-400 people per month through food & clothing. Your generosity lets us be able to continue with this ministry.
Lily, Isabella, Pesancio, Katherine, Juan Pablo, Sophia, Bain
We celebrated First Communion at St. Paul’s on Sunday, December 30th on the Feast of the Holy Family.
Sr. Miriam riding a camel in Petra, Jordan
- Sr. Miriam awaiting papal visit.
Sr.Miriam and her sister, Anita, joined the diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome, Oct. 28th to Nov. 10th. Bishop Paul Swain was celebrating his 5th anniversary as Bishop of Sioux Falls. It was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many sites were visited in the land where Jesus walked. The group was in the front row at an audience with Pope Benedict at the Vatican. One day was also spent in Assisi. More details of the trip will be found in our newsletter, “Okodakiciye”.
I made two trips back to Pennsylvania in November and December as a delegate to our Franciscan Community Chapter. One of the areas the delegates discussed at some length was our mission to the Yankton Sioux people in South Dakota. When we concluded discussing and voting on the twenty proposals, the delegates sent them to the new administration for action. It was my first opportunity to work so extensivly with my Franciscan brothers. I was impressed by their dedication and preperation in regard to the submitted proposals.
Fr. David Tickerhoof, tor
Kateri Circle Members
The Kateri Circle members have just recently decided to take responsibility for the operation of the “Needy Nook” which has been renamed “The Kateri Center”. Members of the Kateri Circle take turns running the Center: sorting clothes, opening boxes, stocking shelves with food and exercising hospitality by being available to those who come and use the Center.
Okodakiciye • Saint Paul's Indian Mission 