ST. JOSAPHAT LENTEN ALMSGIVING
In partnership with Catholic Extension, we are supporting St. Ann's Indian Mission in the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. Our special collections at every Mass during Lent will assist and sustain St. Ann's Mission so that they can continue their spiritual works of mercy and serve the people of the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Thank you for your support and generosity!
ICYMI - Doc Brien came to talk to us at all the Masses on the first week of Lent. Here is his message about St. Ann's Mission:
Hello, m
y name is Doc Brien. I am a parishioner of St. Ann's Mission Church and a graduate of St. Ann's Catholic School in Belcourt, North Dakota. I have been connected to your parish through an organization called Catholic Extension, which is headquarted here in Chicago and is led by Cardinal Cupich. Catholic Extension has been supporting St. Ann's Indian Mission on the Turtle Mountain Reservation since 1910. They helped us build St. Ann's. I am grateful to come here today to tell you about the realities we face on the reservation.
- St. Ann's Indian Mission has been home to our Native American brothers and sisters living on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation for centuries.
- St. Ann's Mission provides a place of respite for those who live on the reservation, where over 96% of the residents are Catholic and where hardship continues to exist in generous proportions. There is a spirituality and sense of purpose among the faithful in Belcourt.
- Nowhere in the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota is the need for assistance more urgent than on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. The quality of life is well below the norms found in communities throughout the diocese, but St. Ann's Mission continues to renew the hope that surrounds the community.
- The financial outlook for St. Ann's Catholic School has always been difficult, but each year we manage to open our doors and continue our blessed task of educating the next generation of Native American Catholic leaders among the Chippewa and Metis people.
- There are over 6,000 youth under the age of 16 living in the Turtle Mountains. St. Ann's School and summer camps helps the Turtle Mountain youth to combat the socioeconomic realities they face. These include: 22% high school dropout rate, high levels of drug and alcohol abuse, and an unemployment rate upwards of 60%. But you can help us change the current stats!
- St. Ann's School is vital to the area. The faith-based education gives the students a strong foundation to help them overcome the obstacles they will face as adults in order to succeed. It gives them hope in their ability to achieve long-term goals.
- Even though there is such a great need for St. Ann's Mission due to the economic and social challenges on the reservation, parishioners still have natural gifts to be spiritual, and those gifts need to be cultivated. They are living their faith and doing it heroically every day despite these challenges, reaching out through Christ to others around the community. They give of themselves so freely around St. Ann's Mission, and they could use some help to keep these efforts going.
Thank you for your generosity and collaboration with us. God Bless this beautiful Parish.