Thank you

Thank you,

On Sunday October 20, 2013, we celebrated the  first anniversary of the canonization of our beloved Saint Kateri Tekakwitha with a beautiful Mass and dinner. We were honored to have the Most Reverend Marcel Damphousse, Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall, preside at the Mass, with Father Jack Downs and our own Father Jerome Pastores as concelebrants. How magnificent it was to have three priests celebrate the Mass!

In St. Regis Church decorated so colorfully, we gathered to thank our Saint Kateri Tekakwitha for all the miracles and intentions she has interceded for us. We acknowledged and honored the Four Directions.  The Mohawk Choir sang  beautifully, accompanied by Minerva White at the organ.  We were inspired by the re-enactment of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha’s life by Terry Steele! So many of us felt like we were in the presence of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha herself!

A huge Niawen:kowa to Janine Rourke, the emcee who led the festivities at the dinner. Her heartfelt introduction of the speakers for the event was beautifully done.  We are grateful to Janine for leading us through the celebration so smoothly and for always being ready and willing to give of herself.

Louise Cook graced us with the story of her journey to Rome -- a story  full of laughter and humor. Jerry McDonald  rendered a Mohawk  hymn in Kateri’s honor.  The beautiful Joanne Shenandoah came to sing the songs that she sang before the Pope in Rome. Her voice and words expressed  eloquently the connection we have  with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.

Special thanks to the CCVS Students, Montana Adams, Kahonwine Adams, and Kody Johnson for coming out to the event and spending several hard working hours on the dinner and cleanup afterward. They did a great job!

Thank you to the Indian Time staff for playing a vital role of being there to share all of our events and helping us  to get our stories out to the public.

 We cannot forget to thank the First Anniversary Committee members, and all others who helped to make the event a success. Everyone worked so hard to make sure it was the celebration that Saint Kateri Tekakwitha deserved.  It certainly was!

Recalling the events of the day,  we can be so proud of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.

Once again, she brought our people together as one in love for her and for our Creator. People gathered together to share stories, food, and laughter, but most of all, to share  our Catholic Faith with one another. The question we have been given to ponder is, “How have we grown in our faith?” Each one of us needs to look within ourselves and see where we are, and where we still need to go to love God and to love all His Creation.

God bless everyone!

Sken:nen,

Connie Thompson

Parish Council President