SFM youth attend Tekakwitha Conference

By Jenny Black Bear
Religious Education Director
St. Francis Mission

Members of the St. Francis Mission Youth Group and youth from Pine Ridge traveled to the 84th Annual Tekakwitha Conference July 19-23, in Bloomington, Minn. I am a board member for the Tekakwitha Conference and represent Region 3. I was asked to chair the youth portion for this year’s conference. I am thankful I had Lisa Franqui as the co-chair.

On the first day, the youth met Father Henry Sands at breakfast. Father Henry is the Executive Director of the Black and Indian Mission and a big supporter of the youth. We are happy the youth were able to meet him. The rest of the day included the Grand Entry and youth breakout sessions. The youth worked on a banner for the Grand Entry the week before we went. 

While there, we attended daily Mass and our youth were asked to help with the procession, reading, aziliya (smudging), and as gift bearers. 

It was great to hear from the National Catholic Youth Conference representative Lesly and her two youth panelists present and answer questions about what it’s like being a young Catholic today. A couple of our own youth sat on the panel as well.

Friday, we had breakout sessions, and I also did a presentation on St. Kateri, which included beading with the youth. 

On Saturday we traveled with all the registered children and youth to the Minnesota zoo. Afterwards we went to the St. Thomas University to join the adults for Mass with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul. 

After Mass, the youth got ready for the powwow. Our chaperone Bree and youth Latecia brought their regalia and danced. Our youth supported them and joined all the games and dances at the powwow. They had the potato dance, musical chairs, the rabbit dance, sidestep, inter tribals and honoring songs. It was a great ending to our week.

Thank you to all the youth families for trusting us to take their youth to the conference. Thank you to the youth for representing our diocese, the St. Francis Mission, our tribe, and themselves in a good and respectful way. All their volunteering and fundraising efforts were worth it. Big thank you to our chaperones and my husband Ben for driving us and keeping us all safe. We enjoy being in the company of all the youth and are happy and proud of our youth for volunteering and being respectful always. They were all well behaved and looked out for one another. It’s always good to have conversations with each and every one of them. It was a good learning experience for all of them! Thank you to the St. Francis Mission for making this trip possible for the SFM youth group. St Kateri, pray for us!