Sioux Spiritual Center Celebrating 50^th Anniversary

The Sioux Spiritual Center, recently renamed as the Black Elk Catholic Retreat Center, will be celebrating 50 years of ministry on August 12 with the Jesuits who founded the Center —Frs John Hatcher, Pat McCorkell, and Damian O’Connell. Marythea Grebner, representing the Freiberg family who donated the land in 1976, will also be honored.

In the mid-70’s the Jesuits, who served the native American Catholic communities were looking for a place where they could bring people to offer more formation in prayer and leadership, retreats and healing.  They envisioned a prayerful retreat center — a place for deeper formation, leadership development, and healing — where it could be clearly affirmed that one could be both fully Lakota and fully Catholic. Efforts to secure a suitable place for such a project had been so far unsuccessful.

When Bishop Dimmerling heard about their quest he suggested they consider the land donated by the Friebergs.  When the Jesuits saw the beautiful setting of the property, they were easily persuaded. Construction of the center began in 1977 and it opened in 1978.  For more than 40 years, the Jesuits offered formation programs, retreats and seminars to native Catholics, while also running the deacon formation program and the lay ministry formation program for the diocese.

Since 2018, the Center has been directed by Carole Brown.  Since that time, the center has been opened to natives and non-natives alike.  With her background in spiritual direction, she has been able to expand the offerings of the center to include Ignatian retreats and a School of Spiritual Direction.

Fifty years later, the community gathers to celebrate this legacy. All are welcome to attend the celebration, especially all deacons who were formed by the Jesuits and alumni of the lay ministry formation program. Parking begins at 9:30 a.m. Bishop Scott Bullock will celebrate Mass, with lunch, program, silent auction, and blessing of the new hermitage to follow. Tours will also be available through the day.

Please RSVP so that we can plan enough food and have enough tables and chairs. Click below to register or call us at 605-985-5906.