The new church, circa 1979, was 40 by 84 feet, all steel with triple glass windows, a social center in the basement, and a wing that included the entry and rectory. (Diocesan archives) Settlers and homesteaders came to the area along Elk Creek east of what is now Piedmont in the 1880s. A […]
Fr. Brian Christensen, Rome, was the featured speaker at the Deanery one Day of Mercy, July 19, at St. Therese Church, Rapid City. He spoke on “Lectio Divina.” (WRC photo) By Laurie Hallstrom Fr. Brian Christensen, Rome, was featured speaker at St. Therese Church, Rapid City, for Deanery One Day of Mercy, July […]
Fr. Craig Cower has often told pastors that moving to a new parish is, in a real way, a participation in the Paschal Mystery. When a pastor is told he is being reassigned, he must die to the hopes and dreams and plans he had for the parish he is serving. He must say good-bye […]
World Youth Day has come and gone. More than a million young people gathered in Poland — pilgrims seeking something in their lives. In reality, they were not seeking something, but someone, Jesus Christ. I was one of those pilgrims, along with 85 other bishops from the United States who met in Krakow for this […]
Enjoy the July edition of the West River Catholic Download the PDF
It’s been said that a pastor is the only person in the parish who can make everyone happy — some are happy when he comes and the majority come to know and trust him over time as he ministers to them during his tenure, and he makes the rest happy when he leaves. In truth, […]
Blessings to all of you as we find ourselves midway through the summer. This is the time of the year for me when three meaningful days come into play within thirty-four days — my birthday, the anniversary of my priesthood ordination and the anniversary of my episcopal ordination. These three events are monumental occasions of grace […]
Enjoy the June edition of the West River Catholic Download the PDF
By Deacon Marlon Leneaugh Director of Native Ministries Mahpiya Na Maka Okoigna is the Lakota name given for the Sioux Spiritual Center. The name means; “a place between heaven and earth.” The name was given by a Lakota Spiritual leader, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who used the analogy of the power […]
This past February, I was blessed to be on the diocesan pilgrimage with Bishop Robert Gruss. It was a whirlwind pilgrimage, as we visited France, Spain and Portugal in 10 days. The weather wasn’t the greatest, but praying at these holy sites and pondering the Blessed Mother’s appearances to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, St. James in […]
