CSS honors local artist Dale Lamphere

This year’s Catholic Social Services annual gathering was themed “Beauty of Faith and Art.” On Nov. 17, 300 CSS supporters gathered in Rapid City, to see the Msgr. William O’Connell Founders’ Award presented to Sturgis artist, Dale Lamphere.

He is the Artist Laureate for the State of South Dakota. In his 51-year career, he has produced 60 major works, including a statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha in the National Basilica at Washington, DC, with a smaller replica at Terra Sancta Retreat Center, Rapid City. Also, at the National Basilica, he worked with Dolores Hope, wife of comedian Bob Hope, to design the Hope Chapel. Other artwork area residents may be familiar with include the Arc of Dreams at the Big Sioux River, Sioux Falls, and the Dignity: of Earth and Sky statue, at Chamberlain, near the Missouri River.

Bill Walsh, a Deadwood businessman, gave a testimonial on Lamphere’s behalf. After traveling with him extensively, including Greece and Scotland, Walsh said, “He sees so many things you don’t see.” He explained Lamphere notices patterns in nature, buildings, and art that are indistinguishable to the untrained eye. He called Lamphere’s art studio “a sacred place in the Black Hills.”

Retired U.S. District Court Judge Jeff Viken was the second speaker who had the opportunity to reflect on Lamphere’s character. “Dale listens as a student of the natural world and the spiritual world. Dale’s spirituality is sacred — everything is divine,” said Viken.  

After receiving his award, Lamphere spoke. He said he is just a Methodist boy. Continuing, he commented, “I always raise my hand and say ‘yes’ when an opportunity comes up. I try to be a conduit — praying unceasingly. We are human energy here to do God’s work.”

He gave a PowerPoint presentation of his work bringing attention to his use of wind and grass in the lines and contours of his pieces. He also showed how he uses a system like sewing pattern pieces to create his large metal sculptures.

At the same event the Order of St. Benedict Medals went to Richard Rangel, Pat Petit — posthumously, and the Diocesan Deacons. Rangel is a past president of the Board of Directors and has served on the board. Petit is a former director of the diocesan Office of Separated, Divorced and Widowed. (Now the ministry is dubbed the Office of Marriage and Family Life.) As a third order member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, she nominated CSS’s Lakota Circles of Hope Program for a $100,000 grant. The Deacons of the Diocese of Rapid City serve in a wide variety of ministries, including marriage preparation, social ministry, and spiritual formation. In addition, they assist CSS in reaching out to those impacted by disasters as part of their Disaster Relief program.

At the end of the evening, CSS Executive Director Jim Kinyon gave a summary of the annual Statistics. First, he relayed that all non-profit organizations in Rapid City need more counselors. Second, his report of the past year stated: in the Uplifting Parents program there are 70 single parents working to finish their degrees so they can support their families. They received a total of $71,000 in financial assistance, nine birth parents were ministered to, four adoptions finalized, and two couples are awaiting placements. The Disaster Relief and Community Outreach program served 81 individuals and distributed $54,809 to victims. There are 340 people who attended suicide prevention workshops and 215 mental health first aid certificates were issued. In the past year, CSS served 249 counseling clients and 28% of the sessions were conducted by telehealth — reaching people in remote areas. Also, 258 students attended the new online Lakota Circles of Hope curriculum.