July 20th-30th, 2007

Wednesday, July 25th- A DAY FOR SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL GROWTH WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

OFFICE OF THE INDIAN MINISTRY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS HOSTS THE GUATAMALAN DELEGATES

Padre Rene, Father Notebaart, Alba Rivera, Carlos Lopez, Alejandro Alfaro Santiz, Clarence and Avis Von Eschen

Father Jim Notebaart, Administrator of the Indian Ministry on Park Ave. and pastor of The Blessed Kateri Community, offered a mass on Wednesday morning in the natural setting with the Native American altar and tepee designed by the tribal members. A unique blending of liturgy was demonstrated as Father used the authentic Peace Pipe ceremony offering the prayers to the East, South, West, and North and combined them with Catholic liturgy. Ross Starkson, chairman of the Sister Parish Committee at St. Joan of Arc described it so accurately saying, “Real liturgy comes from what you feel like doing when you want to pray. Sometimes the Church gets in the way, but Father Notebaart does not let that happen. He allows the Catholic liturgy and Indian liturgy to co-exist without letting one destroy the other.”

Following the Mass Father presented the delegates with gifts from the Indian community. Janet Stapley, assistant director of the Indian Ministry, hosted a Native American meal with wild rice soup, vegetables, fruits and breads. The sharing at the meal with prayer and conversation, receiving the gifts of rosaries and sage and dream catchers bonded the two cultures. St. Joan of Arc and the Blessed Kateri Community (Indian Ministry) have a long history of friendship and working together. Clarence and Avis Von Eschen initiated the program where Christmas season means that the people at St. Joan’s share their time and money shopping for Indian families. Father Notebaart and Janet Stapley are always available for their own people and for St. Joan of Arc. Father Notebaart will speak at St. Joan of Arc on August 26

An extension of the morning at the Native American Center was a trip to the Indian Mounds Burial Grounds in Bloomington, where Avis and Clarence Von Eschen provided an opportunity for the delegates to experience another spiritual journey with a liturgy at an Indian Burial Mound asking for Peace in the world and for all people to respect our Earth as the Native Americans have taught us. It helped the people to understand the respect that the Natives have for Nature and their great love of Mother Earth .A favorite part of the day for the delegates was the nature walk in the woods close to the Indian Mounds..

The Von Eschens gave a short history of the area and how the melting glaciers formed the great Lake Agassiz that then drained and formed the deep valley where the Minnesota River is found today. The respectful and spiritual prayers used with the Peace Pipe were explained and another spiritual journey brought us close to the Great Spirit and Mother Earth.

FROM MOTHER EARTH TO EDUCATION
Close to the burial grounds is located an elementary school named for the setting, Indian Mounds School. At one time Clarence Von Eschen was principal of this school. Today, Joan Maland is the administrator... In a very cordial atmosphere Maland guided a tour through the building, giving the Guatemalan delegates a chance to compare the educational settings.. Many differences were noted, but the greatest similarity is the love and respect for learning and for the students. Our St. Joan delegates also observed that atmosphere when visiting the schools in TN2 in 2006.. Indian Mounds School is today a school with 52% minorities and 20% who are in English Second Language programs. Joan Maland made everyone feel very welcome. It was another heart warming experience.

FROM LEARNING TO PLAY TIME TO SNACK TIME
Just like the students at school the delegates were ready for recess! In sweltering 93% weather the delegates were shown a new game, bocce ball ( a game brought here from Italy). These delegates are good athletes! Father Rene can throw a really straight ball, but the MVP (most valuable player) of the day was Carlos, who made the most points. Following a quick trip to view the Minnesota River, a dish of ice cream ‘hit the spot’ at the Von Eschen home.

ONWARD TO THE BRIDGE
Every Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m. peaceful activists are found on the Lake Street/Marshall Bridge over the Mississippi River to declare opposition to war and violence in the world. St. Joan Sister Parish Committee members and the Guatemalan delegates stood with them in solidarity with signs and peace symbols.

FROM THE BRIDGE TO DINNER TO THE PLAY TO THE LAKE
The Branigans hosted a dinner with Jenny Linane providing the food and great hospitality. Time was now running short to meet the 7 p.m. curtain call at Cretin-Derham Hall where Claire Branigan had the lead role in the play, Brother James Miller. Sarah Branigan also acted in the performance. The next day reviews on the play were GREAT.

and

Avis Von Eschen, a long time member of St. Joans, was among the delegates that visited Tierra Nueva 2 in 2006 . This Mayan tapestry shows her.love for Guatemala and the people.

Is anyone tired? The delegates and some committee members collapsed in cars with rested drivers who drove them to Rita and Jeff Nohner’s cabin home where they could sleep and play the following day; and feel that peace and solidarity in their hearts that came through the GREAT SPIRIT.