December 20, 2010

Dear Sacred Heart Parishioners and Friends,

     In early September, I announced that I will be leaving as pastor of Sacred Heart Church at the end of December, to become the “Pastoral Coordinator” for the six Catholic churches on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It has since been confirmed that this is definitely going to happen.

    Even though I will be nearby, and I will be able to visit often, it is with great sadness in my heart that I am leaving as pastor of Sacred Heart Church. When I first arrived here, in 1997, I never imagined that I would be able to stay at Sacred Heart Church through 2010. It has been a time of tremendous grace and blessings for me. While I have declined physically during that time, my spirit has grown stronger through the grace, blessings, and prayers of the community here at Sacred Heart, and I am deeply grateful.

    As I prepare for this major transition in my life, I am happy to announce the new leadership for Sacred Heart Church. On Sunday, January 2, Charles McGaa will be appointed as the Parish Life Coordinator. He will be working together with Angie Stover, Wanda Standing Bear, and Sister Barb (who joined us on December 12 as our Director of Religious Education and our Youth Ministry Coordinator). The gifts and experience of each of them will help Sacred Heart Church to continue to grow as a vibrant community of faith, and to reach out to those who are most in need.

    Priests from the Jesuit community at Red Cloud Indian School (including myself) will come to Sacred Heart for the sacraments when needed. Sunday Mass will continue to be celebrated each week at Sacred Heart Church.

    I am proud that we are calling forth local leadership at Sacred Heart Church. In one sense, this is not a new situation. Years ago, Lakota catechists led Catholic communities across the reservation, with priests coming on a regular basis to celebrate the sacraments. In another sense, we will be embarking on an exciting, new journey, with an experienced, talented, lay-staff being called to lead the largest parish on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

    Let us pray for Charles, Angie, Wanda, and Sister Barb as they embrace this call to leadership. They will be working together as a team, with Charles, as the Parish Life Coordinator, being responsible for promoting the harmonious work of the parish community.

    They will need our prayers! I am convinced that this upcoming transition is the work of the Holy Spirit. I am also aware that there will be challenges ahead for all of us. Of course, with God’s help, all obstacles can be overcome. With the new leadership, with your help and your prayers, and through the intercession of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, this will be a time of growth and blessing at Sacred Heart Church.

    Mitakuye oyasin!

    May God bless you and your family this Christmas and throughout the new year!

 Fr. Steve Sanford, S.J.