As ‘Director and Staff’’, Anne and I look back on the last 2 plus years. We clearly see the hand of God here in Gallup, especially within the St. Kateri Rosary Walk project. We owe so much to the example and inspiration of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. We are grateful for her humility and her willingness to follow the Will of God, especially in the face of so much persecution from her tribe.
People of God have always been persecuted and most likely will continue to be so. We should pray for His Grace to persevere and to be faithful servants of God, to listen to His small yet ever so discernible voice, as St. Kateri must have done. Deep within ourselves each of us has a desire to be with our Creator. The St. Kateri Rosary Walk has made every effort to maintain St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s way of praying as described early on by Bishop James Wall of the Diocese of Gallup …
“It’s built into nature, at one with the natural, much like Kateri’s Rosary was. The outdoor element is the key for the connection to St. Kateri’s native spirituality. She was able to see, as she walked through nature, as she walked through creation, the hand of the Creator”. Bishop Wall
For instance, Anne and I have tried to become more aware and thankful of His Gifts of Creation to mankind, not only in the easily observed gifts like a majestic mountain, a shining sunrise, or amazing animals that are all around us here at the Saint Kateri Rosary Walk. For instance, we try to be aware of and thankful for, the ‘unseen’ gifts of touch, one hand in the grip of someone else’s, or the joy and peace of an infant as he sighs in his sleep, or perhaps the gifts of courage, happiness, love, or joy; all created for us, by our good God. We all have that “built in” connection with God through nature and we hope that you will come to the St. Kateri Rosary Walk and spend some peaceful time connecting with God through your own ‘Profound Spiritual Experience’.
As our summer interns began their trips home, observing from afar, I came to realize that their leaving was an event, an outcome, non-stoppable, that had already been occurring for a goodly number of days even weeks. It wasn’t just a matter of them loading suitcases and themselves into the various transportation that would take them to the airport and eventually to their families. As I observed, their leaving was a change in their routine and demeanor that was intensified by the very subtle soft yellow light of late summer, changes were coming. While it was happening, I could sense their pride in a hard job well done. Leaving was a mix of desire and regret at the same time; readiness to return to their lives, alongside a sadness that it was over.
I pray for these fine young souls. I ask our Creator to help us always to be inspired by our patron Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. I ask to help us always to focus our efforts to be as simple and concise as hers were. Lord God, creator of the universe help us live and die for the glory of You, Our Creator, always being thankful for magnificent gifts like these ‘Shrine Boys’.
When I was growing up, my mother used say “The young replace the old” and of course, at the time, I thought that was a dumb thing for her to occasionally say, but now it seems so very wise. These young men will be great replacements and all they need do is stay focused on St. Kateri Tekakwitha as a mediator and example, all while they give glory to the Creator of this universe.
In Christ,
Deacon Ed and Anne Schaub