S Serving on the Catholic Pastoral Team on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota presents a variety of challenges and opportunities as I minister to Lakota and non-Lakota.  Our team, comprised of two Priests of the Sacred Heart, three Sisters, and a permanent deacon, serves the nine missions which cover an area about the size of Connecticut.
       I serve the missions on the eastern side of the reservation which are: St. Catherine in Promise and St. Theresa in White Horse. Both churches are brick structures built in the 1980’s by Fr. Victor Perky, SCJ, with the help of parishioners. Sparsely settled, the land supports some farming and ranching.  As a pastoral minister, some of my responsibilities include:  sacramental preparations, liturgy planning, religious instruction, visits to the sick and homebound and maintenance of the facilities. As we have a number of families who live well below the poverty level and need help with clothing and other necessities, I facilitate donations received.  Currently we have approximately about a hundred donors around the country who make monetary and/or donations of clothing, school supplies, etc.  Much of the clothing is for infants and small children as this is our greatest need. It is quite difficult to really describe what I do each day as one phone call could completely change my plans.  Reflecting on what I do, I must honestly say that my main work is to be here with the people to support and encourage them, to listen to their problems and stories, to pray with and for them and to let them know I care.

                ~ S. Olivia

1101 32nd Avenue South * Fargo, North Dakota 58103
(701)237-4857 * FAX: (701)237-9822

Sr. Olivia Scully