Page 27 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

Extension | Winter 2019 27

during cold, severe winters.
Under her leadership, the par-
ish provides a range of social ser-
vices to help with these chal-
lenges. Sister Barbara raises funds
to help people with household
payments and gas for their cars,
organizes community events
and bingo at the parish, visits
the homebound and arranges a
monthly food bag distribution.
She organizes a children’s Mass
to keep native traditions alive, and
with a high percentage of these
children being raised by their
grandparents, this special faith for-
10°F mation is essential.
She also works with four Cath-
Average winter temperature for olic cemeteries on the reservation,
people living in substandard offering active bereavement and
housing on reservation funeral ministry.
“With an infectious spirit and
love, Sister Barbara finds practical
Sister Barbara is parish life coordinator at Our the median household income solutions to the difficulties faced
Lady of the Sioux Church in Oglala. in Oglala Lakota County is only by those she serves,” said Bishop
$17,300. In an area with limited Robert Gruss, who led the diocese
As its parish life coordinator, Sis- economic opportunities, unem- until a recent transfer.
ter Barbara is dedicated to assuring ployment is at 89 percent. Last year, when hailstorms and
residents that they are not alone. Catholic Extension has sup- high winds destroyed nearly 500
She has served the Lakota people ported Pine Ridge Reservation homes on the reservation, she took
since 2010. since 1920 and, in recent years, charge of rebuilding the 61 dam-
“The Eucharist comes in many has given $270,000 to Our Lady of aged homes in her town.
ways all week long,” she said. the Sioux Church. “Sister Barbara is very entre-
“When I arrive where I am going, I Sister Barbara has a keen sense preneurial,” said Jesuit Father Joe
always find God is already there.” of the community’s humanitar- Daoust, the parish pastor. “With
She knows that God is alive in those ian and spiritual needs. For exam- that rebuilding project, she saw
whom she serves, and her role is to ple, she installed a water faucet in a need and figured out a way to
help parishioners deepen this rela- the church parking lot for every- address it.”
tionship. one on Pine Ridge Reservation to
The reservation, which is set in access free, potable water. Having
rolling hills, sprawls 2.1 milion fresh water has been a life-chang-
acres — which is bigger than the ing experience for the community.
states of Delaware and Rhode Residents also lack electricity
Island combined. Its 40,000 and sewage systems and most use
inhabitants are Oglala Lakota and wood stoves to heat their homes