Twenty years ago, Catholic Extension Society funded a comprehensive study regarding Lakota spiritual life and practice of religion in western South Dakota.
The goal was to begin a process to help Catholic communities located on the Diocese of Rapid City’s five Native American reservations better “reflect the community in which the Church resides.”
During that process of intense listening, Native American Catholics of the diocese voiced their desire for a Church that reflected their heritage and values. They wanted the Church to play a more active role in the community.
That vision for a stronger, more relevant Church has been fulfilled in part by a dynamic couple, Jenny and Ben Black Bear III, who are members of the Sicangu Lakota community on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
Jenny and Ben Black Bear grew up in the same Catholic community they now serve: St. Francis Mission.
Catholic Extension Society has worked in solidarity with the mission since 1910, supporting priests and lay leaders, church building projects, religious education, health and social outreach and health programs.
Blessed with three children of their own, the Black Bears work with Lakota families, resulting in a steady increase in practicing Lakota Catholics.
They shared their motivation:
We love our ministry because it gives not only us, but the people we work with hope. It is meaningful to teach so many families the Catholic faith, to inspire and encourage them to continue on their faith journey.”
Becoming leaders
The Black Bears grew up with family who instilled in them the importance of their faith. Ben’s father is Deacon Ben Black Bear, an influential leader and teacher of the Lakota language within St. Francis Mission. He was previously nominated for the Lumen Christi Award.
Jenny and Ben were high school sweethearts, and married in 2000. They left the reservation when they began their careers.
Jenny graduated from Sinte Gleska University in Mission, South Dakota, earning a bachelor of arts in liberal arts with a science concentration and minors in English and Lakota studies.
Ben joined the military and was deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007.
“I really depended on our Catholic faith during this time. We both did,” Jenny said. “I prayed the rosary every Sunday evening with our families until he returned. I believe, with our Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession, he was brought home safe to us.”
When Ben returned, they became more involved in St. Francis Mission and began working in tribal programs.
They volunteered at the tribe’s radio station, engaging the community and sharing announcements from the parish in a segment commonly referred to as the “Ben and Jen Show.”
Their efforts and commitment were noticed.
In 2013 Jenny was hired as director of religious education for the mission.
Two years later, Ben began his role as parish administrator of the parish’s three other missions spread across a reservation the size of Delaware, and home to 12,000 people.
Catholic Extension Society invited the couple to attend the Parish Health and Pastoral Care Certification scholarship program from Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. They gained pastoral practical skills to help respond to physical and psychological health needs in their community.
The training offered the couple especially helpful insight because they serve an area that struggles with addictions and mental health.
Ben said,
My every effort is directed toward helping the residents of the Rosebud and our Catholic brothers and sisters experience the healing power of the faith, lifting them out of cycles of despair.”
“The sessions inspired me and showed me a path that will hopefully lead some of our residents to return to the faith.”
Inspiring passion for god
The Black Bears help youth and families on the reservation experience the joy of their Catholic faith and Lakota values.
Jenny teaches these key Lakota values, which align with Catholic values:
Woc’ekiya (Praying): Finding spirituality by communicating with your higher power, this communication between you and God/Tunkasila without going through another person or spirit
Wa o’hola (Respect): For self, higher power, family, community and all life
Wa on’sila (Caring and Compassion): Love, caring and concern for one another in a good way, especially for the family, the elderly, children, orphans, the ones in mourning, the sick, and the ones working with the people
Wowijke (Honesty and truth): With yourself, higher power and others with sincerity
Wawokiye (Generosity and caring): Helping without expecting anything in return, giving from the heart
Wah’wala (Humility): We have a spirit and we are not better or less than others
Woksape (Wisdom): Practice with knowledge comes wisdom
“We are taught our values as we are growing up and do our best to live by them,” said Jenny. “As Catholics we do our best to practice the same values.”
We have self-sacrifice, give our lives for Christ, we stay faithful especially against opposition. We are generous by helping those less fortunate, showing hospitality to everyone and by being welcoming to all. We are taught to practice humility and to be humble. We are taught to share our faith, not to condemn or be judgmental. Our lives are transformed by the grace of God.”
Since 2015 they have helped hundreds in their community prepare for baptism, first Communion, reconciliation, confirmation and RCIA.
Their work continued even amid the difficult conditions related to the pandemic.
“Although the pandemic shut down the schools and classes, they went to heroic efforts to continue to reach out to families and youth in innovative ways so that people could continue to grow in the knowledge of the faith during this difficult time,” said Bishop Peter Muhich of the Diocese of Rapid City.
One of their most successful programs has been their youth group, which began in 2013.
Together they provide a safe and nurturing environment for young people surrounded by the harsh realities of life on the reservation.
Todd County, where St. Francis Mission is located, has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. The reservation lost 53 people to suicide between 2010 and 2019.
Youth group activities include participating in suicide awareness and prevention efforts, among many other service activities.
Jenny said,
Our main goal is to bring youth together to teach them about God, to do community service, to enjoy fellowship and to meet new people.”
The young people love the program and its energetic leaders. Roni, 14, said, “I think Jen and Ben are a big part of my life right now. They are so full of light and help me build my relationship with Jesus.”
Catholic Extension Society is honored to support Jenny and Ben’s development as church leaders. They are using their deep faith and beautiful Lakota values to create lasting, positive change in a community that is no stranger to struggle.
Catholic Extension Society is honored to share the accomplishments of Jenny and Ben Black Bear, finalists for the 2021-2022 Lumen Christi Award. Visit this page to read the other inspiring stories from this year’s finalists.
