Sol Garcia reminisces about Tekakwitha celebration

Intermountain Catholic

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Lucy Chuculate performs a Native American Dance preceding the presentation of the offertory gifts. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — Sol Garcia, human resource director for the Diocese of Salt Lake City and diocesan liaison to the Native American community, said she was moved by the faith of the people who frequent the Kateri Tekakwitha Center in Fort Duchesne. They and supporters from two nearby parishes, St. Helen Parish in Roosevelt and St. James Parish in Vernal, came together Sept. 30 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Tekakwitha Center.

"Many more people came to the Mass and luncheon than were expected," Garcia said. "It was very exciting to see so many people from the Center, from Roosevelt, and from Vernal."

The Center is named for Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, a Native American Woman on whom Jane H. Mruczek of St. George Parish, St. George, did some research for the Intermountain Catholic.

"Kateri Tekakwitha was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior and a Christian Algonquin woman." Mruczek writes, "Hence, she is known as both the "Flower of the Algonquins" and "Lily of the Mohawks. She was born in 1656 and died April 7, 1680 at the age of 24."

According to Catholic Online, Kateri was devoted to the Eucharist and the crucified Christ. When she was baptized a Christian at the age of 20, she incurred the hostility of her tribe. Still, she spent the last four years of her life caring for the sick and aged of her tribe and others who needed her care.

The Kateri Tekakwitha Center in Duchesne County was opened by Franciscan Sister Margaret Liam Glennane in 1982, although the Diocese of Salt Lake City had been serving the Native American community there since 1943.

Today, the Center is a place of prayer, overseen by St. Helen Parish Pastor Father Beda Msaki, a native of Tanzania.

"Members of the Native American Community and others meet at the Center weekly on Wednesdays to pray the rosary. At 4:45 p.m., Mass is celebrated.

Garcia, also an ex officio member of the Diocesan Native American Commission, said everyone at the Mass was inspired by the presence of relics of Blessed Kateri, carried to the celebration by Father David Schorr, who served the Uintah Basin area for four years.

"It was really meaningful for us to be able to go to the altar after the Mass and venerate the relics of Blessed Kateri. Fr. Schorr reminded us she only needs one more miracle to be canonized, so we are all praying for that miracle."

Garcia said the Mass, planned as an ordinary Sunday Mass, was made special by the guests who came, including Fr. Schorr, Sr. Liam, Sister of St. Ann Kateri Mitchell, executive director of the National Kateri Tekakwitha Conference, and Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, who concelebrated the anniversary Mass with Fr. Beda and Fr. Schorr.

"Lucy Chuculate, at our request that morning performed a dance as the offertory gifts were presented, and Leo Tapoos said a Prayer of the Four Directions. Both of these people gave us deeply spiritual experience."

Garcia said it was especially meaningful that long-time Center caretaker Prudy Daniels was honored at the luncheon. Daniels has stepped down from the post which will now be filled by mother and daughter Susan and Charisse Chapoose.