Homily: Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha (Mt. 10:16-23) “Converted by Charity”

When we celebrate the Feast of St. Kateri, we remember all native Americans. Her story is an affirming one. She became a Catholic in 1667. She grew up in Northern New York and in Canada. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin woman. Her Father was a pagan Mohawk Chief. St. Kateri was orphaned at age four.

She contracted smallpox and was partially blind. This was a disease that was brought to the native American peoples by the European settlers. St. Kateri found comfort in the Christian message, and she became an exemplary Catholic. She loved the Eucharist. Her faith brought joy and peace to her. But not all indigenous people had such stories to tell.

Many diseases were brought to the Americas by people from Europe. The result was devastating. Native peoples died because they had no resistance to these diseases. Whole tribes were wiped out.

Another aspect to the colonization of the Americas was the exploitation of indigenous people in that their lands were taken from them and many times they were enslaved. Wars were fought and many times armies sought to exterminate native peoples who resisted the injustices.

Another sad part of the story was that indigenous children were taken away from their parents and were sent to boarding schools. The children were not allowed to speak their language, wear the clothing they were used to, nor were they allowed to learn about their culture. This was all an attempt to force native children to live in a white culture. Unfortunately, representatives of the Catholic church were a part of running these schools and some physically and sexually abused the children in their care.

What should we learn from this sad history? What we should remember is that forced conversions to the faith are not a reflection of the Christian message. Kateri became a Christian because she found love and acceptance in the Christian community that she did not find elsewhere. Jesus calls on his disciples to win over converts with his law of love. Any other method is not what Jesus would want.

Reflection:

1.    Am I dismayed by how Native Americans were treated? How do I feel about it?

2.   Is it good to teach history even when it reflects badly on the church? Why or why not?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Fall is fast approaching. I would like to ask you several questions. Do you know of children who would benefit from a Catholic School Education? Perhaps you could have them call Seton and Alleman today and get signed up for classes.

          Does someone you know have children in public school that need the sacraments of initiation? If so, you might encourage them to call Debbie at our office and then we could enroll them in religious education classes.

          Finally, do you know of someone who is searching for a church home?  Why not have them call Sandy at our church office and we can get them started in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

          Time is passing, act today.

May Our Lady Pray for our war-torn world,

Fr. Mark