Greetings DreamMakers,

In the midst of the joyous season of Advent. Advent is a period of waiting and preparation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I love this time of year as the church is slowly decorated, starting with our Advent wreath and later a manger and Christmas tree, unlit until the celebration of Christmas.

As we prepare for our Christmas celebration, the students and staff have experienced a tight time table of just over two weeks between the time the students return from their Thanksgiving break and the time that the students depart for their Christmas break.

In the midst of these tight timetables, the students are joyfully partaking in this celebration as they have been going out and finding Christmas gifts for members of their family. We traditionally celebrate Santa’s workshop. They bring the gifts they have carefully selected for their family and dedicated staff and volunteers assist them with wrapping each gift, helping our students to make these joyous occasions even more meaningful. They also have the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa, wonderful pictures which they can share with their family.

I feel blessed to be part of this long standing mission here in South Dakota seeing so many smiling faces of the students being able to experience their childhood surrounded by other peers, staff and an abundance of solid education, solid healthcare, recreation and prayer.

None of this is possible without your generosity to the mission and for that I express my undying gratitude for your support of our students and our mission. As we continue to celebrate this joyous season of Advent I wish you all a safe and joyful Christmas celebration!

Peace and Blessings,
Fr. Gregory signature
Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ
Chaplain

Read the e-version of the January 2025 Dreamer newsletter here.

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Stories from our Lakota Indian School

Our third-graders proudly present their vibrant habitat projects, showcasing the wonders of rainforests, deserts, and oceans. Each display is a testament to their curiosity and creativity.
Third Graders Explore the World, One Habitat at a Time

At St. Joseph’s Indian School, our third-grade class recently embarked on an exciting journey to explore the wonders of nature through their habitat projects. These projects are more than just a regular classroom activity — they’re a chance for students to dive into the fascinating diversity of our planet and showcase their creativity, knowledge and public speaking skills.

Our campus Family Night was a big hit! Literally, a big hit in the face with pie for a few chosen staff members!
It’s All about Family at St. Joseph’s Indian School

On November 20, St. Joseph’s celebrated the gift of family with staff and students. In a years-long tradition, the school gathered in groups of siblings and thiyóšpaye — extended family — for an evening of games and good eats.

St. Joseph’s Indian School Freebie List

As a DreamMaker, you are incredibly kind and generous to support St. Joseph’s Indian School monetarily every month. To say thank you, the following downloads, quizzes and seasonal items are yours to enjoy … for FREE!

Recipe Book

Speaking of food, we have a free Recipe Book available for download. Get yours now!

Equine Therapy Quiz

Equine therapy is such an important program. Do you know about this program? Take our quiz now!

Full List of Freebies

That’s not all! St. Joseph’s has many more special items for you. View the full list here!