Tekakwitha Indian Missions

The Missionary Oblates have been caring for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of Native Americans since 1923.  Today the Oblates are responsible for six parishes on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota. White Earth is the poorest reservation in the state and is plagued with food shortages and homelessness.

An important part of our work is to help the Native American people retain their traditions and heritage. For many years Native Americans were taught to abandon their language and their rich customs. Missionary Oblates incorporate Native American traditions into their liturgies, pastoral care and religious education.

Here are some of the ways the Oblates at the Tekakwitha Indian Mission are improving the lives of their parishioners and neighbors:

• Provide food baskets to needy families during the Christmas season.
• Make house visits to elderly residents who struggle with isolation in the remote regions of the Reservation.
• Operate the Tekakwitha Center which provides religious education for adults and children in six parishes.

• Hold regular Rosary for Life prayer sessions to pray for the protection of the unborn.
• Currently engaged in the National Eucharist Revival at all parishes, a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery.
• Provide on-line liturgies and faith development programs for people who have trouble getting to their church.
• Hold youth rallies throughout the year to spark the faith in teenagers.
• Provide daily inspirational messages on Facebook.
• All Oblate parishes partner with Helping Hand Food Shelf to provide food to needy families throughout the year.

• Take part in Native American festivals and pow wows to better blend the Catholic faith with Native American spirituality.

Your generosity will help us continue reaching out to people right here in the United States who are working to build a better future for themselves and their children.