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Latest News
11-8-04
The Kateri Warriors were
honored for their
achievements by the
Sioux City Rotary Club
honored for their
achievements by the
Sioux City Rotary Club
4-14-05
| Congratulations Fr. Steve |
| Watch this page for updates on the history of St. Augustine's Indian Mission. |
St. Augustine Indian Mission
| The History of St. Augustine Indian Mission |
~The Founding of St. Augustine School~
In the early 1900's, the Winnebago Tribe in the State of Nebraska heard about the work that
Mother Katharine Drexel (foundress of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters) was doing with
many of the tribes in the United States. With a group of lawyers from Walthill, Nebraska,
working on their behalf, she was contacted about the possibility of educating the young
Native Americans in Northeast Nebraska. Since Native Americans were not considered
American citizens until 1924, they didn't have to be educated. The young men were sent
away to boarding schools at young ages; in this manner any "warrior" mentality would not
be instilled into their mind set. They returned to their tribes educated, but ignorant of their
culture. The young women were unable to speak English or interact with greater society.
Mother Drexel came to Winnebago, Nebraska, in the year 1908; her order founded the
St. Augustine Indian Mission.
On March 3, 1955, Mother Katharine Drexel, the sister who began our school, was called
home to God. A holy woman who gave constantly, Mother Katharine Drexel was
beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 20, 1988. Mother Katharine Drexel was
officially canonized a saint by the church on October 1, 2000. We believe that this saint
who founded our humble school prays and intercedes for us, our needs and the needs of
our benefactors daily in heaven with our loving Father.
Mother Katharine Drexel (foundress of the Blessed Sacrament Sisters) was doing with
many of the tribes in the United States. With a group of lawyers from Walthill, Nebraska,
working on their behalf, she was contacted about the possibility of educating the young
Native Americans in Northeast Nebraska. Since Native Americans were not considered
American citizens until 1924, they didn't have to be educated. The young men were sent
away to boarding schools at young ages; in this manner any "warrior" mentality would not
be instilled into their mind set. They returned to their tribes educated, but ignorant of their
culture. The young women were unable to speak English or interact with greater society.
Mother Drexel came to Winnebago, Nebraska, in the year 1908; her order founded the
St. Augustine Indian Mission.
On March 3, 1955, Mother Katharine Drexel, the sister who began our school, was called
home to God. A holy woman who gave constantly, Mother Katharine Drexel was
beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 20, 1988. Mother Katharine Drexel was
officially canonized a saint by the church on October 1, 2000. We believe that this saint
who founded our humble school prays and intercedes for us, our needs and the needs of
our benefactors daily in heaven with our loving Father.
~The Mission under Fr. Griese, Fr. Hulsman, and Fr. Price~
The school Mother Drexel founded taught the girls of the Omaha and Winnebago Reservations. Fr. John Griese, a Missionary
from Germany, had arrived in 1908 and worked with Mother Drexel and her sisters in the spiritual formation of the
children. The large wooden structure that was built to house the girls was nestled among the woods with the sister's convent.
These served as the educational development of many students for over forty years.
from Germany, had arrived in 1908 and worked with Mother Drexel and her sisters in the spiritual formation of the
children. The large wooden structure that was built to house the girls was nestled among the woods with the sister's convent.
These served as the educational development of many students for over forty years.
~The Mission under Fr. Tom Bauwens and Fr. Steve Boes~
An Educational Endowment was begun and is now a
depository for benefactors to support our school.
Through all this, the children have continued to be
surrounded by the love and gentle peace of Jesus
begun by St. Mother Katharine Drexel and continued
through the years.
depository for benefactors to support our school.
Through all this, the children have continued to be
surrounded by the love and gentle peace of Jesus
begun by St. Mother Katharine Drexel and continued
through the years.
Fr. Richard Whiteing succeeded Fr. Price in 1988. Fr. Whiteing worked hard integrating in
new cultural aspects to the curriculum. Emphasis began to be based upon family systems
and the need to strengthen relations within the children's lives. Many cultural events were held
to teach the children pride within their lives. A Drum & Dance Group, named in honor of Kateri
Tekakwitha, was formed and has performed nationally and internationally. The children of
this drum and dance group promise and pledge to be free from drugs and alcohol, as well as
all illegal, illicit and immoral behavior. It has been very effective as a deterrent for our children.
new cultural aspects to the curriculum. Emphasis began to be based upon family systems
and the need to strengthen relations within the children's lives. Many cultural events were held
to teach the children pride within their lives. A Drum & Dance Group, named in honor of Kateri
Tekakwitha, was formed and has performed nationally and internationally. The children of
this drum and dance group promise and pledge to be free from drugs and alcohol, as well as
all illegal, illicit and immoral behavior. It has been very effective as a deterrent for our children.
The Canonization of St. Katharine Drexel in Rome
In October of 2000 delegates from St. Augustine's were able
to make a pilgrimage to Rome to attend the cannonization
mass of St. Katherine Drexel, the foundress of St. Augustine
School. Thanks to the sponsorship of several special
donors some of the students of St. Augustine's and some
community members from Winnebago were able to
celebrate the canonization mass just a short distance from
his Holiness Pope John Paul II. Members of the Kateri
Warriors also performed at a special mass of thanksgivig at
St. Paul's Outside the Walls.
to make a pilgrimage to Rome to attend the cannonization
mass of St. Katherine Drexel, the foundress of St. Augustine
School. Thanks to the sponsorship of several special
donors some of the students of St. Augustine's and some
community members from Winnebago were able to
celebrate the canonization mass just a short distance from
his Holiness Pope John Paul II. Members of the Kateri
Warriors also performed at a special mass of thanksgivig at
St. Paul's Outside the Walls.
~The Mission under Fr. Steve Boes~
In 1997 Fr. Steve Boes succeeded Fr. Bauwens as
Director of the mission and Pastor of St. Augustine's.
In 1998 Fr. Tom Gall began service as assistant
director of the mission and Pastor of St. Joseph's
Church in Walthill and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in
Macy.
Director of the mission and Pastor of St. Augustine's.
In 1998 Fr. Tom Gall began service as assistant
director of the mission and Pastor of St. Joseph's
Church in Walthill and Our Lady of Fatima Parish in
Macy.
| St. Augustine's Hosts 2000 National Kateri Conference |
In August of 2000 St. Augustine's hosted a national
conference in honor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.
The event is held annualy at different locations in the
United States.
conference in honor of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.
The event is held annualy at different locations in the
United States.
Feathers of Honor Capital Campaign and School Renovation
| In late 1998 Fr. Steve Boes began an intense Capital Campaign program for the purpose of renovating the school and creating a large enough endowment to keep the school running. The inspiration for such a massive undertaking was the understanding that students graduating from St. Augustine Indian Mission have a much higher success rate at graduating from high school and college. By the Fall of 2001 enough funds had raised to begin the renovation of St. Augustine School. Thanks to the forward thinking and planning of Fr. Steve and the St. Augustine Advisory Board, St. Augustine was able to create enough space to double the number of students St. Augustine Mission is capable of serving. |
More about the School Renovation
| The actual renovation of St. Augustine's was overseen directly by Fr. Tom Gall the Assistant Director of St. Augustine's. After several meetings with community members, parents, students, and teachers, final plans for the renovation were completed. The new plans included an updated library with new shelving and many new books. (A special thanks to St. Vincent Depaul Parish in Kansas for providing many of those books.) Updates also included new classroom space, new office space, new wiring and a new updated heating and cooling system. St. Augustine's will continue to be a leader in educating Native American youth thanks to these much needed renovations. |
| While the actual physical renovation of the school is complete. There is still help needed from the donors of St. Augustine's to finish paying for these updates and for creating an endowment to ensure that St. Augustine's can continue to be able to serve the Native American youth of Nebraska. |
Fr. Dave Korth Became The New Associate Director and Pastor of The Three Parishes
In June of 2003 Fr. Dave Korth succeeded Fr. Tom Gall as Assistant Director of St.
Augustine Indian Mission. Fr. Dave also took over as Pastor of all three Reservation
Parishes so that Mission Director Fr. Steve Boes could focus more fully on serving the
student of St. Augustine School.
Augustine Indian Mission. Fr. Dave also took over as Pastor of all three Reservation
Parishes so that Mission Director Fr. Steve Boes could focus more fully on serving the
student of St. Augustine School.
| The Kateri Warrior Drum and Dance Group have performed nationally and internationally |
(Fr. Steve Boes )
(Fr. Tom Gall )
The event was attended by several thousand people dedicated to furthering the cause for
Sainthood of Blessed Kateri. The conferenc was attended by Native American People and
Non-Native People as well. Participants came from all over the United States, Canada,
Europe, and other locations in the world. At the conference attendees learned how to
re-energize their spiritual lives. They also attended workshops on ministering to Native
American People. A special mass was held at St. Augustine Church in Winnebago. There
were so many people in attendance that the church was overflowing and attendees
spread themselves out along the hill side to celebrate mass and listen to the word of God.
It was a very uplifting experience to participate in and bear witness to.
Sainthood of Blessed Kateri. The conferenc was attended by Native American People and
Non-Native People as well. Participants came from all over the United States, Canada,
Europe, and other locations in the world. At the conference attendees learned how to
re-energize their spiritual lives. They also attended workshops on ministering to Native
American People. A special mass was held at St. Augustine Church in Winnebago. There
were so many people in attendance that the church was overflowing and attendees
spread themselves out along the hill side to celebrate mass and listen to the word of God.
It was a very uplifting experience to participate in and bear witness to.
| St. Katharine Drexel Our Foundress |
Mission Director Fr. Steve
Boes is named as new
Director of Girls and Boys
Town.
Boes is named as new
Director of Girls and Boys
Town.
| Mission Road 1 South, Winnebago, NE 68071 (402) 878-2402 |
Fr. Dave Korth Became The New Director and Pastor of
The Four Parishes. Fr. Pat becomes new Associate
The Four Parishes. Fr. Pat becomes new Associate
In 2005 Fr. Steve Boes took over Duties as Director of
Boys Town. Fr. Dave became the new Director and Pastor.
In 2005 Fr. Patrick McLaughlin joined us as associate
Mission Director and Associate Pastor. Fr. Pat
implemented programs to strengthen religious education
and welcome community members back to the church.
Boys Town. Fr. Dave became the new Director and Pastor.
In 2005 Fr. Patrick McLaughlin joined us as associate
Mission Director and Associate Pastor. Fr. Pat
implemented programs to strengthen religious education
and welcome community members back to the church.
In 1942, Fr. Frank Hulsman was selected to become director of the Mission, with Fr. Griese staying on
as pastor and spiritual leader. Shortly after his arrival, the Blessed Sacrament Sisters made it known
that they would not be able to continue with all the expenses in operating the school. Fr. Frank would
assume the heavy and awesome burden of raising funds to meet the needs of the Mission. In 1944,
the Sisters sold the Mission property to the Archdiocese of Omaha and withdrew from the Mission to
place personnel closer to the East. On April 14, 1945, Fr. Griese died and Fr. Frank Hulsman became
both Mission Director and Pastor.
as pastor and spiritual leader. Shortly after his arrival, the Blessed Sacrament Sisters made it known
that they would not be able to continue with all the expenses in operating the school. Fr. Frank would
assume the heavy and awesome burden of raising funds to meet the needs of the Mission. In 1944,
the Sisters sold the Mission property to the Archdiocese of Omaha and withdrew from the Mission to
place personnel closer to the East. On April 14, 1945, Fr. Griese died and Fr. Frank Hulsman became
both Mission Director and Pastor.
He was succeeded by Fr. Francis Price in 1985. Soon, a kindergarten program was added to
the curriculum.
the curriculum.
~The Mission under Fr. Whiteing
In August of 1946, Fr. Frank was able to obtain the help of the Notre Dame Sisters
from Covington, Kentucky, who helped staff the Mission until May 1954. During this
time, Fr. Frank canvassed the nation telling the story of the good work happening at St.
Augustine. Until 1945, the school complex housed only girls. Earlier boys had been
accepted only as day students. As Father Frank's vision and resources grew, new
arrangements evolved. Beginning in 1951, Fr. Frank began an aggresive program of
erecting a whole new complex of buildings north of the original sight. These units
would house a growing boarding school population of almost 150 children each
year. Thousands of children's lives were touched and formed through the years.
from Covington, Kentucky, who helped staff the Mission until May 1954. During this
time, Fr. Frank canvassed the nation telling the story of the good work happening at St.
Augustine. Until 1945, the school complex housed only girls. Earlier boys had been
accepted only as day students. As Father Frank's vision and resources grew, new
arrangements evolved. Beginning in 1951, Fr. Frank began an aggresive program of
erecting a whole new complex of buildings north of the original sight. These units
would house a growing boarding school population of almost 150 children each
year. Thousands of children's lives were touched and formed through the years.
In the fall of 1982, the boarding school became impractical and was discontinued. Fr. Frank
retired from St. Augustine in 1985 after giving generously over 43 years of his life.
retired from St. Augustine in 1985 after giving generously over 43 years of his life.
(Fr. Frank Hulsman in 1950)
(Fr. Frank Hulsman in 1985)
(Fr. Richard Whiteing and student)
(Fr. Tom Bauwens )
~The Mission under Fr. Dave Korth~
In 2004 Fr. Dave also took over parish responsibilities for
St. Cornelius Parish in the neighboring community of
Homer.
St. Cornelius Parish in the neighboring community of
Homer.
(Fr. Dave Korth )
(Fr. Patrick McLaughlin)
Fr. Mike Eckley becomes new Pastor of the four parishes
In June of 2007 Fr. Mike Eckley took over as Pastor of all four parish communities. Fr. Dave
Korth was then able to dedicate more time to focus specifically on meeting the needs of St.
Augustine Indian Mission.
Korth was then able to dedicate more time to focus specifically on meeting the needs of St.
Augustine Indian Mission.
(Fr. Mike Eckley)
