The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton women who traveled to the Zuni reservation are, front row, from left, Andrea Harrison Elaine Howey, Adrienne Howey, Katie Ebberwein, Karen Peck, Beatriz Balza and Suzanne Howey. In back, from left, are Mary Rohleder, Natalie Brant, Tori Brake, Jen Smith, Gabby Kriegisch, and Connie Clary. 

Summer school was special for students of the Saint Anthony Indian Mission Catholic School on the Zuni Indian Reservation near Gallup, New Mexico.
In the wake of a pandemic postponement, a group of 13 women from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Wichita traveled to teach art and science and host a morning music camp.

Mary Rohleder, a trip organizer, said their pastor, Fr. Sherman Orr, suggested a few years ago that adult women might want to go on a mission trip.
After making some inquiries, it was recommended the women contact Fr. Patrick McGuire, a priest from Scotland who serves at the Zuni reservation. Rohleder said she also talked to Sr. Marsha Moon, the principal of the school with an enrollment of nearly 200 Catholic and non-Catholic students.

Little exposure to music education

Sr. Marsha told Rohleder the students have very little opportunity for music or fine arts education. “We are trying to start a program where someone comes in and teaches Zuni arts and pottery, but that’s about all we have,” the sister told her. “And the only music we have is me playing the piano or the guitar for the kids during Mass or for fun.”

Karen Peck, an art teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, was one of the first a couple of years ago to say yes to the mission trip. “She said she would be able to take what she does for her summer art camp and apply it to the kids in Zuni,” Rohleder said. “I had 15 ladies signed up and ready to go – then Covid happened.”

The mission was put on hold until the summer of 2022 when the baker’s dozen traveled to the reservation to teach art, science, physical education, and music – and feed the youth.  The ladies returned in 2023. 

Students watch the Nutcracker

“Another friend, Beatriz Balza, is a flutist. She played the flute for the kids. They had never heard classical music. We played Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. She played the flute accompaniment while they watched a ballerina dancing to the Nutcracker. The children’s jaws just opened wide. They had never seen a ballerina.”

Rohleder said the students peppered them with questions about her costume, her shoes, and her ability to dance on her toes. “They’re not exposed to that in their culture,” she said.

The Zuni children also learned about and listened to music from around the world – including watching Scottish bagpipers from Scotland, a nod to their pastor. The youth played instruments borrowed from the diocesan Ministry With Persons With Disabilities.

“They’re incredibly artistic people. It was an absolute joy and very fulfilling to teach them,” Rohleder said.

Lunch included

The children were fed daily lunch prepared by the ladies and on Friday the parents joined their children for a community meal during which their artwork was displayed.

During their visit assisted the women the Missionaries of Charities, Mother Teresa’s order, in Gallup, about 30 minutes away.

“We fed people at their soup kitchen,” Rohleder said. “We stood right next to the Missionaries of Charity, washing dishes, talking with them. Some were invited to their prayer time and adoration in their chapel.”

Parishioners, the Knights of Columbus, and Promise Bound Charities helped with the financing of the missionary trip.

With the support of Promise Bound, I was blessed to go on a mission trip to Romania and serve alongside the Missionaries of Charity. There I was able to serve disabled men by feeding them, cleaning the facility, and going on home visits to local community members with the Sisters. It was with these simple actions my heart was opened to see the goodness of the Lord.

My experience at Steubenville Conference, especially during adoration, opened my eyes to a deeper love than I have ever known. I do not believe any human could love me like Jesus loves me, and I want to be all His. This would not have been possible without your support. Thank you so much!

--Yolanda Rodriguez

Before going to Steubenville, I had been going through a time of difficulty and depression that even led me to think about harming myself. Steubenville gave me a sense of hope and newness. I would not have been able to go without the scholarship, so I cannot thank you enough. God bless!

--Alejandro Flores (in the attached picture with our youth group leaders

It was such a blessing for me to accompany nearly 50 youth from my parish to the Steubenville Conference. Due to the pandemic, many of them were experiencing unprecedented poverty, both materially and spiritually. They were at the same time most in need of an experience like Steubenville and least likely to be able to afford it. Your generosity in giving to Promise Bound helped to provide them with the opportunity to meet Christ in a powerful, life-changing way. Thank you and may the Lord continue to bless you for your kindness.

-Fr. Garett Burns
Parochial Vicar-Saint Margaret Mary