Sr. Kateri Mitchell, S.S.A., is an Iroquois of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan of the Iroquois Confederacy. She was raised on the St. Regis (Akwesasne) Mohawk International Reservation (streching from New York into Canada). She is the first Native American woman Executive Director of the Tekakwitha Conference.
Just before the St. Katharine Drexel Feastday Liturgy on March 7, 2010, Sr. Kateri Mitchell was introduced to Robert Gutherman and Amy Wall, the two miracle recipients obtained through the intercession of St. Katharine Drexel.
Sr. Jeanette Kinlicheeny introduces Deborah Thomas, a member of the Tekakwitha Conference Board.
Before the Liturgy's opening procession, Sr. Theresa Chato prays for the entire world by incensing the east, south, west, north, above and below.
St. Barbara' Church Choir's voices added beautiful harmony and lively rhythms to the Feastday Liturgy. Marcus Briggs-Cloud of the Tekakwitha Board played the bongos as they sang the entrance hymn.
Pierre Solet, a member of the Tekakwitha Conference Board, did the first reading.
Tekakwitha Board Director Ronald Tso read the intercessions. He works for Home Land Security at the Canadian/USA border in Washington State.
Latero Tekakwith Board Member, Rufina Toledo, was lector for the responsorial psalm and second reading from 1 Cor. 10 !-6, 10-12.
Deacon Stephen Hopkins proclaimed the Gospel according to Luke 13: 1-9.
In his homely, Bishop McFadden told a story about St. Katharine's choice of the site for St. Michael related to him years ago by an elderly Navajo man who used to drive St. Katharine in the wagon around the reservation.
Assisted by Msgr. Duncan, Bishop Joseph McFadden accepts the offertory gifts carried up by Amy Wall and Robert Gutherman. Both received miracles of hearing through the intercession of St. Katharine Drexel.
Five priests concelebrated the Liturgy with Bishop Joseph P. McFadden: Msgr. Joseph P. Duncan of St. Charles Parish, Bensalem, Pa.; Rev. Clarence Williams of Catholic Charities, Alexandria, Va.; Msgr. David Benz of St. John the Evangelist, Morrisville, Pa.; Rev. Wayne Paysee of the Black and Indian Mission Office, Washington, D.C.; and Rev.Matthew C. Chadwick, OFM Conv. of St. Matthew, Philadelphia, Pa. Deacon Stephen Hopkins served.
Diane Williams
Bishop McFadden's Final Blessing completes the Liturgy.
Sr. Kateri Mitchell, accompanied by Marcus Briggs-Cloud on the drum, sang the hymn to Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha which she composed.
Father Clarence Williams reminded his listeners that St. Katharine's message reached out not only to Black and Native Americans, but also to White people who see her as a model for their own lives.
SBS President Sr. Patricia Suchalski presents the Saint Katharine Drexel National Justice Award to Sr. Kateri Mitchell, SSA, the first Native American woman Executive Director of the Tekakwitha Conference.
Sr. Kateri Mitchell lifts the St. Katharine National Justice Award high for all present to see. Eagle feathers have a spiritual significance to many Native American Peoples and is often used in prayer rituals.
Sr. Patricia Downs, Director of the St. Katharine Drexel Mission Center and National Shrine, introduces former recipients, Thomas McCarthy and Wendell Young (seen on either side of Sr. Patricia). Also being introduced are miracle recipients, Robert Gutherman and Amy Wall.
Joseph P. Girolamo, Mayor of Bensalem, Pa.; Gene D. Girolamo, Pa. House of Representatives; Patrick Murphy, House of Representatives, Wash. D.C. attended the Liturgy and presented a citation to Sr. Kateri from all three departments of government.
Gene de Girolamo (Pa. House of Rep.) reads the citation honoring Sr. Kateri, from Bensalem township, the Pennsylvania House and the National House of Representatives. Witnessing the reading are Sr. Patricia Suchalski, the former award and miracle recipients and Mayor Jospeh D. Girolamo, and the Honorable Patrick Murphy.
Marcus Briggs-Cloud, following tribal tradition, first prayed in his native language for Sr. Kateri, then chanted an honor song.
Sr. Kateri gathers the Tekakwitha Conference Board members around her: front: Katherine Vasquez, Sr. Kateri, Vicky Blair, Deborah Thomas; back:Ronald Tso, Mary and Pierre Solet and Marcus Briggs-Cloud.
After the presentation of the award, guests were invited to a reception in the Mission Center hosted by the Associates of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The day was so lovely and warm that many took their plates and sat at tables on the open patio.
