Mass was held at St. Mary’s Mission church on Thursday, May 26, and afterwards there Was a Closing Blessing of old PSIS buildings by Priests, Tribal Spiritual Leaders, and Tribal Elders
“HONORING THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE...”—(Middle/Front row) Fr. Chuck Peterson says the prayers for Communion Services during the Mass held on Thursday, May 26, at St. Mary’s Mission church. Assisting Fr. Peterson is: (on his right) Fr. Mike Fitzpatrick, and in the back row (L to R) are Elizabeth (Betty) Davis, Fr. Jake Morton, Fr. Jack O’Leary, and Fr. Bob Jones. Fr. Mike became the first Priest to be ordained on the Colville Indian Reservation on Saturday, May 14, 1977. Fr. Mike is presently the Priest for the Umatilla Tribe and lives at St. Andrews Mission, Mission, OR. Fr. O’Leary took Fr. Jake’s place on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
THIRTY-ONE YEARS AT PSIS & COUNTING!—Larry Witt speaks to the congregation during the Mass held May 26. Since 1974, Larry has taught at PSIS and his students during each of those years have either been in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th Grade. During his earlier years, he taught students Cross Country and Downhill skiing, he has been a soccer and track coach, a referee, an Adviser for the “Drumbeat Newspaper” for 15 years, etc.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN FATHER!—Patti Simpson greets Fr. Chuck Peterson after Mass was over on Thursday, May 26. In front of Patti is Annie Butterfly, and in back of Patti is “Swede” Richter.
CLOSING BLESSING FOR OLD PSIS BUILDING—After Mass was said on Thursday, May 26, a Closing Blessing was held for four old PSIS Buildings. St. Mary’s Mission was renamed on Nov. 21, 1973, and became “Paschal Sherman Indian School”...and that same day “Smitkin Hall” was dedicated in honor of Chief Alexander Smitaken (his last name was originally printed as Smitaken/now the last name is printed as Smitkin). The above picture was taken where a building use to stand, and was named after John Cleveland, who was one of Fr. de Rouge’s most famous students..and he went on to become a well known Tribal Leader. And on Saturday, Sept. 15, 1979, two new school buildings were dedicated. The Special Education Building was named “Condon-Nicholson” to honor Alex Nicholson and Cecilia Timentwa Condon. And the Johnson O’Mallley building was named “Koxit George”.
From 1894 to 1973 there was a St. Mary’s Mission School — Let’s turn back the clock to the Year 1959
TRIBAL ELDERS REMEMBER FR. CORKERY—Fr. Paul Francis Corkery gives a lift to Timmy Edwards. On Sunday, May 10, 1959, Fr. Corkery left us when he passed away following several weeks of failing health.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?—The notation under the picture said: “Veronica Stensgar and Joanne Marchand — Planting”.
I’LL NEVER FORGET SISTER ?????—The caption for the above photo identified the Catholic Sisters as: (L to R) Sr. Mary Magdeline, Sr. Rose Francis, Sr. Fidelis, (Pinky) Philomena Seymour, St. Monica, Sr. Consuelo, Sr. Iina, and Sr. Rita.
THEN AND NOW!—There weren’t very many buildings on the grounds of St. Mary’s Mission in 1959 compared to today! But 30-years from now the Catholic Church will probably still be there. It was almost 95-years ago that the formal opening of the new church was celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 2, 1910,...and it was also the 25th-Anniversary of Fr. de Rouge’s Priesthood. Back in 1910 they did not have today’s modern cranes to lift heavy things...how did they build that 80-foot church steeple???
(Photos were obtained from the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society, Spokane, WA.)
FIRST COMMUNION—(L to R) Tawnya Phillips and Anthony Carden receive their First Communion during services held Friday morning, May 27 at the St. Mary’s Mission Church.
FIRST TRIBAL MEMBER TO BE AN UNDERSHERIFF—(R to L) Okanogan County Sheriff Frank T. Rogers and Undersheriff Joe Somday were among the Law Enforcement Officers attending the Sunflower Festival and the Grand Opening of the new Paschal Sherman Indian School. In January 2003, Joe Somday became the first Colville Tribal Member to be an Undersheriff when he was appointed by Sheriff Rogers.
THEY INTRODUCED THE GUEST SPEAKERS—Ten 9th-Grade students introduced the Guest Speakers for the dedication ceremony held Friday, May 27, for the new PSIS. They are: (Front row/L to R) Patrick Jefferson, 9th Grade Teacher Nicholas Popelier, Bridgit Phillips, Krystle Hoffman, Sirena Wak Wak, Shavonna Gorr, Rose Dick...and (Back row/L to R) Daryl McCraigie and Isaiah George. Not in the picture are: Jessika Timentwa and Sandra Warriors-Pistol Bullet
DESCENDANT OF CHIEF SMITAKEN—Martin Bohl goes over the letter received from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, and she also sent an American Flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Martin also explained to the audience what was contained in Washington State Governor Christine O. Gregoire’s letter. She extended a warm greeting to everyone attending the Grand Opening of the new Paschal Sherman Indian School. She said the school would offer hundreds of local students an exceptional learning environment, the use of “green technologics” would make wise use of resources, etc. She finished her letter by saying: “I applaud everyone who worked so hard to ensure that children on Colville tribal land will receive the best possible education. Please accept my best wishes for a joyful and memorable celebration”. Martin Bohl’s mother Lois is the daughter of Louie Smitkin, who was the son of Chief Alexander Smitaken (Smitkin).
NEPHEW—Paul Wapato Jr describes the different accomplishments that Paschal Sherman (1895-1970) did during his lifetime. Paschal is Paul’s Uncle. It was on Nov. 21, 1973, that St. Mary’s Mission School became known as “Paschal Sherman Indian School”.
LET’S DO IT OVER—In the blink of an eye, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new PSIS was over, and doing the honors were: (L to R) PSIS School Board Member Theresa Bessettee, 9th Grader Bridgit Phillips, and the Chairman of the Business Council Joe Pakootas.
