One of our most beautiful ministry sites is that of our National Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, in Fonda, NY. This past weekend (July 14-16, 2017) was packed with Feast Day Celebrations at the Shrine. On the Friday Feast Day, pilgrims gathered to celebrate 9:00 a.m. Mass with Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri. On Saturday the festivities began with a 1:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Ceremony, followed by joyful song presented by members of the award-winning, all women drum group Spirit of Thunderheart, and 2:30 p.m. prayer and worship with our First Nations friends from Akwasasne, Terry Steele, Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, and other special guests. The 4:30 p.m.Vigil Mass included a Traditional Purification Rite and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri and the evening ended with a 7:00 p.m. prayer and healing circle with Deacon Ron Boyer and Terry Steele. The weekend celebration ended with 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass that also included the Traditional Purification Rite and Solemn Blessing with the relic of Saint Kateri, followed by a Solemn Offering and burning of the prayer petitions. All weekend long the Shrine collected donations of non-perishable food items for those in need. For more pictures and videos from the weekend, be sure to visit the Shrine’s Facebook Page.

Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. (at center holding reliquary) was on hand for the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Feast Day celebrations, pictured here with Deacon Ron Boyer at his left, Terry Steele at his right alongside members of the Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa, Akwasasne Mohawk Territory, and the Shrine Advisory Council.