Many stories about the Missionary Oblates have been reported from distant lands and foreign countries. Yet, sometimes the Oblates’ work in the United States is overlooked. Their presence is apparent in 20 states across the nation, where they serve the poor in many ways.

The Oblates have a special ministry in White Earth, Minnesota, and Sisseton, South Dakota. The priests and brothers in these areas are a part of the Tekakwitha Native American ministry. They work closely with both Native and European-American peoples, sharing cultures, customs, and religious beliefs.

Every day they combat racism, substance abuse, unemployment, and poverty. Despite these challenges, they continue the work of the Oblates’ founder, St. Eugene De Mazenod. “St. Eugene wanted us to go where no one else would go,” explained Fr. Mietek Bajek, O.M.I. Fr. Mietek is pastor of three parishes on the White Earth Reservation. “We are here to build a community. This is a community.”

The importance of community became evident this past September when a fire burned part of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Sisseton, South Dakota. A young man, looking for a place to get warm, broke into the church. As he searched through the darkened sacristy, he reached for a candle to see by. Instead of grasping it, he dropped it, and the flame quickly spread. Wooden cabinets, doors, and panels were either charred or reduced to rubble. Vestments and Eucharistic cloths disintegrated. The chandeliers hanging from the high arched ceiling shriveled and melted.

Fr. Norm Volk, O.M.I., is unsure what will happen to St. Peter’s. Although reconstruction may be possible, it may be difficult to remove the smell of smoke and burned wood from the church. If the smell cannot be removed, the entire church will be demolished, and a new, smaller church will be built in its place.

“When I had to speak about the church’s burning, it was like preparing for a funeral,” said St. Peter’s associate pastor, Fr. Walter Butor, O.M.I. “I felt God’s house, my house, had been attacked. I’ve heard so many parishioners say how they themselves feel violated, like someone broke into their house. It will take time to recover.”

These past few months have been a time of healing for the people of Sisseton. The parishioners at St. Peter’s now attend St. Catherine’s, another Catholic church in town run by the Oblates. Although it has been an adjustment for all, the town is starting to accept the change.

Fr. Norm went and visited the young man who started the fire. “He said to me, ‘Father, I didn’t mean to burn down the church.’ We talked about what happened, and then I forgave him.”

Tragedy strikes everywhere. It may be in the form of a hurricane, a tsunami, or a fire. It may be in the form of hunger, or abuse, or ignorance. It may happen oceans away or in our own neighborhoods. Yet, no matter the difficulty, the Missionary Oblates continue to practice Christ’s Gospel message of love and forgiveness. This is especially true of the men who serve in the Tekakwitha Native American missions.