Once in awhile, one word can convey nearly all that needs to be said about an event. In the case of rebuilding the burnt out St. Paul Mission School, the word "awesome" seems to be on everyone's lips when asked about the new school. All you would have to do is walk into this building-with its strikingly vivid color schemes, its spacious classrooms, and its gleaming gymnasium-to realize it represents a miracle. Before going further, however, let's take a look at the events leading up to this point.

June 15, 2008. Shortly before Sisters Helen, Nora and Chris were to leave for New York for summer retreat, they received word the school was on fire. By the time the fire was out, the building and its contents were a complete loss. It was also discovered that insurance would only cover about one-third of the loss.

August, 2008. The John Capture Tribal Community Center building was offered to the school until a new one could be built. Conditions were cramped; there were only two bathrooms for over one hundred staff and students and no drinking fountain. Despite the inconveniences, the 2008-09 Academic Year began on schedule.

March, 2009. The one working boiler exploded during a cold winter's night, but the ensuing fire was extinguished miraculously as the burning embers fell into the basement on top of plastic water bottles, which melted and extinguished the flames.

Late March, 2009. The boiler which had been put on line to replace the first one exploded. This time the fire made it impossible for the students to return to the building.

April, 2009. The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Hays offered its facilities until the new school could be built. Again, this small church was inadequate for over 100 staff and students, but they made do.

January, 2010. The St. Paul staff and students move into the new school.

Sister Helen Durso, OP, the principal of St. Paul observes, "I don't know how we did it except by the grace of God and the prayers of many people. We are so grateful to St. Labre Indian School and their donors for helping us through this time. There are no words of thanks that I can express to these folks."

Sister Nora and her students take a spin around the globe.

The school still has pressing needs. There is only one old copy machine that is in need of a complete overhaul. The library shelves are mostly empty of books. Social studies and science texts and accompanying kits and programs were all burned up in the fire. Teachers need shelving and tables and chairs. New playground equipment is needed; the kitchen is short of pots and pans and large utensils. The gym needs a floor cover for non-athletic events, and as time goes on other needs will be discovered as well.

Sister Helen hates to mention these needs because, in her words, "People have already done so much for us." But quality education these days comes with a pretty steep price tag.

As happy children entered the cafeteria for a hot, nutritious lunch, and as the gym classes shot baskets in that wonderful setting on a chilly winter's day, one can't help but sense the awe and wonderment all through the building. Out of the ashes has come a miracle of love and grace for St. Paul School, but this miracle's beginnings rose from a common, caring spirit all across the land.

If you spent any time "shadowing" Dave Charpentier, who heads up the St. Labre Mentoring Program, you might find yourself driving across the vast expanse of Montana in a January blizzard to meet with students at the University of Montana in Missoula, or you might be going the other direction on a lovely spring day to Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer just twenty miles west of Ashland where St. Labre is located.

Occasionally, you might meet Dave at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire as he talks with college officials about Velma's progress, and then you might zip down to Cambridge as he checks in on Victor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His relatively new Honda tells the story: it has already piled up 150,000 miles.

Dave began his career as a high school English teacher at St. Labre in l990. In 2000, after the St. Labre Board of Directors had voted to establish a mentoring program because of low college retention and graduation rates among our students, Dave piloted the program. He had no job description and only a few ideas about how to proceed. But proceed he did as much with his heart as with his head.

The results have been impressive: in 2001, seven students from previous high school graduating classes earned college degrees. In 2009, and for a few years previously the numbers ranged from 12 to 15 students each year. In 2001, and before, generally 15 or fewer students qualified for St. Labre scholarships. Currently, 76 students are receiving them on about a dozen campuses.

Dave and Rhea discuss her future plans.

One of those students is Rhea who recently began her "second run" at college, this time at Montana State University-Billings where Dave is headquartered.

"The first time I started college was at Salish-Kootenai on the Flathead Indian Reservation all the way across the state. (500 miles from St. Labre) "I was pretty lonely and missing my family," Rhea continues, "and then here comes Dave. He'd take us to dinner, help us get set up with a campus mentor, and tutor us if we needed help. It was always nice to see someone from home. It made all the difference."

Rhea articulates what most students feel when they leave their homes, families and their familiar surroundings. They become lonely, isolated and desperately homesick. Recognizing the problem in 1999, the board of directors wanted to see if it could be addressed. As noted above, the job requires heart as much as it does academic knowledge. Dave has a good deal of both to share with the students. But he is quick to point out the program requires a high level of organization and accountability.

In addition to his mentoring, Dave is also in charge of dispensing scholarship money. As he points out, the two jobs go hand in hand since he is "out there" among the students and is well aware of their financial needs. "The funding issue," he observes, "is one of the biggest challenges to keeping kids in school."

Editor's Note: If you wish to help fund scholarships, call the St. Labre Planned Giving Department toll-free at 1-866-652-0959. We'll be glad to discuss possibilities with you.

Dear Friend,

One of the many benefits of living in Montana is having four seasons and winter is one of my favorites. I love the look of the land with a blanket of snow and the bare limbs of the trees reaching skyward. But I have to confess that I am ready for spring this year. I can’t wait for the green grass and leaves to return, signaling a rebirth of the land. It’s been a particularly long winter.

And speaking of rebirth, in this issue we celebrate the rebirth of the St. Paul Mission School on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Because of your generosity, a beautiful new school has arisen out of the ashes of destruction. I wish you could have been at the dedication of the building to see the looks on the faces of the students and their parents. There was such joy and excitement!

The building is not entirely done even as I write this, but, seeing the primitive conditions of their temporary quarters, the state licensing inspector granted an early occupancy permit so that the kids could move in while work continues to complete the construction. So many people have stepped forward to help this school become a reality.

If you would like to help with the yet unmet needs of the school, please call our toll-free number at (866) 753-5496. We do ask that you don’t send in old items such as computers or old textbooks. We are very grateful for all offers of assistance, but, many times, old computers do not work with the software programs that we use in school and old textbooks don’t fit into our curriculum.

In today’s world, our students will need more than a high school diploma to compete for jobs and advancement. Ten years ago, St. Labre established a mentoring program to assist our graduates with successfully transitioning from high school to post-secondary education, whether that is college or vocational training. Over the past eight years, more than 60% of our graduates have gone on to college. This is far higher than the 17% of all Native American high school graduates nationally who go on to college. We could not continue this vital program without your continued support.

Finally, as we approach summer, please keep us in mind if you are traveling in the area. We would love to have you come and visit us and see what you make possible through your generous and sacrificial giving.

Ahó,
Curtis Yarlott

Catholic Schools Week is always exciting at St. Labre Indian School. It's an opportunity to celebrate our Catholic Educational Heritage, and, quite often, enjoy some very special memories.

This year was no exception. Students, their parents and the staff were reminded that a high quality, faith-based education pays dividends for life. This year's theme underscored that assumption by focusing on morals, discipline, knowledge, and most importantly, faith. It is our hope that our students will embrace these qualities so they might become good citizens, outstanding employees and effective leaders as they approach adulthood.

As always, the focal point of Catholic Schools Week was the all school Mass on Wednesday, February 3. It was a grand time of worship, but more than that, it was a celebration of our St. Labre pastor, Father Paschal Siler, OFM Cap, who has served for nearly three decades at St. Labre.

At the end of Mass, Sister Bernadette Helfert, SCL, Director of Mission and Ministry for the past six years, instructed everyone to lift their candle lights to Father Paschal, "who has been a light to all of us."

Charles Littleoldman blesses Father Paschal.

During that poignant moment a prayer was offered, citing the many ways Father Paschal has ministered to the students and staff and to all the Northern Cheyenne people under his tender care.

Director of Schools, Ivan Small, and Director of Human Resources, Rayetta Jordan, presented Father with a Pendleton blanket and a signed and numbered print by Loren Entz entitled, "The Gift." It depicts the friendship between Caucasians and Native Americans. How appropriate for Father Paschal, who has forged hundreds of deep friendships over his years of service on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

As for Father Paschal himself, he was beaming with delight. "What an expression of prayerfulness and gratitude on the part of the people here," he remarked. "I'm constantly inspired by their love and spiritual devotion. I have served here for many years now, and I hope I have many more."

As people walked by to congratulate him and thank him for his service, some with tears in their eyes, there can be no doubt that everyone hopes for exactly the same.

A very good and creative way to give that is time-proven to assist you in tough times and to bless the children of St. Labre Indian School is through planned giving. Here are some ideas to consider:

Your Final Plans. Yes, money may be tight for you now, but have you ever considered what the net worth of your estate might be upon your passing? If you own a home, have a retirement account, have a paid up insurance policy, and the usual amount of personal property, your estate could be quite substantial. Now in our mid-sixties, that's what my wife and I are discovering: if health costs don't consume our assets, we will be able to leave something for our three children and also for the causes we cherish. Of course, you must have a legal will to make sure your wishes are carried out, especially when it comes to charities. Probate courts do not recognize charities not named in wills or trusts. Let us send you a St. Labre Will Kit to help you get started on formulating your final plans.

Planned Gifts that return income to you. If you are retired or are nearing retirement, you may be wondering where to park your money for the best return with the least risk. Those kinds of parking spaces are pretty rare as you have discovered. If you park money in a savings account, a money market or even CDs, you know the rates of return are running under 2% in just about every case. But consider what a charitable trust or charitable gift annuity parking place might yield. Here's what a $10,000 charitable gift annuity could do for you if you are 75 years old: Rate of Return, 6.3%. Immediate Charitable Tax Deduction, $4,342.00. Annual annuity paid to you, $630.00. Taxable portion: $173.88. Tax-Free portion, $456.12. (The tax-free portion will continue for 12.4 years.)

Dealing with tax issues. How close are you to selling your business or perhaps a second home and preparing for retirement? According to some reports, capital gains rates may increase in 2011, and increase dramatically. Some look for the federal rate to increase to 20% and state rates to 5%. A charitable remainder trust might be the key to avoiding some of those taxes, providing for your retirement and for your heirs, and leaving something to St. Labre. Right now is the time to act if you believe a scenario like this might be helpful. One thing we know: by 2011, the United States Tax Code will look far different than it does today. That's because all of the tax laws that went into effect in 2001, sunset in 2011.

In sum, there are all kinds of planned giving scenarios that make charitable giving extremely valuable for you, especially in uncertain times of economic volatility. Perhaps you've been supporting St. Labre for years. I can't tell you how much we appreciate your help. Now let us return the favor and help you to continue your legacy to the children of St. Labre Indian School by crafting a planned gift that will work for you.

For custom projections and discussion of your particular circumstances, call the St. Labre Planned Giving Department, toll-free, 1-866-652-0959. It won't cost you a dime, but it might save you a lot of money in the long run.

After the dark days of winter and the cold and snow, everyone in Montana is ready for a touch of spring. Jasmine provides it with her sparkling creations that incorporate her imagination and her talent.

A Junior at St. Labre High School, her discovery of her artistic gifts began when she chose to take art in 8th grade instead of home economics.

"I was looking through art books and saw pictures that inspired me," Jasmine recalls. Since then art has been one of her top two classes at St. Labre.

Future plans for Jasmine include attending an art institute after high school and finding a job where art is prominent. Teaching art is something Jasmine is thinking about, but she wants to explore art careers more fully before making any decisions.

Apparently, she comes by her talents naturally. Her father paints traditional Native American scenes, which Jasmine admires, but adds, "Mine are more modern."

She seems sort of bewildered by the attention her pieces have attracted. She asked the interviewer of this story, "Do you like my art?" It's as though she is expecting a negative response.

As you can see, though, there is nothing not to like about Jasmine's art, especially in the spring when we crave color and creativity.