My Experiences in Chinle, Arizona
by Sister Mary Louise Jacobs, SFP Hello again! I will be back in Cincinnati before you read this article. What did I learn and experience by being in Chinle during these last four months with Sister Adelaide and working in the Thrift store? I find the Navajos to be very respectful and reserved in their shy manner. I mistook some of the little boys as little girls since they wore ribbons and ear rings. They have big eyes with curious looks. They are very beautiful with their long black hair.
While Father Blane Grein, OFM was in Jamaica, we had Father Ken Roy with us from Louisiana. He was very generous with the aid of the people from Louisiana. He brought children shoes, socks and back packs with pencils, pens and notebooks for the school children. All these items in a bundle could be purchased for $5.00. He has a dry sense of humor with his French accent. I really enjoyed working in the Thrift store with his help and that of Seymour, a Navajo volunteer. It takes two people to run the store, one in the front and one in the back. It was not all work. I traveled along gorgeous scenic routes with Sister Adelaide and Sister Crista, SBS from Many Farms (just 13 miles away). I went to Monument Valley, Mexican Hat and Goosenecks with Father Ken. We even went up the dirt switchback road to see the Valley of the Gods -- what a breathtaking view. The Southwest has its unique and marvelous natural beauty. At the end of August we had winds that could be measured at 100-120 miles an hour with gushing rains. Our local grocery store and some homes were flooded and the main road was closed . It was the worst storm since 1913. I guess this is the same year that St. Elizabeth’s Hospital was flooded in Dayton, Ohio (if I remember correctly). I called bingo three times for the Parish on Sunday night. I guess I am pretty good -- they all want me back! This helps to pay the Parish bills. On the fourth Sunday the proceeds of the early bingo go to Talbot House to help with the food boxes, etc. The Masses on Sunday are on the quiet side; there is not much singing but Navajo prayers with cedar blessings to the six directions brings the people to reverent prayer. The church has integrated the Navajo culture in their services and the architecture of the Church, which is shaped as a Hogan (traditional home and sacred house of the Navajo). Each day we prayed the office and Mass together at 6:50 a.m., except on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (when Mass) is later. I hope I can continue this schedule at home. I really like the opportunity to "sleep in."
While I was in Chinle, we had a three-fold celebration of the past, present and future in one weekend. The past was the 25th Anniversary of Talbot House, the present was the National Canyon de Chelly AA gathering at the Canyon. The future was the groundbreaking of the new Jooba’ (Kindness) Center for the food bank and shelter. It will also be a center to host large groups of volunteers, the Cursillo and Search weekends. We were pleasantly surprised at the wonderful turnout for this three-day celebration. Sister Adelaide could not have done this without the gracious students from the Joilet Diocese who assisted with all the preparation, served the food and cleaned up at the end. We thank our SFP Foundation for Sarah Cantwell’s being with us.
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