A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people closest to my heart!
God bless you and your generous heart.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church
St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. She was born in 1656 in the Mohawk village of Ossernenon. Her mother was an Algonquin who was captured by the Mohawks and who took a Mohawk chief for her husband.
She contracted smallpox as a four-year-old child, which scarred her skin. The scars were a source of humiliation in her youth. She was commonly seen wearing a blanket to hide her face. Worse, her entire family died during the outbreak. Kateri Tekakwitha was subsequently raised by her uncle, who was the chief of a Mohawk clan.
Kateri Refuses to Marry
Kateri was known as a skilled worker who was diligent and patient. However, she refused to marry. When her adoptive parents proposed a suitor to her, she refused to entertain the proposal. They punished her by giving her more work to do, but she did not give in. Instead, she remained quiet and diligent. Eventually, they were forced to relent and accept that she had no interest in marriage.
Conversion to Catholicism
At age 19, Kateri Tekakwitha converted to Catholicism, taking a vow of chastity and pledging to marry only Jesus Christ. Her decision was very unpopular with her adoptive parents and their neighbors. Some of her neighbors started rumors of sorcery. To avoid persecution, she traveled to a Christian native community south of Montreal.
The Life and Death of St Kateri
According to legend, Kateri was very devout and would put thorns on her sleeping mat. She often prayed for the conversion of her fellow Mohawks. According to the Jesuit missionaries who served the community where Kateri lived, she often fasted, and when she would eat, she would taint her food to diminish its flavor.
On a least one occasion, she burned herself. Such self-mortification was common among the Mohawks. Kateri was very devout and was known for her steadfast devotion. She was also very sickly. Her practices of self-mortification and denial may not have helped her health. Sadly, just five years after her conversion to Catholicism, she became ill and passed away at age 24, on April 17, 1680.
Her name, Kateri, is the Mohawk form of Catherine, which she took from St. Catherine of Siena. St. Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 21, 2012. She is patroness of ecology and the environment, people in exile, and Native Americans.
With lots of love and blessings.
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 24, 2022 | Divine Mercy Sunday 2022
My dear people who are close to my heart! Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all I am extremely delighted and so very grateful to God for His blessing he has bestowed on me with wonderful people here in our parish! I have received so many compliments from various people regarding Holy Week.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 17, 2022 | Easter Sunday 2022
“He is risen! The true meaning of Easter has deep significance e in our lives for us as Catholics. Easter celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Christ is Risen!
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 10, 2022 | Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + Pray for peace among nations and that our hearts may be free.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | April 3, 2022 | 5th Sunday of Lent
Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + Pray for peace among nations and that our hearts may be free.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 27, 2022 | 4th Sunday of Lent
Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + Pray for peace among nations and that our hearts may be free.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 20, 2022 | 3rd Sunday of Lent
Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent. Pray. Fast. Give. + the Feast of St. Joseph, Father of Jesus.