After 25 years serving at St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, Deacon David Nagel, SCJ, is learning the ropes of a new job, that of provincial treasurer.
Originally from Milwaukee, Deacon Nagel is 54, and professed his first vows as a brother with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in 1972.
He has an associate’s degree in food and nutrition from the Milwaukee Area Technical College/Cardinal Stritch. He was assistant food service’s director at Sacred Heart School of Theology, and later, director of food service operation at St. Joseph’s Indian School.
From 1983 to 1985, he was director of operations for the school.
Returning to Cardinal Stritch, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then moved to Chicago, where he began theology studies at Catholic Theological Union. He also served as director of the province’s theology-level formation program.
In 1990, he returned to St. Joseph’s, where he became director of development.
In 1996, that role expanded to include responsibility not only for the development office, but also for the residential and educational programs associated with the school.
In 2003 he was ordained to the permanent diaconate. “As a deacon I felt that I could provide more direct pastoral services for the students and assist more in their spiritual well-being,” said Deacon Nagel about his ordination.
Leaving St. Joseph’s, Deacon Nagel said that his “most rewarding experience was working with the students and various donors around the United States. You really get to see the students’ accomplishments here. You see that kind of growth and share in those good things. Sure, there are some tragedies, but we see positive results. We are seeing our students pursuing higher education and becoming an active force in our communities.”
While Deacon Nagel has left Chamberlain, a new face has arrived.
Father Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, is now on the job as president of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, Inc. of South Dakota. He is responsible for the overall administration and leadership of all SCJ apostolates in the state, including St. Joseph Indian School. He will oversee St. Joseph’s, its development office and all outreach programs for the order in South Dakota.
While Father Huffstetter is new to Chamberlain, he is not a stranger to South Dakota.
He often says that he “grew up as a religious” in South Dakota.
It was here that he first ministered as a seminarian. After completing his theology studies, he returned to serve as a deacon on the Cheyenne River Reservation and then did his first years of priestly ministry there.
After several years in formation ministry for the province, he returned to South Dakota, serving as a member of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team.
He has written a book on the spiritual beliefs of Native Americans regarding death, burial and the hereafter (Lakota Grieving, available through Tipi Press 800-229-5684).
He is also a member of the South Dakota Tribal Equal Justice Commission.
The commission was formed by the South Dakota State Supreme Court to identify, and where possible, try and remedy or solve some of the unfair, unequal treatment that some minorities have experienced in the state court system. He is the only religious or church-based representative on the commission.
Originally from South Bend, IN., Father Huffstetter is 45 and has been a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart for over 20 years.
He was one of the last members of the community to have gone through the minor seminary system. He has a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, a master’s of divinity from Catholic Theological Union, and a doctorate in cross-cultural studies, also from CTU.
He was ordained in 1989.
“The school is such an important component of our ministry,” said Father Huffstetter. “I’ve been involved with the school off and on in several capacities for the past 25 years. I’ve learned even more about the wonderful people and services there during my past two years on the board of directors. It’s a great opportunity to work with so many children I’ve known and ministered to on the reservations.”