Sts. Isaac Jogues, Jean de Brébeuf, and Companions (Feast Day October 19)

As a young Jesuit, Isaac Jogues taught literature in France. He gave up that career to work among the Huron Indians in the New World, and, in 1636, he and his companions, under the leadership of Jean de Brébeuf, arrived in Quebec. The Iroquois constantly warred upon the Hurons, and in a few years, Father Jogues was captured by the Iroquois and imprisoned for 13 months. Isaac Jogues escaped and returned to France, bearing the marks of his sufferings. But his zeal led him back once more to fulfill his dreams. In a few months, he sailed for his missions among the Hurons. In 1646, he set out for Iroquois country, and a Mohawk war party captured and killed him. Father Jogues died on October 18, 1649.

Jean de Brébeuf was a French Jesuit who came to Canada at age 32 and labored there for 24 years. He returned to France when the English captured Quebec in 1629 and expelled the Jesuits but returned four years later. Although medicine men blamed the Jesuits for a smallpox epidemic among the Hurons, Jean remained with them. He composed catechisms and a dictionary in the Huron language and saw 7,000 converted before his death in 1649. Having been captured by the Iroquois at Sainte Marie, near Georgian Bay, Canada, Father Brébeuf died after four hours of extreme torture.

·   What is Jesus saying to us in this Gospel about forgiveness?

·      Share a time when someone has sinned against you. How did you handle it?

·      Jesus says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” When have you felt the presence of Jesus in a group of two, three, or more?

·      What inspires you about the story of Sts. Isaac Jogues and Jean de Brébeuf?

Autumn Leaf Crafts

As the season begins to turn, it is a great time to take your family on a nature walk, collect leaves, and do some autumn leaf crafts. Visit https://artfulparent.com/september-activities-for-kids for ideas.

Buffalo or Beef Stew

Known as tanka-me-a-lo in the Cherokee Nation, you can substitute regular beef if you’re unable to find any buffalo meat in your area for this filling stew.

2 stalks celery

2 carrots

1 can stewed tomatoes

2 pounds buffalo/beef stew meat

4 quarts water

2 pounds red or white potatoes (not russets)

1 cup barley

Slice the carrots, celery, and meat into cubes about one inch long, then brown the buffalo over high heat for about three minutes. Add the water, potatoes, and carrots into a large pot and boil until tender. Add in the tomatoes, barley, and celery, and let cook for another 5 minutes or so. Pour the veggies and meat into a baking dish and place in the oven at 425 F for 30 minutes.

Remembering St. Isaac Jogues and Companions

Lord Jesus, you won the heart of St. Isaac Jogues and helped him grow as a caring, courageous person. He dedicated his life to you by proclaiming the Good News of salvation for all people to others. Remembering him, may we all grow in faith and have the same courage to proclaim the Good News to those around us. Help each of us to be strong and gentle messengers of your love. Amen.

 St. Isaac Jogues and Companions, pray for us!

What action do we do with our hand before the Gospel is read? What does it mean?

Practice listening this week. Listen intently when someone tells you something, and then silently count to 5 before responding, giving yourself time to think about what you’ll say.

More than 340 U.S. parishes serve congregations that are primarily Native American, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Almost 25% of Native Americans are Catholic.