News Post

Fourteen St. Joseph’s Academy students traveled to Klagetoh, Arizona, to serve the Navajo people on Saint Anne’s Mission. The mission trip took place May 27-June 3. Chaperones were faculty members Dawn Weldon, Erin Hidalgo and Keisha Horton. 

The travelers worked as part of the Saint’s Anne community to clean a sheep pen and assist in the shearing process by comforting the sheep; paint the interior of a Navajo elder’s home; and assist parishioners with household chores. They also cleaned and organized a barn and storage room; undertook various chores at the mission; cleaned the mission church and cemetery; and constructed a Navajo sweat lodge.

The group enjoyed opportunities to be immersed in the Navajo culture. They interacted and played with Navajo teens and young visitors to the mission; visited a Navajo trading post and flea market; attended the Navajo Nation Fair; participated in a Navajo Nation run/walk to promote health and support the Navajo “Just Move It” movement; and had their hair put in traditional Navajo hair buns by elders. They also visited the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park. 

“The girls learned about and experienced a new culture,” Weldon said. “They were immersed in the Navajo Nation and saw firsthand how the native Americans live today. It made them appreciate the advantages that they have.”

Hidalgo said the students gained insight into the history, traditions and community-building practices of the Navajo people. “They were able to experience the unique syncretism of Navajo beliefs and traditions with Catholicism and see the daily impact of Saint Anne’s Mission on Navajo Nation,” she said. “Following this trip, I expect that our girls will be more open to new experiences, quicker to make friends with people who do not look or speak like they do and more appreciative of the resources and opportunities they have been blessed with.”

Horton said she was extremely impressed by how quickly the girls bonded and embraced every opportunity presented to them. “Their willingness to step outside of their comfort zones and fully engage in the given tasks was remarkable,” she said. “The positivity and enthusiasm they brought each day created an uplifting and supportive environment for everyone involved. Also, the cultural experiences we were able to participate in were incredibly meaningful and eye-opening. They provided both the girls and myself with a deeper appreciation for different traditions, perspectives and ways of life. I believe these experiences will have a lasting impact, encouraging the students to approach new situations with openness, respect and curiosity.”