Father Peter Klink, SJ, has been nominated for this year’s Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) Award. For more than 40 years, Catholic Extension, a national fundraising organization which supports and strengthens poor mission dioceses across the US, has asked mission dioceses to nominate their best, brightest, and most inspiring people for the annual award.

Father Klink serves as vice president for mission and identity at Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. His mantra and mission at Red Cloud is to provide the Lakota children and their families with “a brighter future.”

Since arriving 40 years ago to teach high school students—even before he became a priest in 1981—he has aimed to give a boost to young Lakota who face many challenges. He has served the school and Holy Rosary Mission in almost every capacity: teacher, principal, superintendent of schools, director of development, president, pastor, and currently as vice president for mission and identity.

Father Klink believes that schools need to give any student, but especially Native American students, two things to succeed in college: competency and confidence. His dedication has paid off: 95 percent of the 2017 graduating class went on to post-secondary education at 23 colleges. 

“These sons and daughters of God are beloved and meant to make a positive difference in this world,” said Fr. Klink. “They have been gifted with life and given gifts that need discovering and growing.”

Seven Midwest Jesuit novices made their first public profession of commitment to the Society of Jesus when they proclaimed first vows on August 11. 

The vows are the culmination of two years in the novitiate. At the first vows Mass, the seven novices individually proclaimed the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in front of the Eucharist, just as St. Ignatius of Loyola and some of his first companions did.

“At first vows, a novice offers himself to serve the Lord in the Society of Jesus,” said Fr. William O’Brien, SJ, director of novices for the Midwest Province. “Subsequent experiences of study, work, prayer, and community life will confirm this gift of self.”

The seven Midwest Jesuits were part of a total of 26 novices from the United States and Canada who proclaimed first vows in August. Following the profession of first vows, Jesuits preparing to be priests usually begin three years of studies: two years of philosophy studies, combined with one year of graduate-level theology courses. Those Jesuits who took vows as a brother will usually take several theology courses and work on an advanced degree in a field of interest.

“The men who professed vows in August represent the diversity of the Church,” said Fr. O’Brien. “And their current studies are preparing them to minister to a range of needs. They are truly remarkable men.”

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The Midwest Jesuits received seven 2018 Catholic Press Association Awards, including four first place wins, for communications and media achievements in 2017.

Jeremy Langford, provincial assistant (VP) for advancement and communications, was named Communications Director of the Year for his work leading the communications department while also serving as provincial assistant for advancement. 

“The Midwest Jesuits use a variety of approaches and platforms to build community,” said the Catholic Press Association judges. “Jesuits Magazine offers a range of reporting and first-person storytelling, and the website gathers many resources for prayer and reflection, including videos.”

Jesuits, the province’s magazine, earned four awards, including first place for Magazine/Newsletter of the Year: Religious Order for the second year in a row.

The story on the With Others. For Others. Campaign for Senior Jesuit Healthcare, which appeared in the 2017 fall/winter magazine, won first place for Best Feature Article in a Religious Order Magazine and third place for Best Design with Photographs. That issue also featured the 2017 Jesuit formation timeline, which took third place for Best Ad Copywriting.  

On the digital side, the Midwest Jesuits won first place for Best Facebook Post and second place for Best General Publisher Website.

New outreach initiatives by the Midwest Jesuits were well received around the province this year as networking events and presentations made their debuts in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Detroit. 

Jesuit Friends and Alumni Network Chicago (JFAN Chicago) was revitalized with a presentation on Jesuit higher education from Dr. Jo Ann Rooney, president of Loyola University Chicago. 

“It is a mission we can say is as contemporaneous, alive, and vital today as it was 500 years ago,” said Rooney. 

In Cincinnati, Fr. Michael Graham, SJ, president of Xavier University, headlined the inaugural Jesuit Friends and Alumni Network of Greater Cincinnati (JFAN Cincinnati) event on Sept. 19. 

“We were very fortunate to have Fr. Graham as our first speaker,” said Jeff Meyrose, regional advancement director for the Greater Cincinnati area. “As an innovative leader at Xavier, he is the perfect person to speak to the importance of Jesuit higher education.”

Then, in Detroit, Jesuit Connections—a series of networking events for young professionals—debuted with an event headlined by Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ, vocations promoter for the Midwest Province. 

“It was great to be with a group of fellow young adults from the Ignatian family as this new group gets off the ground in Detroit,” said Fr. Rossmann. “We were able to talk about issues that are significant for all of us today.”