Publications

Jesuits, Cameras and a Life Turned Around

My first introduction to the Society of Jesus was when I saw a Jesuit going up and down a pair of vertical bars in the school yard in his cassock. This was in 1961 and I was beginning my freshman year at St. Stephen’s Indian Mission School.

It was Fr. Jerome Zummach, SJ and he turned out to be a great teacher, coach and supporter for myself as well as many other students. When I graduated, and left with an old wooden beaded rosary Fr. Zummach had given me, I thought that would be the end of my Jesuit association. That rosary was a constant reminder of the deep faith and trust in God that I had seen in Fr. Zummach and other Jesuits. I carried it throughout college, military training and on into life. I found myself back out to visit the mission and former teachers whenever I had the chance.

In 1973, I met a new member of the mission staff, Fr. John J. Killoren, SJ, who had started a fund raising program in hopes of keeping the doors of the mission open. In 1966, the year after I had graduated, the Catholic high school had been closed due to financial problems and Fr. Killoren hoped to save the grade school and Mission. Fr. Killoren needed pictures shot for his articles and I had an interest in photography as well as a camera. I started spending more and more of my free time taking pictures for his publication, The Wind River Rendezvous.

I had always felt that the education and training I had received from the Jesuits had been a key part in helping me succeed in life and I was glad to be giving back a little of my time in appreciation. Then, one day when I went in to see Fr. Killoren, he had a new camera and lenses sitting on his desk. He offered me a full time job, mentioning that the pay would be minimal but he thought maybe photography could help make up some of the difference. The rest is history.

I proudly became a part of the mission staff and have worked side by side with numerous Jesuits for the past 36 years. Fr. Zummach and Brother Hofer were still part of the staff from my school days when I returned and I was privileged to be working next to them. Our days started out each morning with mass at 6:30 a.m. I traveled miles and miles with Fr. Killoren, photographing while he researched material for the publication.

He never preached outside of church, but his work and dedication were outstanding examples of how life should be lived. He often said, "You never know until you have been there!" which usually meant that we were on our way to some new adventure.

Through the years, responsibilities have evolved from simply being the photographer. I had an associate’s degree in accounting and took that position when the bookkeeper moved to another job. Then Fr. Killoren retired to work on his book, "Come Black Robe" the story of the early Jesuit missionary Fr. DeSmet.

And today, as I sit in the position that was first held by Fr. Killoren, I still feel like I’m only a student here. Times and situations have changed over the years, but the mission and its needs remain as my priority.