Little Servants of the Cross - About Us

WHO WE ARE

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me."
Mk. 8:34

Little Servants of the Cross is a new community of consecrated, single Catholic women living out the call of Jesus Christ among our Native American brothers and sisters. We are called to share the "Good News" of Jesus Christ through our witness of God's unconditional love for the Native American nations. We hope to encourage and inspire Native American people, and serve our Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, through a variety of catechetical and evangelical programs designed to promote Christ in culture. We humbly, freely and joyfully offer ourselves out of obedience to the Creator to live as "Little Servants of the Cross" among the "hidden people" in Native America.

FOUNDING PURPOSE

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ who lives within me, and the life that I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself up for me."
Gal. 2:20

The founding purpose of Little Servants of the Cross is the response to God's call to serve Him among the Native American people through evangelization and enculturation. We are in the beginning stages of becoming a future religious community of diocesan right. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix has granted us his prayers and support for this new religious community.
As "Little Servants of the Cross" it is our hope and prayer to help restore and strengthen the lives of our Indian communities. We are called to be Christ's visible sign of love, living out the mystery of the cross.
Like all cultures of people, Native Americans are also part of the "Body of Christ." Christianity among Native American communities is at a very low percentage, which indicates to us that the body of Christ is hurting in Indian country. Inculturation is needed because it allows each culture to represent Christ in a unique and distinct way. Every culture of people has something beautiful to share in the body of Christ, and this unity must be built on love. St. Paul writes, "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I do not need you,' nor can the head say to the feet, 'I do not need you'" (1 Cor. 12:21). All tribes and cultures of people are needed to complete the body of Christ, as this gives witness to God's unconditional love for the human family.

VISION STATEMENT

"My commandment is this:
love one another as I have loved you."
Jn. 15:12

The heart and vision of Little Servants of the Cross is to share our Catholic faith with the Indigenous people of North America through evangelization and enculturation, by living and working among Native American communities.

HISTORIC NOTE

Many of you are well aware of the historic background of the Native people and of the harsh treatment they have endured at the hands of the Federal government. Over the years, the mistreatment and many failed policies have disheartened the Native people. Our Native people know what it means to suffer, especially the elders. Sadly, Native people have suffered many social ills, including drug and alcohol abuse, teen suicide, poverty, limited education, unemployment, depression, etc. All of these have contributed to the breakdown of the family unit. But Jesus said:

"Come to me all of you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for yourselves."
Mt. 12:29

2009 LITTLE SERVANTS OF THE CROSS