Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota is in Shannon County, the poorest county in the United States. Many of the families have no cars, no telephones, and no jobs. Diabetes, tuberculosis, and alcoholism are rampant, and life expectancy is lowest in the western hemisphere, second only to Haiti. To help promote literacy, St. Mary's collects new and gently used books and sends them to Dr. Mark Butterbrodt, a general practitioner on thereservation and brother of parishioners Mary Ann Jackson and Bob Butterbrodt. Dr. Butterbrodt distributes these books during doctor's visits to the children living on the Reservation.

This year they were so generous in their gratitude, and made us all sorts of beautiful beaded things. The highlight, according to our kids anyway, were the cross necklaces which now the acolytes wear.