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BAY MILLS - After a week of cold weather, overcast skies, and rain, the community woke up to a bright day of sunshine on May 20, 2006 - the day scheduled for the first Blessing of the Boats ceremony.
I woke early with much work ahead of me. The phone rang and it was Father Al Mott telling me we would have an extra special guest for the event. I thought maybe Father Ted Brodeur was somehow able to join us but Father Al said, no. Bishop Alexander Sample was coming to Bay Mills Indian Community to participate in the Blessing of the Boats. What a wonderful surprise! (Father Ted, you are still special, too).
Then the wheels started turning and the what-ifs started running through my head and my hair was turning a little grayer. What if it rains? What if we don't have enough food? Who is going to make coffee? I don't know anything about making coffee and neither does Father Al. We don't drink it and wouldn't know what a good cup of coffee is!
But I worried for nothing. Pat and Nancy Hascall and their grandson were there to help; Yvonne Ogston made the coffee; and, Pat Brighton, Dee Cherette, Father Al, Bob and Rory Parrish, and Jason and Lynda Pesola were all there to get things rolling. Everything just fell into place.
There were boats and trailers galore in the Bay Mills Resort and Casinos' parking lot, many boats in the slips and some just parked, and many people there to attend the ceremony. A couple even came from Detroit, Mich.
Our celebrities then arrived: Father John Hascall, Deacon Aimie LaPlante, Michael Jacobus (who is studying for the priesthood and will be ordained in a year), and the Most Reverend Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Alexander K. Sample. They began the ceremony for the Blessing of the Boats promptly at 11:30 a.m.
Father Hascall began by thanking the Lord in the Ojibwe language, followed by a couple of songs by the Drum. Bishop Sample read from the Book of Blessings with Father Al and Deacon Aimie assisting and Frank Breen as the reader. Parishioners from Blessed Kateri Tekawitha Catholic Church in Bay Mills presented the bishop with a beautiful afghan with Native American designs handmade by BMIC tribal member, Jim Bowen. The bishop also received a hand-woven basket by Lynda Pesola as a gift from the Parrish family.
It was a beautiful ceremony. I was told that two eagles flew overhead as the drummers were chanting their songs. A woman asked me if I saw the fishermen out on the Back Bay. She said they had all gathered in a circle. It was a wonderful day and a beautiful and blessed event.
I want to add my comments about the day, as well. Thank you to Father Al for giving me the opportunity to help you with this event. Everything turned out beautifully. I still feel a sense of elation every time I think about it.
Father Al has asked that I convey our thanks to Bay Mills Resort and Casinos, Bay Mart, King's Club, Pat and Nancy Hascall, Dean and Patty Parish, Jason and Lynda Pesola, Yvonne Ogston, Pat Brighton, Ann Marinoni, Dee Cherette, Wanda Perron, Cathy Sargent, Lorri Burtt, Shelly Deuman, Donelda Schofield, and Loretta McCormick for all the great food and beverages.
Also our thanks to the drummers and singers: Jay Memegos, Nashoba Strobnicke, George Belleau, Nick Cameron, Cole Tadgerson, Cheyton Vallaluz, Chelsea Cameron, Ayanna Belleau, Amanda Teeple, Raelynn Hunter, and Spring Sage Medicine. A special thanks goes to Joan Jerman for designing the beautiful posters and invitations. Also, thank you, Bishop Sample, for the pleasant surprise and for honoring us with your presence.
Without all of your assistance, the first Blessing of the Boats would not have been as beautiful and successful as it turned out to be. Thank you all and may the Lord bless you for your kindness.
