Associates for the
The Congregation of St. James
For those promoting Indigenous Culture in the Churches, and prayerful supporters
This web site will merge with my other website, hawkdancer.com around June 6, 2011
FACTS
A bit out dated, but in 1990 there were 25 Native priests, 80 sisters, 60 permanent deacons, and only 10 Native brothers according to
USCCB statistics.
I think a Native Catholic Order could do much to improve these numbers AND the Church in this country as a whole.
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(The following is a segment from a sermon written by my Grandfather, Rev. Charles Meymahongebe Browne, PhD.)
Joseph of Arimathea
Ah! Joseph, you made a garden, and in that garden was your own tomb. It should have been a garden of sorrowful remembrance. But you brought to
it one whom death could not hold. Your garden held the hopes of all the world. More has grown from your garden than you dreamed! Hope and faith and
courage and joy have flourished all over the world from that frail, broken body sown in your garden on the darkest night the world has known and
raised in splendor on the first day of a new age.
The Magazine for those in pastoral related activities:
The first tangible evidence of CSJ’s produce, besides these few web pages, is an Indigenous pastoral ministry
magazine magazine currently
published bi-monthly. Each issue consists of eight pages (including the covers). Each issue normally consists of one article of
a practical social and ministerial nature, and one short story, and maybe a poem. Contribution of a literary or artistic nature
is encouraged of members. It is called: Birch Clump Chronicle, and is available as a hard copy (paper version) ordered on line
from MAGcloud.com. I don’t handle too many pre-paid annual subscriptions; but that is a possibility in some cases if a member
cannot or is otherwise hesitant to order each issue from the on line source.
My novels, though by no means required reading, demonstrates practical development and application of a fully inculturated
Native American Catholic Church. The name of the order of Native American Friars found in the novels is, the Congregation of
St. James. The name is spelled out only in the second novel, though its foundation begins early on in the first novel.
Associate Membership
Membership currently consists of a very lose association of people involved in Native Ministry or other forms of Indigenous
community organizations; or are other wise are supportive prayer partners. The Congregation of St. James has not yet been established
as a formal religious order or congregation. The nature of the rule and constitution is such that it is possible to establish this or
another similar group as a formal entity within the Catholic or other similar religious denominations if or when persons interested
in or inspired by these concepts should desire to do so.
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How to join?
Contact me and let me know why you are interested. Please, keep in mind that this is not an established order. There are no
convents or friaries, there are no vowed Priests, Brothers or Sisters belonging to this “idea” of what such a congregation can be
like. This is an association of persons interested in promoting Indigenous cultures within the Churches, and in advancing inculturation.
In large part, for those who can more fully grasp or learn about inculturation and assist local Churches to understand what inculturation
is really about.
Looking to fulfill a vocation?
You may contact me if, after reading these pages set aside for the idea of a Native American Catholic Religious Order, you
would want to explore more of the possibilities.
If your immediate personal goal is to find a diocese or an order for the primary purpose of becoming professed or ordained, our
association is probably not what you are looking for. We have no means to ordain anyone. We can provide some limited encouragement
of a general nature if you are Native American and are searching out a religious or priestly vocation; but you also need to be in
contact with vocation experts in your diocese or an already established religious order.
Becoming an Associate
Assuming you fully understand this is a developing concept, and not an established Religious Order, you may contact me and possibly
become an associate member. You do not have to be a Native American; but you should realize that Native American (Indian) protocol
or norms take priority in this association promoting inculturation and Native cultures within the Churches in the USA and Canada.
Activities and role of Associate Members
The first activity is prayer. All members should have a natural inclination to give to their respective communities, neighborhoods,
parishes and social works. They give of themselves in service to others. They strive to be charitable persons, slow to anger and
swift to love, to seek appropriate means of healing.
Members pray that the spirit of the ideals written out in the Rule and Constitution of the Congregation of St. James will manifest
in the Churches in our age, and be a blessing for the next seven generations. Some members are basically prayer partners for this
endeavor, and for the People of God and Christ’s Church. Other members are already involved with Native communities or Native
ministry concerns. They joined CSJ because they wish to share what they already do, what they learned and what they can learn
for each other.
Will CSJ ever become an official established Order?
I hope so. It is certainly possible; but I don’t know if CSJ or any other similar Native American
Religious Order will actually get started. Perhaps we can continue to pray on this, search our hearts, and let it develop in its
own time as it will. Starting a new Religious Congregation is serious work, very challenging and hard work.
There might be any were of 100 to 200 small religious groups in the USA and Canada alone in any given year hoping to become an
officially recognized Religious Order. The vast majority of these groups will not last five years. Most make a good go at it,
but their own members fall apart or leave the dream. A few have very self righteous agendas in opposition to the Magisterium
and local Ordinaries that they are asked or told to disband.
Success and perseverance is through humble hearts, sacrificing persons, and listening to proper and sound community and Church authorities.
Note: Inculturation should not be confused with assimilation. This site is about inculturation.
"CSJ Messenger" Minwahjimo Mazinaigan Good News Magazine
This is the first issue of the magazine. It serves as a basic information brochure containing much the same information you will find on
these CSJ web pages. If and when I produce another issue that has new information, I'll post that here. I don't recomend purchasing the above issue unless
you wanted to share the information
with another person or a small group; or if you had limited access to internet and wanted something in print to keep at hand.
Every visitor counts
The Congregation of St. James
A concept for a religious order of Native American Catholic brothers, priests, sisters, deacons and lay associates
Associate Membership 
Looking to fulfill a vocation?