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Native american ministry
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Contact Us
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Shirley Zuniszuniasfnm.orgDirector
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Mission Statement:
“The Native American Ministry Office works to build strong Catholic leaders within the Pueblos by bridging the two faith traditions together to create and nurture faithful members of the Church.”
Annual Pueblo Governors' Luncheon
About Us
Our understanding of the Pueblos is unique as we have personally experienced the two paths in which Native people walk. With open and grateful hearts we value the traditional faith we were born with and our Catholic faith which was gifted to us. As our ministry continues to grow, we vow to stand in solidarity with our Native brothers and sisters as the two paths meet and become one.
Native American Ministry serves 50,000 Native American Catholics in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. There are 19 pueblos in New Mexico each with its own distinct cultural traditions and languages. They are: Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Picuris, Pojoaque, Sandia, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan), Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Kewa (Santo Domingo), Taos, Tesuque, Zia, and Zuni. All except: Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni reside within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.What We Do
- Provide support and assistance in the areas of leadership development and catechesis in the Pueblos.
- Coordinate with the offices of the Pastoral Center, particularly with the Pastoral Ministries Division, to bring services to the Pueblos.
- Meet with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Native American Ministry Advisory Board on a regular basis to discern, address and bring forth the spiritual needs of the community.
- Coordinate bi-monthly Native American Pueblo meetings which discuss, address and support the progress of each Pueblo.
- Act as liaison to the Tekakwitha Conference and local Kateri Circles.
- Developed Guidelines for Visiting a Pueblo Village with the Native American Advisory Board. The guidelines are available through the Native American Ministry office.
- Provide scholarships for Native American children attending Catholic school in collaboration with the Black and Indian Mission Office.
Events hosted by the office:
- Wisdom Mass in honor of our Pueblo Elders (Spring)
- Pueblo First Responders Appreciation Mass (Spring)
- Annual Governors Luncheon with Archbishop Wester for Governors, Church Officials, and Priests of the Pueblos (Summer)
- Annual Native American Mass held in Santa Fe
- Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated in thanksgiving for the children attending Catholic Schools in our Archdiocese who have received the St. Kateri Tekakwitha Scholarship (Fall)
- Annual Advent Celebration (December)
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Scholarship Application
St. Kateri Tekakwitha Scholarship applications are now available! Applicants must be Native American, Catholic or non-Catholic, in grades kindergarten to 12th; enrolled or will be enrolled in one of the ASF Catholic schools for the 2026-2027 academic school year. Parents must describe a verified level of need and unique circumstances through the Grant & Aid Assessment in FACTS at each Catholic school. A thorough list of criteria needed to apply can be found in the scholarship packet. Application packets must be complete and submitted by Friday, May 29, 2026. For more information on the scholarship please contact the Native American Ministry Office. Click here for the scholarship application.
Prayer for Native Americans
God of all creation,
from the direction where the sun sets,
from the direction of cleansing power,
from the direction of the rising sun,
and from the direction of the middle of the day,
we come to You this day to ask for Your blessing.
Bless and protect Native peoples over all the earth.
Give them integrity
so that their words and actions are one.
Give them listening hearts
so that they are able to hear
and learn from each other.
Give them wisdom and understanding
to learn their past,
live faithfully in the present,
and co-create a future with You, 0 God,
so that all people live free from fear and violence.
God of our ancestors,
we are thankful for Your many blessings.
We pray for all people, especially for the children,
the sick, the dying.
We pray for those in military service,
that no harm will come to them.
We pray for our enemies, that one day
Your peace and healing will unite us all.
Throughout our lives,
may we walk hand in hand with You, our loving God,
honoring Your land, caring for Your creation,
and respecting all Your people.
We pray and ask for Your blessing,
through Christ,
our Lord.
Amen.