SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2012) – The 2012 “Children of St. Augustine Indian Mission” portrait exhibition by award-winning photographer Fr. Don Doll, S.J. will be dedicated to the memory of Betty Strong at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Betty Strong Encounter Center. Admission will be free. A reception will follow.

The event will feature remarks by Fr. Doll; Jackie Smith, one of Betty Strong’s four children; Mark Monson, president of Missouri River Historical Development, Inc., the non-profit that built and sustains the Center; and Fr. Dave Korth, Director of St. Augustine.

Fr. Dave will present a Native Flute program with highlights from his CD, “Songs & Prayers from Saint Augustine Indian Mission.” Visitors will receive a copy of the 2012 edition of the award-winning St. Augustine Calendar while supplies last and may participate in a drawing for Fr. Dave’s CD.

Since 2006, the Center has presented annual exhibitions of Fr. Doll’s portraits of the Children of St. Augustine. “The presence of these portraits at the Betty Strong Encounter Center honors my mother and all that she did for children during her many years of community leadership,” says Smith.

Please Join Fr. Dave Korth and Friends of the St. Augustine Indian Mission in Honoring Fr. Don Doll, S.J. at a Celebration Marking the 10th Anniversary of the Award-Winning St. Augustine Indian Mission Calendars.

Sunday, February 5, 2012 Reception 3 – 6 PM Comments and Program 4:30 p.m. 
St. Cecilia Cathedral Parish Center 3900 Webster Street Omaha, Nebraska

At the Dahl Center, Rapid City, South Dakota, a traditional Lakota honoring ceremony was held at an exhibit of a selection of photographs from 15 years of Red Cloud Calendars. Hunter and Vonna Blackshirt, who were featured in many of the calendars, wrapped Fr. Don Doll, S.J., in a star quilt.

In March, 2011, I traveled to Ankara, Turkey, Aleppo and Damascus, Syria and Amman, Jordan to photograph the work of JRS with Iraqi refugees. The photo, titled “Veiled Differences, Unveiled Similarities,” features an Iraqi refugee woman and her daughter being welcomed by Sr. Hala, a Syrian nun, to a Mother’s Day celebration at the Jesuit Refugee Service Deir Vartan Centre in Aleppo, Syria.

Selected as Best Photo, JRS Middle East Region was awarded a $500 grant and an additional $250 for Best Overall Entry. It was submitted by Zerene Haddad of JRS MER to 'The Positive Change in Action' contest showing positive social change in the region.