Day 1 Browning 2018

by carrollministry

We departed Helena at approximately 6:00am, with a prayer to embrace the immersion to which we were going to be experiencing. We arrived earlier than expected at 9:00am, we then visited the mission and had the opportunity to meet with the De La Salle Blackfeet School president, Brother Dale. Then the group arrived at mass wherein Fr Ed Kohler was the celebrant. There we instantly were exposed to the inimitable love of the Blackfeet people who said a gracious blessing over us and welcomed us with open and humble hearts. Seeing the sacrificial love of Christ so vividly in their lives made us feel welcome to Browning. Such a welcome also enabled us to witness and correct some collective non-native perspectives on the residents of Browning in that they are a loving and joyous people who are welcome to visitors of good will. After some bonding over submarine sandwiches we ventured to the school and received informative presentations and an orientation. After getting our groceries we were met with more welcoming locals in the parking lot who expressed gracious words for our being here. Later at the mission, we were sullen to have learned that the Buffalo Jump that we usually tour had been closed due to recent desecration from a past immersion school, so we did some contemplative outdoor time at the Two Medicine River which runs along the mission property in lieu of the usual outing. Brother Dale, Sister Pat, other school personnel, and other visiting students all hosted us for a lovely dinner of fellowship. We needed the night with a lighthearted dancing competition and evening prayer, wherein we reflected on how we could be open to God’s will and serve humbly and effectively for the coming school week for which we are every excited.