Browning, day 4, De La Salle Blackfeet School, March 13, 2025
Josie Gale Caritas Reflection Thursday, March 13, 2025 (Day 4)
Throughout the immersion experience, I have been working primarily with the 8th grade class. So far, we have had three full days with the students in the De La Salle Blackfeet School, and today was our last full school day with them. Today’s schedule looked a little bit different because Mass was incorporated into the school schedule, and the 8th graders were leading Mass. It was so wonderful to watch the students in the class I have been working with proclaim the word of God and lead the school through this beautiful sacrament. This was very nostalgic for me since my middle school would do the same thing in terms of having different classes lead Mass each week.
Within the 8th grade class, I have loved being able to work in small groups and one-on-one with students to complete missing work or provide more hands-on help for students struggling in a specific area of study. Through this, I have been able to learn a lot about the students. Earlier this week, I was working with a very shy student on math and all of a sudden she turns to me and this fountain of information started coming out of her mouth about the types of music she likes. I was both intrigued and excited at the same time that she felt compelled to share her interests with me, and it turns out that we have a lot in common when it comes to genres, songs, and bands that we like. In working with another student very little, I joined her for the chess enrichment activity and she began opening up to me about her family life and how close she is with her dad. I felt so blessed that this student, after knowing me for only a couple of days, was comfortable opening up to me in that way. Another student, very very shy and soft-spoken, when he speaks at all, has started coming out of his shell during my individual work with him. It is beautiful watching him be confident in the work that he is doing and the growth I have seen in just two days. Yesterday, when I first started working with him, it was difficult to get just a one word answer out of him, but now today, still with a little resistance and hesitation (but not nearly as much as yesterday), he makes eye contact, answers with confidence, and smiles.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the teachers in the school. Specifically, with Mrs. Armstrong. She has been at De La Salle for a few years and teaches 8th grade homeroom, 8th grade ELA and Social Studies, and 7th grade ELA and Social Studies. I remember earlier in the week the two of us having a casual conversation during a break between classes and she opened up to me about two extreme losses she has experienced within the past month. She told me that sometimes she doesn’t want to come to school and wants to just stay at home and sleep, but she knows that’s not good for her and it wouldn’t be good for her students. In this conversation, she emphasized how important it is that her students receive a good education, but also how much she cares for each and every one of her students. I was so inspired by her devotion and commitment to her students and how she is able to put aside the difficulties in her life to provide them with an environment in which they can learn and grow. This immersion experience has been a beautiful encounter to the universality of the Church and a prime example of Jesus loving each and every one of His children. I feel blessed to have been able to witness selflessness, growth, excitement, child-like faith, determination, love, and so much more throughout my time in Browning. Thank you to the community of Browning, the De La Salle Blackfeet School, University of Providence, and Carroll College for this wonderful opportunity.
Browning, Day 2, March 12, 2025, De La Salle Blackfeet School
So far, the trip to Browning has been a blessed time. Since the beginning of the trip, I have been amazed at the sense of community Browning clearly exhibits. In the first mass, during the sign of peace, everyone spent nearly two minutes giving peace and even during communion, continued to shake hands and exchanged signs of peace throughout the pews. Being able to play a part in the community of Browning has been so pleasant as I came in with the mindset that the community would have been more broken in the poverty that is present. However, the poverty seems to drive a real love between the people in uniting in their sufferings. Many of the people I have encountered suffer well, and this is something I wish to take into my own life.
In a reflection we had tonight, Roy, the campus minister of University of Providence (who is also joining the trip with us,) asked the question: “What does it mean to do what God does, see what God sees, and love as God loves?” I have been reflecting on this question tonight and the answer reflects a lot of my outlook on the trip thus far. For one, the answer to this question revolves around love, as He is love, sees through the lens of his love, and what he “does” is love. Seeing through a lens of love and charitability must then be the lens we tend to strive for in our own lives. But how do we actually learn to do this?
I have found that my perspective on how to view others has changed even in the two days we have been able to spend with the students here in Browning. Many of these students deal with real struggles, such as alcoholic parents, abuse, or other stresses that make the ordinary life we take for granted much more difficult. In this way, when in the schools and a student is paying attention, or struggling to pay attention, I find myself have a different reaction that I normally would, one that is more understanding and charitable to what may be going on in their lives outside the classroom. Rather than seeing them for what they do or how they present themselves, I have seen them in a more real and clear light, as children of God who suffer. Though their wounds and sufferings come out in different ways, they clearly love God and love each other, and as St. John of the Cross said: “In the evening of our life, we shall be judged by love alone.”
I have been blessed to see so many smiles on students faces as well as my own as I have been able to see the beautiful humanity that is here in Browning. I ask for prayers for these students, their families, and the many immersion trips that will take place in the future at this school. These students are our family in the Church, and suffer just like us, just in a different way. I am very happy I came on the trip to see this new perspective and am very excited to continue to learn to love and see these students as God sees them.
Ryan Frampton, Senior, Carroll College
Browning, Day 1, March 10, 2025 De La Salle Blackfeet School
Today was our first day working at the catholic school in Browning and it was absolutely wonderful! I got to work with the fourth and fifth graders and they were a blast. I was deeply moved by their simple joy. Their passion and excitement for life was infections. Throughout day I found myself being unable to stop grinning. I was pleasantly surprised by the kids sense of humor. I was laughing so much that the kids started making fun of me for it. But I couldn’t help myself these kids are just so darn funny. One highlight from the day was getting to help this young sweet girl develop a story. She ended up deciding the main character would be her older sister Kaia. To help develop this character I gave her sheet with a list of questions. The first question on the page was “What does your character desire most” to this she responded “My character wants more than anything to be mean to her little brother in the morning.” Anyway, I thought it was hilarious. I finished out the school day playing dungeons and dragons upon one of the students request. It was my first introduction to D&D and I learned that each participant gets to pick a player name by which they are to be referred. The names included “Issi” “Dark Lord” and last but not least “Big Daddy”. After the school day we had a lovey couple with two young children share with us the unique blessings and struggles of the Blackfeet people. It was a truly insightful discussion. Overall it was a great day and I am very grateful to Browning community for welcoming us in to their lives for a week.
Andrew Devine, Senior
Day 3, March 12, 2024, Browning
From Katie:
Our second day in the classroom had much more ease than our first day. It was a day that practiced patience and consistency. Throughout the day, the 4th and 5th graders started opening up to me and befriending me as a role model. Although there were parts of the day that were difficult, there was so much fulfillment in being present with the children and community. From playing sharks and minnows to helping children practice their reading skills and learning bits and pieces of the Blackfeet language to visiting with members of the faculty, I have fallen in love with this community and the way in which each individual cares for one another like family. The roots are deep within this community and even through historical trauma, hardship and violence within their lives, there is a deep sense of love that the community shares for one another. This experience has helped me acknowledge my blessings and embrace gratitude for the life I have. There is so much goodness and learning opportunities within the Blackfeet community, the gifts of humility and everlasting love have persevered within me.
During sunset I embarked on a beautiful evening walk with Emma, I enjoyed singing happy tunes, listening to the river clap among the rocks and watching the amber sunset fall to sleep behind the rocky blue mountains. When arriving back to the cabin, I loved having dinner with our guest teachers tonight and asking questions, listening to their wisdom, and playing with their children. The night ended with a beautiful closing prayer and day reflection, a perfect way to end the day.
I have greatly enjoyed “doing life” with these passionate students and faculty members accompanying me on this trip. I realize the beauty and power this opportunity offers, the memories, laughter and cultural insight will accompany me throughout my entire life journey. I will deeply miss this community and I am forever thankful to be able to spend a week with the Blackfeet community.
From Sarah:
Hi friends!
Today was the second day with the kids, and it was a lot easier than yesterday. Yesterday, I felt like I had failed the kids and that I was going to be dreading going back every day. However, I really just needed to think about it in a different way. So, I prayed more and really considered the Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta’s words on service through Mary; “Lend me your heart” was her prayer to Mary. This morning I offered up my day to her, asked her to use me as a she fit and asked for her heart to see these kids as they are. As I came into the day today, I came in with hope that I would offer myself up, not my work and that something about me would be worthwhile for the kids.
I felt that the kids needed to see that they could be vulnerable with me, so I offered up my vulnerability first during our morning circle up. I think it did work because I had more students come and ask for help and just want to talk with me. One student even gave me a book recommendation! I am so determined to finish this book, just so I can talk about it with her. I also got closer to another student when we were working on an assignment together, she had asked me what I knew about the Blackfoot tribe and I was honest in the fact that I didn’t know much. She really wanted to hear what I had to say so I answered honestly, “I’m here to learn just as much as you are.” It was really cool to see her so content and maybe even grateful for my answer. She just sort of unwound. Of source the day had its lows as well, but I was grateful for today and I’m excited for how tomorrow will play out; hopefully just as well
Peace and Prayers,
Sarah
Carroll College Campus Ministry 