Day 1 – Arrival in Chicago, 3/8/26

Today we set off for Chicago to spend the week serving with the Franciscans at their retreat center and working alongside them among the poor. The day started very early. With daylight saving time and a 4:15 a.m. wake-up, the morning felt especially brutal. Still half asleep, we drove from Helena to Bozeman to catch our 8 a.m. flight. On the drive we prayed a rosary together, which was a peaceful way to begin the trip and helped set the tone for the week ahead.

After landing in Chicago, we took the train into the city and headed to Logan Square for lunch. Riding the train gave us a chance to see different neighborhoods as we made our way through the city. We stopped at Same Day Take Away to eat, and while we waited to be picked up we spent a little time outside tossing around a hacky sack and enjoying a moment to pause after the morning of travel.

Sister Macey picked us up from there and drove us to the retreat center where we’ll be staying. On the drive we noticed the variety of architecture and how closely the houses sit next to one another. It was interesting seeing the character of the different streets as we made our way to the retreat center.

When we arrived, Sister Macey gave us a tour of the new retreat building, and it’s amazing. Everything is so clean and clearly well cared for. During the tour she shared more about the ministries that take place here. They host a food pantry and have recently added free, quick clinics for the community. Since I’ll be a nurse soon, that especially caught my attention. Providing healthcare for the poor and marginalized I’m sure will make a great impact.

There are also spaces meant for community and rest, like a board game and lounge room, which make the whole place feel very welcoming. As she showed us around, Sister Macey talked about how everything here is a gift. Everything in the building has been donated, and she shared that with a lot of gratitude. It was a meaningful reminder of how generosity and faith can create something that serves many people.

We enjoyed dinner with the sisters at the retreat center and had time to talk and get to know them a little better. Tomorrow another college group from Ferris State University will be arriving, and we’re looking forward to meeting them and getting to know them throughout the week.

We ended the evening with Eucharistic adoration and some puzzle time together, which turned into a nice bit of team bonding after a long day of travel. It was a full first day, but it already feels like this week is going to be a meaningful experience.

My biggest takeaway from the day is that everything is a gift and the Franciscan’s way of life is so so beautiful!

Kathryn