Browning, Day 2, De La Salle, March 10, 2026
We’ve just finished up all our activities for the day (excluding evening prayer), and without a prompt for this blog post, I’m forced to really reflect on the events and feelings experienced throughout the day. I spent today in the 4th and 5th grade classroom and had such a wonderful experience. Despite what everyone’s been telling our group about the kids the past weeks, I found it relatively easy to enter in to today with few expectations. Placing expectations on these kids—with experiences many of us have no way of relating to—seemed unfair. Each one of the children in the classroom was unique, learning in different ways, with different interests and different priorities. While talking with the kids and playing with them, I was often reminded of how genuinely wonderful each child was—despite refusing to do their work, or interrupting, or storming out of the classroom. It was difficult to remain patient at times, but feelings of frustration or anger never entered the equation.
We spoke briefly about God’s commandments during the religion block—specifically the two greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. These kids, although young, exemplified both of these so well.
I was surprised at how emotionally mature so many of them were. The ‘students ‘Little Flowers’ were honestly kind to one another, aware of how the other needed to feel loved. When we were playing games on the breaks or at lunch, no one was left out or spending time alone. There didn’t seem to be any expectations the kids placed on each other; the quite kids were able to stay silent without being pestered or forced into speaking while the more extroverted kids were able to be boisterous without driving away other personalities. No one needed to say anything explicit or do anything grand to show that they loved and valued their ‘neighbor’. This kind of acceptance of the person standing in front of you, for who they truly are—not who you would like them to be—seems inherent to what it means to be human, to live like Christ. Although we were technically supposed to be helping the students with long-division and what-not, today, I learned so much more from them than they did from any of us.
Megan Davies, Freshman, International Relations and Political Science Majors studying at Carroll College
Today was our first experience helping out in the classrooms, and as I’m reflecting about how the day went I feel very grateful for the opportunities I had to grow in my appreciation for the kids we were serving today. When we arrived at the school before any classes began I was initially unsure how well I was going to be able to connect with the students; however, although shy at first, I found that many of the kids were willing to open up and receive help in their schoolwork. While I don’t consider myself an outgoing person, I had successes today in connecting with students and I believe this was due to their receptiveness and the energy they have as kids. Overall, I was very pleased with the interactions I had today and am looking forward to improving the service I can perform over the next several days, and I think the best way to do this is to improve the relationships I form with them.
One of the things we discussed in preparation to this trip was the importance of connection with the kids. Being able to show them that you care about them is very important for their growth because they understand that you are coming from a place of love. I don’t know if I stressed it enough in the first paragraph, but the kids I got to work with today were genuinely wonderful. Although there were moments today where the behavior of some students was trying to say the least, it was energizing to see the goodness present in the most troubled kids. Part of this came about when I reflected on their human nature and how I would feel in their situation. Sitting through eight hours of school today reminded me how boring some parts of middle school were, so it’s no wonder that kids with high energy have trouble concentrating on their work. What stuck with me more than their behavior was their interactions with each other and the joy they exhibited when doing something they loved. I am very excited to continue working with them over the next few days and deepening my understanding of their life.
Mark Ahner, Freshman, Accounting and Strategic Finance Major at Carroll College
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
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.
Carroll College Campus Ministry 