Detail Page
List Detail
January 28 - Simplicity, Zeal
Click Below to read our Reflections...
Plan today: Mass with the Blackfeet Community at 10:30AM, Brunch hosted by the De La Salle Blackfeet School for any parents and students of the school (our guys will help serve breakfast and clean up). We'll watch the Ravens game at school and then head out to the mission for dinner (the brothers are cooking!).
Weather is a warm 50 degrees. Winds are a bit high, but that is pretty normal for the reservation. The guys got up this morning early to explore the property, some went for a 4 mile run (with bear spray of course). Mass is starting in 5 minutes and the boys already went over.
Probably no more updates until Monday morning... have a great weekend!
Back
Weather is a warm 50 degrees. Winds are a bit high, but that is pretty normal for the reservation. The guys got up this morning early to explore the property, some went for a 4 mile run (with bear spray of course). Mass is starting in 5 minutes and the boys already went over.
Probably no more updates until Monday morning... have a great weekend!
Today’s word was simplicity. Simplicity is something that is lacked greatly in our everyday lives and something we take for granted. I find that my own life is made complicated by the many things that are asked of me daily. Whether it’s schoolwork, chores, my phone, or one of the many activities I involve myself in, my life is far from simple. In our first two days in Montana, we have encountered simplicity in some of its purist forms.
The Brothers we are living alongside live very simple lives. They help teach in the school, work on different projects around their property, and help in the town of Browning. This evening, we had the pleasure of sharing a meal with them and were able to hear some of their stories. The question came up for why they wanted to become Brothers and why they do what they do. The common answer was that they simply live to help others and truly find joy in their cheerful service to others. They live simply and are thoroughly content, it is a beautiful thing.
We also had the pleasure of meeting some of the people of Browning at the Church brunch. Despite the city of Browning being a small, rundown town, the parishioners of The Little Flower Catholic Church were for the most part a happy bunch. They too live simple lives. Browning is essentially in the middle of nowhere away from the hustle and bustle and yet, the people find fulfilment. They are close, tight nit group who value family at the highest degree. Simple and close.
Living simply is something we can all do more taking pages out of the Brother's and the people of Browning’s book.- James C.
This morning I woke up to the loud voice of Mr. Parisi telling us to get up, out of bed and start organizing ourselves. Besides the rude awakening, the sun rising over the plains was amazing. We had two hours before we needed to be in town so I headed out for a two mile run, inspired by Sean, Luke and my rugby coach. The others either slept in, went for a walk by the river or started breakfast. After everyone in the group had showered and ate we loaded into our cars and headed into town. When we arrived into town it was desolate. However, attending mass at the Little Flower Parish was one of the best experiences that I have had in awhile. Some notable moments include: the stray dog walking dog the isle during the sermon, the song "Amazing Grace" but to the tune of "The House of the Rising Sun," and the 10 minute sign of peace where I might have shook 300 hands. In addition, the Our Father was said in the native language and all the readings were done by De La Salle students. The mass was really filled with community, joy and passion, something I find that is missing from many churches I go to at home. After the mass had ended we went over the the De La Salle school, where we hosted a free breakfast to celebrate the start of Catholic schools weeks. We had a chance to perform our first act of direct service to the community. We saw good in the grandmother who thanked us for being here, in the students who were asking us about the upcoming football game and our Ravens Jerseys, and a few people that we believe are experiencing homelessness . This meal provided us the first idea of both the challenges and beauty of the community we have been tasked with living in for the week. After we had cleaned up, the Brothers were nice enough to play the Ravens game on the TV in a classroom at the school. After watching the Ravens suffer a sad loss, we went back to the bunk house. We took a 30 minute walk to the river, and enjoyed the views and walked with the brothers dogs. When we got back the Brothers had made us a big bowl of Chili, salad and peach cobbler. We all had good conversations with them and when they left we had our nightly prayer and reflection session. We ended our night with a portion of the group attempting, and failing, to make overnight oats with Ms. Pikus. Overall it was a great day and I'm excited to meet the kids tomorrow.- Conor H.
