Page 27 - Catholic Extension Magazine Summer2020
P. 27
Extension | Summer 2020 27
t. Mary’s Parish, on Mon-
PHOTO COURTESY PEARL MORENO Sbefore Christmas last year.
tana’s Rocky Boy Reserva-
tion, was already hurting.
Their beloved log church
burned to the ground just
When the pandemic took hold, this
Native American faith community
fell further into crisis.
For the Chippewa Cree Tribe, the
parish is an integral part of their
FIRST A sacred homeland, bringing hope
and stability to families on the res-
CHURCH FIRE, ervation, where many
struggle with poverty
and addiction. Since
Native American parish THEN 1979, Catholic Extension has sup-
determined to maintain ported St. Mary’s, including drug
its inspiring presence COVID-19 and alcohol counseling services
offered through the parish.
Following the church fire, the
faithful flocked to Sunday Mass, and
attendance increased despite hav-
ing to gather in a rented-out space.
Their pastor, Father Joseph Tran,
said, “The church means a lot to
them. They really want to rebuild.”
Then came the coronavirus. Even
when times were “good,” the aver-
age Sunday collection at St. Mary’s
was little more than $165. Now,
there’s not enough money to lease
even a temporary space when
social distancing restrictions end.
St. Mary’s parishioners face a
tough road ahead. But Father Tran
said, “Their faith is strong. That’s a
good sign.” As they emerge from
the trauma of both the fire and
the pandemic, they will be recon-
structing a space for their faith
community to heal together.
TOP In December 2019, St. Mary Church in Box Elder, MT, burned to the ground.
Parishioners were heartbroken but have united as a community to rebuild.
LEFT Sister Margaret Mary O’Doherty, pastoral assistant at St. Mary’s Church, provides
spiritual and humanitarian care to residents of the Rocky Boy Reservation.
