St. Mary and St. Anthony Catholic Churches
Thank you for contributing financially to the Faith Formation of the youth of Rocky Boy Indian Reservation and Box Elder. Providing faith formation to help our youth with their faith in their relationship with the Trinity is crucial to the future of our Church and our community.
Our beloved log church building that the people of the community helped build, burnt down in December 2019. The community continues to feel the devastation of the fire. Now that our church building has been rebuilt, the hard task of rebuilding “The Church” continues. Our newly built Church is still experiencing the “firsts”. Last year we were able to Celebrate Mass in different areas of the building as it was being built. Mass had been Celebrated in Father Tran’s living room, so as needed we would move to Our Door Mass or in the colder weather in the new building.
The 2022 Advent and Christmas Season was Celebrated fully in our new Church. St. Mary’s was part of a community event. Originally planned as a parade of lights and Santa visit turned into a Community Vendor Fair and visit from Santa with pictures. The Community Parade of Lights part was cancelled due to cold weather. The event was well received by those attending. It was a learning experience. People who have not yet been in the Church or Hall entered the doors for the first time. A beautiful Nativity in the Church, that could be seen from the Narthex welcomed all who entered.
The Christmas Vigil Service began with only the lights focusing on the Nativity. Soothing Christmas Hymns played as people arrived. The Congregation sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and the children in attendance processed to Baby Jesus and presented him with gifts, which included a baby star quilt and baby moccasins. The gifts stayed with Jesus at the Nativity until Epiphany Sunday.
We work closely with the Rocky Boy and Box Elder after school programs. This allows the students to have a ride home. If after school activities are cancelled, then we also must cancel. Cancelations occur due to lack of staff, limited bus drivers and sometimes due to inclement weather.
At Rocky Boy (St. Mary’s), on Wednesdays we provide Faith Formation to anyone (regardless of religious affiliation) who wants to have a relationship with Jesus and know more about Him. We also have a short choir practice before studying the Sadlier Catechetical Program we use with the students. Sundays at St Mary’s are reserved for Sacrament Prep. After the session, Candidates attend Mass with their family. The Sadlier Sacrament Prep for Restored Order is used to catechize the Candidates.
St. Anthony’s Faith Formation, meets on Mondays and Tuesdays in conjunction with their after school activity program. Mondays are for general faith formation. Tuesdays are reserved for Sacrament Preparation. The students currently attend both days. Candidates are encouraged to attend Mass. The Sadlier Programs are also used at St. Anthony’s.
The Candidates at both St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s have been learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and will be onto the Eucharist next. Each session begins with an Examination of Conscience, Act of Contrition and Prayers (Hail Mary). We then begin our session.
This year, our Diocese, is using the Circle of Grace for the Safe Environment requirement. I have found that it is well received, the most memorable part was when the students were told they can open a Gift. “The Gift is one of God’s most precious gifts. Each of us will see something different when we open the box and look inside. And you can not tell anyone what is inside. They need to see one of God’s most precious gifts for themselves.” When they open the lid, there is a mirror to see themselves as one of God’s most precious gifts. And we must take special care of this treasured gift.
The St. Mary’s Catechesis of the Good Shepard Atria continues to be a work in progress. The prayer table is utilized. Students like to go into the atria to be inspired by the Holy Space.
St. Leo’s in Lewistown hosted a Youth Ministry Retreat February 11, 2023 that I was able to attend. One of the future goals is to expand our faith formation to include Middle School and High School students. It was good for networking. A 2024 Spring Retreat for High School students in our diocese will be planned.
I continue to work on the St. Augustine Institute Catechesis Certificate Program. I have a couple of sessions to finish in the fourth and final unit of the program to complete the requirements for the certificate. It has been very enlightening.
We continue to grow our Faith Formation program with your dedication and sponsorship.
