Welcome to St. Mary Catholic Church on the Rocky Boy Reservation!
A devestating Fire:
December 14, 2019
On Saturday, December 14, 2019, St. Mary Church had a tragic fire. We are grateful that no one was hurt in the fire. However, the church building was a total loss. The church was the spiritual center for both Catholics and non-Catholics on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana. It served the people of the Chippewa Cree tribe for 40 years at that location on the reservation. Many tribal members found healing, love, compassion and mercy there as they participated in many Sacraments and services that marked important milestones in their lives — from birth to marriage to death. While the building is lost, the spirit of the people here remains strong, and we are working to rebuild St. Mary Church. In doing so, our hope is to continue to bring God to the people on the Rocky Boy Reservation and provide a place of hope, community and faith for those who seek it.
Groundbreaking:
June 20, 2021
After a year and a half of waiting and praying, the community at St. Mary Catholic Church in Rocky Boy, Montana, was finally able to celebrate the groundbreaking for its new church building on June 20, 2021. Nearly 100 people gathered on the church grounds to attend the Sunday Mass with Bishop Michael Warfel in thanksgiving for all that God has bestowed on the parish to get to this point.
The Elders of the Rocky Boy Reservation, Fr. Pete Guthneck (former St. Mary pastor), Fr. Joseph Tran (current St. Mary pastor), community leaders, the parish council and many parishioners joined the groundbreaking ceremony after the Mass. Special guests, including donors Fr. Marvin Bries and Barbara and William Cowan, were invited to make a symbolic toss of dirt onto the land. Bishop Warfel also blessed a cornerstone for the new building.
Groundbreaking!
Bishop Warfel gives his blessing as St. Mary celebrates its groundbreaking to begin construction.
(June 20, 2021)
Dedication:
June 18, 2022
The long-awaited dedication day was such a blessing for St. Mary! Both Bishop Warfel and Bishop Fleming and many guest priests celebrated the Dedication Mass with Fr. Tran.
During the Dedication Mass, we celebrated our first Sacraments of the Eucharist & Confirmation in the new church! The mothers of our youth who received the Sacraments had the honor of wiping the oil off of the altar to clean it after the dedication rites.
The new church was filled with our parishioners and many visitors! After the Mass, everyone gathered in the new hall for a meal in celebration.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this rebuilding! Please continue to lift up prayers for the faithful on the Rocky Boy Reservation!
St. Mary Catholic Church sits on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana and has become a spiritual center for both Catholics and non-Catholics on the Reservation. It has been serving the people of the Chippewa Cree tribe for 40 years. Many tribal members found healing, love, compassion and mercy there as they participated in many Sacraments and services that marked important milestones in their lives — from birth to marriage to death.
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St. Mary Catholic Church 