Send us Fan Mail

Description:

Before there were schools… there were stories.

Before there were systems… there were relationships.

This series explores the story of Catholic education in Montana, not just how it was built, but how it began, how it changed, and why it still matters today.

From the Bitterroot Valley in 1841, where the first mission was founded at the invitation of the Salish people…
to the plains of eastern Montana, where missions emerged in a very different moment, during the reservation era…
to the rise of parish schools, and the challenges that nearly brought the system to its brink...

this is a story shaped by faith, culture, sacrifice, and resilience.

It is a story of encounter.
A story of tension and transformation.
And ultimately, a story of renewal.

Because Catholic education in Montana is not just about the past.

It is about the mission we carry forward.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Andrew McDonald sits down with Katie Day, K–8 librarian, to talk about how families can keep kids engaged, curious, and learning throughout the summer months.

The conversation explores the importance of reading beyond the school year, what the “summer slide” really means, and how small, consistent habits can make a lasting difference. Katie shares practical, realistic ideas for families: how to encourage reading without turning it into a chore, how to help reluctant readers reengage, and how to create an environment where curiosity can grow naturally.

Together, they reflect on the role of stories in forming young minds and why fostering a love of reading is about more than academic success, it’s about helping students discover, imagine, and grow.

It’s a helpful and hopeful conversation for families looking to make the most of summer while keeping learning alive.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Rooted & Rising, Andrew McDonald shares portions of the final meeting of the year for the Mission & Catholic Identity Committee, offering a reflective look into the heart of how mission guides the life of our schools.

Through conversation and shared reflection, committee members look back on the year, naming meaningful moments, celebrating progress, and considering the ongoing work of strengthening Catholic identity across the system. Their discussion highlights the importance of intentional governance structures that keep mission at the center of decision‑making, ensuring that faith remains not just a value, but a lived reality in classrooms, relationships, and leadership.

This episode provides a rare and thoughtful window into how Catholic schools remain grounded, accountable, and forward‑focused, rooted in tradition while continually discerning how to grow and respond to the needs of students and families.

It’s a quiet but powerful reminder that strong schools are not shaped by programs alone, but by shared purpose, engaged people, and a deep commitment to mission.