In March, Cathedral led a small group containing five students and two female educators on a mission trip to Browning,  Montana. Female educators on this trip included Math educator Rachel Ludington and History educator Kathryn McAuliffe. Female students on this trip included Aylin Flores-Lopez ‘26, Andrea Aluaiza Delgado ’26, Ingrid Cardoza-Manzano ‘26, Emma Arce ‘27, and Sharon Ramos ‘27. 

During spring break, the group traveled to De La Salle Blackfeet School, a Catholic middle school,  where they served, demonstrated their faith, and helped the local community. Throughout the week the educators and students dedicated themselves to take leadership in multiple service activities, while also gaining an understanding of the needs within the local community. 

In addition to doing service work for the local community, Cathedral’s group of educators and students were given the opportunity to attend Mass at Little Flower Parish. This opportunity was very special and allowed for them to celebrate the mass with Lasallian Christian Brothers. Through this trip, Cathedral’s seven women are able to extend and strengthen their faith while living in service like Jesus.

Cathedral students woke up at around six in the morning and arrived at De La Salle Blackfeet School around 7:30 daily. In the morning, they would spend time with them during their morning recess to play fun games and activities to start the day off strong. 

Senior Ingrid Cardoza-Manzano said, “At school we would help tutor students, grade papers, and answer any questions for those who needed any sort of help and assistance while also building a relationship with the students of De La Salle Blackfeet School.

Not only does this trip have a lasting impact on the local community which they served in, but it also leaves a lasting impression on those students and educators who participated in this journey. Students attending this mission trip are encouraged to participate in getting involved with each other and forming stronger relationships throughout the trip. Volunteering involves stepping out of one’s comfort zone and doing something that many might not be used to. Especially this trip since it involves spending a week with people you may have not known prior to the trip. 

Cardoza-Manzano said, “I formed a lot of good friendships with kids, especially the young girls. I definitely felt like I’ve built a strong connection with Mrs. Ludington and Ms. McAuliffe as well as the five girls that went on the service trip. I wasn’t really close with them besides two of the girls but l really got to know a lot about them and became closer.”

For the seven women who volunteered on this trip, faith was not just practiced through prayer but their actions and service. Their acts of service helped demonstrate the mission that every person should follow Jesus’ example of loving and serving others regardless of the circumstances. 

Not only does this trip have a lasting impact on the local community which they served in, but it also leaves a lasting impression on the students and educators who participated in this journey. Students attending this mission trip are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, build new relationships, and grow both personally and spiritually throughout the experience.

Andrea Aluaiza Delgado, a senior at Cathedral, emphasized the importance of these types of opportunities. “This service trip to Browning, Montana exposed the culture and history of the Blackfeet people.” Aluaiza said. “I was able to live in a different perspective for a week that made my coming back to Cathedral more appreciated for knowledge and the support given to achieve greatness.”

Throughout the week, the group’s focus  extended beyond service work and into building meaningful connections with the students at De La Salle Blackfeet School. Whether it was helping with assignments, or simply spending time together during recess, these interactions became some of the most memorable parts of the trip. The relationship formed allowed Cathedral students to better understand the daily lives and experiences of the children they were serving.

For many, faith was not only practiced through prayer, but through their actions and relationships with others. While the days were filled with activities. Students still found ways to recognize God’s presence in their experience, especially through the people around them.

Aluaiza Delgado reflected on how the trip shaped her faith in a unique way. “I did not have a lot of quiet time with God.” She said. “However, my relationship with God through this trip was to be with my friends and teachers and the people at De La Salle Blackfeet. Night reflection, and dinner were, to me, feeling God’s love for others.”

As the trip progressed, the impact of service became more visible not only in the community, but with the Cathedral group itself. Students began to grow closer, forming  new friendships and strengthening existing ones through shared experiences. Being in an unfamiliar environment encouraged them to rely on one another, and build a stronger sense of unity.

McAuliffe explained the deeper purpose behind the trip. “The goal was to foster a better understanding of another culture through service,” McAuliffe said. “By living intentionally in the community. We hoped our students would walk away with a better sense of vocation, service, and a new found cultural understanding.”

Through this experience, students were able to take on leadership roles and see themselves in a new light. By working closely with younger students, they developed patience, responsibility, and confidence in their ability to help others. These moments allowed both educators and students to recognize the meaningful impact they can have through simple acts of service.

Looking back on the trip, it became clear that the experience was about more than just a week of volunteering, it was about growth, connection, and understanding. The lessons learned in Browning, Montana will continue to influence the students long after they return to Cathedral, shaping how they approach service and their relationship with others in the future.

“Service trips are important because they provide students the opportunity to give so much back,” McAuliffe said. “Everyone has gifts to give and spending intentional time in service is one of the best ways to use those to their fullest extent.”