Our History

Father Joe Oblinger was ordained and a year later became Chancellor of the Diocese of Helena. He helped out at Holy Rosary Parish in Bozeman and also served West Yellowstone at Our Lady of the Pines Church, which was consecrated in 1950. During the following years, various priests ministered to the people and visitors of West Yellowstone.

NBC Newscaster Chet Huntley and his consortium founded Big Sky Resort. The early Catholic Big Sky residents relied on Holy Rosary and Resurrection Parishes in Bozeman for their spiritual care. Eventually, priests from these two parishes came sporadically to Big Sky to celebrate Mass on Sundays during the winter and summer. Services during the shoulder seasons were spotty.

Mass was celebrated and the Sacraments were administered at the Soldiers' Chapel and various other locations, such as the Mountain Mall and the Golden Eagle Lodge. The Christmas Eve "Mass on the Mountain" tradition at Big Sky Resort, which is continuing to this day, traces its origins back to those times.

Local residents, including many Catholics, saw the need for a year-round place of worship and endeavored to plan a non-denominational chapel. A land donation was secured from Boyne USA, Inc., carving off a piece of the golf course. Thanks to private donations and vigorous fundraising efforts, the Big Sky Chapel was completed in 1999.

Father Joe Oblinger (having retired in 1991) moved to West Yellowstone full time. He also took on responsibilities for Big Sky in 1996, which became a Mission of Our Lady of the Pines Parish in West Yellowstone. Big Sky had grown and Father Joe traveled to Big Sky on Sundays and Holy Days to celebrate the Eucharist and administer Sacraments.

Father Joe moved to Bozeman and served as priest for both communities, in the earlier years driving himself and later being driven by volunteers.

Sister Anne Marie Burke, SCL (Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth), served as Pastoral Administrator. She first lived only in West Yellowstone, traveling back and forth to Big Sky, until the Big Sky Mission bought a condo in Big Sky in 2002, which enabled her to split her time between the two places.

The tireless work and dedication of Pastoral Administrator Sister Patricia Toeckes, SCL, took the fledgling Big Sky Mission from its rudimentary beginnings to a well-functioning Catholic congregation, albeit without a pastor. Father Joe Oblinger continued to serve as priest until 2015.

Sister Pat did all the administrative work for both the Parish and the Mission, taught Bible study, prepared children for the Sacraments, established the various Ministries and found leaders for them, started a monthly bulletin, participated in events with the other two Chapel congregations, and enjoyed recreational activities with the community. A large group of volunteers stepped up to help her whenever they saw a need.

When Father Joe was no longer able to come to Big Sky and West Yellowstone in 2015, it fell to Sister Pat to recruit visiting priests for Mass. She relied on a list of retired priests, among them most often Father Jack Murray from Deer Lodge. She enticed others to come to serve and enjoy an opportunity to vacation, hike, ski, watch birds, fly fish or visit Yellowstone National Park and be hosted in private homes. Sister Pat retired in 2019 at age 79.

At the request of Mission members, the name "Big Sky Mission" was changed to "St. Joseph of Big Sky Mission" to honor Father Joe.

Father Frank Wright, SMA (Society of African Missions), served as Parish Administrator until he was recalled by his order. During his tenure, a Saturday Vigil Mass was added in winter and summer. Since he did not drive, he commuted between Big Sky and West Yellowstone by bus or was driven by volunteers.

We were fortunate to have the Bishop send us our very first Pastor, Father Val Zdilla, who is readily available to take care of our spiritual needs, visit the sick and dying, bless homes, and generally give support to people in need.

St. Joseph of Big Sky now has its own office and a residence for our Pastor and visiting priests. A Pastoral Council and a Finance Council, a Secretary and an Administrator support Father Val. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking with his dog, cooking and music, and all this area has to offer.