Father Ed Kohler

We invite readers to send short stories about the ways in which their lives have been personally blessed by the life and work of priests and religious in our diocese.


By Karina Fabian

If you ask Father Ed Kohler where he belongs, he’ll tell you it’s with the Native American community at the Little Flower Parish in Browning. His home is there, he said, and he hopes to spend the rest of his life among the people of the Blackfeet Reservation.

Thus far, he has gotten his wish. Ordained in 1977, he spent his first two years at St. Ann’s in Butte, then three years at St. Rose of Lima in Dillon. In 1982, he moved to Little Flower, where he has stayed, with the exception of a 5-year mission to Santa Maria de Visitacion in Guatemala.

Two things have tied Father Ed’s heart to the Little Flower Parish: the love and acceptance of the members and their spiritual energy. “Little Flower is a Cursillo parish. There’s a lot of evangelical energy to it and a lot of fun!” he said.

Cursillo, short for Cursillo de Christiandad (meaning “short course of Christianity”) is a lay movement that strives to help people “live what is fundamental for being a Christian and to live it together; it helps people discover and fulfill their personal vocations and it promotes the creation of core groups that leaven their environments with the Gospel,” explains one brochure.

It begins with a three-day retreat of prayer, lecture, introspection and sharing, and continues with group reunions and interaction with the greater Cursillo community. For more information, check out www.natl-cursillo.org.

People who have experienced a Cursillo weekend find themselves energized and Father Ed, too, admits that it has transformed his priesthood. “I used to be more of a contemplative type. It’s given me more of an evangelical bent, and more energy and demonstrated enthusiasm. We’re very affectionate in Christ. If I don’t get more than 40 hugs in a weekend, there’s something wrong.”

He believes the movement is very important, especially on the reservation, where so many are in need of spiritual healing. He said he felt a similar energy with the parish in Guatemala, but his heart is here in Montana.

“I feel called to be a priest to the Native American people. Even though it’s sometimes a challenge, I’ve never been disappointed, bored or depressed. Priesthood is the greatest gift God has given me.”


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 20, No. 2, February 20, 2004.


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