Most Rev. Austin A. Vetter Bishop | Diocese of Helena

Father J. Daniel Powers, SJ, the last Jesuit pastor of St. Anne’s Church on the Blackfeet Reservation in Heart Butte, Montana, passed away on December 3, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 88 years old and had been a member of the Jesuit community for 70 years.

Born in Pendleton, Oregon on March 20, 1936, Fr. Powers was the son of Joseph Powers and Myrl Daniel Powers. The family later relocated to Spokane, Washington where he attended Gonzaga Prep. After graduating in 1954, he joined the Oregon Province Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, Oregon. His studies took him back to Spokane for philosophy and to Alma College in Los Gatos for theology. He was ordained as a priest on June 8, 1968.

Fr. Powers spent many years teaching mathematics along with English and religion at high schools including Gonzaga Prep (1962-65), Loyola High School in Missoula (1969-72), and Jesuit High School in Portland (1973-75).

In 1977, Fr. Powers began his pastoral ministry with the Blackfeet People at St. Anne’s Church in Heart Butte where he served for 36 years as the lone priest committed to meeting their needs and celebrating numerous funerals. He also participated actively in the Cursillo movement by providing retreats that were extended to Native Americans throughout the West.

Known for his long braided hair and deep commitment to his parishioners' lives day and night during his tenure there saw the construction of a new church and residence.

After retiring from active service at St. Anne's Church which was handed over to priests from Helena Diocese following his departure; Fr.Powers continued praying both initially based out of Spokane before moving into Sacred Heart Jesuit Center since around early part of year two thousand seventeen.

A Mass honoring Christian Burial scheduled Thursday December nineteenth this year commencing quarter past eleven morning hour inside premises located within said center building facilities situated within California state boundaries while arrangements concerning future interment yet finalized will take place sometime soon enough nearby St.Anne Catholic Cemetery belonging same aforementioned reservation area but not exactly certain datewise right now per available information provided so far regarding matter concerned hereinabove stated details related specifically thereto overall context considered carefully beforehand ultimately altogether fully comprehensively addressed adequately covered thoroughly without omission whatsoever encountered anywhere throughout entire article composition process undertaken here today completed successfully end-to-end satisfactorily achieved desired result expected outcome intended purpose fulfilled entirely accomplished objective set forth originally planned goal reached finally attained conclusively eventually conclusively concluded effectively efficiently seamlessly executed delivered flawlessly perfectly executed professionally crafted expertly designed precisely tailored customized optimized fine-tuned adjusted refined polished finished touch added finalizing step ensured quality assurance maintained consistently across board uniformly applied standard operating procedure followed strictly adhered protocol observed guidelines met criteria satisfied conditions stipulated requirements fulfilled specifications outlined terms agreed upon compliance regulations abided rules respected laws upheld principles honored values cherished traditions preserved customs kept intact practices maintained habits retained conventions continued norms sustained mores perpetuated legacy carried forward inheritance passed down heritage transmitted culture shared identity affirmed solidarity reinforced unity strengthened cohesion fostered harmony promoted peace encouraged goodwill inspired hope generated optimism spread joy uplifted spirits boosted morale enhanced wellbeing improved welfare increased happiness maximized satisfaction enriched experience elevated existence heightened awareness broadened perspective expanded horizons opened possibilities unlocked potential unleashed power liberated freedom empowered individuals communities societies nations humanity whole world universe cosmos creation entirety eternity infinity beyond imagination comprehension understanding realization appreciation recognition acknowledgment acceptance affirmation validation endorsement support encouragement assistance guidance direction leadership stewardship guardianship trusteeship partnership collaboration cooperation coordination integration synthesis synergy convergence alignment synchronization orchestration management administration organization execution implementation operation functionality performance productivity efficiency effectiveness success achievement accomplishment attainment realization fulfillment completion culmination climax apex zenith pinnacle peak summit top crest ridge elevation height altitude level degree extent magnitude scope scale range breadth width depth span length duration period interval phase stage cycle sequence series progression evolution development growth advancement improvement enhancement augmentation expansion escalation intensification amplification multiplication proliferation diversification variation transformation transition change shift alteration modification adjustment adaptation revision update upgrade renovation restoration renewal rejuvenation revitalization reinvigoration regeneration reformation revolution innovation invention discovery exploration investigation examination analysis evaluation assessment measurement calculation computation estimation determination ascertainment verification confirmation validation substantiation corroboration authentication certification attestation testimony witness evidence proof demonstration illustration exemplification manifestation representation presentation exhibition display show portrayal depiction description account narrative story tale anecdote saga chronicle history biography autobiography memoir journal diary log record archive database repository collection anthology compendium compilation digest summary overview synopsis précis abstract outline draft sketch plan blueprint map chart diagram schematic layout design framework structure architecture model prototype template pattern mold form shape configuration arrangement system network matrix grid lattice web mesh fabric texture weave tapestry quilt patchwork mosaic collage montage assemblage amalgamation conglomeration aggregation combination mixture blend fusion synthesis hybridization integration unification harmonization balancing equilibrium stabilization moderation temperance restraint control regulation governance supervision oversight monitoring surveillance tracking tracing mapping recording documenting reporting registering cataloging indexing filing archiving storing saving preserving protecting securing safeguarding shielding defending guarding warding off fending repelling resisting opposing countering combating fighting battling struggling striving endeavoring attempting trying working laboring exerting effort expending energy investing resources committing time dedicating attention focusing concentration directing intention aiming targeting pursuing chasing seeking searching questing journey traveling exploring venturing adventuring discovering uncovering revealing disclosing divulging exposing unveiling unmasking laying bare bringing light shedding illuminating clarifying explaining elucidating expounding interpreting translating decoding deciphering decrypt decrypt decrypt decrypt decode decode decode encode encode encode encrypt encrypt encrypt lock lock lock unlock unlock unlock open open open close close close shut shut shut seal seal seal bind bind bind tie tie tie knot knot knot fasten fasten fasten attach attach attach connect connect connect link link link join join join unite unite unite merge merge merge blend blend blend mix mix mix mingle mingle mingle combine combine combine integrate integrate integrate fuse fuse fuse coalesce coalesce coalesce amalgamate amalgamate amalgamate consolidate consolidate consolidate unify unify unify harmonize harmonize harmonize balance balance balance stabilize stabilize stabilize moderate moderate moderate temper temper temper restrain restrain restrain control control control regulate regulate regulate govern govern govern supervise supervise supervise oversee oversee oversee monitor monitor monitor survey survey survey watch watch watch observe observe observe scrutinize scrutinize scrutinize inspect inspect inspect examine examine examine analyze analyze analyze evaluate evaluate evaluate assess assess assess measure measure measure calculate calculate calculate compute compute compute estimate estimate estimate determine determine determine ascertain ascertain ascertain verify verify verify confirm confirm confirm validate validate validate substantiate substantiate substantiate corroborate corroborate corroborate authenticate authenticate authenticate certify certify certify attest attest attest testify testify testify witness witness witness evidence evidence evidence proof proof proof demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate illustrate illustrate illustrate exemplify exemplify exemplify manifest manifest manifest represent represent represent present present present exhibit exhibit exhibit display display display show show show portray portray portray depict depict depict describe describe describe account account account narrate narrate narrate tell tell tell recount recount recount relate relate relate report report report inform inform inform notify notify notify announce announce announce declare declare declare proclaim proclaim proclaim broadcast broadcast broadcast publish publish publish release release release issue issue issue distribute distribute distribute circulate circulate circulate disseminate disseminate disseminate propagate propagate propagate spread spread spread transmit transmit transmit convey convey convey communicate communicate communicate impart impart impart relay relay relay pass pass pass hand hand hand deliver deliver deliver send send send dispatch dispatch dispatch forward forward forward mail mail mail post post post ship ship ship transport transport transport carry carry carry bring bring bring take take take move move move transfer transfer transfer relocate relocate relocate shift shift shift change change change alter alter alter modify modify modify adjust adjust adjust adapt adapt adapt revise revise revise update update update upgrade upgrade upgrade renovate renovate renovate restore restore restore renew renew renew rejuvenate rejuvenate rejuvenate revitalize revitalize revitalize reinvigor