A Profile of Healing and Peace

At 3 p.m. the school bell peals out the announcement that the school day has ended. For most teachers this signal heralds the end of the work day, indicating that soon it will be time to go home, relax and enjoy a quiet evening. However for one Great Falls, Montana, high school teacher, the tolling bell signals the time to pursue her other passion, providing non-traditional methods of healing.


Kathie Malby is a theologian, and she spends her daytime hours teaching religious education to 65 students at Great Falls Central Catholic High School. The school is in its ninth year of operation, and Kathie has been the religion teacher, youth minister, liturgy director, and mission leader for all nine. She describes teaching as, “fulfilling…There is something about the interaction between the teacher and the students that fills me, and I hope it fulfills and challenges my students. It is always changing because the students evolve and grow with the material, and so do I. It is always new.”

Kristin Person, a sophomore, says, “Ms. Malby really, really cares about us. She even spends her own money on treats. This year I have learned a lot about the Old Testament that I didn’t know before.”






Sophomore, Brendan Allen, says, “She teaches us, but we still have fun. I have learned from the book, but mostly I have learned to be more prayerful.”





While Kathie finds fulfillment in her teaching, she is not content to come home and rest after a day with students. Most evenings find Kathie engaged in her other passion -- that of healing touch. She is a certified reflexologist and has practiced this ancient art of healing touch for about ten years. She meets her clients in their homes, bringing along her special reclining chair, a few towels, and a bag full of essential oils. As they experience aromatherapy, her clients reap the benefit of potent and healing plant oils, each with its own unique fragrance. With reflexology they also experience an hour of relaxation while she massages pressure points on their feet. “I love feet and I am always amazed at the gift that reflexology is to each person’s body. It always brings relief and some kind of healing to the person who receives it.”



Kathie says reflexology inspires her because it works. She feels the changes in their feet, and her clients report an experience of relief or a release of tension. “I feel the need to assist those who I know are hurting, because when their feet hurt, everything hurts. It really is profound!” Because she travels to her clients, she is able to assist some who are homebound and others who just enjoy the pampering and relief from pain in the comfort of their own homes.








Julie Freshly, a long-term client, says, “I enjoy everything about reflexology. Kathie keeps me healthy and this is part of my whole body health routine.”

Kathie recently completed training in overall body massage to add to her repertoire of healing. She is trained in medical massage and neuromuscular therapy, which also brings relief of pain to her happy clients. They schedule massage appointments at the office Kathie shares with another therapist.

For her own relaxation and health she continues to learn and practice Tai Chi, an ancient martial art that brings balance to the body and assists the mind with relaxation and meditation.

“I just love this work. It gives me energy and gives me life.” Many people in this north-central Montana community have been “touched” in some way by Kathie Malby – a teacher, a healer, and a harbinger of hope for many people’s pain – and are inspired by her energy and love of her work.