Oratory of the Most Holy Eucharist
On May 10, 2010, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, granted Our Lady's Montessori School permission to reserve the Most Holy Eucharist in an oratory located within our school. An oratory is a sacred place reserved only for prayer, meditation, and the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Our oratory will be dedicated in the near future!
Our oratory will be dedicated in the near future!
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an "atrium", a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use.
You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children? If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. But a little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small alter with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.
You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of children? If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again. He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer. But a little child, too young to read, needs another way. In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the material for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small alter with the furnishings used for the Eucharist. Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.
Disciples
Ms. Colleen & Miss Jess
'Our Lady's' Disciple room serves up to 24 children ages 3-6.
Angels (Ages 1&2)
Miss Janelle & Ms. Carolyn
'Our Lady's' Angel room serves up to 10 children ages 1&2.
'Our Lady's' Angel room serves up to 10 children ages 1&2.
Saints (Ages 1&2)
Miss Annie & Miss Song
'Our Lady's Saint room serves up to 10 children ages 1&2.
'Our Lady's Saint room serves up to 10 children ages 1&2.
Our Lady's Garden
Click photo for video.