Catechism
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Catholic Education
Religious education at St. Mary’s Cathedral School is the center of education and includes the integration of the Gospel message into the lives of our children both by direct instruction and through words and example. Formal religious instruction in the Catholic tradition begins in Montessori and continues throughout all grade levels. Teaching religion in a traditional classroom setting is just one part of the strong foundation of faith built at the school. The religious dimension of the school extends throughout all subject areas and all school activities. Each school day begins and ends with prayers, in addition to weekly Mass and special liturgical celebrations. Our priest is actively engaged in classroom visits, bringing his faith journey and his vocation to life for the children.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd / Atrium
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a unique approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “Atrium,” a room specially prepared for them which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to ponder the story of Christ and the life of the Church. Elements of the Mass, a topographical map of the Land of Israel and a timeline for the History of the Kingdom of God are just a few of the experiences the children encounter in atriums that serve children aged 3 to 6 (Level I: Montessori and Kindergarten). A teacher in an Atrium must be specially and highly trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in order to form children in this way.