Mother of God School, a private Catholic school, is sponsored by Mother of God Community, a Lay Association of the Faithful, with canonical approval from the Catholic Church. Mother of God Community is an ecumenical community of Catholics and other Christians who desire to bring the knowledge of Jesus and his love into today’s world. Desiring a place where their children would receive an education that would allow them to grow spiritually as well as academically and to be formed as God’s children according to the Good News in Scripture and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, members prayerfully decided to establish a school. The name chosen for the community and the school reflects the community’s affection for Mary as the Mother of God, the one in whom the Son of God was formed and brought into this world.

As Catholics we believe that holiness is something to strive for and to live out in our daily lives: the sacred is interwoven with the ordinary. Since Jesus became human, our human lives have been touched and are forever changed. As our children come to understand their vocations as students, brothers, sisters, and friends, they can also discover that living a life of vibrant holiness is part of their calling.

According to our school mission “…students… go forth bearing Christ to the world.” For this to happen, the children at the school come to understand deeply the great love God has for them. They learn of God’s desire to be present to them and to be active in their lives. This prompts them to offer that love to others. Practically children are encouraged to ask for, receive and offer forgiveness to each other while accepting responsibility for their own actions, knowing that we all fail, but that we have a loving God who willingly forgives us in order that our relationship with Him may be restored.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Toward this end there is a purposeful rhythm of prayer during the day. Each morning the students prayerfully offer the actions of their day to the Lord. Regularly the school receives requests for prayers from relatives of the students, friends of Mother of God Community members, and others who know that the children really will pray for them! Each morning these intentions are offered in classrooms and over the PA. The end of the day is punctuated with a short prayer and a reminder of God’s love.

Mass is celebrated weekly with the whole school. Students in grades K-8 share in serving as lectors, altar servers, readers of the Prayers of the Faithful and gift bearers. The students are able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at school during Advent and Lent.

We are fortunate to have a parish church just across the street from the school and the priests associated with the parish have presided at Mass with the students and have been active in the life of the school.

Daily, before the students arrive, the faculty and staff pray together for the students and for each other. Teachers make connections with their students between concepts in the curriculum and various aspects of our faith, including seeing the glory, majesty, order and love of God throughout the day. Teachers affirm the strengths and abilities of each student and use various instructional strategies to engage and support them in the learning process.

Children are encouraged to apply the lessons they learn of God’s love and forgiveness to their relationships with fellow students, their families and with the community at large.

Who we are as a school reflects who we are as Catholic and Christian believers depending on the mercy and love of God each and every day.