Work of the Hand

May 1, 2020

Today is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. 

Instituted in 1955 in response to the 'May Day' celebration for workers sponsored by Communists, the feast honors the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in faith and devotion. The dignity of working with the hand has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God.  

Knowing this, the work of the hand is at the heart of all the work of the child in a Montessori environment. The hand helps the child construct himself...the hand and brain develop in harmony. The hand report to the brain; the brain guides the hand; the cycle continues resulting in the development of the intellect. 

In the environment this can be see through the hands-on learning opportunities through practical life activities from folding cloths and pouring water to polishing and button work. 

The sensorial materials also offer opportunities for concrete exploration and internalization of the visual and dimensional aspects needed to set a solid foundation for a mathematical mind.  Additionally, activities such as touch boards, sound cylinders, and baric tablets allow for refinement of the senses through the work of the hand. 

Language and mathematics are both introduced with multi-sensory materials such as sandpaper letters and decimal golden beads. This learning and freedom, with the hand and through repetition with the materials separates Montessori from traditional learning and creates the optimal experience for natural development in young children. 

As it is Friday, today we have 'school Mass' with adoration and reconciliation.  These are all still available at St Johns.

9AM Mass: here

Adoration sign up here

Reconciliation times:
Confession Hours*:
Tuesday: 4:00-5:00pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 9:00-10:00am
Friday: 6:00-7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00-10:00am & 3:30-4:30pm

*DUE TO COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE CHURCH IF THERE ARE 8 PEOPLE WAITING IN THE CONFESSION LINE. THE WAITING AREAS ARE THE PRESCRIBED DISTANCE APART AND ARE NUMBERED. IF ALL THE SPACES ARE OCCUPIED, PLEASE WAIT IN THE GATHERING PLACE UNTIL SOMEONE LEAVES THE CHURCH.
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Work of the hand in our homes:

Additional Prayer opportunities:

o Today at 2pm, the President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Archbishop Gomez will consecrate the country to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, during this pandemic. You can watch and pray along via this link.

o At 2pm Sunday May 3, Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens will preside at our annual Rosary Procession, which this year will be a private celebration live-streamed from the Cathedral. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be crowned, and Archbishop Hebda will also consecrate our Archdiocese to the Mary, Mother of the Church. Find the worship guide and video here.