If we pray, then we will believe.

if we believe, then we will love -

because the fruit of Faith is love,

and the fruit of love is service.

If we want to deepen our Faith,

we must deepen our oneness with Christ.

Without seeing him we pray to him,

we turn to him, we cling to him,

we love him without seeing him.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Upcoming Dates

Fri., Oct. 31           Mass and Eucharistic Procession with Bishop Binzer

Nov. 3-7                 GSCM Book Fair

Thurs., Nov. 6         Parent-Child Evening, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 7              End of First Trimester

Mon., Nov. 10         Teacher Records Day, NO SCHOOL

Thurs., Nov. 13       "Purity in the Digital Age" with Dr. Andrew Sodergren, 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Nov. 14            First Trimester Progress Reports (gr. 1-8)

Mass and Eucharistic Procession:  Led by Bishop Joseph Binzer

Friday, October 31, 8:15 a.m.

Please join us for our annual Eucharistic Procession following Mass on Friday, October 31. 

Weather permitting, after Mass we will make a Eucharistic Procession, processing behind the Blessed Sacrament around the school, representing the members of Church Triumphant who are continually praising God in heaven.  We will have a litany of saints at the lower entrance, where the pre-primary children will join us.   Then, we will all process back to the church for final Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

As a special treat for our community, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Binzer will be our celebrant and lead our procession.  This is a lovely way to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints!  Please join us!

Parent-Child Evening (For Pre-Primary and Elementary Children and Parents)

Thurs., Nov. 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Pre-primary and elementary parents are invited to spend an evening in the classroom with their child during our upcoming Parent-Child Evenings.  One of the most relaxing and enjoyable parent education opportunities, this is an evening for listening to your child and exploring the fascinating Montessori environment together.  Please come and experience the interest and joy of your child's learning in the Montessori classroom. 

Although our teachers will be on hand, the focus is on parent-child interactions and the evening is not intended as a time to conference with teachers.  

GSCM Book Fair 

The GSCM Book Fair begins November 3 and runs through November 7.  Look for GREAT deals on gift-quality classic and Newbery & Caldecott Award books.  Plan to do your birthday and Christmas shopping.  A beautiful book is a gift to be cherished for a lifetime.  This Independent book sale and the Usborne books will be in the lower hallway.  Come visit anytime during school hours and support Good Shepherd Catholic Montessori School!

This year we are offering Book Fair Vouchers which can be purchased online.  If a grandparent or special friend normally helps your child shop at the book fair, they can still be involved by purchasing a Book Fair Voucher.  Vouchers may be purchased in increments of $10 and are available in the school office or online Click Here 

GSCM Parent Speaker Series

"Purity in a Digital Age"

Thursday, November 13, 7:00 p.m.

Presented by GSCM Parent and Catholic psychologist Dr. Andrew Sodergren

Today's technology allows us to stay connected with friends and family and give us access to endless information right at our fingertips.  However, with great power comes great responsibility.  In this talk Dr. Sodergren will discuss the dangers of digital pornography, how to protect yourself and your kids, and how to free yourself from its clutches.

Childcare available (donations accepted).  To reserve child care space please RSVP to ntoon@gscmontessori.org. 

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Montessori Moment

Deep Discussions in Upper Elementary

By LinMarie Cameron, Upper Elementary History Teacher

This year, we are studying the history of the ancient world-Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome.  My lessons often transform into philosophical discussions as the students raise questions and make connections. 

Recently, we were learning about mummification and the Egyptian ideas of the afterlife which sustained that practice. The Egyptians gave special treatment to the heart, wrapping it separately in linen and covering it with a protective amulet, because they believed it would be weighed at the person's judgment. If it was heavy with sin, the heart was tossed to the Devourer; only if it was as light as the Feather of Truth would the person pass on to paradise.

A student raised the question of what really did happen to the person's soul, since we know that the Egyptian gods aren't real.  This led into a great discussion of the existence of truth, how all people search for truth, and that some truth is to be found in all religions. The Egyptians may have had imaginative details, but the essence of this scene is true-each person will be judged on how he lived his life. Our study of history fosters philosophy, the love of wisdom, as our students seek to learn from the lives of those who came before.

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A Grandparents Day Thank You

We welcomed 190 Grandparents and Special Friends to our school last Friday  It was a joy to see the

grownups interacting with our students in their daily work.  Thank you to all who worked to make this day a success, especially to our coordinators Mary Beth Escamilla and Amie Bressert.      

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PTO News

Poinsettia Sale Is Going On!

Buy a poinsettia to brighten your home for the holidays, give one (or more) as a gift, or purchase one in memory of/honor of someone to decorate our chapel during Advent (take home after Advent).  The PTO will be selling poinsettias from October 21- November 3. Order forms must be turned in by November 3.   Take home packets should have come home by backpack with your youngest at GSCM last week.  The cost will be $13 - $14.50 each.  Please make checks payable to GSCM PTO.  Orders will be delivered to our school the first week of December for pick up.