By Leonard Patrick Kellermann, S.M.

Three years have elapsed now since an invitation was extended to me to conduct the religion classes for the Catholic students attending Ashdun Hall Montessori School on Ashford-Dunwoody Road adjacent to Marist High School.

My classes embrace six “levels,” for such is the designation in the non-graded system of education instead of “grades.” The “levels” are divided into three groups: the first and second levels, third and fourth levels and fifth and sixth levels. Every week each group is rotated so that I see all the children at least once a week. On days when I am not with a particular group the class is handled by three competent and capable full-time lay teachers, namely, Mesdames Charles Ondilla, Timothy Mitchell and Richard Kleinhans.

The program of religion is geared to the mental development of the children with the use of approved catechisms prepared especially for the age level of the child. A more advanced catechism is used for the third and fourth levels than for the first and second levels and also a more advanced text book used for the fifth and sixth levels than for the other two groups. In this way the children are exposed to new doctrinal material each year. The textbooks used present Sacred Scripture, Catholic Doctrine and Liturgy in the light of Vatican Council II.

The high and noble purpose of these religion classes is to nourish the student’s religious life and to teach him the Catholic Faith in its entirety. The aim of the program is to mold strong convictions from within rather than impose firm restrictions from without. And finally, attention to courtesy, etiquette and politeness strives to keep the student aware through personal conviction of the value of these social graces.

Since inaugurating my teaching in January, 1969, I have required memorization of basic prayers. Our classes open with the traditional Catholic prayers, namely, Morning Offering, Hail Holy Queen, Our Father, Hail Mary, Grace before and after meals, Angel of God prayer, the “Angelus” and Apostles’ Creed. The classes close with the Our Father, Hail Mary and Act of Contrition. I firmly believe that repetition is the essence of learning.

The New Catechetical Directory, an authoritative document, approved by Pope Paul VI, confirmed by his authority and ordered by him to be published, under the date of March 18, 1971, encourages the use of formulas and a certain amount of memorization. The Directory says: “Formulas permit the thoughts of the mind to be expressed accurately, are appropriate for a correct exposition of the faith, and when committed to memory, help toward the firm possession of truth. Finally, these formulas make it possible for a uniform way of speaking to be used among the faithful…It must not be forgotten that dogmatic formulas are a true profession of Catholic doctrine, and are accordingly to be accepted as such by the faithful in the sense in which the Church has understood and does understand them. The traditional formulas for professing the faith and for prayer, such as the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the like, ARE TO BE TAUGHT WITH SPECIAL CARE.”

Opportunity for assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on the First Fridays of the month and holy days is provided. Mrs. Hue Lee, wife of the founder of the school, transports the children to Our Lady of the Assumption on these days in the school bus. Provision for the blessing of throats on the Feast of St. Blaise, February 3, and also for the reception of ashes on Ash Wednesday is made for the children right in the class rooms.

The smallness of the numbers in each group, makes for easy and facile control of the classes, thus eliminating any problem of discipline so common with larger groups of students. Also personal and individual attention can be given to the child and the classes conducted on a person-to-person basis, making for more effective interest and attention and hopefully a quicker and more intelligent understanding of the matter explained. There are question and answer sessions as well as time for spontaneous and controlled discussion.

The students attending these classes come from various parishes throughout the archdiocese, namely, St. Anthony’s, St. Paul of the Cross, St. Jude’s, Holy Cross, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Christ the King, St. Thomas More and Our Lady of the Assumption, in which parish the school is located. Last year, one student came all the way from St. Joseph’s in Marietta, a distance of 13 miles.

The atmosphere of the school with Jews and Protestants in attendance provides ample opportunity for fostering and developing a wholesome spirit of ecumenism as one of the fringe benefits of teaching in such a private school. This is especially accomplished through personal contacts with the non-Catholic students’ parents requesting permission to have their sons enrolled in the religion class.

William Bryce, the principal of the school, honored me by requesting that I give a synopsis of my reflections and experiences in the non-graded system of education at Ashdun Hall, as well as an explanation of the aim and purpose of the Catholic religion class. I was most happy and pleased to honor his request.