A sacramental preparation program required by the Archdiocese for
parents seeking to have their child/children baptized in the Catholic
faith. Parents need to contact the Rectory to register for this program
which meets once a month.
Bible study gives the parishioner an opportunity to look at the Sacred
Scriptures in a new light. The purpose of the study is not to learn
the bible verse for verse but rather to learn how to read the
scriptures as a living Word that effects our lives in the present. The
Sacred Scriptures are not meant to be merely a series of history books
but rather a living collection of relationship between God and humankind.
How do we look at the scriptures and learn to actually live them in our
daily lives? This is an important part of what we do in bible study.
We look at the various books throughout the bible and view them in our
modern world and see the relevance of their meaning for us. A large part
of what we do is discussion and sharing among the group. This is a low
key and fun way to learn about the Sacred Scriptures together with a
learning to incorporate them into our lives in a solid way.
The purpose of O.L.O.R. School is to facilitate the development of
effective, responsible, Christian citizens. Our goal is to stimulate
the intellectual, spiritual, physical and cultural development of each
student. Our school's faith community is a reflection of the mission
of our Catholic Church:
to worship God,
and to serve the people of the world.
The primary goal of O.L.O.R. is to preserve and pass along the teachings
and traditions of the Catholic faith to our students. Religion is
central to our school's atmosphere and to our curriculum. O.L.O.R.
follows the norms and guidelines of the Archdiocese of Chicago and
those set by the State of Illinois. Our curriculum includes: Religion,
Math, Reading, English, Phonics, Spelling, Social Studies, Science,
Physical Education, Computer Education, Art, Music and Library.
The O.L.O.R. Faculty is made up of dedicated and professional
personnel with a wide variety of teaching experiences. Our
full-time teachers and principal are state certified. Our Support
Staff consists of caring adults who enhance our school setting in
many different ways.
Our school offers activities and programs that go beyond the required
academic basics: Hot Lunch/Milk Program, Classroom Field Trips, Guest
Speakers, Special Assemblies, "Buddies" for the Year,
Student Council , Mission Projects, Children's Choir, Scouts,
Athletics, Band, Student Patrols, Spanish, D.A.R.E., Altar Servers, and
more. If you are interested, please contact the school office at 424-4409.
A formation program for our young attending public school. We attempt
to aid parents, the primary educator of their child/children, in the
ways and truths of our faith with our young people and help prepare them
for the reception of the sacraments. The participants gather with
Catechists on Sundays from September through June. For more information,
contact the Rectory.
This prayer filled group has been meeting 1 to 2 times a month since
1983. At times, we have had a priest leader but for the most part
discussions are lead by the participants. Audio and video tapes are
used extensively and the group decides what the topic will be on a
yearly basis. Some of the videos used for discussion have been
"OUR FATHER'S PLAN" Salvation History from Genesis to
the Catholic Church. A 12 part program with Scott Hahn and Jeff
Cavins. "WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE" --
a Seven part series with Father Groeschel, "THERESE OF AVILA"
an 8 part series by Father Larkin "A WAY TO GOD FOR TODAY",
an Eight part series by Anthony de Meilo. Several audio tapes by
Fulton Sheen have been used for inspirational meetings and have been
well received. Currently "WOMEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT",
a Nine Part Audio series from "The Liturgical Press” is
being used for instruction and discussion. Meetings start promptly
at 7:30 P.M., and end at 9:0O P.M. Hymns open the meeting, and
prayers of praise, petitions, and thanksgiving close the meeting.
The Rosary is prayed in May and October. All are welcome to attend
an occasional meeting or all meetings.
Little Lambs is a religious program for children ages three
through six, or until they are able to attend grade one of
Experience Religion. The children also need to be potty trained.
We meet the same Sundays as the levels one through five. The class
takes place in the kindergarten room at Our Lady of Ridge School. We
currently accept 30 students. There are four full-time volunteers who
assist with the class. Occasionally we have parent helpers and eighth
grade students who need community service hours. The book we have
been using is titled God Made the World. We have tried others, yet we
keep using this book because of the age range of students. We begin
with a color page that ties into the lesson we are learning for that
week. When everyone has checked in we say the Hail Mary. We continue
with the theme for that week. There is usually some cutting and
pasting involved. We break for story time and then finish up any
papers we did not complete. The children are asked to bring a folder
or backpack to carry their papers and projects home. The hours for
Little Lambs are 9:45-11:00. This way the younger students are let out
before the older ones, so they are not lost in the crowd. Parents
walk the children down to the room in the morning and pick them up
near the school main entrance after class. There are many areas of
interest the book explores such as family, friends, sharing, church,
animals, colors and the seasons. All Saint's Day, Thanksgiving,
Advent, Christmas, and Easter are some of the holiday seasons the
children learn about. The same things are not taught year after year
so it is possible for the child to attend more than just one year. As
with any program, the success of it depends on the involvement of
the parent. Parents are welcome to attend the classes and assist the
children. Registration takes place in the months of July- August at
the Parish Center. If you are interested please contact the rectory.
The Pre-Cana ministry of Our Lady of the Ridge Parish Family is a
program for engaged couples. Our Pre-Cana ministers help facilitate
small groups through individual reflection and group discussions.
Couples planning to marry in the Catholic church are required to
participate in a Pre-Cana. For more information contact the Rectory.
Small groups meet on Wednesdays and Archdiocesan large groups meet on
Saturdays. Both require pre-registration.
RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which
an adult becomes a full member of the Catholic Church community. The
sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist are those that
initiate an adult to become a fully participating member of the church
opening up the door to the other sacraments of the Catholic church.
Catholicism is a life long commitment and not to be entered into with
out proper discernment. At O.L.O.R., the discernment process begins
by an inquirer attending consecutive Sunday sessions starting in
September and continuing through May. These sessions give the
participant an opportunity to form community through prayer, Mass
attendance, ritual, small group discussion, as well as presentations
and various reading materials. This journey is not traveled alone but
as a parish event so there is always a need for interested Catholics
to become sponsors or a part of the team. Please call the rectory
with any questions or to begin your spiritual journey.
Spred is a program of religious education especially designed to meet
the spiritual needs of persons with developmental disabilities. This
program has been in place here at Our Lady of the Ridge since 1972.
Our mission is to provide an opportunity in our Christian community
for meaningful participation in the worship experience and to share
our faith in ways that they can understand. Our group consists of
young adults who are all over 22 years of age. We meet every other
Thursday during the regular school year for 12 sessions. We want them
to know that they are not only loved but are wanted as members of our
parish.
We share a quiet time with them in preparation for the celebration
period. With the Bible, flowers and candles as a focal point, a symbol
of every day life is displayed, perhaps a leaf, a beautiful picture,
or someone being kind to another person. Then a short passage is read
from the Bible and our thoughts are shared and music is played. Our
session ends with a sharing of food and fellowship and prayers.
Between each of these gatherings the catechist meet to prepare the
symbol, the music and the readings for our next meeting with our
friends. We have 12 preparation sessions that last about two and half
hours. Our sessions with our friends last about two hours.
It is a most rewarding ministry. St. Luke said that Jesus said Love
one another, and that is what we all do. Please contact the rectory
for more information.