My name is John S. Windsor and it is my delight to serve the St. Joseph family as a lower elementary aid this fall.  I am a parishioner of St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral in Bismarck where I had the privilege of attending  elementary school.  From there I spent four years at Saint Mary’s Central High School.  During these formative years I discovered a passion for athletics, the arts, the outdoors, and, most importantly, a relationship with Christ.  As the years preceding graduation dwindled to months, I felt a growing desire to give my life to Jesus which led me to join the good seminarians of the Bismarck Diocese who discern whether or not God is offering a vocation to the priesthood.  This discernment led me to study philosophy as a seminarian in Washington D.C. for four years and Theology for two additional years in Saint Louis.

During my summer assignment of 2020, I had the opportunity to be trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd… which changed my life!  Maria Montessori’s understanding of the human person and method of guiding young ones seems to be the fruit of contemplating what Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-6,  “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I loved Montessori's theory so much that I had intended on writing a thesis on the religious education of Montessori children.  As this sentiment endured, there accompanied it a growing sense that Jesus was not intending for me to pursue the priesthood--at least not right now.  And so, within a week’s time of my commitment to depart seminary I received a call from Father Waltz inviting me to join in the work of Montessori at Saint Joseph’s.  I was then and am now very excited to have the opportunity to work with and learn alongside your little ones this year!