Afraid of being asked not to teach CCD anymore

[lvbliss]

Long story short…I have been teaching CCD for the past 2 years and signed up to continue…I am not a member in good standing. I married outside the church, don’t receive sacraments, but always continued to go to church and raising our child Catholic. Recently met with our new pastor about options for dh getting an annulment/our marriage blessed, since he now knows I am not in good standing…I’m afraid he won’t continue to let me teach CCD!!! Are there exceptions to the Diocese rules???

 

[kage_ar]

Those of us who volunteer are volunteering to be examples to the Parish. You would not want to lead someone astray “If Mrs. X does it, it has to be okay for me to do it”.

Perhaps you can find a way to assist behind the scenes until you are reconcilled with the Church? I’ve yet to meet a DRE who would no appreciate some help just keeping the office stuff in line!

Prayers that you quickly can resume ministry.

 

[anamchara]

Long story short…I have been teaching CCD for the past 2 years and signed up to continue…I am not a member in good standing. I married outside the church, don’t receive sacraments, but always continued to go to church and raising our child Catholic. Recently met with our new pastor about options for dh getting an annulment/our marriage blessed, since he now knows I am not in good standing…I’m afraid he won’t continue to let me teach CCD!!! Are there exceptions to the Diocese rules???

You have gone to the pastor with good intentions and your heart is in the right place offering to give up your time to teach. Not everyone wants to do that. I teach as well so I know it’s not always easy.

I see no reason why you can’t teach. I have not heard of anyone being pushed away under the circumstance you describe here. I’m sure you are teaching from a good solid curriculum. Your personal life with your husband is no ones business expect the priest. Unless you walk around with a sign in the parish I doubt anyone even knows.

I think it says a lot that you do not receive the Sacraments due to marrying outside the Church. Bless you for trying to be the best Catholic you can be.

I bet you are a great teacher! And I hope the priest decides this doesn’t matter.

 

[anamchara]

Those of us who volunteer are volunteering to be examples to the Parish. You would not want to lead someone astray “If Mrs. X does it, it has to be okay for me to do it”.

Perhaps you can find a way to assist behind the scenes until you are reconcilled with the Church? I’ve yet to meet a DRE who would no appreciate some help just keeping the office stuff in line!

Prayers that you quickly can resume ministry.

A couple of things, first we volunteer for God not to be examples for those in the pews. If you are doing it to show everyone what a great example you are, then your heart is not where it should be. Sorry but I have to disagree with you on that score. As teachers we are spreading the word of God to children and teaching them the Catholic faith. Second, what children would even know that this women was married outside the Church? My personal life does not come up when I teach children. I read the lesson plans and teach from the teachers guide. The children all have their books.

The only way this could turn into a problem is if some pious busy body started spreading this story around. when I see married couples I assume good will and don’t look for scandal.

 

[kage_ar]

A couple of things, first we volunteer for God not to be examples for those in the pews. If you are doing it to show everyone what a great example you are, then your heart is not where it should be. Sorry but I have to disagree with you on that score. As teachers we are spreading the word of God to children and teaching them the Catholic faith. Second, what children would even know that this women was married outside the Church? My personal life does not come up when I teach children. I read the lesson plans and teach from the teachers guide. The children all have their books.

The only way this could turn into a problem is if some pious busy body started spreading this story around. when I see married couples I assume good will and don’t look for scandal.

Let me restate in a more clear manner.

When we volunteer FOR GOD, like it our not, we do become examples to those we teach.

I am certain that the Priest will make the appropriate decision for the Parish.

 

[Pax_Vobiscum_57]

Let me restate in a more clear manner.

When we volunteer FOR GOD, like it our not, we do become examples to those we teach.

I am certain that the Priest will make the appropriate decision for the Parish.

Very nicely said. You may be able to get a quick annulment, depending you your husband’s circumstances of his first marriage, and may not have to miss any time. Or you may have to sit out one year. The parishioners don’t need to know why you aren’t teaching.

 

[lvbliss]

Thanks for your responses! I do volunteer for God and nothing or no one else. It has meant so much to me and would be upset if asked not to teach.
I consider myself a good person and try to do the right things. I am human, but I try my best every day to do good.
I am now wondering if I should bring it up to Father or let it go???

 

[duskyjewel]

As a parent trying to raise my children in the Faith, I would prefer you take a year off while you work out the status of your marriage, and then, if annulment is granted, and you are afterward married in the Church, then come back and teach! I would not want to have to explain why the parish is allowing someone who is technically living in adultery to teach RE. I am sorry, but you never should have volunteered to teach knowing that your marriage is not in good standing with the Church, and you should have volunteered the status of your marriage to the RE director before they let you teach. This may seem mean to you, but the Church is very clear in her teachings on marriage. We are trying to pass those on to our kids. While people make mistakes, or suffer tragedies, and sometimes those can be repaired so the person can move on to truly marry after annulment, that is different from knowingly living outside the rules while putting yourself in the role of being an example to others.

BTW, what will you do if the annulment is not granted? About 25% of them are not…

 

[water]

Thanks for your responses! I do volunteer for God and nothing or no one else. It has meant so much to me and would be upset if asked not to teach.
I consider myself a good person and try to do the right things. I am human, but I try my best every day to do good.
I am now wondering if I should bring it up to Father or let it go???

I understand your zeal, lvbliss, but how you would do for God and not for anyone else?

 

[mercygate]

Thanks for your responses! I do volunteer for God and nothing or no one else. It has meant so much to me and would be upset if asked not to teach.
I consider myself a good person and try to do the right things. I am human, but I try my best every day to do good.
I am now wondering if I should bring it up to Father or let it go???

Sometimes a disappointment can be just the boot in the backside we need to get things straightened out!

I commend your integrity in not receiving the Sacraments. That shows real character. And as a teacher of sixth grade CCD myself, I know how attached we become to our work and to our kids.

Your pastor is the one to make this decision (and yes: do bring it up because one way or the other, you will know where you stand). I sense in your concern that you have suffered not only for your convictions but BECAUSE of them. That takes both fortitude and humility.

Let us know how it goes. OK?

 

[water]

Sometimes a disappointment can be just the boot in the backside we need to get things straightened out!

I commend your integrity in not receiving the Sacraments. That shows real character. And as a teacher of sixth grade CCD myself, I know how attached we become to our work and to our kids.

Your pastor is the one to make this decision (and yes: do bring it up because one way or the other, you will know where you stand). I sense in your concern that you have suffered not only for your convictions but BECAUSE of them. That takes both fortitude and humility.

Let us know how it goes. OK?

What a great advice! I am learning from you.

 

[lvbliss]

I understand your zeal, lvbliss, but how you would do for God and not for anyone else?

Sorry I didn’t make the point I wanted, I was trying to make more clear the reason I was teaching to address a previous post by saying it was not to impress anyone in the pews.

Thanks!

 

[lvbliss]

As a parent trying to raise my children in the Faith, I would prefer you take a year off while you work out the status of your marriage, and then, if annulment is granted, and you are afterward married in the Church, then come back and teach! I would not want to have to explain why the parish is allowing someone who is technically living in adultery to teach RE. I am sorry, but you never should have volunteered to teach knowing that your marriage is not in good standing with the Church, and you should have volunteered the status of your marriage to the RE director before they let you teach. This may seem mean to you, but the Church is very clear in her teachings on marriage. We are trying to pass those on to our kids. While people make mistakes, or suffer tragedies, and sometimes those can be repaired so the person can move on to truly marry after annulment, that is different from knowingly living outside the rules while putting yourself in the role of being an example to others.

BTW, what will you do if the annulment is not granted? About 25% of them are not…

Maybe you are right, maybe I am not holy enough to teach. But I feel that I do a good job at teaching the prescribed curriculum, about a loving and forgiving God and being a good human being.

Please know that I did not volunteer, I was asked by our RE to teach. She was well aware of my situation as we’ve had many conversations about it.
I don’t know what I will do if the annulment isn’t granted, I still consider myself a Catholic and I guess always will. I just have to hope and pray that it is granted.

 

[lvbliss]

Sometimes a disappointment can be just the boot in the backside we need to get things straightened out!

I commend your integrity in not receiving the Sacraments. That shows real character. And as a teacher of sixth grade CCD myself, I know how attached we become to our work and to our kids.

Your pastor is the one to make this decision (and yes: do bring it up because one way or the other, you will know where you stand). I sense in your concern that you have suffered not only for your convictions but BECAUSE of them. That takes both fortitude and humility.

Let us know how it goes. OK?

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will talk with Father about it and know that the right thing will happen for all!
Thanks again!

 

[water]

Sorry I didn’t make the point I wanted, I was trying to make more clear the reason I was teaching to address a previous post by saying it was not to impress anyone in the pews.

Thanks!

Ohh, that makes sense. Thanks lvbliss!

Maybe you are right, maybe I am not holy enough to teach. But I feel that I do a good job at teaching the prescribed curriculum, about a loving and forgiving God and being a good human being.

Please know that I did not volunteer, I was asked by our RE to teach. She was well aware of my situation as we’ve had many conversations about it.

I don’t know what I will do if the annulment isn’t granted, I still consider myself a Catholic and I guess always will. I just have to hope and pray that it is granted.

If you know what the right things to do, regarding your marriage, you could offer your praying to God and wait. As for the teaching matter, I totally agree with mercygate; I believe that there are much more to receive when you follow the will of God - His will is to listen to your pastor; so whatever happens, it will be good at the end…you only don’t see it yet.

God bless you.

 

[mercygate]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will talk with Father about it and know that the right thing will happen for all!
Thanks again!

Heh, heh. I feel, for you. But hey! When they find out I manage my class with a hand-me-down ruler from Sister Euthanasia, they’ll toss my keester out the door. We can share a cold one down at the corner saloon!

(Just wishful thinking about the ruler, Guys.)

 

[rick43235]

BTW, what will you do if the annulment is not granted? About 25% of them are not…

I have to wonder what the purpose of this question is. What would YOU have the OP do if this unfortunate circumstance comes about?

 

[anamchara]

Thanks for your responses! I do volunteer for God and nothing or no one else. It has meant so much to me and would be upset if asked not to teach.
I consider myself a good person and try to do the right things. I am human, but I try my best every day to do good.
I am now wondering if I should bring it up to Father or let it go???

My dear, I don’t see a problem with you teaching at all. It’s no one’s bussiness about your marriage. It does not affect the kids or anything else unless they are busy bodies. I know I already said this. Please do talk to the Father about it. I’m sorry I feel strongly that anyone who thinks they wouldn’t want thier childern in a classroom with a good kind hearted and faithful person as yourself is being too judgmental.

I honestly don’t understand what the big deal is. The kids are not going to know that this OP is trying to get her marriage blessed.

Some of the responses in this thread, sheesh

 

[anamchara]

Maybe you are right, maybe I am not holy enough to teach.

But I feel that I do a good job at teaching the prescribed curriculum, about a loving and forgiving God and being a good human being.

Oh Lord! please don’t think this. We are all sinners my friend. Heavens!

 

[anamchara]

As a parent trying to raise my children in the Faith, I would prefer you take a year off while you work out the status of your marriage, and then, if annulment is granted, and you are afterward married in the Church, then come back and teach!

As a parent of three daughters and someone who has taught catechism, I take offense to this. I would let my daughters in the OP’s class. She has a good heart and good intentions and is trying to fix the problem. Wow, do you check your childs teachers background before you let them teach and make sure they have never sinned?

I’ll say it again, how would the kids even know? That is a private matter between the OP and the pastor. This does not affect her teaching the faith!

What rubbish!