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THurifer2
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Well, There shouldn’t be any exceptions. I have 4 children. Why should I have to explain to them that their CCD teacher doesn’t go to communion when they ask? This very thing happened at my church and the parents REALLY raised a stink about it. We threatened to pull our kids…fortunately the situation was resolved before the Teacher was “fired”. HERE is an article about a salaried Long time Teacher losing his JOb (then getting it back) when it was discovered he was living in an adulterous relationshiop of over a decade.
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ethelzguy
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THurifer2
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It seems you are really love teaching the faith. Now I suggest you do the right thing and live the faith that you teach. I know life is a struggle…but it is extremely clear what the church teaches about marriage…I am sure in some areas (liberal) this would not be even thought of, in other areas (like where I live) it would cause an uproar…even may lead to the termination of the CCD director.
Do the right thing and submit to the authority of the church regarding your marriage. It is the CHURCH that is the Pillar and foundation of truth (1Tim3:15) not us as individuals who are always (myself included) living by our own set of moral standards. It is not whether you or I think it is scandalous…but what the church teaches about living in a situation like this.
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anamchara
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Anthony02
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It’s important to set a good example for the kids. If you are not in good standing, that is something to need to make right with God, but the Church has an obligation to the youth to give them an example to live by. I hope you understand if the time comes and they don’t let you continue to teach. I hope everything works out. You’ll be in my prayers.
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anamchara
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anamchara
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The OP is setting a good example by trying to fix the problem. Are posters not reading what she is writing
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puzzleannie
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the requirements for a CCD catechist are the same as for a godparent or sponsor, fully initiated Catholic adult living in harmony with Catholic teaching and morality, including laws on marriage (obviously a catechist may also be a parent of a child in her class, which a godparent cannot be). The catechist should also be certified or working on certification, usually a 5-year time frame.
OP has taken the proper steps to deal with her personal situation, which is a matter for attention by the pastor and DRE, not the concern of anyone else. These things take time and as long as progress is being made and a serious situation is not being ignored, nobody need fear anything. It is quite likely that the DRE may suggest someone in this transitional period team-teach as an aide with another fully prepared catechist, just as would be done with a catechist-in-training who is not yet fully certified.
Ideally with child safety regulations in place all classes should have team teaching in any case.
care should be taken, in sacramental preparation classes while explaining the rules for reception of holy communion, to note that it is an offense against Christian charity to speculate on why one person or another may not be receiving communion at this time, and essentialy NOYB
OP has taken the proper steps to deal with her personal situation, which is a matter for attention by the pastor and DRE, not the concern of anyone else. These things take time and as long as progress is being made and a serious situation is not being ignored, nobody need fear anything. It is quite likely that the DRE may suggest someone in this transitional period team-teach as an aide with another fully prepared catechist, just as would be done with a catechist-in-training who is not yet fully certified.
Ideally with child safety regulations in place all classes should have team teaching in any case.
care should be taken, in sacramental preparation classes while explaining the rules for reception of holy communion, to note that it is an offense against Christian charity to speculate on why one person or another may not be receiving communion at this time, and essentialy NOYB
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THurifer2
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THurifer2
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I agree with your statement but did underline what I disagree with. As the steward of my Children’s moral upbringing it is my concern if my child is in such a situation.
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THurifer2
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I see this post insensitive to the teaching of the Catholic church MarriageMy 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
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anamchara
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Whoa, how so? Thurifer, you seriously need to read all my posts. Where did I ever say it is ok to marry outside the Church? The person is already repenting and has spoken with the priest. Posters seem to want to rub her nose in it and not let her teach. Sorry, I will use charity in this case. If someone came on here and arrogantly insisted they could teach and wasn’t going to do anything about fixing the marriage issue then I might react different.
No where am I being insensitive to Catholic teaching on marriage.
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CatholicCid
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I think it’s great that you are taking the steps toward an annulment for your husband and then having the marriage blessed. That you are able to return into full communion with the Church is the prime issue.
As for teaching CCD classes, I just have several general, unlearnt, observations.
A volunteer who becomes a teacher of the faith in any capacity has made themselves a public figure. All public figures in matters of the Church should be in good standing with the Church and/or should try at all possibilities to avoid public scandal.
Now, one can be in a marriage pending an annulment and blessing of the Church while still being in Communion with the Church. I believe that entials a Confession as well as the couple living as brother and sister until an annulment is granted and the marriage is blessed. Now, I believe this is the state that should be sought for any member of the Church, public or not, as it entails to one’s mortal well-being.
Until one has been reconciled with the Church, they should gracefully remove themselves from a public position to prevent public scandal. As has been suggested, one could seek out a less public role, such as an Aide in the class or help with setup/preparation of material.
The Pastor will make his decision based on what he feels is best for the entire parish. Whatever his decision, I am sure it will be a difficult one for him to make, so we all must always be charitable to our Priests.
Just my :twocents:
I pray that your marriage issues get sorted out in a timely fashion. God bless.
As for teaching CCD classes, I just have several general, unlearnt, observations.
A volunteer who becomes a teacher of the faith in any capacity has made themselves a public figure. All public figures in matters of the Church should be in good standing with the Church and/or should try at all possibilities to avoid public scandal.
Now, one can be in a marriage pending an annulment and blessing of the Church while still being in Communion with the Church. I believe that entials a Confession as well as the couple living as brother and sister until an annulment is granted and the marriage is blessed. Now, I believe this is the state that should be sought for any member of the Church, public or not, as it entails to one’s mortal well-being.
Until one has been reconciled with the Church, they should gracefully remove themselves from a public position to prevent public scandal. As has been suggested, one could seek out a less public role, such as an Aide in the class or help with setup/preparation of material.
The Pastor will make his decision based on what he feels is best for the entire parish. Whatever his decision, I am sure it will be a difficult one for him to make, so we all must always be charitable to our Priests.
Just my :twocents:
I pray that your marriage issues get sorted out in a timely fashion. God bless.
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JReducation
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If I can just add my two cents, having worked and currently working for a Catholic diocese for many years.
God bless,
JR
- The decision as to whether the OP can teach religious education or not depends on the rules of the particular diocese, not anyone else’s opinion. No one here as even asked what the rules are in the OP’s diocese.
- We have to assume that if the DRE invited this person to teach and knows of this person’s situation, the DRE most likely knows the diocesan rules on these matters.
- In many dioceses the rule is that a teacher, either in religious education or a Catholic school, but not be in a situation of public sin. The issue is that it is up to the administration of the parish or the school to define public.
- I wold suggest that the OP ask the DRE what the Diocese’ rules regarding her situation are. That would settle one question.
- As to the annulment, speak with the deacon or priest in the parish. Generally, deacons have more time to deal with these cases and they are much more trained in canon laws regarding marriage than priests, as marriage is a sacrament that is entrusted to their care. In our diocese the marriage cases are handled by deacons. Some of them serve on the tribunal.
- Whether you speak with a deacon, priest or religious sister or brother, the person is going to ask you many questions and is going to need to speak with the spouse. If I understood the situation correctly, it’s not the OP who was previously married, but the spouse.
- The question is, does the OP’s spouse want to go through the process? If the answer is yes, then by all means go forward. With mordern technology annulments often work out faster than they did in the past when everything had to be in writing and all copies had to be handwritten and you needed to send for originals of documents, if your previous marriage was in another state or country. Now this can take a few days instead of weeks. Gathering the information was the longest part of the process.
- The priest or deacon will also advice you to go with the diocese that is smaller, because they usually have less cases pending. You can go through the process in your current diocese or in the diocese where the previous marriage took place, unless one of the diocese is so small that it does not hav a rota. This can happen.
God bless,
JR
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AHapka
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I can see both sides of the arguments posted on this thread.
However, to state my opinion would require me to ask of the OP a ton of personal information that I’m sure she wouldn’t provide.
Therefore, the best person to make such a judgment call is her parish Priest who is fully aware of all that is going on in her life.
OP, accept the judgment of your Priest, whatever it may be. Submit to it in Holy obedience. Remember, certain saints were given orders by God to do such and such. When they went to their religious superiors and were denied permission to do such and such what did God do? He told them to be OBEDIENT to their religious superiors.
That is what I think you should do. Be obedient to whatever your Priest decides.
However, to state my opinion would require me to ask of the OP a ton of personal information that I’m sure she wouldn’t provide.
Therefore, the best person to make such a judgment call is her parish Priest who is fully aware of all that is going on in her life.
OP, accept the judgment of your Priest, whatever it may be. Submit to it in Holy obedience. Remember, certain saints were given orders by God to do such and such. When they went to their religious superiors and were denied permission to do such and such what did God do? He told them to be OBEDIENT to their religious superiors.
That is what I think you should do. Be obedient to whatever your Priest decides.
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JReducation
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I’ll just piggyback on what you’ve said. Priests and deacons know the policies of their dioceses. Follow those policies and you will be fine.
JR
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puzzleannie
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we seemed to have overlooked the point that OP has already talked to the priest and is taking the proper steps to deal with her marriage situation, and now is waiting for that matter to take its course. she is not blatantly flaunting Church teaching on marriage but doing her best to return to conformity. so let’s lighten up a bit and concentrate on the actual question. the pastor and DRE will decide whether or what she can teach, when, to whom, and everybody else can back off. Concerned parents need not worry some floozy is going to be teaching their kids sheeeesh.
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anamchara
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monorail
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I am still a little unclear about annulments and the Church and how it all works. Can someone answer a hypothetical question to help my understanding?
If one in a situation like the OP’s went to Confession and were to abstain from sexual relations, would he or she then be considered in good standing then with the Church, able to receive Communion, etc? If the answer to this is “yes”, then does it “cause scandal” to live with someone one is not actually married to? Would one be allowed to live in the same house while the details (annulments of prior marriages, getting the current marriage blessed) are being worked out?
If one in a situation like the OP’s went to Confession and were to abstain from sexual relations, would he or she then be considered in good standing then with the Church, able to receive Communion, etc? If the answer to this is “yes”, then does it “cause scandal” to live with someone one is not actually married to? Would one be allowed to live in the same house while the details (annulments of prior marriages, getting the current marriage blessed) are being worked out?
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