Education is too selective and elitist, says Pope Francis [CH-UK]
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pianistclare
Guest
Excellent. 
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Usige
Guest
I wonder how the Catholic schools that have accademic entrance exams will reflect on this quote:
It seems the pope is saying that education isn’t just about accademic acheivement. What a novel concept. Catholic schools are also supposed to be focused on moral and spiritual development, but I guess Pope Francis thinks that those things should be open to all students, not just those that make the school look good. Somehow I think that will fall on deaf ears and only academically eligible students will still be accepted.
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RCIAGraduate
Guest
1+Excellent.
So many communities and children are aching, Catholic education must be revitalized!
It can start with prayer.
Prayer for Catholic Schools
O Christ, our Teacher,
You invite Your faithful people to make disciples in Your name and to announce good news to the poor. We thank You for the gift of Catholic schools, where
The message of Your life, death, and resurrection is proclaimed,
Christian community is experienced,
Service to our brothers and sisters is modeled,
And worship of You is cultivated.
Increase our zeal for ensuring that all children and families can benefit from a high quality Catholic education, and that Catholic schools grow in their ability to nurture the soul of our nation.
We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of Catholic Schools. Amen.
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SuperLuigi
Guest
He’s right about that!
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jilly4ski
Guest
I can’t see how Catholic (primary and secondary) education can be for everyone, until the schools are again staffed with religious orders whose charism is to teach the faithful. Most parishes just can’t support an entire school for the students that go there, even a few parishes banding together would have a difficult time supporting an entire school without a sizable tuition fees, which is impossible from the poor or lower middle/working class or quickly becomes untenable once one (at a middling income) has a few kids.
Now if he is speaking religious education then I agree. I was quite appalled when I found out how much religious education costs at my parish, I am teaching this year because it allows us to send our son for free (and I have some experience teaching religious education and they needed help), but we will have two in next year plus have a very young child, so I am not sure teaching is in the cards next year.
Now if he is speaking religious education then I agree. I was quite appalled when I found out how much religious education costs at my parish, I am teaching this year because it allows us to send our son for free (and I have some experience teaching religious education and they needed help), but we will have two in next year plus have a very young child, so I am not sure teaching is in the cards next year.
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RedSoxFan45
Guest
If planned parenthood can receive tax payer money as long as it doesn’t cover abortion, then why can’t Religious schools receive tax payer money as long as it doesn’t go to paying a religious teacher, or buying religious items?
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abucs
Guest
In some countries tax payers’ money is only for godless education.
Apparently this is in the name of … ahem … tolerance and equality?
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pianistclare
Guest
Catechist children should go for free.I can’t see how Catholic (primary and secondary) education can be for everyone, until the schools are again staffed with religious orders whose charism is to teach the faithful. Most parishes just can’t support an entire school for the students that go there, even a few parishes banding together would have a difficult time supporting an entire school without a sizable tuition fees, which is impossible from the poor or lower middle/working class or quickly becomes untenable once one (at a middling income) has a few kids.
Now if he is speaking religious education then I agree. I was quite appalled when I found out how much religious education costs at my parish, I am teaching this year because it allows us to send our son for free (and I have some experience teaching religious education and they needed help), but we will have two in next year plus have a very young child, so I am not sure teaching is in the cards next year.
Also, the pastor will waive the fees for anyone who cannot afford it. You simply have to fill out a request/form, most likely. As our Pastor likes to say :
"Formation is just another service that we offer. "
And you’re right…when we ran off the good sisters, we lost all that free labor. Lay people need to make a living wage, which they certainly DON’T in a Catholic school.
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pianistclare
Guest
I’ve been told it does in a couple of states, actually. But in today’s secular world…not a chance.
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shockerfan
Guest
School vouchers!
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ProVobis
Guest
It’s a wonder how those good sisters managed to teach for free, unless they all had scholarships to have gotten those degrees. Today many of the teachers are still paying off their student loans, not to mention their living expenses.
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pianistclare
Guest
our sisters didn’t have degrees. When I was a youngster no one had to know algebra, or computer science in grade school or junior high. They taught the basics. Today, parent demand all kinds of high level courses and extras like Fine arts, a separate Art class, Phys Ed instead of recess, and a compete science lab.
Our little Catholic schools didn’t offer any of that. They taught the faith and the core subjects.
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MomaMary8
Guest
I think it’s time we take a hard look at our education system. Do we want the core subjects or all the extras? Catholic schools could do far better focusing on core academic subjects.
As for vouchers, I’d prefer to keep the government far away from our Catholic schools. Government entities always seem to know how to attach strings.
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jilly4ski
Guest
Most orders won’t take novices unless they have their debt paid off. My roommate joined an order and her parents very generously assumed her loans so she could join. (She was an education major).
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jilly4ski
Guest
Yes, my son is free this year because I am teaching (not his class). But I think it is a credit system, so my teaching will only count for one child. The parish uses books, so there there is always cost for each child. I assume there is a family cap also.Catechist children should go for free.
Also, the pastor will waive the fees for anyone who cannot afford it. You simply have to fill out a request/form, most likely. As our Pastor likes to say :
"Formation is just another service that we offer. "
And you’re right…when we ran off the good sisters, we lost all that free labor. Lay people need to make a living wage, which they certainly DON’T in a Catholic school.
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pianistclare
Guest
The cost for books is very minimal. I’m a DRE and the pastor is very frank that the cost of tuition helps to cover subscriptions, classroom needs, and my salary.
We have no cap for tuition, but we do give a deep discount for any family with 3 or more children. And yes, many people never pay a dime. We don’t send out bills.
We just hope that people will pay for their kids if they can. All my catechist children go for free no matter how many they have. The only exception is LifeTeen and EDGE beucase those fees help to pay for the subscriptions and high cost of Bible replacements (people just walk away with them) supplies, props for skits, lessons and retreat materials. Once in a while we have crafts or refreshments, but generally the CORE team pays for those out of their own pockets.
We charge nothing for Sacramental prep which is separate from regular formation, but we do charge for Retreats because we have to pay site rentals, and bus rentals, etc.
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jilly4ski
Guest
Yep retreats are expensive. I think our church has (at least) 3 people on staff for religious education (2 part time), so yes, between salary, materials, and book costs I assume it adds up. I suppose we would just consider the cost as a little extra tithe to the church, it was just a little shocking when I saw the price. (The price at my old parish is still much cheaper).
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pianistclare
Guest
How much?
Formation for PK-5th is 70. Edge 75, LifeTeen 100.
My old parish (where is not the DRE only charged families $25 per child, BUT…they pretty much only did crafts in class, and they had a bake sale or other fundraiser nearly every week. ANYTHING they wanted to do, they had to fundraise for. That would be awful.
People get tired of having to buy something at church every week, and I don’t blame them.
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Tim_D
Guest
Once again, Pope Francis speaks a lot but says very little.
One could easily say that, with the requirements, the priesthood is “selective and elitist,” since it requires an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in divinity, theology or religious education for ordination. To top that off, many priests also have other degrees that allow them to be an asset to their diocese in such things as finance or Canon law. We had a monsignor who, as Sherlock Holmes once remarked, “had half of the alphabet after his name.”
Productive education doesn’t grow on trees. The secularization of the world has caused changes necessitated in order to continue to provide Catholic educations to those who desire it. Pope Francis can complain about the “ghost of money” but it is a fundamental reality that all things in this world have to paid for.
One could easily say that, with the requirements, the priesthood is “selective and elitist,” since it requires an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in divinity, theology or religious education for ordination. To top that off, many priests also have other degrees that allow them to be an asset to their diocese in such things as finance or Canon law. We had a monsignor who, as Sherlock Holmes once remarked, “had half of the alphabet after his name.”
Productive education doesn’t grow on trees. The secularization of the world has caused changes necessitated in order to continue to provide Catholic educations to those who desire it. Pope Francis can complain about the “ghost of money” but it is a fundamental reality that all things in this world have to paid for.
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