Frustrated with parish class offerings for women

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DarkLight

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I’ve been scanning the bulletin for stuff to do in the parish. I’m really interested in theology and would like to study more. My issue is…everything I seem to be interested in is going on in the men’s group! All the stuff for women is about marriage and family stuff. I am not married or looking to be married. I’m studying philosophy and love my field and would like to apply it to theology. I’ve always felt a call to do this, but I feel like I can’t do anything because I’m a woman. I know this isn’t Church teaching but I just feel like there’s nothing on offer.
 
DarkLight said:
I’ve been scanning the bulletin for stuff to do in the parish. I’m really interested in theology and would like to study more. My issue is…everything I seem to be interested in is going on in the men’s group! All the stuff for women is about marriage and family stuff. I am not married or looking to be married. I’m studying philosophy and love my field and would like to apply it to theology. I’ve always felt a call to do this, but I feel like I can’t do anything because I’m a woman. I know this isn’t Church teaching but I just feel like there’s nothing on offer.
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The solution is to look outside your parish, to seminaries or universities. I know at least some offer correspondence courses that might suit if physically attending classes is an issue.
 
LilyM said:
The solution is to look outside your parish, to seminaries or universities. I know at least some offer correspondence courses that might suit if physically attending classes is an issue.
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I really want something where I could interact with other people, not just study on my own. Unfortunately I have neither much money nor a car, which severely limits my options.

I guess this just really hit a nerve. I grew up on the edges of the Christian Patriarchy movement…I always wanted to study theology but was never really allowed. Now that I’m getting home I kind of want to make up for lost time!
 
DarkLight said:
I’ve been scanning the bulletin for stuff to do in the parish. I’m really interested in theology and would like to study more. My issue is…everything I seem to be interested in is going on in the men’s group! All the stuff for women is about marriage and family stuff. I am not married or looking to be married. I’m studying philosophy and love my field and would like to apply it to theology. I’ve always felt a call to do this, but I feel like I can’t do anything because I’m a woman. I know this isn’t Church teaching but I just feel like there’s nothing on offer.
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Talk to the men’s group and see if they will open the classes to women. These classes should not be gender-limited, IMO.
 
RCIA is also an option because it is not just for people entering the church but those who want to know more about their faith.
 
Are there other parishes in your area that offer adult ed programs? Could you call them? Do they have websites you could check out?

Again, depending on your area Catholic high schools and colleges offer adult education programs to the general public for a nominal fee.

I think it would be good to let the leader of the men’s group know that there are women who are interested in those topics as well and they could have a larger crowd of attendees. Also, let the women group know those topics interest you. Who knows? Maybe the two groups may collaborate and sponsor some programs together!

Not to add “salt to your wound”, but your post reminds me how lucky I am to be in the parish I currently attend. Last week we had a speaker from the archdiocese talking about local ballot questions, and we are having a four week program on the documents of Vatican II. We also work with area parishes and advertize our programs and vice versa.
 
onceablasphemer said:
RCIA is also an option because it is not just for people entering the church but those who want to know more about their faith.
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Would be in that if I could make it for classes (I’m a candidate right now). But I’ve done all the reading and it’s really basic. I want to know more than they’re offering.
 
I agree with others here. Ask to be included in the men’s group. Be kind of insistent in view of your need to stay close to home - lack of financial resources and transportation. Talk to your pastor and enlist his aid. See if some other women would like to do this too, then you would not feel like the lone ranger, or rangeress 🙂
 
This is the year of faith.Many parishes are offering classes on the Cathecism.I am starting one such class titledThe Four Pillars" It runs for a full year.Check with you archdiocese to see if something similar is available in your area.🙂
 
Just ask at the mens group. Often the titles of the groups have more to do with the time than the actual membership “requirements”. We used to have a “Ladies Bible Study” that was called that just because it was during the day and mostly stay-at-home moms. We occassionally had men in the group and it was no problem.
 
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