Homeschoolers forced into CCD for First Holy Eucharist

[Learning123]

So all children who want to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion at our parish have to attend a certain amount of preparation whether they go to public school, Catholic school (at another parish school), or are home-schooled. But as I said, this preparation is NOT the same thing as the weekly CCD/RE/FF/PSR classes. It is in addition to them and maybe involves one activity a month or so.

I do think if it was a once a month event for every child in preparation for the sacrament I would receive it very differently than every week general instruction including preparation for the sacrament EXCLUDING parish school students.
Thank you for your comment.

 

[leonie]

I wonder if your pastor has the same concerns about you and your homeschooling?

What are his assurances that you are to be trusted, particularly when you question the sacramental preparation process at his parish?

First of all, I don’t question the sacramental preparation at my parish. I think it is a great program. The school program is great–I’m always impressed with their preparation. The CCD program is great for its intended group–the public school kids who for the most part don’t receive any other instruction than the one hour a week for a total of 36 hours a year.

However, my kids don’t fit in with either group. They receive religious instruction daily as a part of our homeschool curricula. They are in effect Catholic school students in a private setting.

In the past, former pastors have done a little quiz with the homeschooled students. But, my current pastor doesn’t see the need.

 

[Brendan]

your pastor is right. If you are Catholic you will do as all other Catholic parents in the Diocese are doing, whether their child’s faith formation, begun in the family, is strengthened in the parochial school or parish CCD–obey.

But what happens when the Church says something that differs from the Bishops instructions.

This was the subject of a dubium to the Vatican. It was in regards to preparation for Confirmation, but the mensus applies equally here as well.

Here is the responsum.

Basically, the bishop can set certain criteria, but those criteria must give way to the Universal norm, that

.

Subsidiarity is at work here–the parish is the level on which these matters are to be implemented.

The Subsidiarity is actually at the home level. The role of the pastor is simply to confirm that the canidate has been mentally and spritually prepared as any other canidate.

Here is a quote on the responsium.

The Congregation considers it useful to point out that it is the role of the parents as the primary educators of their children and then of the Sacred Pastors to see that candidates for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation are properly instructed to receive the Sacrament and come to it at the opportune time (cf. can. 890). Consequently, when a member of the faithful wishes to receive this Sacrament, even though not satisfying one or more elements of the local legislation (e.g., being younger than the designated age for administration of the Sacrament), those elements must give way to the fundamental right of the faithful to receive the Sacraments. Indeed, the longer the conferral of the Sacrament is delayed after the age of reason, the greater will be the number of candidates who are prepared for its reception but are deprived of its grace for a considerable period of time.

So yes, the pastor (or their delegate) could interview the child, but if the child’s answeres are equvilent to what they would get from one who went through the parish program, the child is to be admitted. And there is no disobedience in a parent chooseing this option.

It is the right of the parent to perform the education, and the responsibility of the pastor to see that the education was sucessful. The pastor or bishop can recommend a course of study, but cannot make one mandatory as a matter of particular law.

 

[leonie]

From my side of the table, I see that some of the families (perhaps many) that home school faith formation are not doing it with all the best intentions. They are doing it so their kid can participate in sports and so they do not have to go to church. Many of our families that home school their kids for their “regular” education have their kids in our program and the parents are among our best catechists.

You know, even if the motivation is not the best, I think it’s great when parents take the primary role in religious education. But, I hope they attend Mass!!! I actually think that one of the reasons that our church is so ignorant is that the parents were trained to let the nuns and brothers do all the catechising in the fifties and sixties.

The more parents that get involved, the better.

I’ve taught CCD in six different years as my family needs have allowed, but I haven’t always put my kids in due to the reasons I listed in a previous post.

 

[Lennox]

your pastor is right. If you are Catholic you will do as all other Catholic parents in the Diocese are doing, whether their child’s faith formation, begun in the family, is strengthened in the parochial school or parish CCD–obey. The resistance to the directives of the bishop is a danger sign for any good Catholic. Perhaps if you are able to frame your approach to this issue from that perspective it will assist you.

These are sacraments of the Church. They are not the property of the child or of his family. It is the Church who determines who has been properly prepared and is worthily disposed for these sacraments, and it is those whom the bishop has commissioned for this task–pastor and those he delegates, namely DRE, school principal, and catechists–who carry out these directives. Furthermore, it is in the context of the parish community that these sacraments, as all liturgy, is celebrated.

Rather than engage in pointless debate with your pastor or DRE, once they have told you their policy, voice your concerns directly to the Bishop and ask humbly for his guidance. If you are confrontational and combative I doubt very much if you will resolve anything, but you will put your own faith in danger, and risk leading your child into a destructive attitude toward the Church and her sacraments.

Subsidiarity is at work here–the parish is the level on which these matters are to be implemented.

It is my duty also to tell any person who applies to me to become a catechist that vocal resistance to the bishop’s directives, or to any other Church teaching for that matter, disqualifies them to carry out that ministry as long as the dissidence continues. That applies equally to a parent who wishes to be the sole provider of their child’s religious formation.

If you feel the parish, pastor, school, and/or DRE are not properly implementing diocesan policy, once you ask for a local explanation, you have as I say the option of approaching the bishop, through the office of catechesis or office for sacraments and liturgy, for a ruling.

For the record, because every time I post this advice in similar discussions, I am the target of vicious PMs accusing me of attacking home-schoolers, this parish actively supports home-schoolers, and my requirement is precisely what the diocese has directed: I review the home-school work, looking at whatever evaluation process the program supplies, the children take the same test every child in school or CCD takes, and I interview each child and parent, the same as I do for CCD. The parents (and sponsors if they have any) take the same preparation classes prescribed for the entire diocese. There is no additional requirement placed on any home-schooling family that is not also that prescribed by the Particular Law of the Diocese of Brownsvill that does not apply to every other family.

also for the record, our Catholic school children particpate in their own religion classes, sacramental preparation and retreats, but their parents and sponsors attend the classes provided, according to Diocesan directive, by their home parish (we are a regional school). In practice, most come to my meetings because they find them more convenient.

:clapping:

It’s been my personal experience here locally that most home-schoolers I come in contact with have giant chips on their shoulders. Their defensive posture while not universal is very pervasive. I’ve had my own local alma maters (all excellent schools) verbally slashed and burned by home-schoolers who seem to think they have license to attack what they do not like or understand. This matter divides one parish I attend. Thank you for your post.

 

[puzzleannie]

The Subsidiarity is actually at the home level. The role of the pastor is simply to confirm that the canidate has been mentally and spritually prepared as any other canidate.
quote]
no it is not. It is in the parish that the sacraments are celebrated, not in the home, and that is what we are debating, how the pastor of the parish decides who is ready, and when, to join that celebration.

Nobody is legislating how the parents form the child’s faith in the home. What is being legislated is how the child is brought into the sacraments, and that is decided by the Church, not the parent.

I will also add that this conflict is only going to escalate as long as home-schoolers insist upon being vocally confrontational and obstructive about these issues–a practice almost universal in my dealings with this group.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Does the writter of the Post use and follow the CCD materials. So one day a week they get to religious lesson. No problem there. Really Leonie how many parents have no talent for teaching. If you do have a talent for teaching teach more children than just your own, don’t waste a gift God has given you by using it only on your children. Teach CCD.

 

[bethndanny]

Puzzleannie, I do not understand why you would say that it is the home schoolers that are being confrontational, while you and others make negative sweeping generalizations about home schoolers. Interesting. Would you be willing to point out to me where a home schooler in this thread has been “confrontational”? I see explanations of why the CCD program is not a fit for their children, not confrontation.

But to the OP, I would provide examples of what you are using to home school your children, in particular what you are using to prepare them for their upcoming sacraments. Maybe you could compromise and use the books that the CCD class is using in your home. While unnecessary if one is really educating and raising their children in the faith, it is, I believe, an acceptable compromise. Perhaps the DRE can “quiz” your children instead of your pastor.

I am in total agreement that the Church has been clear that the parents are ultimately responsible for the religious education for their children. In fact there are some CCD programs that are home - based. Ours is here. We do all the teaching at home and come together once a month, parents and children, to see if anyone needs any further assistance. The Bishop loved the idea.

 

[JButky]

Nobody is legislating how the parents form the child’s faith in the home. What is being legislated is how the child is brought into the sacraments, and that is decided by the Church, not the parent.

The Response from the Church has already been given… Legislation regarding how a child is brought into the Sacraments is NOT the issue either. If a child is properly prepared, the Sacrament can not be denied. That is what the Response stated.

It doesn’t matter whether that happens at home or the Parish or anywhere else.

Joe B

 

[jmcrae]

I can only answer for myself. Though, I’d use the word “dislike” rather than hatred.

For one, the kids are doing religious instruction all week with a more intense program. So, it’s unnecessary. Just as the school kids who do religious instruction during the week aren’t required, it should not be a requirement.

Kids who go to Catholic schools are still required to take Sacramental Preparation at their local parish. Academic Religion classes are not a substitute for direct preparation.

There is also a home preparation program that the kids are expected to be doing with their parents, as well, so that they are getting a three-pronged approach - story-telling, family prayer time, and good example being set at home with the parents, the “how-to” stuff at the parish (including help with memorizing the prayers that the priest wants them to know), and the academic reasoning, arguments from Holy Tradition, and Scripture support for it, at the Catholic school.

The supports of parish and school are important for the family, so that the child doesn’t come to think that 'well, that may be what Mom and Dad think, but I’ve never met anyone else who thinks like that."

It would be equally wrong for the family not to be involved, since then, the child would think, “Well, outsiders may think like that, but my family thinks differently,” and this is equally harmful.

We need to all be working together, so that the child sees that what he is being taught is agreed on by his family, his community, and his school.

 

[mlchance]

Kids who go to Catholic schools are still required to take Sacramental Preparation at their local parish.

Not always. When my son was in the first grade at a Catholic school, the in-school sacramental prep he would have received in the second grade would’ve been sufficient for my parish priest. When the priest over the school changed the rules and decided that second graders would not do sacramental prep any more, my son took part in such prep at my parish instead. He and I received First Communion at the same Mass.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[genealogist]

Pastors have the right to set up sacramental prep. He even stated that the BISHOP in the diocese wanted the HS kids to be in RE/CCD. Homeschoolers seem to have a problem accepting any opinion/authority than their own. Following the magisterium is not always easy but the faithful are supposed to submit and obey. By magisterium I mean the bishops in our own time period and not the 1950s.

 

[jmcrae]

Not always. When my son was in the first grade at a Catholic school, the in-school sacramental prep he would have received in the second grade would’ve been sufficient for my parish priest. When the priest over the school changed the rules and decided that second graders would not do sacramental prep any more, my son took part in such prep at my parish instead. He and I received First Communion at the same Mass.

– Mark L. Chance.

Well, and after all, they are not joining the school for all eternity; they are joining the Church, so it makes sense to do the direct Sacramental preparation at the Church instead of at the school.

 

[mlchance]

Well, and after all, they are not joining the school for all eternity; they are joining the Church, so it makes sense to do the direct Sacramental preparation at the Church instead of at the school.

Sure. It also makes sense for parents who want to perform sacramental prep at home and then have their efforts assessed by the pastor without regard to whether the children are formally enrolled in any parish religious education program. Other parents, who lack the time or expertise, should have recourse to other avenues of sacramental prep for their children.

It doesn’t seem terribly complicated to me.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[jmcrae]

Sure. It also makes sense for parents who want to perform sacramental prep at home and then have their efforts assessed by the pastor without regard to whether the children are formally enrolled in any parish religious education program. Other parents, who lack the time or expertise, should have recourse to other avenues of sacramental prep for their children.

It doesn’t seem terribly complicated to me.

– Mark L. Chance.

They are joining a community; it makes sense for them to be prepared in a community. The Catholic Church is not a “me and Jesus” religion - that’s why we have the Communion of Saints, and why we go to Mass on Sundays instead of praying by ourselves at home.

There should also be instruction at home and at school, as well - the whole thing should not rest on one person’s shoulders, whether it’s the Religion teacher, the Catechist, or the parent - again, the reason being, we are a community of faith; not simply a collection of individuals.

 

[mlchance]

They are joining a community; it makes sense for them to be prepared in a community. The Catholic Church is not a “me and Jesus” religion - that’s why we have the Communion of Saints, and why we go to Mass on Sundays instead of praying by ourselves at home.

Admittedly. Sacramental prep and Mass, however, are not the same thing. Mass can only be celebrated as a community. Sacramental prep bears no such restriction.

There should also be instruction at home and at school, as well - the whole thing should not rest on one person’s shoulders, whether it’s the Religion teacher, the Catechist, or the parent - again, the reason being, we are a community of faith; not simply a collection of individuals.

True, but that invalidates nothing I’ve said. The primary responsibility for a child’s religious education falls on the parents. If a parent is up to handling the bulk of that task without regular assistance from the parish or a Catholic school, then that parent has the freedom to do so.

For example, my parish recently got a new priest, who decided to move CCE from Sunday between Masses to Wednesday evening. This is his prerogative; it’s his CCE program. Unfortunately, Wednesday evening doesn’t work for my family due to my children’s school obligations. It just isn’t possible for my wife and me to get home, ensure the children’s homework is done correctly, prepare dinner, and get things ready for the next day and still make it to church on time for CCE.

Consequently, I explained this to Father, and asked, “May I purchase the CCE material and teach my kids myself?”

Father was delighted, and my children are getting the religious instruction they need (and, knowing me, of better quality than they’d get at the parish ).

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[leonie]

Kids who go to Catholic schools are still required to take Sacramental Preparation at their local parish. Academic Religion classes are not a substitute for direct preparation.

There is also a home preparation program that the kids are expected to be doing with their parents, as well, so that they are getting a three-pronged approach - story-telling, family prayer time, and good example being set at home with the parents, the “how-to” stuff at the parish (including help with memorizing the prayers that the priest wants them to know), and the academic reasoning, arguments from Holy Tradition, and Scripture support for it, at the Catholic school.

The supports of parish and school are important for the family, so that the child doesn’t come to think that 'well, that may be what Mom and Dad think, but I’ve never met anyone else who thinks like that."

It would be equally wrong for the family not to be involved, since then, the child would think, “Well, outsiders may think like that, but my family thinks differently,” and this is equally harmful.

We need to all be working together, so that the child sees that what he is being taught is agreed on by his family, his community, and his school.

At our parish, the primary instruction is at the parish or ccd programs, but we do have an enrollment ceremony, a group first confession liturgy, two retreats, and a first communion Mass in addition. However, it’s not required for all families. Almost all families go that route, but some have the option to make other arrangements such as a private confession (versus a group), and an interview and first communion by themselves at a regular Mass or a private one if the priest can accommodate. We have done this part of the program because I like the community aspect of it.

 

[leonie]

They are joining a community; it makes sense for them to be prepared in a community. The Catholic Church is not a “me and Jesus” religion - that’s why we have the Communion of Saints, and why we go to Mass on Sundays instead of praying by ourselves at home.

There should also be instruction at home and at school, as well - the whole thing should not rest on one person’s shoulders, whether it’s the Religion teacher, the Catechist, or the parent - again, the reason being, we are a community of faith; not simply a collection of individuals.

That’s good point, but I think the community aspect comes into play as we go to Mass weekly.

Alot of the saints had private sacramental preparation. The most important part of the formation/catechesis is the effectiveness, not the community aspect of it. The community is the Mass, not the preparation.

 

[leonie]

Really Leonie how many parents have no talent for teaching. If you do have a talent for teaching teach more children than just your own, don’t waste a gift God has given you by using it only on your children. Teach CCD.

I do love teaching a class, but I think I’d have to give a child away right now to have the time and energy to prepare and teach a class. Though, I can think of one 12 year old I’d consider giving away.

I talked to one of my very talented teaching friends about co-teaching a class next year. That would be easier because we could divide the work.

The thing is: I put a lot of work into preparation for each class–several hours.

 

[jmcrae]

That’s good point, but I think the community aspect comes into play as we go to Mass weekly.

A lot of the saints had private sacramental preparation.

I can’t think of even one. Can you give an example?

Most of the Saints I know of either attended Catholic schools and/or attended parish programs, or else went through the 3-7 year RCIA process of the Early Church, or else were taught by Jesus as a member of the crowd, or as one of the 12 disciples.

The only “famous Catholic” I know of who took private instruction is Scott Hahn (and even he was received into the Church at a public liturgy) - as far as I know, he hasn’t been canonized, yet.