Our kindergarten classes are held *during *Mass. With our older children attending between the two morning Masses.
LO> You have opened a can of worms, my friend.Okay, I just have to ask, and I may be way out of line here; if I am, forgive me. But what is in the “family’s schedule” that is a higher priority than religious ed? (And other education too, but learning about God is the foundation for everything.)
When I attended CCD class, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, it was on Sunday mornings between the two Masses at our parish. Some parishes started having it at different times during the week, though some in my area still have it on Sundays. But if it’s on a weeknight where you are, then that’s when it is.
Be that as it may, what message are parents sending if sports or extracurricular lessons and activities are more important than Catechism? Put the Catechism in before other things are scheduled on your calendar. The alternative of home schooling isn’t bad, and it sounds like you’re looking for quality materials and it’s great you’re starting at a young age. Maybe the parish is being rigid, but on the other hand I can’t help wondering if they are having problems with trying to find a night that suits all the families because of the families’ non-essential “priorities.” Not just you, everybody.
Forgive me, please, for sounding harsh, it’s just that I see this so much and I think it can start a slippery slope. I’m not exempting myself - we are all sometimes tempted to get done what we want to do then “fit God in” the time that’s left. It’s just a trend we should be aware of and examine ourselves to make sure we’re not falling into the trap. I hope all works out well for all of you.
Not at all saying the Homeschoolers do this, (as I’ve said before, they tend to care very much) but in the last several years I have heard these excuses from others:
Good grief. As the OP who mentioned scheduling problems for our family, here’s the answer: my husband and I both teach in the same department and our department meetings (required for faculty) are scheduled for the same day and time that kindergarten catechism classes are offered. These department meetings aren’t “what we want to do” and we’re certainly not of the attitude that we “fit God in the time that’s left.”Okay, I just have to ask, and I may be way out of line here; if I am, forgive me. But what is in the “family’s schedule” that is a higher priority than religious ed? (And other education too, but learning about God is the foundation for everything.)
When I attended CCD class, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, it was on Sunday mornings between the two Masses at our parish. Some parishes started having it at different times during the week, though some in my area still have it on Sundays. But if it’s on a weeknight where you are, then that’s when it is.
Be that as it may, what message are parents sending if sports or extracurricular lessons and activities are more important than Catechism? Put the Catechism in before other things are scheduled on your calendar. The alternative of home schooling isn’t bad, and it sounds like you’re looking for quality materials and it’s great you’re starting at a young age. Maybe the parish is being rigid, but on the other hand I can’t help wondering if they are having problems with trying to find a night that suits all the families because of the families’ non-essential “priorities.” Not just you, everybody.
Forgive me, please, for sounding harsh, it’s just that I see this so much and I think it can start a slippery slope. I’m not exempting myself - we are all sometimes tempted to get done what we want to do then “fit God in” the time that’s left. It’s just a trend we should be aware of and examine ourselves to make sure we’re not falling into the trap. I hope all works out well for all of you.
As a DRE I have the same problems with such attitudes and I do pray for the parents of our children. I have recently heard from a parent: “It’s not like this is really important.” “This time is not good for us, we have soccer, you have to get us a class at a different time.” “You can’t tell me to bring my children to Mass. That is a family decision.” “All my children need to know is that God loves them. Why to they have to know all this other stuff?”LO> You have opened a can of worms, my friend.
“Well since he made his First Communion last year, and worked so hard and came to so many classes, we thought we’d give him a year off of Sunday School.” (sort of like time of for good behavior???)
“it just doesn’t fit into his/her schedule, what with dance, soccer, t-ball, lacrosse, competitive cheerleading, drama, etc.” (I’ve come to loathe the “S” work= soccer)
“we go out of town a lot on the weekends”. (EVERY weekend?)
“my child doesn’t see why he needs to go to class since we don’t go to Mass”. (DUH. I guess not.)
“we can’t understand the priest’s accent, so we just quit going to church and to Sunday school.” Sad. Just sad. And likely just an excuse.
“the Mass isn’t fun. Can’t you ask Father to make it more fun so my kid will want to go?”
The bottom line is, parents are the primary educators of their children, And they have to WANT it for their children’s souls. A lot of folks think that if God is all merciful, He’s going to cut everyone a load of slack on the last day. They honestly believe this. It’s a terrible state. The games they play to convince themselves that all of what we believe is subjective is alarming.
But, we are there for the people who deeply love the Lord and their Faith. It’s those children that will grow of up the be faithful leaders. We need them and we try to support them as much as possible.
That’s why I say: Pray for parents and educators.
I am very sorry to hear that. I am super lucky that all my parents are very cooperative, if not necessarily totally practicing the faith at home. They at least do as we ask, and are good about getting their kids to CCD,church, and mostly to Mass-- especially when we ask directly. They bring them for confession and for youth mass and for special programs. no one ever balks when I yank their kid out of the pew b/c I need a server. they have acommodated Fr’s last minute request for a Saint parade-- yea to moms who made costumes one week before and got their kids to the church for the program.
Oh, I don’t think so. She’d be told where to sit and that would be it. I wouldn’t give her ANY options.
That is not universal.
I asked our parents if they wanted to move CCD from Wed night to Sunday and they said no.
Oh wow, I feel your pain. I have a parent right now, who doesn’t like the time and date of the First Communion. She keeps demanding that it be changed to fit her family’s schedule. Also, she refuses to speak to the Pastor. Mind you, neither Father nor I have ever seen this family at Mass. The child attends a Catholic School. She had her daughter trying to videotape her son’s First Reconciliation! VIDEOTAPE! She was told in no uncertain terms to put that camera away. Then I got the stink-eye from all her friends. Father was livid. She even went to a neighboring parish and told that pastor that we had done nothing to try to assist her in her dilemma. (Her dilemma being that her relatives were going to have to fly in from Jersey.)
I’m now a GREAT grandpa, so its been awhile since I’ve had kids that age. BUT I’ve been active in Faith formation for about 30 years.
Yes, this was done at a neighboring parish…those who needed an alternate time stepped up and offered to lead another class, providing there was space at another time. Turns out, there were other families that joined in, and I think they have a small but interested class of about 8 families.I’m now a GREAT grandpa, so its been awhile since I’ve had kids that age. BUT I’ve been active in Faith formation for about 30 years.
Every parish I’m aware of has only One class per week.
BUT parents are the first and the primary teachers with the gravest responsibility to TEACH and pass on our Faith.
TALK to you’re DRE or pastor and see if YOU can start a second class? Amybe more than one parish can participate.
God Bless you! I applaud you’re efforts!
Patrick
As I said, if I was out of line as regards your particular situation, then disregard what I said, it clearly doesn’t apply to you. :imsorry:Good grief. As the OP who mentioned scheduling problems for our family, here’s the answer: my husband and I both teach in the same department and our department meetings (required for faculty) are scheduled for the same day and time that kindergarten catechism classes are offered. These department meetings aren’t “what we want to do” and we’re certainly not of the attitude that we “fit God in the time that’s left.”
Plus I know some families who have their kids overscheduled or to whom those other activities are higher on the priority list than their spiritual education. I know a grandmother and great-grandmother who care more about getting the grandchild to PSR than the parents do. Many situations that fall under that basic umbrella. but that would no doubt draw complaints from many that it interferes with getting ready for the workweek, or Sunday night TV or sports or whatever. I say - and OP I am not including you in this, trust me - there are a lot of whiny, spoiled, mixed-up Catholics out there who need to re-examine their priorities. 
And apparently the confrontational approach doesn’t work any better than the bending over backwards trying to please everybody approach. In the end we’re left with prayer that they’ll have a spiritual awakening and see what’s truly important.