Public school and the church

[Kennywood]

At different times in my life, I have been in all sides of this. I do think you should speak to the pastor, as suggested. In anticipating the conversation, I would also consider what, if anything, you can do to help improve the situation.

Offer to help with an inclusive CYO program?

Help to plan Masses that include students from all educational backgrounds?

Just a thought.

It is your Church.

 

[Mickey]

Test.

 

[heart4home]

**It sounds like the priest is just more familiar with the school families. If he is active at the school, he probably sees these kids every day and likely sees many of the parents more often too since parent volunteers are usually a big part of making a school run smoothly. **

Also, have you ever explained to the priest why you are sending your kids to the public school instead of supporting the parish school? In some locations, the expectation are high that all families who can will send their kids to the parish school. If he understood the reasons, he might be more welcoming.

Actually that is the very reason this priest should make a very big effort to get to know the public school children and their parents on the weekend or when they are attending the classes during the week.

It really gets frustrating at times to see the defense of priests above posters all the time when you don’t really know him. I trust this poster in what she is saying and it is the priest’s job to care for all his flock, not just the ones that are able to attend the parish school. Actually he should be more concerned at getting to know the public school kids and making sure their formation is going well.

The priest doesn’t need to know or understand their reasons for choosing public school in order to give them the same love and shepherding as those that choose to use the Church’s school.

 

[JacarandaPurple]

Yep. ^^^^ that!

 

[gus]

60 years ago I went with my parents to the rectory to ask if I could become an Alter Boy.
Since I was in public school my parents request was denied.
I guess mine was an unusal request at the time.

 

[etmom]

Actually that is the very reason this priest should make a very big effort to get to know the public school children and their parents on the weekend or when they are attending the classes during the week.

It really gets frustrating at times to see the defense of priests above posters all the time when you don’t really know him. I trust this poster in what she is saying and it is the priest’s job to care for all his flock, not just the ones that are able to attend the parish school. Actually he should be more concerned at getting to know the public school kids and making sure their formation is going well.

The priest doesn’t need to know or understand their reasons for choosing public school in order to give them the same love and shepherding as those that choose to use the Church’s school.

I agree, the priest should make an effort to get to know the public school children on the weekend. The behavior of the priest in the OP sounds very odd and inappropriate.

But I still don’t think he will get to know them as well, even with effort. Our elementary school is next to our Church. The priests are over there several times a week, teaching a religion class, eating lunch with the kids, attending a virtue assembly, even just throwing the ball on the playground with the kids. The kids have mass weekly at the church, at which the older kids are altar serving and singing in the choir. Plus, they see Father at weekend Masses (like the public school kids), and for the most part (there are exceptions), but it is the Catholic school families and homeschool families who repeatedly and almost exclusively attend almost every single family event at the parish. Just due to the sheer number of interactions, the priest would get to know a child better. Sharing your brownie with Father at lunch and having a conversation is a better “get to know you” opportunity than shaking his hand and saying “hello” after Mass or at CCD class.

My older children attended public schools and attended CCD, my younger ones attend Catholic schools. There is just more opportunity for interaction with the priests through the Catholic schools. But the homeschool children in our parish also know the priests very well, they usually attend Mass several times per week and attend all the events at the parish.

 

[maryjk]

My older children attended public schools and attended CCD, my younger ones attend Catholic schools. There is just more opportunity for interaction with the priests through the Catholic schools. But the home school children in our parish also know the priests very well, they usually attend Mass several times per week and attend all the events at the parish.

I was thinking the same thing. Our parish doesn’t have a school. But there are a number of home schooled children. We know the priest better than the average public school student. Why? Because we are generally at mass more often. We most likely take the priest out for lunch during the week more often. They just see us more often.

 

[Master_Blaster]

Catholic schools are better.
I just wish they would use a
cell phone blocker to prevent
the kids from texting and
cheating in class.

 

[Allegra]

This is a common problem and there are a few things that can be done to help. First of all, the parish should be sponsoring activities for all the children in the parish. These activities should be advertised in the bulletin and not only in flyers sent home with the day school kids. Parish activities such as archdiosen league sports, scouting, choir, bell choir, youth group, should not be limited to the day school kids. Also, the public school parents should volunteer to help.

I think if the adults who have kids in the public school are active in the parish, it is more likely that activities will be set up for all the children as well.

Another thing I strongly believe in is to encourage the priests to attend the major events at the childrens’ school. For example, invite him to watch the children’s orchestra concert, big game, or graduation ceremony. These invitations will be more meaningful if they come from the children. Granted, priests are busy men, but eventually they might make it to see a school play and means alot to the kids to see them there. When I was in school, our priests were often present at our major school events. One of them even offered an opening speech at our baccalaureate ceremony when I graduated.

Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for members of the church to attend the local school board meetings. Any taxpayer can attend (if it’s an open session) and even if one doesn’t have children, they definately have a vested interest in how things are going in the public school. (Poor schools mean declining property values) Then, if it should happen that the public school begins to demonstrate an intolerance for the rights of the children of faith that attend there, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the local priest to be a familiar face to the school board. Believe it or not, it has not been unheard of for a clergyman to sit on a public school board. (Though I don’t know if a Catholic priest would be allowed by his bishop to take up that responsibility given all the other things he has to do.)

 

[Corki]

Believe it or not, it has not been unheard of for a clergyman to sit on a public school board. (Though I don’t know if a Catholic priest would be allowed by his bishop to take up that responsibility given all the other things he has to do.)

The Church does not allow priests to run for office, not even school boards.

 

[Allegra]

The Church does not allow priests to run for office, not even school boards.

Ah. That makes sense. I think I knew that somewhere in the back of my mind. My local school district used to have a protestant minister on the school board. He was on the board for years, almost the whole time I was in school.