Religious Ed., anyone?

[Island_Oak]

We are recent transplants to the West Coast and my children, formerly enrolled in Catholic school, are now attending public school due to space limitations at our new parish. While we have enjoyed meeting a number of families in our new parish whose children also go to the public school, I have been shocked to learn that many are not participating in religious education classes because little Johhny or Mary Kate have soccer practice, piano lessons, karate, etc…which conflict with the religious ed. class time.

I am no saint or perfect in my worship, but beyond finding this mix of priorities personally demoralizing, I sincerely believe it erodes the parish as a whole. Does anyone have a strategy for offering a constructive response (that doesn’t come off as judgemental or holier-than-thou) instead of just standing mute?

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

Hi,

You should try talking to the parents about their responsibility to teach their children the faith. Did they make promises at their childrens baptisms? Try to get the parents to take their faith seriously. Good luck.

Yours in Jesus, Mary & Joseph,

John
Saints are just sinners who keep trying.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

 

[puzzleannie]

I am considering asking Walmart to put up a sign on their front window “Free babysitting offered at St. J-- Church Saturday mornings from 9 to Noon” because that sure feels like the business I am in sometimes.

 

[Dreamer]

Pray for them. Now whenever you have conversations with these parents, if the time is right you can ask questions of when little johnny made his first communion or sally made her confirmation. Its a start, and if the timing is right, the conversation can go further. People are way too busy on the West Coast, I am one of them, but my kids have been going to CCD, minus this year due to Gas and Prior activities, but they need one more year for confirmation. They will be there next year you bet. I am a Knight with my church and find time hard to donate, working six days a week. People mean well on the West Coast, but they really just need a little push. :yup:

 

[asquared]

does everyone know about catechismclass.com with programs for every age level, including adult ed? there is a subscription cost, but the materials are very sound, and may be just right for the on-line generation who can’t get it together to go to a class on a set schedule.

 

[Dolores49]

Island Oak:

We are recent transplants to the West Coast and my children, formerly enrolled in Catholic school, are now attending public school due to space limitations at our new parish. While we have enjoyed meeting a number of families in our new parish whose children also go to the public school, I have been shocked to learn that many are not participating in religious education classes because little Johhny or Mary Kate have soccer practice, piano lessons, karate, etc…which conflict with the religious ed. class time.

I am no saint or perfect in my worship, but beyond finding this mix of priorities personally demoralizing, I sincerely believe it erodes the parish as a whole. Does anyone have a strategy for offering a constructive response (that doesn’t come off as judgemental or holier-than-thou) instead of just standing mute?

Boy does this sound like St. Clare’s! I served 3 years on their pastoral council and we talked about making changes. As if…

As if we had any say!

I now believe that the priest sets the atmosphere. He knows about the interactions first-hand between the have and the have-nots, the soccer moms and the serious Catholics. At St. Clare’s, unfortunately, the people with the money got the most attention. Really, really discouraging.

We go to Holy Rosary now! By Divine intervention.

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

does everyone know about catechismclass.com with programs for every age level, including adult ed? there is a subscription cost, but the materials are very sound, and may be just right for the on-line generation who can’t get it together to go to a class on a set schedule.

I am the new President and CEO of CatechismClass.com. I want to point out that the new link is catechismclass.com.

I am confident that with the new website design and the new conservative and traditional Catholic content will be a huge improvement.

The company now offers a wide variety of materials for catechesis including the following:

Here is a link to see the children’s programs that we have: catechismclass.com/series
Here is a link to our Sacramental Preparation Programs: catechismclass.com/sacramental-prep
Here is a link to our marriage preparation program: catechismclass.com/lesson/234
Here is a link to our Catholic Book Summaries: catechismclass.com/category/8
Here is a link to our Adult Program (which functions as both the RCIA program as well as the Teacher’s Edition for catechists and parents to use with a child’s series): catechismclass.com/packages/1

We now have a 100% guarantee that we will offer our products to any homeschooling family, parish, or other group at a price cheaper than they are paying now. We strongly believe in our material and wish to offer them to all parishes/groups, even those unable to pay the unit price. All you have to do is show me a past invoice from your current provider of catechism material and I will beat that price!

Just wanted to make you aware of the changes…

 

[timotheos]

I am the new President and CEO of CatechismClass.com. I want to point out that the new link is catechismclass.com.

I am confident that with the new website design and the new conservative and traditional Catholic content will be a huge improvement.

The company now offers a wide variety of materials for catechesis including the following:

Here is a link to see the children’s programs that we have: catechismclass.com/series
Here is a link to our Sacramental Preparation Programs: catechismclass.com/sacramental-prep
Here is a link to our marriage preparation program: catechismclass.com/lesson/234
Here is a link to our Catholic Book Summaries: catechismclass.com/category/8
Here is a link to our Adult Program (which functions as both the RCIA program as well as the Teacher’s Edition for catechists and parents to use with a child’s series): catechismclass.com/packages/1

We now have a 100% guarantee that we will offer our products to any homeschooling family, parish, or other group at a price cheaper than they are paying now. We strongly believe in our material and wish to offer them to all parishes/groups, even those unable to pay the unit price. All you have to do is show me a past invoice from your current provider of catechism material and I will beat that price!

Just wanted to make you aware of the changes…

Thanks for the info. I may pick up a series to supplement my class this fall …