Tuition at Catholic school tied to parents' attendance at mass

[dwc]

We have kids in Catholic school and such a policy would benefit us, as we go to mass regardless. But, I’m happy to see other posters recognizing that kids whose families don’t take them to mass are the ones most in need of Catholic school. My mom started out Catholic, had a bunch of kids and then became gradually disillusioned with the Catholic church. She sent most of us to Catholic grade school, but by the time I was in fifth or sixth grade, she had completely stopped attending mass. The only examples of faith I had were at school. I’m convinced I remained Catholic only because of school. Out of six of us, only 2 remain Catholic. The three who only attended Catholic school for a few years are not Catholic.

I’m a huge advocate of Catholic education in my parish and I’m very vocal about doing what we can to keep the kids of non-practicing Catholics in our school. It may give them only a small chance but it’s the only chance they have.

 

[lak611]

We have kids in Catholic school and such a policy would benefit us, as we go to mass regardless. But, I’m happy to see other posters recognizing that kids whose families don’t take them to mass are the ones most in need of Catholic school. My mom started out Catholic, had a bunch of kids and then became gradually disillusioned with the Catholic church. She sent most of us to Catholic grade school, but by the time I was in fifth or sixth grade, she had completely stopped attending mass. The only examples of faith I had were at school. I’m convinced I remained Catholic only because of school. Out of six of us, only 2 remain Catholic. The three who only attended Catholic school for a few years are not Catholic.

I’m a huge advocate of Catholic education in my parish and I’m very vocal about doing what we can to keep the kids of non-practicing Catholics in our school. It may give them only a small chance but it’s the only chance they have.

I’m curious how many non-Catholic kids convert to Catholicism as adults after attending Catholic schools. I know many parents who are Protestant send their kids to Catholic schools because the public schools are bad and there are no nearby Protestant schools. Do any of these kids eventually become Catholic?

 

[Orionthehunter]

I’m curious how many non-Catholic kids convert to Catholicism as adults after attending Catholic schools. I know many parents who are Protestant send their kids to Catholic schools because the public schools are bad and there are no nearby Protestant schools. Do any of these kids eventually become Catholic?

Who knows? But I will tell you what I noticed at another parish in my town that has Sunday night Mass (seems to attract alot of college and h.s. kids). One of the girls there who went up to communion for a blessing. She is Lutheran but graduated from our Catholic H.S. with my daughter. Only God knows what is going on in her heart but it sure looks good to me.

 

[dwc]

I know that in my second grader’s class one little girl who came from a non- Catholic family became baptized and made her First Communion since attending our parish school — and so did her mother!

 

[whatevergirl]

In a way, it may seem dramatic at first, but the results that these parents will receive from attending mass regularly…will be forever positive. I don’t like the idea of forcing parents to go to mass–HOWEVER–I know first hand many parents who send their kids to Catholic school, who just send them there, to avoid public school education, not necessarily to obtain a Catholic education. So…this is a pretty good idea…I’m in!

 

[anniemart]

Although we don’t have a parish school, our parish does this for Confirmation.

Each child must have his/her bulletin signed by the Priest or Deacon each Sunday. Or if they are away, they must bring a bulletin from the Church that they attended. I don’t know what the mandatory percentage is for attendance, but I will find out soon, as my son will be in the class in September.

We don’t have a parish school but do offer CCD classes. Last year, there was an “attempt” to implement mandatory attendance for the children at mass but teachers abandoned it because only one or two kids would turn in a signed bulletin. (We had at minimum 300 enrolled.) Also, the parents were not too nice to the teachers from what I understand. Apparently, most really resented having to come in to mass–period. Class is only one hour long; every Saturday for 9 months at at time. I guess that’s about as much as you can ask from some parents…

 

[Rob_in_Oregon]

I used to live in a little parish that had a small school. The pastor wanted to shut the school down because it was a big drain on the parish finances, but moreso because many of the school parents were living together without being married, and had no interest whatsoever in Catholicism. They never attended mass or participated in any parish activities.

I don’t think it’s unreasoable to expect parents to live according to Catholic teaching in order to have their kids in the parish school. What’s next, children of “gay” couples in parish schools?

My two bits worth from pagan Oregon. - Rob

 

[Proeliator]

We can’t afford to send our children to Catholic schools. Too Expensive for four children. The Lutheran school only charges $500 a year per child so that is the way we are going. My wife is Lutheran. The children will attend CCD. How about a Catholic School that costs $500 a year per kid. Hard to find. I better get out of here…my temper is starting to flare on this topic!

 

[dwc]

In our area the difference between tuition at Lutheran schools and Catholic schools is in the way they are set up. We have two Lutheran schools in the entire city/suburb area and they are supported by all of the Lutheran churches who have members who want to send their children to Lutheran school. The Catholic schools are supported by their individual parishes, one church per school, so of course the tuition is higher.

 

[Proeliator]

I say take it a step further…Why not require the parents and the children to go to confession as well? Take a tally of the number of families at the sacrament of Reconciliation during the week or month or year. Then take a tally of everyone receiving communion. I know at my parish I must be living amongst the Saints!

 

[YADA]

Our parish school [Kindergarten - Eigth Grade] recieves support from the parish collections of approximately 18%.

Parih school families are required to volunteer a set amount of hours each year towards classroom actvities [educational support] and a set amount of hours for “Fund Raising” This fund raising support means hours spent selling ‘script’ [gift certificates bought at a discount and sold at face value], selling poinsetta’s at Christmas, the Jog-a-thon, and the scholl auction and endowment dinners, etc.

Families who do not wish to "fund raise’ are free to opt for full tuition payments.

Scool families are also expected to contribute the equivalent of $10 per week or $520 per year, a nominal amount for the tuition break…

And ofr those who cry foul…any family truly in financial need can apply for scholarships and other financial aid. In addition, speaking with the school principal or parish priest and they will [or would waive the minimum].

Our archdiocee provides acholarships [in addition to the parish scholarships and endowment fund scholarships] of approximately $500 based upon a certain level of financial need.

When many parishes have waiting lists, catholic parents are encouraged in canon law to seek catholic educations for their children, why would nominal or non practicing be given the seats that could and should go to families who are supporting the parish and the school: Time Talent and Treasure?

First time parent applicants must apply and specify [written essay] about why they seek a catholic school education for their child [children]. Parish membership is verified [not required - but non catholics pay full freight for tuition, no archdiocese, parish offsets]. In addition to being a refistered parishioer, volunteer parish not school - activities are factored into membership. If you attend Mass regularly and also are inviolved in parish activities, yo will be known and recognised…that is how parish school sudents become such…

 

[YADA]

OldAgeGuru

At one of my confirmation classes, the priest calls me out in front of the entire class and said that I shouldn’t expect to be confirmed if I can’t be bothered to show up to mass once a week. I told him quite loudly all of the above reasons as to why we so seriously loathed his parish, and that the only reason I was there for classes is because it was closest to our home, and that if he had any doubts about my attendance he could feel free to pick up the phone and confirm with the priest that my rear end was planted firmly in a pew every Saturday evening alongside my parents and grandparents.

I don’t feel like my parents should be penalized financially because their church did not offer schooling/ or religious ed classes. And I don’t think it’s fair to hunt/stalk/ or monitor people’s giving habits.

My parents don’t give money weekly. They write a big check at Christmas and Easter. If that wouldn’t be good enough then I’m sure they would have given a piece of their mind to the gossipy church secretary and an even bigger piece to the priest.

Your post is really self centered…your family did not find this parish suitable to join in worship and yet found it acceptable for catechesis? Or were you just getting your [confirmation] ticket punched? This twice yearly contribution check…did it go to the parish you used for religous ed or to the parish you deemed worthy of your participation at mass?

Why does yor favored parish not offer religious education? Is it because the community does not financially support the parish such that they can offer this church funcion?

And this is highly un-christian. You need to read and contemplate upon the story of Peter and Ananias [and his wife]. Tals about a stocking and accountability!

Read about what Jesus said about the gift of the widows mite compared to the rich mans. If it was un-accounted [un-known] Jesus could not have made his point.

QUOTE] don’t feel like my parents should be penalized financially because their church did not offer schooling/ or religious ed classes. And I don’t think it’s fair to hunt/stalk/ or monitor people’s giving habits.

My parents don’t give money weekly. They write a big check at Christmas and Easter. If that wouldn’t be good enough then I’m sure they would have given a piece of their mind to the gossipy church secretary and an even bigger piece to the priest.

Why would the Jews be required to give 10% [and the many other aspects of charity] for what they received - Moses - the Law - and the Prophets?

We Christians are not given a specified amount but are told to give joyfully from our hearts in proportion to what we have been given.

What have we been given…Moses, the Law, the Prophets [our foundational faith] PLUS Jesus - the God Man - and His Atoning Sacrifice Upon the Cross - Salvation, the Church, the New Testament - Eternal Live - Heaven…Redemption…

So I ask you, do we as Christians begin our giving [of time talent and treasure] at zero? Do we give from our abundance or from our need? Did Jesus give from his aundance [the left overs] or did he give His very life for us?

And by the way, even though you did not name the parish secretary…you gossiped about her and committed character assassination…

you

 

[Katie1723]

It is truly a shame that things have come to this. When I was growing up, Mass attendance wasn’t an option. And we "wanted " to go to Catholic school. My parents had 7 kids and it was hard. But to help out, I got a job when I was 13. I “wanted” to. Now a days we are afraid of our children not liking us and so we give them things. When what we should be giving them is a good education. How many parents squawk about the cost of tuition, yet make sure their children have the “latest” things?

Kathy

 

[OldAgeGuru]

QUOTE=YADA;2563006]OldAgeGuru

Your post is really self centered…your family did not find this parish suitable to join in worship and yet found it acceptable for catechesis? Or were you just getting your [confirmation] ticket punched? This twice yearly contribution check…did it go to the parish you used for religous ed or to the parish you deemed worthy of your participation at mass?

I don’t feel it was self centered at all. We didn’t go to that particular church for a host of reasons. The priests were not my parents or my grandparents cup of tea. The parishoners let their children run rampant around the church during mass, and not small children, seven or eight year olds. I was capable of sitting still for an hour at age 5 and I was taught how to behave in places such as church. The families there were very clique-ey. The music was not good and it went on forever with bongo’s and banjo’s and electric pianos. If that parish wasn’t for us, why should we go. My parents preferred a quieter setting, in a beautiful church with limited music, with priests who were a little more formal. Why is that selfish?

Why does yor favored parish not offer religious education? Is it because the community does not financially support the parish such that they can offer this church funcion?

Our church didn’t see the point in having ccd classes or a school because they just don’t have enough children to make it cost efficient. The church isn’t in a neighborhood, It’s in a downtown business area that doesn’t have a large population of people living there. My parents paid for my tuition at Catholic school and for my ccd classes. Also the way our diocese is set up all parishes that do not offer classes or a school submit some of their money to the diocese and the wealth is spread around.

Read about what Jesus said about the gift of the widows mite compared to the rich mans. If it was un-accounted [un-known] Jesus could not have made his point.

Why would the Jews be required to give 10% [and the many other aspects of charity] for what they received - Moses - the Law - and the Prophets?

We Christians are not given a specified amount but are told to give joyfully from our hearts in proportion to what we have been given.

My parents do give joyfully, They aren’t told to give a specified amount like 10 dollars a week to retain tuition rates. My parents happen to prefer to just write checks twice a year, it’s easier for them, and what’s the difference if they decide to give 250 twice a year or 10 bucks a week?

And by the way, even though you did not name the parish secretary…you gossiped about her and committed character assassination…

you

Well, that’s fine, as I have been on the receiving end of this woman’s particular path before. I was bullimic, I was a hypochondriac, I was a liar, etc. And comments have been made about my parents too. Couldn’t care less about defaming my own character since this woman seems to be a pro at doing it for me.

 

[JimmyJeff]

What’s next, children of “gay” couples in parish schools?

I think I see this a little differently than some of you. I would think that a family of devout, orthodox Catholics might have less of a need for a Catholic school than the less devout. The devout are getting an excellent Catholic education at home. If you want to have more devout, orthodox Catholics in the world, wouldn’t you want to evangelize children with gay parents? Children of divorced or living together parents? Children of who have parents that aren’t highly moral?

Isn’t that what the Church has traditionally done? Educated the poor and educated orphans etc to make more devout Catholics for the next generation? I was under the impression that Catholicism was supposed to be the universal Church whose mission was to spread Christ to the World, to sinners? Not just preach to the so-called choir.

The Lutheran Schools love to take non-religious and try to evangelize them into Christianity and I know the inner city Catholic schools (at least in St. Louis) are doing a fantastic job educating non-Catholics and one school is majority Bosnian Muslim immigrants.

I could be totally off on this but I admire the Catholic Church for doing a fantastic job educating children that the public schools can’t reach. I’m not Catholic but if I had my choice of any kind of school for my kids, I would love for them to go to a Catholic school. I think they accomplish so much with much less. Private, independent schools around here cost about $12 k for grade school, our “excellent” public school drives me nuts (it should tell you something that our principal and about half the teachers sent their children to non-public schools) and I just can’t imagine sending my kids to one of those Christian academies with the Bob Jones school of thought and the Lutheran schools are way too far from where we live.

 

[buffalo]

I used to live in a little parish that had a small school. The pastor wanted to shut the school down because it was a big drain on the parish finances, but moreso because many of the school parents were living together without being married, and had no interest whatsoever in Catholicism. They never attended mass or participated in any parish activities.

I don’t think it’s unreasoable to expect parents to live according to Catholic teaching in order to have their kids in the parish school. What’s next, children of “gay” couples in parish schools?

My two bits worth from pagan Oregon. - Rob

This can be sticky. However, Jesus in His great commission told us we are to evangelize. We cannot punish children for the sins of the parents. We must be interested in proposing Catholicism to all children.

 

[buffalo]

We can’t afford to send our children to Catholic schools. Too Expensive for four children. The Lutheran school only charges $500 a year per child so that is the way we are going. My wife is Lutheran. The children will attend CCD. How about a Catholic School that costs $500 a year per kid. Hard to find. I better get out of here…my temper is starting to flare on this topic!

Te Diocese is practicing stewarship very well. Your kids can go k-12 tuition free.

It is a great model, requires bold leadership and communication skills, but it can be done in your diocese.

 

[shannyk]

How many parents squawk about the cost of tuition, yet make sure their children have the “latest” things?

Agreed.

Mine go to Catholic school in leiu of just about everything else.

Also, to anyone who balks at the cost of tuition, pray for vocations to the religious life. Having to pay lay teachers a reasonable and competitive wage rather than paying Sisters and Brothers a stipend to teach is the biggest reason why tuition is so much more now than it was ‘back in the day’ when all Catholic kids went to their parish school.

I’m surprised at the number of people who seem so offended at the idea of having to contribute to their children education financially and otherwise. Isn’t it pretty sad that parishes have had to come to the point of babysitting the parents to make sure they get to mass? Where have all the grown ups gone??

We must be interested in proposing Catholicism to all children

I don’t think anyone doesn’t want this. Truly I think everyone wants just that. However, then there is reality. The Church and it’s school have to operate in the world, where money is required to function. They can’t make money appear out of nowhere.

 

[PaulaB52]

We send our 2 kids to Catholic school. We also attend Mass weekly and on all HDO. I wouldn’t care about having the card punched or the signed bulletin since we attend a different parish from where I kids go to school.

What I don’t like is having to pay the 75.00/per kids out of parish fee. We contribute to our parish weekly, but since we don’t attend the school associated with our parish, I can’t ask the parish to pay the out of parish fee for the school my kids do attend.

I have accepted the 150.00/year as part of my tithe.

I wish that we could get the discount for just attending Mass. What a perk! And that perk doesn’t even concern my immortal soul!

FWIW, our new pastor has just installed the signed bulletin rule for kids in the 1st Communion & Confirmation classes.