Not religious at Catholic School

[Anonymous]

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but I haven't been able to figure out the right combination of search terms to find the threads.

We are not religious but applied to Catholic high schools because those are the ones we can afford (very grateful that there are schools that are within our means) and we don't like our public high school options.

I have read about Catholics being worried about non-Catholics attending and undermining the school's values. That would not be our approach. We are worried about feeling distant from the school community because we aren't Catholic or feeling like there isn't tolerance for non-Catholics.

We are looking at DeMatha, Gonzaga and St. John's.

I am hoping to hear from non-Catholic families if they regret having sent their child to one of these schools or another Catholic school. I would also be interested in hearing about any upsides. Also, I'm not sure if my son will make it onto a sports team. I think if he did that would help with feeling a part of the school community so am hoping to hear about the experiences of non-athletes as well.

I am also hoping to hear from Catholic families about how they would characterize their interactions with non-Catholic families; I expect that many Catholic families see one another at church or other Catholic-based activities so understand that as a non-Catholic those opportunities will not be there. However, are interactions purely dependent on whether their kid happens to befriend a non-Catholic student or are their other factors?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is a great question! The schools you applied to are very inclusive and you will find the communities to be welcoming!
We currently are at a parochial with many non Catholics and the principal said it so well at the open house “We are first and foremost a Catholic school” meaning this is who we are and we aren’t going to compromise on our beliefs but you are welcomed here if you decide to come here and are not Catholic. Kids don’t really care I find they all are friends despite religion it’s more values. We adults make it a bigger issue than it really is sometimes

[Anonymous]

We were just at the Gonzaga Mother-Son Mass and brunch this AM. It was standing room only
Mass, but many assuming non- Catholic students there with mothers, female guardians grandmother, aunts or close female adult. Lovely to see many non-Catholics feel comfortable and join in the Mass.(they cross their arms for a blessing instead of putting their hands out to receive communion.) You can also join the brunch after the Mass.

If one of these two options would be ok for you and DS you will be fine at Gonzaga.

[Anonymous]

OP Here - thank you for these responses and the specifics that you mention. That was really helpful!

I would love to hear from others.

[Anonymous]

This is a great question! Everything you heard above is wrong. Just do you and ignore the Catholic doom and gloom posters. You are welcome and our schools wouldn’t survive without the influx of non-Catholics.

You can’t get expelled. Enjoy the good parts and ignore the obviously stupid parts. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a great question! Everything you heard above is wrong. Just do you and ignore the Catholic doom and gloom posters. You are welcome and our schools wouldn’t survive without the influx of non-Catholics.

You can’t get expelled. Enjoy the good parts and ignore the obviously stupid parts. Good luck.

What does this mean? Kids get expelled for various reasons in all private schools, including Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Catholic parent at a school. There is no issue with non-Catholics attending. Your child would have to learn Catholic traditions, prayers, etc and would be required to go to mass. They also pray every day so you need to have an understanding that religion is part of every day life.

As far as making friends with non-Catholics, I have no idea which of my children’s friends are Catholic. It truly does not matter. You will be welcomed to the school and the school community regardless of where and how you worship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a great question! The schools you applied to are very inclusive and you will find the communities to be welcoming!
We currently are at a parochial with many non Catholics and the principal said it so well at the open house “We are first and foremost a Catholic school” meaning this is who we are and we aren’t going to compromise on our beliefs but you are welcomed here if you decide to come here and are not Catholic. Kids don’t really care I find they all are friends despite religion it’s more values. We adults make it a bigger issue than it really is sometimes

I think the is the best way to describe it.

[Anonymous]

We are non Christian and my kid goes to Gonzaga. I don’t regret sending him there. It is a welcoming school. I skipped the mother-son easter brunch though.

[Anonymous]

They just won a lawsuit on this. Non-Catholics don’t have to go.

In reality it’s very easy to get excused

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They just won a lawsuit on this. Non-Catholics don’t have to go.

In reality it’s very easy to get excused

Huh? Schools could legally require it. But they don’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They just won a lawsuit on this. Non-Catholics don’t have to go.

In reality it’s very easy to get excused

Post a link or I don't believe you.

[Anonymous]

Yes, all students are expected to learn the school curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They just won a lawsuit on this. Non-Catholics don’t have to go.

In reality it’s very easy to get excused

Yes it is very easy, just attend public school. Fixed it for you.

[Anonymous]

Only people who don’t try can’t get excused