Are you a non-Catholic family at a Catholic school?

[Anonymous]

I think the public schools have the kind of deep resources that would be beneficial for your daughter. I know other people in similar circumstances who switched from private to public and were much happier. The public schools have professionals with the proper training to deal with this situation. The authorities in the parish school are correct when they say that your daughter is not a good match for their limited resources.

[Anonymous]

My children go to OLV.

Regarding non-Catholics, my daughter has a Muslim child in her class the the child is treated no differently than the other kids. When I see the girl at school, she seems exceptionally happy, and her parents seem pleased with the school. I believe that about 15% of the students are non-Catholic. The parents of the child have told me that they like the idea that a school teaches moral values, and they feel those values do not conflict with their own.

As far as the Catholic nature of the school, it's out there, front and center. They make no bones about the school being Catholic, andif you are considering the school, and you're non-Catholic, you'll understand right away that your child will be exposed to the Faith. The school will not attempt to convert them or tell them that their own faith is wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: They make no bones about the school being Catholic, andif you are considering the school, and you're non-Catholic, you'll understand right away that your child will be exposed to the Faith. The school will not attempt to convert them or tell them that their own faith is wrong.

At the same time the school will not say that different beliefs are equal and just as good

[Anonymous]

At the same time the school will not say that different beliefs are equal and just as good

Hello? What do you think they mean when they say "Catholic" school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the text from the ADW form. Found it on the OLV website.

I/We understand and acknowledge the Roman Catholic religious nature of the school to which our child is applying. I/We will not publicly repudiate the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and I/we will respect and support the unique identity that the school derives from its Catholic faith. As the primary educator(s) of the applicant, I/We will not act in ways that contradict the Catholic nature of the school. I/we shall cooperate fully with the school and the applicant shall participate in all required school programming, including instruction in the Catholic faith and attendance at Mass. As the primary educator(s) of the applicant, we agree to act in ways that promote the best interests of the church and school and will comply with the policies of the Archdiocese of Washington and Our Lady of Victory School. . .

Bumping this up to ask a related question:

If I sign a petition from Marylanders For Marriage Equality, supporting equal civil rights for gays to get married in our state, and post it on my Facebook page, does that count as "publicly repudiating the teachings of the Catholic church"?

[Anonymous]

It could. Now I don't think any school would be trolling the Internet looking for issues but if they needed a reason to dismiss your kid (it can be really hard to have 'grounds' to dismiss kids) that type of public statement certainly meets the standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I sign a petition from Marylanders For Marriage Equality, supporting equal civil rights for gays to get married in our state, and post it on my Facebook page, does that count as "publicly repudiating the teachings of the Catholic church"?

My kids have a combined 20 years in Catholic schools, and I've consistently been a public supporter of marriage equality. The Inquisition hasn't hassled me yet. But I haven't tried to fight the schools or the Church on their doctrine, either. My wife and I do our own educating at home, and we tell our kids to memorize their catechism so they can regurgitate it undigested on demand. I had 12 years of Catholic schools myself, so I know it's important to think for oneself, but not in religion class, at least not in elementary school.

There's a lot of diversity of opinion among Catholics, and even among Catholic educators, but the Church does not want to have to struggle to put its message across. Let the school teach the kids its point of view, and the school will tolerate your personal heterodoxy.

[Anonymous]

The school contracts do have that statement this year about not speaking out against the church but many independent schools have a paragraph that says you can be ask to leave if you are not supportive of the school and the policies. There is also something about agreeing to be active in the parish but I think that is for the members getting the catholic discount. The great thing about the DC area is that you can choose between schools and parishes that are very conservative and others that are more liberal. Same with independent schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It could. Now I don't think any school would be trolling the Internet looking for issues but if they needed a reason to dismiss your kid (it can be really hard to have 'grounds' to dismiss kids) that type of public statement certainly meets the standards.

The thing is, a lot of my Facebook "friends" are parents of kids at school, and some are also teachers. It's a close knit neighborhood Catholic school. We're friends, we post stuff.

I was about to click on the link to show I supported this initiative, when I thought about it. I have no problem with the Catholic church saying gays can't get married and be Catholic -- but I absolutely do think gays in MD should have the right to be legally married. What I don't know is if officially I am contradicting Church teaching if I support gay marriage in public. (I'm pretty sure if I say I am pro-life I would be contradicting Church teaching.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I sign a petition from Marylanders For Marriage Equality, supporting equal civil rights for gays to get married in our state, and post it on my Facebook page, does that count as "publicly repudiating the teachings of the Catholic church"?

My kids have a combined 20 years in Catholic schools, and I've consistently been a public supporter of marriage equality. The Inquisition hasn't hassled me yet. But I haven't tried to fight the schools or the Church on their doctrine, either. My wife and I do our own educating at home, and we tell our kids to memorize their catechism so they can regurgitate it undigested on demand. I had 12 years of Catholic schools myself, so I know it's important to think for oneself, but not in religion class, at least not in elementary school.

There's a lot of diversity of opinion among Catholics, and even among Catholic educators, but the Church does not want to have to struggle to put its message across. Let the school teach the kids its point of view, and the school will tolerate your personal heterodoxy.

10 or 20 years ago, I think there was a lot more tolerance of heterodoxy. Seems like things have changed in the past few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The thing is, a lot of my Facebook "friends" are parents of kids at school, and some are also teachers. It's a close knit neighborhood Catholic school. We're friends, we post stuff.

I was about to click on the link to show I supported this initiative, when I thought about it. I have no problem with the Catholic church saying gays can't get married and be Catholic -- but I absolutely do think gays in MD should have the right to be legally married. What I don't know is if officially I am contradicting Church teaching if I support gay marriage in public. (I'm pretty sure if I say I am pro-life I would be contradicting Church teaching.)

I don't think you're repudiating Church teaching by saying that same-sex couples should be allowed a civil marriage by the state. There are Catholic teachings against gay sex, or any sex not meant for reproduction, but you aren't challenging that. It's just that, as long as homosexuality exists, it's better to have same-sex couples committed to a monogamous civil marriage. Look at it as similar to giving clean needles to drug addicts, to mitigate a situation that you don't endorse but which exists whether you endorse it or not.

I read the other day that Catholics support marriage equality more than the public as a whole does. I really don't think the Church wants to start a purge over this issue. I haven't heard of anyone's child being told to leave a Catholic school because of a parent's stand on this issue. If it happens, I expect there will be a firestorm in the media and in Catholic schools.

Anyway, if someone comes to your Facebook page and sees your opinion, they're on your turf. It's not like you're picketing the Church or its school. You aren't sending pamphlets in with your child. I don't think it counts as a "public repudiation" of Church teaching.

You might try asking your school principal directly about this. She might well set your mind at ease. If not, well, I guess each of us has to decide whether we'll take a stand that could have consequences for our kids.

For me, I think on the one hand, in the worst case, my kids might have to change schools. On the other hand, if one of my kids turns out to be gay, I want him to live in a society that treats him equally and allows him the fulfillment of having his own family.

[Anonymous]

I myself attended Catholic School and my children attended Catholic School. They teach Catholic Values and morals so if you don't want that then don't send them. They do require students to behave a certain way outside the school walls, meaning respect and modesty, but no form letter exists and my kids never sang only hymns or did only religious art projects. My daughters 8th grade musical was Elf and the High School musical was Pippin. Uniforms are modest, hair is modest, and at dances they have to wear modest clothes; meaning not to short, no chevage, and nor bear midriffs. However, they do attend mass, and they do take religion courses that will defiantly spark discussion, especially in todays social climate so be prepared for that. But first of all educate yourself and where the Catholic Church stands on various social issues. Don't believe what others tell you. I mean really educate yourself. There is a lot of misinformation out there. Like others have said you have lots of choices for education. Just don't try to make the Catholic Schools conform to what you want if you don't agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the public schools have the kind of deep resources that would be beneficial for your daughter. I know other people in similar circumstances who switched from private to public and were much happier. The public schools have professionals with the proper training to deal with this situation. The authorities in the parish school are correct when they say that your daughter is not a good match for their limited resources.

I think that these "deep resources" you speak of are a thing of the past. "Proper training"? "Authorities in parish school"?

So - this PP or troll, it doesn't matter has no clue.

[Anonymous]

People, OP's kindergartener is in high school already. Why did you dredge up a 10 year old thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I myself attended Catholic School and my children attended Catholic School. They teach Catholic Values and morals so if you don't want that then don't send them. They do require students to behave a certain way outside the school walls, meaning respect and modesty, but no form letter exists and my kids never sang only hymns or did only religious art projects. My daughters 8th grade musical was Elf and the High School musical was Pippin. Uniforms are modest, hair is modest, and at dances they have to wear modest clothes; meaning not to short, no chevage, and nor bear midriffs. However, they do attend mass, and they do take religion courses that will defiantly spark discussion, especially in todays social climate so be prepared for that. But first of all educate yourself and where the Catholic Church stands on various social issues. Don't believe what others tell you. I mean really educate yourself. There is a lot of misinformation out there. Like others have said you have lots of choices for education. Just don't try to make the Catholic Schools conform to what you want if you don't agree.

How did you even find this old-ass thread