Catholic Schools in General

[Anonymous]

I think people's experiences run the gamut. I know a girl with two moms (who later divorced). The girl has thrived at Catholic schools. One of her moms was actually Catholic, one was not.

I also know a Lutheran girl who went to Catholic school and was tormented by the religion teacher ( a lay person, not a monastic).

I think it is a situation you have to feel out for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child attended local Catholic grade school K-8th grade, a small school (about 300 kids, 1 class per grade). I volunteered there a lot every year and knew many of the parents.

In all of her time there, I had no idea who was not Catholic, nor did the topic ever come up in any discussions with others. Was not an issue whatsoever.

You may not have known who was what, but its a certainty the Catholics knew who was and was not Catholic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate? I know the kids don't participate in communion, etc. (but they go to masses); at least they did at my school. Besides that, how are the kids impacted in the classroom? How are the parents impacted? NP btw.

If you feel fine, I'm sure your family is fine. However you are probably not super cliquey. It's a problem with the snobs / elites in the school. We ignore those people too though.

NP. I have to agree with this. We tried two Catholic Schools (and, yes, paid the Protestant rate - I hate that hurtful parent who keeps popping up saying the prots. are trying to get a private school education on the cheap by going with Catholic Schools). We admired the values of the schools; the communities; the intact families; and the devotion. It's very hard for me to put a finger on . . but we were never trulyl welcomed. Many of the families had grown up in the parish or in the neighboring Catholic schools and were very tight. They just didn't seem to have "time" for new people. I'm the dad - both my wife and I tried to get in the spirit. We did the auctions, the trips, the fundraisers, everything . . but there just seemed to be an elite (in their own minds) clique that did everything together. It worked well for the first year, then started to fall apart. Other protestant families left too. I found the gossip repellant. There was no teacher sympathy for any kids that any type of learning issues or alphabet issue (ADHD/OCD/ADD/Anxiety disorder/executive functioning). Granted most of the teachers had no training in those areas but I watch kids really suffer when the teachers yelled at them and were punitive about missing papers, bad penmanship, homework assignments, acting out in class. My roommate from law school had also been educated in Catholic schools and explained that the guilt he carried was enormous. I saw that in action in the two schools we tried. I would never do it again.

But to answer the first question. Yes, the non-catholic kids sit with the class during communion (depending on your grade many of the kids may not be able to take communion yet themselves). The children usually go up and cross their arms to receive a blessing but not the Host. Many of the festivals the schools hold (crowning of Mary, etc.) will be new to your child. Facility with Hail Marys and rosaries is expected. Some schools, like Oakcrest, have religious homework that one Prot. friend found disturbing. The head of the school or related Priest may try to spend special time with your child to encourage him or her to become Catholic. Or, in our case, they were ignored.

But what I found most troublesome was the way the teachers treated the kids, each other, other parents, and the gossip among the parents. We were glad to leave and never looked back. It was not the best moment for the Catholic Church and my family will never become Catholic due to the negative experiences we had. And, yes, that's why some Christians say Catholics aren't Christian. I did not have this feeling before we tried Catholic Schools. I definitely have it now. And, no, I'm not a Catholic basher.

The fundamental purpose of Catholic Schools is the propagation of the faith. There is little interest in using them to recruit new Catholics.

These are schools for Catholics run by Catholics and frequently supported by the parish. Protestants that choose to take advantage of them should understand this.

The presence of Catholic schools in the inner cities is another role or mission. The church is providing a sorely needed alternative to the public schools

Prot. here who tried Catholic schools. They definitely wanted my kid. We weren't "taking advantage" of anyone. If Catholic Schools do not want protestants and are going to be cruel to them then they should not open their doors to them. And they definitely should not charge the DOUBLE protestant rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you elaborate? I know the kids don't participate in communion, etc. (but they go to masses); at least they did at my school. Besides that, how are the kids impacted in the classroom? How are the parents impacted? NP btw.

If you feel fine, I'm sure your family is fine. However you are probably not super cliquey. It's a problem with the snobs / elites in the school. We ignore those people too though.

NP. I have to agree with this. We tried two Catholic Schools (and, yes, paid the Protestant rate - I hate that hurtful parent who keeps popping up saying the prots. are trying to get a private school education on the cheap by going with Catholic Schools). We admired the values of the schools; the communities; the intact families; and the devotion. It's very hard for me to put a finger on . . but we were never trulyl welcomed. Many of the families had grown up in the parish or in the neighboring Catholic schools and were very tight. They just didn't seem to have "time" for new people. I'm the dad - both my wife and I tried to get in the spirit. We did the auctions, the trips, the fundraisers, everything . . but there just seemed to be an elite (in their own minds) clique that did everything together. It worked well for the first year, then started to fall apart. Other protestant families left too. I found the gossip repellant. There was no teacher sympathy for any kids that any type of learning issues or alphabet issue (ADHD/OCD/ADD/Anxiety disorder/executive functioning). Granted most of the teachers had no training in those areas but I watch kids really suffer when the teachers yelled at them and were punitive about missing papers, bad penmanship, homework assignments, acting out in class. My roommate from law school had also been educated in Catholic schools and explained that the guilt he carried was enormous. I saw that in action in the two schools we tried. I would never do it again.

But to answer the first question. Yes, the non-catholic kids sit with the class during communion (depending on your grade many of the kids may not be able to take communion yet themselves). The children usually go up and cross their arms to receive a blessing but not the Host. Many of the festivals the schools hold (crowning of Mary, etc.) will be new to your child. Facility with Hail Marys and rosaries is expected. Some schools, like Oakcrest, have religious homework that one Prot. friend found disturbing. The head of the school or related Priest may try to spend special time with your child to encourage him or her to become Catholic. Or, in our case, they were ignored.

But what I found most troublesome was the way the teachers treated the kids, each other, other parents, and the gossip among the parents. We were glad to leave and never looked back. It was not the best moment for the Catholic Church and my family will never become Catholic due to the negative experiences we had. And, yes, that's why some Christians say Catholics aren't Christian. I did not have this feeling before we tried Catholic Schools. I definitely have it now. And, no, I'm not a Catholic basher.

The fundamental purpose of Catholic Schools is the propagation of the faith. There is little interest in using them to recruit new Catholics.

These are schools for Catholics run by Catholics and frequently supported by the parish. Protestants that choose to take advantage of them should understand this.

The presence of Catholic schools in the inner cities is another role or mission. The church is providing a sorely needed alternative to the public schools

Prot. here who tried Catholic schools. They definitely wanted my kid. We weren't "taking advantage" of anyone. If Catholic Schools do not want protestants and are going to be cruel to them then they should not open their doors to them. And they definitely should not charge the DOUBLE protestant rate.

No one opened any doors for you. You applied. They had space and could use the money. They charged you a price that you agreed to. Even at 2x the price was probably lower than the alternative.

The question is were they --- leadership, teachers parents and other students --- willing to accommodate you the the extent you would like them to. In your case, the answer was "No".

It gets back to the purpose of these schools. They are to serve the Catholic community and to propagate the faith. Protestants who choose to apply and attend should go into this with their eyes open. The schools are an extension of a larger community of which you are not a member. I doubt if anyone is being overtly cruel. It's no fun being a minority, is it?

[Anonymous]

Another question: why are Catholic moms and dads maniacs on the sidelines?

[Anonymous]

But what I found most troublesome was the way the teachers treated the kids, each other, other parents, and the gossip among the parents. We were glad to leave and never looked back. It was not the best moment for the Catholic Church and my family will never become Catholic due to the negative experiences we had. And, yes, that's why some Christians say Catholics aren't Christian. I did not have this feeling before we tried Catholic Schools. I definitely have it now. And, no, I'm not a Catholic basher.

How ironic, seeing that (1) Catholics were the original Christians, and (2) American Catholics, when surveyed, are more accepting of gays, immigrants, and other minority groups than other Christian groups.

And yes, any person who would make such a statement IS, by definition, a Catholic basher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But what I found most troublesome was the way the teachers treated the kids, each other, other parents, and the gossip among the parents. We were glad to leave and never looked back. It was not the best moment for the Catholic Church and my family will never become Catholic due to the negative experiences we had. And, yes, that's why some Christians say Catholics aren't Christian. I did not have this feeling before we tried Catholic Schools. I definitely have it now. And, no, I'm not a Catholic basher.

How ironic, seeing that (1) Catholics were the original Christians, and (2) American Catholics, when surveyed, are more accepting of gays, immigrants, and other minority groups than other Christian groups.

And yes, any person who would make such a statement IS, by definition, a Catholic basher.

1) the original Christians were Jews. B) AmericanCatholics are not more accepting. You are thinking of the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Church.

[Anonymous]

The Catholic Church didn't begin until 325 A.D. with the Council of Nicea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another question: why are Catholic moms and dads maniacs on the sidelines?

I'm catholic but not maniac at all. My DC's PreK teacher was religion maniac to the point of intolerant. She was telling my 3 y o child we should attend mass every Sunday and other things. We were pissed off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Catholic Church didn't begin until 325 A.D. with the Council of Nicea.

And in year 1070 the church split into catholic and orthodex. So the catholic church began then.

[Anonymous]

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But what I found most troublesome was the way the teachers treated the kids, each other, other parents, and the gossip among the parents. We were glad to leave and never looked back. It was not the best moment for the Catholic Church and my family will never become Catholic due to the negative experiences we had. And, yes, that's why some Christians say Catholics aren't Christian. I did not have this feeling before we tried Catholic Schools. I definitely have it now. And, no, I'm not a Catholic basher.

How ironic, seeing that (1) Catholics were the original Christians, and (2) American Catholics, when surveyed, are more accepting of gays, immigrants, and other minority groups than other Christian groups.

And yes, any person who would make such a statement IS, by definition, a Catholic basher.

1) the original Christians were Jews. B) AmericanCatholics are not more accepting. You are thinking of the Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Church.

Some Christians may have been Jews at a point in time. But once they became Christians they ceased to be Jews.

And, look around in the inner city to see which churches are involved. Any Episcopalians? Nope. Any Unitarians. Surely, you jest.

These churches are plenty Liberal. But it's all just talk and no action in helping the world's poor and the inner city poor. The Catholic Church is doing pretty much all the heavy lifting in these realms. Give me, if you can, the Episcopalian or Unitarian Church equivalent to the Jesuit Academy.The other churches are leading the way in making sure no one's feelings are hurt.

[Anonymous]

No one opened any doors for you. You applied. They had space and could use the money. They charged you a price that you agreed to. Even at 2x the price was probably lower than the alternative.

The question is were they --- leadership, teachers parents and other students --- willing to accommodate you the the extent you would like them to. In your case, the answer was "No".

It gets back to the purpose of these schools. They are to serve the Catholic community and to propagate the faith. Protestants who choose to apply and attend should go into this with their eyes open. The schools are an extension of a larger community of which you are not a member. I doubt if anyone is being overtly cruel. It's no fun being a minority, is it?

NP here. You shame the entire Catholic community with such a cruel remark.

[Anonymous]

Actually - the impetus for the Protestant Reformation was to return to the Church of the 1st century. The Reformers felt that the Church had gotten off track from what it was supposed to be and they were returning to what it should be.

I think most Christian denominations think that they are the doing things in the way of the original Christians.

As far as working with the poor and marginalized, many denominations do great work. I think very highly of the work done by the Mennonites (I am not Mennonite):

http://mcc.org/learn/what/education/globalfamily

http://mcc.org/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No one opened any doors for you. You applied. They had space and could use the money. They charged you a price that you agreed to. Even at 2x the price was probably lower than the alternative.

The question is were they --- leadership, teachers parents and other students --- willing to accommodate you the the extent you would like them to. In your case, the answer was "No".

It gets back to the purpose of these schools. They are to serve the Catholic community and to propagate the faith. Protestants who choose to apply and attend should go into this with their eyes open. The schools are an extension of a larger community of which you are not a member. I doubt if anyone is being overtly cruel. It's no fun being a minority, is it?

NP here. You shame the entire Catholic community with such a cruel remark.[/quote]


I know. They just reinforced my point. Cruel, not inclusive, critical and judgmental = not Christian.