Catholic school when you are not super Catholic

[Anonymous]

Define both devout and what you think you wouldn't like.

We go to church weekly but our family is pro-choice, finds birth control to be an important element in decreasing the amount of unwanted pregnancies, we support gay marriage, etc. I would describe us as practicing Catholics but not devout.

Our oldest will be moving from public middle school to a Catholic high school in the fall and we've talked about things that she won't learn in health class for example. We'll continue to think and discuss our issues with some of the Church's stances on some things even while our core faith remains.

I guess the question for you is what is too much religion? The school won't change for your family so will you be okay with what's there?

[Anonymous]

The short answer is that it really depends on the school/parish. Some are more "devout" than others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Define both devout and what you think you wouldn't like.

We go to church weekly but our family is pro-choice, finds birth control to be an important element in decreasing the amount of unwanted pregnancies, we support gay marriage, etc. I would describe us as practicing Catholics but not devout.

Our oldest will be moving from public middle school to a Catholic high school in the fall and we've talked about things that she won't learn in health class for example. We'll continue to think and discuss our issues with some of the Church's stances on some things even while our core faith remains.

I guess the question for you is what is too much religion? The school won't change for your family so will you be okay with what's there?

"core faith stays the same"

Yuck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Define both devout and what you think you wouldn't like.

We go to church weekly but our family is pro-choice, finds birth control to be an important element in decreasing the amount of unwanted pregnancies, we support gay marriage, etc. I would describe us as practicing Catholics but not devout.

Our oldest will be moving from public middle school to a Catholic high school in the fall and we've talked about things that she won't learn in health class for example. We'll continue to think and discuss our issues with some of the Church's stances on some things even while our core faith remains.

I guess the question for you is what is too much religion? The school won't change for your family so will you be okay with what's there?

"core faith stays the same"

Yuck

Very thoughtful contribution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m Catholic and we send out kids to an Episcopal school now (we were waitlisted at our first choice Catholic K-8); however one kid is going to Catholic high school in the Fall and the younger sibling will also.

I am offended when people go to Catholic school to escape public and treat the religious part of going to a Catholic school as an inconvenient by product. It is actually “the thing” and not a byproduct. Your dismissiveness of Catholic teachings and traditions in pursuit of any alternative to public is insulting.

Do you think the Episcopalians are offended you used their school as a convenient fall-back?

To be fair, Episcopal schools (at least in my experience) are very non dogmatic. The one we considered for our kids did not seem to care at all what faith traditions the students and families came from. I think Catholic schools are much more religiously oriented than (at least many) Episcopal ones.

In a Catholic parish grade school, yes, because they do sacramental preparation at school. The independent schools do not do sacramental preparation (in our area), so the students also have to attend Sunday school for that. Also, Catholic schools teach students because the school is Catholic, not because the students are -- they too do not care what the faith tradition of the student is, though most will give admissions preference to Catholics, but do expect them to be respectful of others' traditions.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the specific catholic school.

A friend of mine and her spouse are both solid Democrats who do not attend church. When touring privates, they were shocked and dismayed by the woke nonsense in non faith-based privates and opted for Catholic instead.

They are in their third year and very happy. But the school has a lot of non-Catholics which may be coloring their experiences.

[Anonymous]

The way I church-shopped in my 20s as Catholic adult who wanted a more liberal parish was that I attended a Mass that fit my regular schedule (often 6 or 7 p.m. on Sunday) and listened to the prayers of the faithful (the "Lord Hear Our Prayer" part). Are they praying for the homeless or for politicians (even in a coded way). Also we you tour an elementary school, looks for cues like the art on the wall. Is it only up if it is perfect? Can girls be in uniform in pants? How are the students seated (in perfect rows or small groups pr something else)? Are the students one size fits all or are there some kids who march to their own beat? If possible, attend a Mass the students attend (weekly) and see if the priest alters the homily to make it child-friendly. When my kids transferred to Catholic school, they kind of got us on track for Mass every week and had really strong opinions on where to sit. I am glad we did it.

[Anonymous]

Your children will be okay. Lots of non Catholics at area Catholic schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The way I church-shopped in my 20s as Catholic adult who wanted a more liberal parish was that I attended a Mass that fit my regular schedule (often 6 or 7 p.m. on Sunday) and listened to the prayers of the faithful (the "Lord Hear Our Prayer" part). Are they praying for the homeless or for politicians (even in a coded way). Also we you tour an elementary school, looks for cues like the art on the wall. Is it only up if it is perfect? Can girls be in uniform in pants? How are the students seated (in perfect rows or small groups pr something else)? Are the students one size fits all or are there some kids who march to their own beat? If possible, attend a Mass the students attend (weekly) and see if the priest alters the homily to make it child-friendly. When my kids transferred to Catholic school, they kind of got us on track for Mass every week and had really strong opinions on where to sit. I am glad we did it.

This is nice!