Anonymous
Post 12/02/2025 11:44     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.


Then don't go there. I had a child attend this school and there were security threats while my DC was there. They were handled swiftly and appropriately, in my opinion. This is a sensitive topic and the cost of security is exorbitant. I find it ironic that so many people are up in arms because one of the smaller, less wealthy parishes is making this decision based on finances. What do you expect them to do? Go volunteer as a security guard if you feel so strongly about it.


I think a priest demanding you have another priest sign a card as proof is insulting and patronizing. I assume these families are donating money to his church.


The fact that this is the solution to concerns about security at school Masses is abhorrent. This is not my diocese but as a practicing Catholic who put several kids through Catholic school, from K through college, I also find this insulting.
Anonymous
Post 12/02/2025 09:57     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.


Then don't go there. I had a child attend this school and there were security threats while my DC was there. They were handled swiftly and appropriately, in my opinion. This is a sensitive topic and the cost of security is exorbitant. I find it ironic that so many people are up in arms because one of the smaller, less wealthy parishes is making this decision based on finances. What do you expect them to do? Go volunteer as a security guard if you feel so strongly about it.


I think a priest demanding you have another priest sign a card as proof is insulting and patronizing. I assume these families are donating money to his church.

You’ve already said that. But as an active parishioner, you are getting a significant financial subsidy. Why should they just take you at your word that you are meeting the requirements they set for your reduced tuition and not ask for proof? My job subsidizes metro costs for employee transportation, but I have to show proof that I use it, they don’t just give me a monthly stipend because I say I’m using metro.



Our child goes to one of the most conservative parochial schools in the diocese, and this is definitely not a requirement at our school. Probably in part because it's so conservative basically everyone is at Mass on Sunday. We're often sitting near our daughter's classmates' families. Yes, we do make sure to use our envelope when we contribute, but we don't feel undue pressure.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2025 19:42     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.


Then don't go there. I had a child attend this school and there were security threats while my DC was there. They were handled swiftly and appropriately, in my opinion. This is a sensitive topic and the cost of security is exorbitant. I find it ironic that so many people are up in arms because one of the smaller, less wealthy parishes is making this decision based on finances. What do you expect them to do? Go volunteer as a security guard if you feel so strongly about it.


I think a priest demanding you have another priest sign a card as proof is insulting and patronizing. I assume these families are donating money to his church.

You’ve already said that. But as an active parishioner, you are getting a significant financial subsidy. Why should they just take you at your word that you are meeting the requirements they set for your reduced tuition and not ask for proof? My job subsidizes metro costs for employee transportation, but I have to show proof that I use it, they don’t just give me a monthly stipend because I say I’m using metro.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2025 19:26     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.


Then don't go there. I had a child attend this school and there were security threats while my DC was there. They were handled swiftly and appropriately, in my opinion. This is a sensitive topic and the cost of security is exorbitant. I find it ironic that so many people are up in arms because one of the smaller, less wealthy parishes is making this decision based on finances. What do you expect them to do? Go volunteer as a security guard if you feel so strongly about it.


I think a priest demanding you have another priest sign a card as proof is insulting and patronizing. I assume these families are donating money to his church.
Anonymous
Post 12/01/2025 19:24     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:To clarify: this is for students who choose to not attend Mass during the school day for security concerns? But only Holy Days of Obligation? Not a weekday Mass with the school or Sunday Mass?

What do the other priests say when you ask them to sign a card confirming your kid’s attendance at Mass?! Seems heavy handed.

—-

I have heard of a pastor in southern Fairfax County asking 8th graders to bring in their Sunday bulletin to confirm they attended Mass at the church associated with the K-8 school. Versus attending Sunday mass attendance the two nearby churches which don’t have a school but whose parishioners attend the K-8 school for a Catholic education (and pay out of parish tuition).



If priests would be less of a jerk and be more uplifting and engaging they would not have to worry.

I loved from Florida. Our church was joyful. Great Irish priest that exuded warmth. I loved going to church and walked out uplifted.

I moved here and have yet to find a church to call home. Many I cannot understand what they are saying. When I get the "point" it is generally negative and patronizing. It is a complete turn off.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 19:46     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.


Then don't go there. I had a child attend this school and there were security threats while my DC was there. They were handled swiftly and appropriately, in my opinion. This is a sensitive topic and the cost of security is exorbitant. I find it ironic that so many people are up in arms because one of the smaller, less wealthy parishes is making this decision based on finances. What do you expect them to do? Go volunteer as a security guard if you feel so strongly about it.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 11:14     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
To clarify: this is for students who choose to not attend Mass during the school day for security concerns? But only Holy Days of Obligation? Not a weekday Mass with the school or Sunday Mass?

What do the other priests say when you ask them to sign a card confirming your kid’s attendance at Mass?! Seems heavy handed.

—-

I have heard of a pastor in southern Fairfax County asking 8th graders to bring in their Sunday bulletin to confirm they attended Mass at the church associated with the K-8 school. Versus attending Sunday mass attendance the two nearby churches which don’t have a school but whose parishioners attend the K-8 school for a Catholic education (and pay out of parish tuition).

Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 10:59     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.

He literally does.

But fine, don’t do it. You have choices here. You just don’t like the consequences of some of them. Tough, that’s life.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 07:20     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:That seems like a reasonable compromise. The church can’t host two services on those feast days.

But I went to NCS, and we attended Cathedral service every Friday morning at a major tourist attraction open to the public. I guess attending a public Mass occasionally as a supervised, chaperoned group of students doesn’t seem that unusual to me.


NP. How long ago was this? I went to Catholic school and we never attended a public mass. I feel this is a new thing but I am in my late 40s.

Personally I have a problem with the fact your parish priest does not know the holy days of obligation. Ash Wednesday is NOT one and it seems ridiculous he does not know that.


Why is the Diocese allowing any of this? First, they should take security seriously or they will continue to see less kids going to Catholic School.

Having priests dictate cards to be signed? You are backing parents against a wall when you do not protect their children. And then having them go up to a priest at mass and - here sign my card? I am an adult. That is absolutely crazy.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 07:17     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.

I think the point of that is for the tuition discount for active Catholic parishioners. You have to show you are meeting that requirement or they aren’t going to allow the discount.


They go by donations given at mass. So if the parents were smart, they would all cut their donations to the church and just attend. Honestly that is what I would do. The priest deserves it.
Anonymous
Post 11/26/2025 07:16     Subject: Catholic School, Mass, and Security
Anonymous wrote:I find the part about getting the card signed at a different Mass the most objectionable. I am an adult and can manage my family’s spiritual life. No one needs to take attendance.


+1000

I find it incredibly insulting and would not appreciate the priest treating me like a child and then charging if I don't turn it in? He literally has no right.