What an eye-opening thread. I had no idea Catholics were so mean-spirited and exclusive.

We get it. You hate Catholic schools. You, however, are a sample size of one, no matter how many times you sock puppet on this thread.

I really don't understand 12:28's et al., comments. Are some Catholics really this hostile to non-Catholics in their schools? What ever happened to "Love thy neighbor as thyself". I'm totally confused but maybe this explains why my kid was targeted for abuse at a parochial by teachers and administrators. A former headmaster (Catholic of course - we are not) said in shock "They are cleaning house". If this is really the way that some Catholics feel, then I urge Catholic schools to stop advertising for non-Catholics and purge the literature of the non-Catholic extra fee. Contrary to 12:38 keeps harping about, we came in from very expensive private and had all options in the world. We weren't looking for a "cheap alternative to private coming out of public". We were looking for a good, solid Christian school with kind people. good academics, and solid intact families. And we were very respectful to all traditions because were are similarly religious. But they did not treat others as they would have treated themselves. Same was true with other non-Catholic families that had to leave. If what 12:38 says is true, then something needs to be changed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

The Admissions Office, in sales mode, no doubt said you are welcome to apply. They did not say every one was going to welcome your presence. There's a difference.

This whole thread started with a question about feeling "comfortable".

Right, PP. You'll do your darnedest to make sure any non-Catholic kids will not feel comfortable? Nice.

So you would prefer to have a dishonest but supportive answer to the question?

I have seen the eyes roll when the "Well, we're not Catholic but we didn't like our public school" statement has been made. I have heard the comments afterwards.

In four years, sooner or later the parents or kid would bump up against this feeling that some or many have.

There's a fair amount of clannishness among American Catholics. And there is some sensitivity to the history and the negative opinions that non-Catholics have of the faith and the people. (See the "Stupid Religion" and "Stupid people" comments above.)

If the family is much more Liberal than the average Catholic family there is also an opportunity for friction. Catholics, when pressed, do believe that abortion is murder since life begins at conception. And when in the Profession of Faith, which is recited at every Mass by the congregation, says that "We believe in one holy
catholic and apostolic Church" this isn't an invitation to a debate.

I have a feeling Pope Francis would think you're coo coo too, though he'd probably find a charitable way to tell you. I'm really glad, PP, that you are not representative of most Catholics.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

The Admissions Office, in sales mode, no doubt said you are welcome to apply. They did not say every one was going to welcome your presence. There's a difference.

This whole thread started with a question about feeling "comfortable".

Right, PP. You'll do your darnedest to make sure any non-Catholic kids will not feel comfortable? Nice.

So you would prefer to have a dishonest but supportive answer to the question?

I have seen the eyes roll when the "Well, we're not Catholic but we didn't like our public school" statement has been made. I have heard the comments afterwards.

In four years, sooner or later the parents or kid would bump up against this feeling that some or many have.

There's a fair amount of clannishness among American Catholics. And there is some sensitivity to the history and the negative opinions that non-Catholics have of the faith and the people. (See the "Stupid Religion" and "Stupid people" comments above.)

If the family is much more Liberal than the average Catholic family there is also an opportunity for friction. Catholics, when pressed, do believe that abortion is murder since life begins at conception. And when in the Profession of Faith, which is recited at every Mass by the congregation, says that "We believe in one holy
catholic and apostolic Church" this isn't an invitation to a debate.

You are coo coo. You might think in your crazy head that "other Catholics" are thinking the same way that your are thinking, but actually, they are just thinking you are coo coo.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

The Admissions Office, in sales mode, no doubt said you are welcome to apply. They did not say every one was going to welcome your presence. There's a difference.

This whole thread started with a question about feeling "comfortable".

Right, PP. You'll do your darnedest to make sure any non-Catholic kids will not feel comfortable? Nice.

So you would prefer to have a dishonest but supportive answer to the question?

I have seen the eyes roll when the "Well, we're not Catholic but we didn't like our public school" statement has been made. I have heard the comments afterwards.

In four years, sooner or later the parents or kid would bump up against this feeling that some or many have.

There's a fair amount of clannishness among American Catholics. And there is some sensitivity to the history and the negative opinions that non-Catholics have of the faith and the people. (See the "Stupid Religion" and "Stupid people" comments above.)

If the family is much more Liberal than the average Catholic family there is also an opportunity for friction. Catholics, when pressed, do believe that abortion is murder since life begins at conception. And when in the Profession of Faith, which is recited at every Mass by the congregation, says that "We believe in one holy
catholic and apostolic Church" this isn't an invitation to a debate.

The short answer to OP's question is "no"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

The Admissions Office, in sales mode, no doubt said you are welcome to apply. They did not say every one was going to welcome your presence. There's a difference.

This whole thread started with a question about feeling "comfortable".

Right, PP. You'll do your darnedest to make sure any non-Catholic kids will not feel comfortable? Nice.

Catholic parochial schools as far as I know don't advertise to non-catholics just to get a higher tuition rate. They may have an ad in the paper but that doesn't mean they're advertising to anyone who wants to come. They allow non-catholics to attend and typically only really recruit from local parishes and schools.

I can't believe how off the rails this thread has become. My kids are at 2 Catholic schools and about 30 % are non-Catholic at one school.

Nobody knows who is Catholic and who is not Catholic.
Nobody has ever expressed any dismay about somebody not being Catholic.
Nobody cares.

I think there are just 2 (or maybe 1 sock puppet) crazy over the top posters.

Not unusual for the Private School Forum.

Anonymous wrote:Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

The Admissions Office, in sales mode, no doubt said you are welcome to apply. They did not say every one was going to welcome your presence. There's a difference.

This whole thread started with a question about feeling "comfortable".

Seems like Catholics who don't want non-Catholics would do better to discuss the issue with their school's admissions offices than berate non-catholic families (who rashly believe that when the admissions office says non-Catholics are welcome, this means the school will in fact welcome them!)

13:28, your beef is with the schools and dioceses who don't share your hostility to having non-Catholics in the mix. Why take it out on families who only want to find good schools for their kids? (I'd also add that presumably any non-Catholic family even considering Catholic schools presumably has some measure of respect for Catholic culture, even if they do not share e same faith).

Wow, I never knew that some Catholics were so hostile to non-Catholics in their school. Glad we left when we did, but I wish admissionsi would not accept non-Catholics and charge the surcharge if we are not welcome, which clearly we are not.

Consider the motives of Catholics that send their kids to Catholic schools like Bishop Ireton. They include:

It’s a Family Tradition – Older siblings, parents, uncles/aunts and grandparents have attended the school or have gone to other Catholic schools.
Catholic Values – We want the same message and values at school as we have at church and at home. We would even like to be assured that the families of school friends share the same values and beliefs.

Continuing Development of Friendships – We want our kids to continue the friendships they have with the kids they have gone to the Parish schools with. Our life-long friends are those we went to grammar school and high school with and we want our kids to have the same thing.

A Belief in the Need to Support Catholic Schools – These schools help us forge our community. Not supporting them --- even though it might be a financial burden --- means we might lose them.

The motives of the non-Catholics that want to send their kids to Catholic schools are what exactly?

See the conflict between the two set of motives?

The original question was about how comfortable they would be at BI. Seems like the experience would be fraught with problems to me.

This whole argument is kind of like the question: Who belongs in church? The those who follow the church rules or the sinners who don't?

I believe the pope just recently made a statement answering with the latter -- encouraging churches to welcome everyone.

I think OP's question is a very relevant question, even if you believe BI is primarily for teaching those who are Catholic. OP needs to know what the school and the school community expect of her and her children so that she can make an honest assessment of whether she/they can comply. Rather than casting doubt on OP's motives, why don't you just tell her what exactly is taught and what exactly the kids are expected to do in regard to religion and religious expressions.

If her kids are the only ones skipping the Right to Life March, that's something she might want to consider. If her kids will be the only ones eating a ham sandwich on Fridays or the only ones who know nothing about venial and mortal sins, she might want to know that.