65 replies to this topic

[Jac]

KevinG, on 13 March 2012 - 08:50 AM, said:

I can't see us taking on private schooling as long as there are public options and we are concentrating on our mission.

I think one of the missions of the Church is to "perfect the Saints", even, or especially, the little Saints.

That's a lot harder in a public school setting, and a lot easier when Mom or Dad is in charge of a child's schooling, like a homeschool or private school.

But I agree: there isn't much chance of the Church opening schools until things get impossible at public schools. But Elder Packer said they were going that way, fast. There isn't enough money to do it for one thing. And the members won't support them even if they were available. That's what happened a hundred years ago.

Jacquie
(yes, Lehi's Jacquie)

Now back to lurking

[KevinG]

The Saints can get involved in local school boards and education careers.  the most important thing is to actively parent- then no matter where the kids go during the day they know they will be returning and reporting on their behavior in the mission field!

Please post more - your thoughts are worth sharing!

[blueadept]

KevinG, on 13 March 2012 - 09:15 AM, said:

The Saints can get involved in local school boards and education careers.  the most important thing is to actively parent- then no matter where the kids go during the day they know they will be returning and reporting on their behavior in the mission field!

I believe the reason LDS kids rank so well for them knowing their faith as well as they do is due to the parents being involved in the schooling process and showing the love of your faith in the home.  Your system is working for you whether the kids are home-schooled, or in private/public schooling.  You make the difference.

While I'm involved in the middle school CCD ministry (Sunday school), it's obvious our system is not working with the 3rd to 8th grade level and trying to revamp the program.  The biggest issue is the parents not knowing their faith or practicing their faith.  Only 20% of my class actually goes to Mass and my one hour on Sunday is all that most of my kids see in regards to their faith.  We've tried to re-catechise the parents through the kids and that's not working as well as to have a family catechesis on occasions.  The problem is that they don't show up to that either.  If you can't tell, I'm jealous of my LDS counterparts.

Quote

Please post more - your thoughts are worth sharing!

Welcome Jacquie...   You're thoughts and comments are welcomed!

[Saints Alive]

Believe me, there are a lot of lds adults that don't know their religion either.

[blueadept]

But the jealousy part is that LDS kids (and Jewish kids) easily outrank their EV and Catholic counter parts in knowing their faith once they graduate high school.

You have a process that works.  Any suggestions?

Edited by blueadept, 13 March 2012 - 10:00 AM.

[Saints Alive]

A catholic version of early morning seminary perhaps? I think the catholic church's problem is the vast number of people who are culturally catholic, LDS has them too (aka jack Mormons) but I imagine the percentages are different. The Catholics come home campaigne is probably a good start.

[KevinG]

blueadept, on 13 March 2012 - 09:59 AM, said:

You have a process that works.  Any suggestions?

Convert?

(...ducks and runs for cover...)  

[Saints Alive]

KevinG, on 13 March 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

Convert?

(...ducks and runs for cover...)  

that would be one way to fix the problem

[blueadept]

Saints Alive, on 13 March 2012 - 10:10 AM, said:

I think the catholic church's problem is the vast number of people who are culturally catholic, LDS has them too (aka jack Mormons) but I imagine the percentages are different.

Our Hispanic, Asian, and Black communities are on-fire with the faith and it shows in parishes that are predominantly  made up of these cultures which each of these offers something special in regards to the church.  The issue of 'cultural catholics' who are not involved tends to be parishes that are not culturally diverse.  For this group, I would think instituting a family home evening approach would be best but not sure how to introduce that.

[KevinG]

The worldwide LDS welfare system got started as a program in a local Stake.  Perhaps just encouraging a program in the local Parish could have a far flung impact you can't imagine from the start?

A Seminary may even be willing to send teachers and materials to instruct local Catholic kids.

Go for it!

Edited by KevinG, 13 March 2012 - 10:31 AM.

[blueadept]

KevinG, on 13 March 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

Convert?

(...ducks and runs for cover...)  

Funny!!!  My LDS wife left me because I didn't convert and I was informed she'll be sealed sometimes this coming summer.  Good for her.  Maybe it will be easier to honor my marital convenants now.

Convert now...... ....I don't think that would simplify much!

[Saints Alive]

It would make for some sweet irony.

[blueadept]

KevinG, on 13 March 2012 - 10:31 AM, said:

A Seminary may even be willing to send teachers and materials to instruct local Catholic kids.

You're assuming we have an associated Seminary within our diocese....

We caught the overflow of Irish priests when they were abundant and now we've caught the overflow of Asian and Black priests in our diocese.  It's upon the laity to be involved.  Of course, that requires to have parents to be involved which is the crux of the matter.

[blueadept]

Saints Alive, on 13 March 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

It would make for some sweet irony.

Many on this board know that my LDS ties are deeper than just my LDS wife since I'm technically a 6th generation LDS on my father's side who has been raised a Catholic my entire life.  I have my family records that go back to the 1830's as well as their endowment/sealing dates.  So it wouldn't be as ironic as you may think.

[Jeff K.]

blueadept, on 13 March 2012 - 10:27 AM, said:

Our Hispanic, Asian, and Black communities are on-fire with the faith and it shows in parishes that are predominantly  made up of these cultures which each of these offers something special in regards to the church.  The issue of 'cultural catholics' who are not involved tends to be parishes that are not culturally diverse.  For this group, I would think instituting a family home evening approach would be best but not sure how to introduce that.

  A large part of it deals with parent involvement.  When parents deem it iimportant, children will respond accordingly.

[blueadept]

Jeff K., on 13 March 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

  A large part of it deals with parent involvement.  When parents deem it iimportant, children will respond accordingly.

Any ideas in how to improve parent involvement?

In our diocese, 1st Communion is typically given in 2nd grade after 2 years of catechesis and confirmation is when they're 16 and a junior in high school after 2 years of catechesis.  There's a large gap between 3rd grade and 8th grade where going to catechesis is optional and thus the reason for low participation and kids not learning their faith.  The fact that many parents don't attend Mass with their children except on special occasions doesn't help anything.  The CCD teachers shouldn't be the primary teachers of the faith, but it definitely feels like we are.

[Jeff K.]

Increase their faith, have youth activities built around seminary, you might want to try competition, use adults who tend to connect with kids.  Make sure there is a sincere belief in the adults teaching versus just teaching.  The best way to do that is not to pay the adults but have them volunteer.  It does translate to good teaching when a sincerity of the spirit is involved.  While I am not Catholic, I do know that many of the truths taught by the Catholic church resonate with the spirit.

[calmoriah]

blueadept, on 13 March 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:

Any ideas in how to improve parent involvement?

Bribery?

[Bikeemikey]

They had a church high school in new Zealand. The church just recently closed it - there was a lot of drama among local members about it.

It cost a lot of money and the education quality as no better or slightly worse than the state schools.

(null)

[blueadept]

Jeff K., on 13 March 2012 - 01:59 PM, said:

Increase their faith, have youth activities built around seminary, you might want to try competition, use adults who tend to connect with kids.  Make sure there is a sincere belief in the adults teaching versus just teaching.  The best way to do that is not to pay the adults but have them volunteer.  It does translate to good teaching when a sincerity of the spirit is involved.  While I am not Catholic, I do know that many of the truths taught by the Catholic church resonate with the spirit.

I enjoy the spirit of your post and believe I am one of those type of volunteer-type teachers who have ignited the youth that has come through my class.  The hope is that if you ignite the kids, you hope it can ignite the parents about their faith.

Here's the results of many of those whom I believe I put on-fire about their faith.  They get to high school and the parents decide to let them do what they want in regards to their catechesis so most drop out and don't get to confirmation.  The kids that have spent the time skipping in going to CCD since it's not required, suddenly show up in high school so that they can get confirmed.

Needless to say, I'm slightly disheartened in watching some of my on-fire students.  The only way to address this issue is to figure out how to make the parents actually care about their faith so that they can pass that onto their children.