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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: July 23 2010 at 4:21pm | IP Logged
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We have been homeschooling for 5 years as pratically the lone Catholic homeschool family around, but now a Catholic homeschool support group is actually being formed in our area. There are only 5 families so far (and we are spread out a bit) but it's a start. The question has been raised as to whether we should become a T.O.R.C.H. chapter. T.O.R.C.H. looks great to me! Just wondering though, if anyone would like to share reasons why or why not to become associated with them.
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Lisbet
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Um, I wouldn't. Three words. Regnum Christi Apostolate.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Alcat
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| Posted: July 24 2010 at 8:12am | IP Logged
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My loose knit homeschool group joined up with TORCH. We never had any issues. We eventually didn't renew our membership because it wasn't necessary. We just didn't need any of the help they offered (I think the main thing is insurance and forms?)
Unless where you meet requires you to have insurance (if TORCH still offers that), it isn't worth your dollars spent.
I have no idea about the Regnum Christi Apostolate connection. I always liked Regnum Christi, but was never a member... I know now people have issues due to it's founder. All of the priests I meet were wonderful so I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. That said, Lisa probably knows more than I do....
Alison
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 26 2010 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Um, I wouldn't. Three words. Regnum Christi Apostolate. |
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Gee, Lisa, to me that would be an endorsement. Regnum Christi apostolates are the most Catholic, orthodox, professional, and inspiring apostolates that I have ever encountered. This includes the VBS that my children just finished. It is SO Catholic it makes me cry, especially the focus on Mary. The lives of all those in my family, as well as many, many people I know, have been greatly enriched thanks to these apostolates.
It is so, so sad that the actions of the founder of LC and those who may have been involved in the covering up of those actions has tarnished the truly good works of a group so dedicated to the spreading of an authentic Catholic faith.  The holiest and most inspiring, as well as well studied, women I have met in the last 15 years are all RC. It is their holiness and love for the Church that drive the apostolates.
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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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Lisbet
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Molly,
I was part of RC for nearly 10 years. I am so glad the scales have been removed from my eyes. I won't get into all of it here, but I firmly believe, that every aposotolate of LC/RC was poisoned by it's founder, his 'formation methods' ran super deep.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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sewcrazy
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| Posted: July 26 2010 at 6:18pm | IP Logged
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I belonged to a TORCH group for years. I was always annoyed by it. I don't feel we got anything for the yearly dues. I know they are trying to build a website that is more worthwhile and put out a newsletter, but its rarely info I couldn't easily find else where.
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LeeAnn
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kingvozzo
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| Posted: July 26 2010 at 8:49pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Regnum Christi Apostolate. |
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I had no idea about this...
When we lived in Houston, I was involved in Familia (another RC apostolate, though I was never a member of RC) and there was a huge TORCH group, but I never heard that there was any connection.
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Noreen
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Maryan
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| Posted: July 26 2010 at 11:58pm | IP Logged
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Lisa, are you sure TORCH is a Regnum Christi apostolate? I think some of their leaders were/are involved with Regnum Christi -- but I don't think that means it's a Regnum Christi apsotolate.
As to the original question, I have no idea if it's beneficial to join TORCH or not. I have no experience.  I believe my local group may have belonged to them at one time? But decided to be independent? Can't remember the reason why - I vaguely think it was a financial decision.
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Maryan
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Lisbet
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Maryan, I can't say for certain that it still is, I can't keep track of the meltdown, but it began as an RC apstolate. I was 'assigned' to it for many years. It was a kind of 'offshoot' of FAMILIA.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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Paula in MN
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Red Cardigan over at And Sometimes Tea has been compiling a list to be used for personal discernment.
Here is what she has written:
TORCH homeschooling * has many lay leaders with strong LC/RC ties
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Donna Marie
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I think that RC can be good and sometimes it isn't. It really depends on who is running things locally.
I was part of it for a short time and there were several red flags, which I don't want to get into. I think they do a lot of good in some places, but like I said, it depends on who is running things (from my experience) I LOVE devotion for the church and all that goes with it. I found some things that really detracted from that and I can't really say more as I don't want to stir up anything.
RC was heavily involved with TORCH here and we were told it was one of their apostolates. Our individual TORCH group itself (this was years ago) wasn't bad. Our group leaders weren't affiliated with TORCH. We used it for the insurance coverage. Some TORCH groups do have leaders that are heavily involved with RC..dunno what that means for the group, it was just what was told me by the RC group in my area.
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Donna Marie from NJ
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Mary G
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I think that we need to be careful NOT to throw the baby out with the bathwater .... like many things, TORCH can be an amazing group or it can be a lousy group (whether or not it is still influenced by RC folks ... of whom the same could be said -- there are good ones and there are bad ones).
To get back to the original question by Sunnyviewmom, I would check it out and see what YOU think ... does it fit with what you want to do ... don't commit to anything until you've gone a couple of times ... it could be just what YOU need or not.
I've found in my 11+ years of homeschooling that I have to see what works for my family and who we mesh with at the time ....
RC discussions (the good, the bad AND the ugly) probably aren't really appropriate for this thread ...
hugs and prayers for discernment on your journey!
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MaryG
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my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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sunnyviewmom
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Thank you ladies. I had absolutely no idea that there would be any "controversy" related to T.O.R.C.H. If I had, I would not have posted on the topic. I apologize.
As one of 5 Moms involved with forming a brand new group, I have input on whether or not we become a T.O.R.C.H. chapter at all.
I am also the "veteran" homeschooler of the group (with only 5 years experience).
God bless you all!
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CrunchyMom
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Please don't feel bad! I for one didn't realize that TORCH was affiliated in anyway with Regnum Christi, and I think it is a valid point to consider for your group.
The Legionaires of Christ and Regnum Christi are in dialog with the Vatican because of the problems with the founder. This is a period of discernment for the LC/RC and we still don't know all the outcomes with the Vatican and this order.
TORCH was founded by RC members, but not listed as an official apostolate. However, some TORCH groups might find more affiliations with RC. I provide this information not as a warning, but just an honest assessment so that those reading this thread unfamiliar with RC can understand where the questions and conflict might lie.
I felt the responses here to be measured without going into unnecessary detail, though, as Mary suggested, we should guard against too many personal reflections on RC specifically given its personal nature that can lead to some pretty heated opinions. I'm sure that if you desired more detailed information than has been offered, people would be happy to supply that via pm.
Again, don't feel bad. Just because people have some strong opinions on a topic does not make your question in any way inappropriate! One of the things I value about these boards is getting an open and honest assessment of things from so many faithful ladies with a variety of opinions and experiences! I hope this experience doesn't leave you too gun shy in the future!
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Lindsay
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SeaStar
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My HS group locally is a TORCH group. I have had no issues with that- it's a very friendly group.
It is nice to have group guidelines to refer to when planning the groups activities. For instance, some of the moms in our group feel like we need to have a spiritual program just for the moms. Next month at our planning meeting we will be looking at the recommendations for that in the TORCH guidelines. It is nice to have these guidelines to use as a spring board.
Also, my TORCH membership card has come in handy as proof of home education status.
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sewcrazy
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I was on the phone the with the national communication director for TORCH. TORCH is NOT affiliated with Regnum Christi in any way or form. Many of the early members of TORCH were members of Regnum Christi and attempts were made to have TORCH become an apostolate but it never was.
The current national director, Theresa Carlson, welcomes questions regarding this issue.
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LeeAnn
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hylabrook1
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Thanks for tracking this down, LeeAnn. It's always a good idea to consult with the *source*. 
Peace,
Nancy
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SeaStar
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Yes- thanks so much!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Lisbet
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TORCH was indeed initially an official apostolate in the beginning, and like I said before, I have no idea of the status at the moment. If they are no longer, I fully understand the desire to distance themselves as far as possible from any connection.
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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sewcrazy
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I was not part of the initial forming of TORCH, but the creator of my local homeschooling group was, and is now on the national board for TORCH.(And not in Regnum Christi) I personally have no knowledge of the original mission of TORCH, but have been assured that while many original members of TORCH were RC the organization had no OFFICIAL ties to RC or LC.
The national board of TORCH change personal over 2 years ago, and I have been assured that current leadership has never believed the TORCH is a Regnum Christi apostolate.
My issue with TORCH, was that I felt we received nothing for the dues we paid into the organization. The current board is working on changing that.
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LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: T.O.R.C.H.?
