| Author | |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: July 22 2011 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
First, if this is the wrong forum, please move it! I wasn't sure where to put it!
A bit of background:
For 2 years I have run a multi-age homeschool co-op at my parish. My pastor gave us his support and blessing. We have been good stewards of the space and have not had any real problems.
Last week, I sent my annual request for space for the co-op to meet and was summarily refused. My pastor informed me that he has come to the conclusion that allowing us to meet in parish space is in conflict with the great efforts the parish made to provide a school for the children of the parish.
"I cannot justify our parish providing space for programs that conflict with what our parish already provides for our children. As a result I have come to the conclusion that “home schooling” should take place, as the name implies, in the home."
We have already set to work in finding another space, and will not argue his decision. But I am trying to find the words to show him we are NOT in conflict! We all have the same mission...raising Godly children! We are active members of the parish and should have the right to parish resources (especially ones sitting vacant during the day!)
I was very hurt by the tone of the email he sent me. I work very hard in my parish as do all of my children. To be brushed off with a terse email was very disappointing.
Please any suggestions, quotes, words of wisdom!
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cathhomeschool
Board Moderator
Texas Bluebonnets
Joined: Jan 26 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7303
|
| Posted: July 22 2011 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I am sorry, LeeAnn. Perhaps he was fighting various fires and was short for reasons totally unrelated to you? Would it help to be honest with him next time you see him in person (this weekend?) to let him know that the tone of the email hurt you and basically tell him what you've said here? Maybe you could also ask for clarification as to what is conflicting (just for your personal info, not to debate).
Over the years we have met at a variety of parishes. Some have been more open than others. Sometime we have been denied altogether for a variety of reasons.
Praying that the Holy Spirit guides your decision and words.
__________________
Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MichelleW
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947
|
| Posted: July 22 2011 at 8:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our church has been schizophrenic in its policies towards our homeschool group. Sometimes they are afraid that allowing us to use the space might be construed as them "favoring" homeschooling. Sometimes they open their doors and treat us as if we were one of the many groups that they serve in the church (like a women's group, a playgroup or a Bible study group). It can be hard to know what to expect from the church office.
I am sorry that you are going through this, but I hope you won't take it too personally. I am sure that his decision has little to do with you or even with the group. It is most likely a little political storm cloud that will pass. If it were me, I would leave it alone for now (or maybe email him that you, the school and he are not in conflict and all want the same thing: to raise Godly children and that you appreciate the work the school does and thank you for your consideration) and then re-apply at the end of August/beginning of September and see what happens.
Just a thought...
__________________
Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: July 23 2011 at 1:11am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm sorry, LeeAnn. Weathering these storms is difficult. Janette and Michelle are right on and I'm glad we're here to encourage you to detach emotionally. Stay grateful for the generosity of the past (consider sending a thank you), and be hopeful about the future, (consider adding in the thank you note that if in the future there is a change of heart to return to a mutually beneficial scenario, you would be grateful.)
Goodness, I wish this stuff wasn't so confusing and needlessly hurtful. Praying!
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mamasue
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 09 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 139
|
| Posted: July 23 2011 at 7:05am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our group Can not hold any kind of class on parish groups. It's competition for the school.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: July 29 2011 at 12:45am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you for the kind thoughts.
I believe that I achieved a well thought out reply that I hand wrote and mailed to him. I figured its too easy to hit "delete" on an email.
Also, praise God, we just learned today, the neighboring parish would be happy to allow us to use their RE space during the day to meet. The space is perfect for our needs and fairly central to all families in the group.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MichelleW
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 01 2005
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 947
|
| Posted: July 29 2011 at 8:17am | IP Logged
|
|
|
So glad you found some closure on this and that God has provided for your group. God is so cool.
__________________
Michelle
Mom to 3 (dd 14, ds 15, and ds 16)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
leanne maree
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 25 2008
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 508
|
| Posted: July 30 2011 at 8:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
LeeAnn I am pleased you found a new spot for your meetings.
I am also pleased you chose to write a handwritten letter. It is too easy to hiyt delete. At least he needs to read your letter.
God Bless you
Leanne
__________________
God is Love
Leanne
Loving wife to Dermot and Adoring mother to Louise, Kristie, Kieran & Brid
http://leannemaree.blogspot.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
imcatholic
Forum Newbie
Joined: Nov 20 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 48
|
| Posted: July 30 2011 at 11:35am | IP Logged
|
|
|
A few years ago I was involved with a co-op. We were having to purchase our own insurance to cover us in a parish facility. Our solution was to become a ministry of the diocese. If you are a ministry of the diocese you may have better luck and you could contact the diocese if you need assistance finding a location in the area.
__________________
Beth
http://novoasark.blogspot.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: July 30 2011 at 2:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Unfortunately we have a homeschool unfriendly bishop.
For whatever reason, he was invited to speak at the regional homeschool conference. He told the attendees that if they can't afford the Catholic schools, the public schools are okay to use 
He is retiring next year, so maybe we will have better luck with whomever replaces him.
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen T
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 927
|
| Posted: Aug 04 2011 at 9:20am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Our homeschool group had had several events at our parish over the years but last year we found out that we were putting them at risk by not having our own insurance. Same with any other place we met. Apparently, if you are a ministry of the parish, you're covered there, but then that means that your activity must be open to all members of the parish. So, not wanting to open up to everyone, we chose to get insurance that would cover us no matter where we meet. It ended up only being about $20 per family per year and we all feel safer with it.
Just a thought as to one reason why your pastor might be doing this.
Karen
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
sewcrazy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2006
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 735
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2011 at 7:02pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Karen, we are an insured group.
No he is stressed that they built this huge expensive school that now isn't filling up like they all thought it would. Other considerations aside, I can't afford or justify $6500 a year for grade school! But he seemed to think that if we had the option to put our kids in Catholic school...of course we would. Sorry not our plan at this time
__________________
LeeAnn
Wife of David, mom to Ben, Dennis, Alex, Laura, Philip and our little souls in heaven we have yet to meet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KC in TX
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 05 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2621
|
| Posted: Aug 05 2011 at 8:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
sewcrazy wrote:
Unfortunately we have a homeschool unfriendly bishop.
|
|
|
Our newest bishop is this way. I'm very leery of the future.
__________________
KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: Aug 08 2011 at 5:07pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Be glad you have enough Catholic hsers that you can even get a parish open to you...here, we're so much in the minority, we are one of three families in a multiple county radius (at least four) that are Catholic and homeschooling. No joke.
To top it off, our former Archbishop was very much anti-hsing. He was regularly invited to attend one of the local Catholic hsers annual assembly in OKC, and each time would basically tell them to put their dc into Catholic school...period.
The closest Catholic school is many hours away from us here. There is NO WAY I am putting my children into public school barring some major catastrophe. And even when there was a Catholic school nearby (when we lived in NC), we could never have afforded it for ONE child, much less all five we've been blessed with in total.
It is very frustrating. But I think that a lot of these gentlemen (bishops and priests) are leery of what they do not know, nor understand. Bear in mind, that for most people, hsing is not a mainstream "thing"...yes, it is more common than it once was, but just 20 yrs ago my mom's cousins were freaks and kooks for hsing their children. How much more so a man who may not have ever spent much, if any, time around hsers as individuals, much less as families?
I have not had the pleasure of meeting our new Archbishop. But I hope that he has a more positive outlook on hsing (from what I gather, he does). Perhaps we should pray that all of our pastors, both bishops and parish priests, come into contact with good, practicing Catholic hsers, and that they can see the good work that we do, shining out through our children and our families?
Just a couple of thoughts...
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Difficult situation with my pastor
