Non-Catholics in Catholic School Experiences?

[Tinker'n'Fun]

DD15 and DS12 have been in Catholic School their whole lives. We are Catholic. Many of their friends are not. During grammar school they did go to mass once a week. Non-catholic students were asked to sit quietly if they did not want to participate but were encouraged to learn songs etc, so that they could sing and be part of the group. IT was never forced upon them. Religion class was very by the book, meaning everything came from a book just like science etc and with a bit of studying the grammar school kids could pick it up. Now that DD is in HS they do not attend mass weekly. They have school masses which are not even in a chuch. Religion class this year is about self-esteem with undertones of the Catholic Faith. DD says it is very enlightening for everyone. I would call different schools and ask them their policy. I felt the small classes and special attention my children received well outweighed the cost. Both of my chilrdren are well above average in their grades and intelligence. I am very pleased. I went to public HS and feel that I got a great education, too bad the school here is now way overcrowded and I know the police by name because they visit the school daily. My choice was extremely easy.

 

[SydSim]

I attended Catholic schools from grades 1-6. My son attends a Catholic high school. We're Pentecostal, about as far from Catholic as you get and still be a Christian.

He hasn't had any problems at all. He's required to take Religion classes one semester a year. He's also required to attend Mass with the school body 4 times a year. However, he doesn't take communion, go to confession or do any of the other things the Catholic students do.


As far as environment, in my experience, Catholic schools aren't that much different from your typical public high school. They have the same issues, sex, drugs, fights, disrespectful students.

Last year someone asked my son if he liked the Catholic school better then the public school he attended the year before. His response?

"There's no difference between the two. Oh wait they make us go to Church. The kids and the teachers are the same."

In my area, the non Catholic students, are keeping the schools from closing.

I'm pleased with my son's school.

There's no way I'd ever send a Catholic child to a Catholic elementary school in my area. They are really awful. 30+ kids with one teacher.

Hey, Pentecostal here too! I understand what you're saying about being about as far away from being Catholic as you can get! No offense But that was one of my concerns. Thanks for the input

 

[Mkrop]

Hey, Pentecostal here too! I understand what you're saying about being about as far away from being Catholic as you can get! No offense But that was one of my concerns. Thanks for the input

what is the difference, if you dont mind me asking?

 

[SydSim]

what is the difference, if you dont mind me asking?

No problem asking, but this subject caused a little drama some time ago, so be easy on me

In my denomination, it is heavily stressed that you believe in, and pray to, God The Father, God The Son and God the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals take issue with Catholicism and praying to/worshipping anything else (ex.- saints, Mary, etc.) Also, having idols for luck (like statues of saints). Yes, we all believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God, but the worshipping thereof, I believe, is the difference. Also, there are other differences like Catholics believing that people can be prayed out of purgatory, the need to confess to a priest (and not directly to Jesus) and stuff like that. That's my personal interpretation of it. And that's all i have to say about that.

Obviously, I don't have an issue with DD attending a Catholic school, or I wouldn't be considering it. I just wanted to hear personal experiences of others who had done the same. And even though this is a religious conversation, I hope I don't get flamed

 

[lilyv]

No problem asking, but this subject caused a little drama some time ago, so be easy on me

In my denomination, it is heavily stressed that you believe in, and pray to, God The Father, God The Son and God the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals take issue with Catholicism and praying to/worshipping anything else (ex.- saints, Mary, etc.) Also, having idols for luck (like statues of saints). Yes, we all believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God, but the worshipping thereof, I believe, is the difference. Also, there are other differences like Catholics believing that people can be prayed out of purgatory, the need to confess to a priest (and not directly to Jesus) and stuff like that. That's my personal interpretation of it. And that's all i have to say about that.

Obviously, I don't have an issue with DD attending a Catholic school, or I wouldn't be considering it. I just wanted to hear personal experiences of others who had done the same. And even though this is a religious conversation, I hope I don't get flamed

I'm not Pentecostal, and I'm not Catholic. My kids attended Catholic schools for some years. Syd, I don't know how you've obtained your information, but some of it is incorrect. Catholics don't worship saints, and they don't have idols. I'm sure if you wear a cross that it doesn't represent something you idolize, it's a symbol.
Language is tricky with these things. I do believe you're sincere in wanting to have a gentle conversation. All the best to you, lilyv

 

[Fitswimmer]

No problem asking, but this subject caused a little drama some time ago, so be easy on me

In my denomination, it is heavily stressed that you believe in, and pray to, God The Father, God The Son and God the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals take issue with Catholicism and praying to/worshipping anything else (ex.- saints, Mary, etc.) Also, having idols for luck (like statues of saints). Yes, we all believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God, but the worshipping thereof, I believe, is the difference. Also, there are other differences like Catholics believing that people can be prayed out of purgatory, the need to confess to a priest (and not directly to Jesus) and stuff like that. That's my personal interpretation of it. And that's all i have to say about that.

Obviously, I don't have an issue with DD attending a Catholic school, or I wouldn't be considering it. I just wanted to hear personal experiences of others who had done the same. And even though this is a religious conversation, I hope I don't get flamed

I should stay out but I have to say it: Catholics do NOT pray to or worship Mary or the Saints. We believe in intercessory prayer, which means that just as I can ask my friends here on the DIS to pray for me, I can ask Mary and the Saints to pray for me. We believe that there is a connection between those who are in heaven and those who are here on earth and that those that have gone before can help us. We have statues of saints to honor them and remember them, just like we have pictures of our deceased relatives around the house to remember and honor them.

We confess to God through the Priest Confessor. My confessor helps me to see habitual sins and offers advice on how to avoid those sins in the future. It's practical human help.

I don't care what religion, if any, people choose to practice-but I do want to make sure that my religion is not represented as something it is not.

On the topic-I went to Catholic grammar school and we had Non-Catholics there. Mass was before school, so the non-Catholic kids just came later-we were jealous!!

 

[Mkrop]

No problem asking, but this subject caused a little drama some time ago, so be easy on me

In my denomination, it is heavily stressed that you believe in, and pray to, God The Father, God The Son and God the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals take issue with Catholicism and praying to/worshipping anything else (ex.- saints, Mary, etc.) Also, having idols for luck (like statues of saints). Yes, we all believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God, but the worshipping thereof, I believe, is the difference. Also, there are other differences like Catholics believing that people can be prayed out of purgatory, the need to confess to a priest (and not directly to Jesus) and stuff like that. That's my personal interpretation of it. And that's all i have to say about that.

Obviously, I don't have an issue with DD attending a Catholic school, or I wouldn't be considering it. I just wanted to hear personal experiences of others who had done the same. And even though this is a religious conversation, I hope I don't get flamed

No flames I respect your religion and your right to believe. I am really just curious and as I mentioned before I found my Religions of the World class fascinating so I am always wanting to learn why people believe what they do. I am not out to crticize or convert, just understand and then I feel I can appreciate differences and respect them. That is my take on the whole thing.

We do pray to saints and Mary but it is more of an intercession thing. Kind of like oh St Soso, you know you are up there so if you could pass this message along to God, please do sorta of thing I think that is the big difference btw Catholics and a lot of faiths, our devotion to the saints and Mary and the roles they play to us.

I also dont feel like there is much emphasis on purgartory anymore, I think this was a pre Vatican II thing. At least there wasnt when I went to school, and DS10's books dont address stuff like that.

To me who knows which is right, you do what you feel is right. I believe God and Jesus understand that sometimes different paths can lead to them.

 

[Crankyshank]

Catholic school alum here (even go to a Catholic college run by Dominicans).
There were non Catholics in my school. They were required to take religion classes. Basically Christian family life, Death & Dying, Principals of Catholicism, World religions - that sort of thing.
We attended Mass regularly, which all students were required to attend, (non Catholics could not take Communion obviously).
As far as AP classes, my high school offered some and still do. I believe they have 7 or 8. Average students cannot take AP classes - you need to apply to get in and not even all of the honors level students were accepted.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi SidSym,

I agree with lily - there are a lot of misconceptions about the Roman Catholic church. They don't worship saints or Mary, and they don't have 'idols' for luck.

Our daughter has been attending Catholic school since 1st grade, and our son since kindergarten. They are now in 11th grade and 7th grade. We are Episcopalian, so although there are similarities in parts of the worship - the prayers, responses, Eucharistic rites - there are also significant differences. Our children do not receive Holy Communion at the Masses at their school - they can go up to the priest with arms folded for a blessing. (They have never been bothered by this - they figure they get Communion at our own church!).

Our daughter sings, and does participate in the small choir for the Mass. They are called the Holy Rollers.

They do take Religion class, and in our school, it is a required class, all year long, for each and every grade. In the elementary grades, it is more of an explanation of the Catholic church, and in high school, it is more a global Christian perspective.

They also participate in a yearly grade-level retreat, where they go to a local church and discuss their personal journey of faith.

As for First Communion, I believe this occurs in 2nd grade. There is a special assembly for this in the school and all the kids dress up. Our kids participated, dressed up, and went through the Mass. Really, just about the only thing that they don't do is Communion.

Our daughter tells us there are issues with sex, smoking and drinking in the high school, but I do believe it is to a less extent than in the public schools, at least in this town.

We made the decision to enroll our kids here for several reasons - first of all, location. Our home school is 25 miles away from where we work, and we wanted a school closer to us. Also, we looked for a smaller school, because our kids would not do well in a very large public school. We appreciated the "family environment" of the Catholic school, and also were impressed with their emphasis on community service. There are several non-Catholic families in our school, and we have never felt left out.

Oh, and DD is taking 2 AP classes right now - AP American History and AP Literature. They are challenging, but she enjoys them! She is planning to take AP Psychology next year, and maybe some others.

Good luck to you in your decision!

 

[JennyMominRI]

Catholics don't pray to or worship saints..They ask saints to pray for them ,in much the way people come on the Dis and ask others to pray for them, or ask their mother or friends to pray for them..Since saints are supposedly in heaven and very close to G-d asking them to pray for them makes sense..

Look at the Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace,
The lord is with the Blessed aren't thou amongst women
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus

I believe these words come right out of the bible
This is basically saying Mary , you're pretty awesome, you're the mother of G-d.. How cool


The rest
Holy Mary, Mother of G-d
Pray for us sinners , now and at the hour of our death


They are asking her to pray for them in much the way they may ask their own mother to pray for them.


This is not worship..It's simply saying that if Mary is alive(as Christians believe others are after earthly death) then she can pray for them too, just like you or I can
Now some do take it to the extreme with Mary,but that is individuals and not doctrine

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Here is the course catalog for my DD's school. It gives you a pretty good idea of the curriculum:

http://www.paulvi.net/academics/course_selection_guide.pdf

Christine...I saw Paul VI and realized you must live near me...I'm in Alexandria and I taught at Blessed SAcrament for 5 years!

 

[Mkrop]

Catholics don't pray to or worship saints..They ask saints to pray for them ,in much the way people come on the Dis and ask others to pray for them, or ask their mother or friends to pray for them..Since saints are supposedly in heaven and very close to G-d asking them to pray for them makes sense..

Look at the Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace,
The lord is with the Blessed aren't thour amongst women
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus

I believe these words come right out of the bible
This is basically saying Mary , your pretty awesome, you're the mother of G-d.. How cool
The rest
Holy Mary, Mother of G-d
Pray for us sinners , now and at the hour of our death


They are asking her to pray for them in much the way they may ask their own mother to pray for them.


This is not worship..It's simply saying that if Mary is alive(as Christians believe others are after earthly death) then she can pray for them too, just like you or I can
Now some do take it to the extreme with Mary,but that is individuals and not doctrine

I LOVE this line!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

No problem asking, but this subject caused a little drama some time ago, so be easy on me

In my denomination, it is heavily stressed that you believe in, and pray to, God The Father, God The Son and God the Holy Ghost. Pentecostals take issue with Catholicism and praying to/worshipping anything else (ex.- saints, Mary, etc.) Also, having idols for luck (like statues of saints). Yes, we all believe in God and that Jesus is the son of God, but the worshipping thereof, I believe, is the difference. Also, there are other differences like Catholics believing that people can be prayed out of purgatory, the need to confess to a priest (and not directly to Jesus) and stuff like that. That's my personal interpretation of it. And that's all i have to say about that.

Obviously, I don't have an issue with DD attending a Catholic school, or I wouldn't be considering it. I just wanted to hear personal experiences of others who had done the same. And even though this is a religious conversation, I hope I don't get flamed

My understanding of Pentcostal (at least from my uncle and his wife) is that you all are very strict...i.e. his wedding had no alcohol, no dancing etc....
I could be wrong?

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Catholics don't pray to or worship saints..They ask saints to pray for them ,in much the way people come on the Dis and ask others to pray for them, or ask their mother or friends to pray for them..Since saints are supposedly in heaven and very close to G-d asking them to pray for them makes sense..

Look at the Hail Mary

Hail Mary full of Grace,
The lord is with the Blessed aren't thour amongst women
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus

I believe these words come right out of the bible
This is basically saying Mary , your pretty awesome, you're the mother of G-d.. How cool


The rest
Holy Mary, Mother of G-d
Pray for us sinners , now and at the hour of our death


They are asking her to pray for them in much the way they may ask their own mother to pray for them.


This is not worship..It's simply saying that if Mary is alive(as Christians believe others are after earthly death) then she can pray for them too, just like you or I can
Now some do take it to the extreme with Mary,but that is individuals and not doctrine

yes yes yes......
laos, I thought you were Jewish? You certainly know your religions.

 

[Crankyshank]

I did want to add that Catholic schools aren't into complete indoctrination of all students. The empasis was always placed on values, academics, and following the teachings of Jesus to be a better person.

From my HS mission statement (where the motto is: Sanctity, Scholarship, and Sportsmanship)


Faith provides the context of our inquiry. Inquiry into all the various disciplines informs faith. We worship as community and pray as individuals with enthusiasm, trust, courage and humility. Our Catholic tradition is the integrating point of our academic, religious and social lives.

Administration, faculty and staff are ministers of the Gospel by all we say and do. Towards this end we strive to lead students in the quest and attainment of truth so that they might more fully reflect the image of God. We do this by striving to teach after the manner of Jesus and by modeling the behavior we wish our students to emulate.

Students are challenged to develop their capabilities to the utmost, to become persons of integrity and an influence for good in the community and to serve humanity

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I personally like the idea of uniforms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Makes getting ready in the morning so much easier.

 

[Mkrop]

I personally like the idea of uniforms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Makes getting ready in the morning so much easier.

 

[JennyMominRI]

yes yes yes......
laos, I thought you were Jewish? You certainly know your religions.

I'm a convert to Judaism..I was raised Catholic in a very Catholic part of the country.. I was one of the first female altar girls in the Archdiocese of Boston.

While I'm no longer Catholic, I still feel affection and ties too it. How can you not, especially if you were heavily involved? I also hate the amount of misinformation out there about it and will speak up about it if I see it... It's not just Catholicism though..I've don't it with Jehovah's Witnesses too..I hate to see people making assumptions based on misinformation

My siblings and Mother are still Catholic.

 

[SydSim]

I should stay out but I have to say it: Catholics do NOT pray to or worship Mary or the Saints. We believe in intercessory prayer, which means that just as I can ask my friends here on the DIS to pray for me, I can ask Mary and the Saints to pray for me. We believe that there is a connection between those who are in heaven and those who are here on earth and that those that have gone before can help us. We have statues of saints to honor them and remember them, just like we have pictures of our deceased relatives around the house to remember and honor them.

We confess to God through the Priest Confessor. My confessor helps me to see habitual sins and offers advice on how to avoid those sins in the future. It's practical human help.

I don't care what religion, if any, people choose to practice-but I do want to make sure that my religion is not represented as something it is not.

On the topic-I went to Catholic grammar school and we had Non-Catholics there. Mass was before school, so the non-Catholic kids just came later-we were jealous!!

I totally understand what you are saying. And I appreciate your gentleness in saying it. Religious views and interpretations are a sticky subject, so I try to tread lightly Actually, I try to avoid religious discussions all together And just for the record, my own DH is buddhist - go figure

I love the thought of my DD having religion classes. I love uniforms and I really love a more strict environment.

Thanks again for the responses!

 

[Castlebound]

My kids go to a small Catholic grade school. We have 15 to 20 kids in a class, so overcrowding is not an issue. Both of my kids have non-Catholics in their classes and it is no big deal.

By the way St. Louis has several Catholic high schools with AP classes. From SLUH to St. Pius X near me. I know people who went to both and they felt like both school where more college prep than standard high schools. Both of these school see college as the next step not as an option.