Yep. Back in the Stone Age, when I went to Catholic school, they would mark you down in Religion if they didn't see you at the 9 o'clock children's Mass. Didn't matter if you went to Mass at another time, or to another church, just do what we say, when we say it.
That said, I haven't been a Catholic for awhile, but aren't Catholics still supposed to go to Mass? Is it still a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sunday? I get the feeling these parents aren't going to Mass elsewhere; they aren't going at all.
Yes they are. In our town they drop the kids off at Religious Ed and head off to the Church of Starbucks.
The Third Commandment is still the Third Commandment. The Book of Exodus hasn't been rewritten, as far as I know.
I went to public school and CCD when I was a kid, but since I didn't go to the LOCAL school, my teacher, the late Sister Mary Arnold (GRHS) couldn't watch to make sure we went to church. She used to call my own parish each and every Sunday to confirm our attendance at Mass.
For my classmates, however, Sister was stationed outside the church checking off names. Anyone she didn't see had some 'splainin' to do.
Regards,