Posted on 10/23/2015 11:48:42 AM PDT by NYer
A few years ago I went to my pre-Vatican II Catholic h.s. class reunion. About half are Catholic, half not. I asked who sent their own kids to Catholic school. Not one hand did I see raised. Not one!
That’s obviously not what I was advocating. Sheesh
“Adam and Eve are a myth like the Easter Bunny”
“Anything that seems like magic in the Bible is probably made up”
Two things my young kids learned in “Catholic” school....smh
Yes, I suppose you could do it on the weekends. In our area (NYC/Long Island), I have never seen that done. It may be more common elsewhere. I think a Sunday School would be a good idea, followed immediately by Mass.
You are correct when you say that it is ultimately the parents’ responsibility to have their children confirmed (or to receive any of the sacraments). Sadly, many parents will not do so if it interferes with schoolwork, the parents’ work schedules, the work schedules of the kids themselves, or some other activity (usually sports).
Scheduling Confirmation for sophomores or juniors in high school only exacerbates the problem, IMO. I’m not sure why some dioceses decided to make it so late. Again, in our area, Confirmation is usually scheduled for anywhere from the 6th grade to the 8th.
I’m glad you were able to receive Confirmation! So many young people never return. God bless you!
Regards,
They can't have it on Sunday because that might interfere with (choose one or more): Soccer practice, little league, football practice, family weekend, the non-custodial parent has the kids half the weekends, etc, etc, etc
Personally, I'd love to see the classes split up by "grandparents are pressuring us to have the kids confirmed 'Catholics' " and "serious Catholics". It would be about 75/25 ratio, but you could tailor the classwork appropriately for the audience (sort of like regular classes and Honors classes in school).
Just a point of clarification: Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage, if this can be done without grave inconvenience. (CIC 1065)
Personally I think it should be strictly enforced. I have a Niece and Nephew that were never confirmed and were allowed to marry in the Church.
It is so gosh darn cute when people that claim to have been Catholic express opinions with no foundation.
Well the Bible does call the Catholic Church the pillar and foundation of truth.
It's a matter of choice and necessity at our parish. We've grown to be the sixth largest Catholic parish in the country over the past 20 years, and the largest in the Diocese of Dallas. We can't keep up with the growth, classrooms are limited.
I've taught 6th grade for over 15 years, opting to teach our Wednesday night sessions. We have two classes on Wednesday and seven or eight on Sunday. Attendance is usually consistently at 80% and up, this year it's been 90%+ every class.
I spend 15 minutes of the 75 minute class trying to build a community in the class. There are usually five or more middle schools represented in each class, so they need that extra time every week to get to know each other.
Our Old Testament curriculum is excellent, focusing on life lessons that can be learned from Abraham, Moses, Esau & Jacob, David, etc.
Really? I honestly have never heard that. I am sadly acquainted with several young people who were told they had to go through the entire RCIA program and be confirmed before even being allowed to set a wedding date.
I suppose “grave inconvenience” is subject to interpretation on the part of the priest or bishop.
Thanks for the info!
Regards,
PS: I say “sadly” because the young people of whom I speak chose not to go through RCIA and tack on an extra almost year to their engagements, and their children have not been raised in the faith — most of them are not even baptized.
I agree, “grave inconvenience” is too loose of a term, and it seems like a convenient out for too many people.
“...when the Church itself rarely criticizes sodomy or the adultery of divorced/remarried Catholics?”
What’s much more startling is that the Church almost never seems to make the point that Catholics should go to church every Sunday!
Jesus did not grab hold of a door and say, "This is My Body." Jesus did not touch a vine and say, "This is My body." But Jesus did pick up a piece of bread and say, "THIS IS MY BODY". Therein lies the difference of why the door and vine are not the Eucharist and what once was bread is.
I have, many times. Nothing there about “This is My Body”. You’d have to agree, right?
Is He a physical door or not? Have you walked through a door and into pastures?
Where??
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