In such circumstances, large families naturally congregate into clusters of homeschooling families. They form their own organizations and create their own systems of support apart from the parish community. If the homeschoolers feel wronged by the Church community, or even if they just feel unwelcomed (they often feel both), then the character of the homeschool community won’t only be a parallel Catholic universe; it will be an antagonistic one.
The irony of the situation isn’t lost on large families. They’re following the Church’s teaching and sacrificing to do so. They don’t necessarily expect an award from the Church—but they don’t want to be treated like they’re from Mars either.
Families complain about pews that make it impossible for children to sit still, impossible CCD schedules for large families, scowling homilists, in-convenient crying rooms, and tiny, hidden bathrooms.
The Bascoms used to be Evangelical Christians. They are Catholic now. Were the Evangelicals more open to their children? In some ways, yes. “The [Protestant] church had lots of programs for kids,” Paul Bascom said. In other ways, not at all: “Doctrinally, contraception and even abortion were an option.”
My husband and I sent our children to Catholic schools, but pulled them out about 4 years ago when our diocese adopted the ROTTON "Growing in Love" series. Also pulled them out because the religion they were being taught was so watered down and bland, it just was not worth the kind of money we were being charged. We were never given a discount even though at one point we had all four in the same school. The sacrifice was just too much and as I mentioned, their religious instruction was awful. I know there are some good Catholic schools out there, unfortunately there are none in my area.
Many people defend their birth control habits by bringing up the issue of affordability. That's always a lame excuse. Entrance into Heaven doesn't cost a dime.
Two of my bosses (they are cousins) have 15 kids each. Other Catholic relatives at work also have large families...
They're full of the most beautiful girls and handsome boys I've ever seen. I have the pleasure of working with some of the older kids, and they're the most well-behaved young adults I've known. They're ALL homeschooled, or have been. About 80% of the company's employees are family, excluding me. Some of the non-family employees make wisecracks about the large families, but usually they're the ones whose kids are criminals and/or live very immoral lives. When I hear these remarks, I usually ask, "So, how are YOUR kids doing?"
My wife and I only have one daughter - 9. She is unable to have anymore kids, but the three of us feel somewhat "adopted" into the larger family of the Church.
I hate to rain on your parade but parish support for this has been evaporating for years...and for good reason.
It has to do with basic economics since most parishes simply do not have (and would not have) the money to educate these very much wanted children.