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The Parent 'Makes' the Catholic Upbringing...
"...programs of instruction, rules, methods, courses, and organization... [No]... it is the teacher who makes the school, not the program of studies to be followed. And the teacher makes the school because teaching is a vital process. Hence it is the spirit, the soul, of the teacher that counts the most in the transmission of the social inheritance from generation to generation..."
Fr Franz de Hovre, "Catholicism in Education", New York, Benzinger Brothers, 1934, p10
We , as parents, are the primary educators of our children - we make or break their Catholic formation...
posted by Holly at 8:25 PM
3 Comments:
Education is THE transmitter of culture. Take over the schools and you take over the future of society.
But as Catholic parents we know WE are the primary educators of our children. We don't leave this to the schools, to the parish catechism programs, nor to a 'perfect' homeschooling program.
The most effective and formative influence in our children's lives is US! And it is our 'persons' - and our spiritual vitality or lack of it - which our children 'catch'. Our attitudes toward academic learning, toward the faith, even towards housework, speak louder than words. The witness of what we 'do' speaks even louder than what we 'say'!
The best way to raise Catholic children, well formed in their faith, their intellects, their wills and their hearts, is to 'become' all that we seek to pass down - to become all that we would have our children become...
Hi Holly,
Anonymous here ; ) Thanks for this! The idea of "being" the lesson or "being" Christ to the Children has been the most challenging to me as a Mom. I thought as my kids got older that life would get easier, "hey, more helpers." However, I have realized that now I have very conscious eyes upon me throughout the day, each day. The kids are watching everything I do, taking mental notes, asking questions regarding my actions and emulating me. Do I want sluggards who are difficult to rouse in the morning? NO? So, MOM (that's me) GET UP! Do I want slobs for kids who have messie rooms or sloppy dress? NO? So MOM (me again) keep the house orderly and dress neatly (and modestly!). Do I want kids who finish their daily tasks, school work and chores? YES! So MOM, (I'm talking to myself) *find a way* to get my priority tasks done each day, every day. Do I want kids who speak sweetly to each other and are obedient? OF COURSE! So, I MUST speak sweetly to them and obey my husband. Do I want kids who revere our Lord and the Mass? YES! So, I must enthusiastically and reverently attend Mass and be an example of knowing, loving and serving our Lord.
This is a constant, daily, struggle of dying to self and living for Chirst, being our Lord to our children.
LOVE, Jenni
Hey Jenni,
You got it! It's not so intellectually hard to grasp the concept of becoming what we want to pass down -but it sure is a challenge to BE it!
But there's grace, isn't there... :-)
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