Catholic Schools Have My Heart {Says The Convert}

To read all the posts from this week:  HDYDI: Choose, Afford and Love Catholic School, Applying to Catholic School? 10 Questions Every Parent Should Ask, Making Catholic School Affordable.

It’s no secret Catholic schools have my heart. And, as a convert, I never would’ve said that 17 years ago. My husband and I are both products of the public school environment and I’m the daughter of a public school teacher. We both grew up in rural Texas with no access to a Catholic school (shoot, I wasn’t even Catholic!). Yet, when we married, the education of our children became a high priority. Perhaps it had something to do with our parishes in Ames, Iowa, and Carmel, Indiana. Both had thriving Catholic school populations and we were able to see, first-hand, the many benefits of a Catholic education.

There have been the saint projects. Well, howdy, Padre Pio.

The four-day stewardship camp where my fifth-grader learned that milk doesn’t come from H-E-B.

Gala projects, like the ever-popular prayer boxes, that introduced me to some amazing moms and equally amazing kids.

Raising money for tuition assistance with the ever-talented and massively funny chef and priest, Fr. Leo, the Cooking Priest.

Feeling the {sister} love.

And many powerful moments of community, prayer and fellowship that cannot be duplicated.

Some will boast that Catholic schools increase their children’s faith lives or that we can integrate God into the classroom. Still others cite the profound influence of religious sisters and holy priests. And, yet others point to the high academic rigor and financial savings to the U.S. as shining lights of the Catholic school model.

Me? I was just happy to have uniforms and not fight with my kids about what they wear to school. Okay, I kid.

My singular reason for sending my children to Catholic school? I didn’t want there to be an end to our days at home. I desired an environment that was so tightly interwoven in our family life, that school was merely an extension of that. And we got it, one-hundred fold.

Catholic school isn’t for everyone, but it IS for us. I am grateful for the supportive parish, priest, superintendent, diocese and bishop that have placed a high priority in making it as accessible and affordable for as many families as possible. My husband is a rockstar and began this event as a result of his time at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. In the last six years, more than $800,000 was raised and presented to our 23 schools for tuition assistance.

I’d like to end today’s post with some great quotes from my Facebook fans about why they love Catholic schools. Y’all really do say it best.

Faith is incorporated so intricately into the curriculum that it teaches kids how to incorporate God into their daily lives. – Holly

Our faith is integrated into every subject. And, let’s be honest, uniforms make life SO much easier! – Lisa

Nothing like learning a little math by counting crucifixes! – Andrea

I love lifting others up in prayer at opening! – Elizabeth

I love hearing my son sing alleluia and other religious songs as he goes about his day. – Alexis

The fact that my children pray at least 3 times a day. – Tabby

You can integrate science and religion when teaching sex ed, you can have older students(jh and hs) teach younger students how to research and let them work together, you can get to know the parents and siblings of your students and kids’ classmates, you can TEACH life lessons and morals and values along with curriculum! – Alicea

Prayer is a natural part of my children’s school day. – Heather

I was particularly intrigued to get this quote from a former Catholic school student, soon-to-be college graduate. Her perspective perhaps says it best:

My Catholic education built my spiritual foundation that has fostered a love for my faith and the Sacraments. Whether in English class or dance team practice, it was all for Christ. It was such a beautiful gift that I know will continue to bear fruits for the rest of my life! – Alyce