5yr old daughter going to catholic school...........................?

Question

We are not catholics but within the new area we have moved to the school is the best, small child teacher ratio, lovely enviroment & we all loved the school & it's daily life on our visits.
Daughter is coming home talking about God & prayers etc & although I know that they are teaching her to be kind & respectful but what else should I know, antbody out there have any advice on catholic religion.

there are no nunns at her school, her teacher is irish (if that counts for anything)

I really quite like what she comes home & say's I just wondered if there is anything specific I should know

Answer 1

Your child will be learning about the Catholic church. That is part of the school curriculum. I am sure you knew that before you put your daughter in the school. The Catholic church is a liturgical church. This means they follow the full Christian calendar. This starts with Advent. Advent is a preparation time for Christmas. This is the time we prepare for the Christ child. Advent is a 4 week period. We celebrate 4 themes--Peace, Love, Joy, and Hope. These are the things we always have with this Christ child that was born. Christmas is 12 days long. It ends on January 6th. That is the day of Epiphany. That is the day that we remember when the wise men or the Magi came to see the Christ child. Remember, they came later. After the season of Christmas, there is the season of Lent. The Sunday before Lent starts is called Transfiguration Sunday. That is when we remember the story of the Transfiguration. It's found in Luke 9:28-36, Matthew17:1-6, and Mark 9:1-8. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday. It is a time of repentance before Easter. Lent is 40 days not including Sundays. Sundays are days of feasting whereas Lent is a time of fasting. It ends with Holy Week. Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40). Maundy Thursday is when we remember the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:7-23). Good Friday is the death of Christ (Luke 23:44-56). Easter is the Resurrection of Christ. Easter ends Holy Week and Lent. 40 Days after the Resurrection, we celebrate the ascension of Christ into heaven (Acts 1:6-11). 10 days after that, there is the celebration of Pentecost (the birth of the church). It is found in Acts 2:1-13. The Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday. That is when we remember that God is three in one (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The last Sunday of the Christian year is Christ the King Sunday. It's where we remember that Christ is the King in Heaven. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The next Sunday after that is the first Sunday of Advent (it usually falls around late Nov.).

Catholics believe in Confession meaning that they Confess sins to a priest. The priests do not marry. They believe in infant baptism. They also believe in the institution of confirmation. Confirmation is the act of reaffirming one's baptism as an infant and confirming the faith in Christ. Also, Catholics believe in praying to mary. Mary they believe is closer to God that we are. They pray to Mary to ask her to pray for them. They believe she was taken into heaven body and soul, and still watches over us. They believe in what is called perpetual virginity, meaning that Mary is still a virgin. They also believe in the immaculate conception. That means that Mary was actually born sinless. They regard Mary very highly, but they do not worship her. That is a misconception.

If you are not Catholic, then you may want to talk to your daughter about the things you may not agree with, but realize that she isn't accepting the Catholic faith. She is just getting a very good education. You are doing the best for your child by putting her in a good school. I commend you for doing that. I don't think you have anything to worry about. You are very right. Your child will be taught to respect her elders and be a very kind person. I hope that things work out.

Answer 2

A catholic education is held to be a good education, in many peoples view. The school can not make your daughter do anything that you as the parents are not happy with (ie recieve communion, baptim etc). She will be taucht basic christan principles - to love and respect each other and each others property, that lying is wrong, (i am sure you will have been told all the rest) - how is that wrong? i believe that most christians are better people, because of the teachings within the catholic school. If she is singing songs, then she is happy. You know your child, if she was not happy would she sing? and what is wrong with saying a prayer? it only has an effect if you believe thhat there is someone / thing there to answer the prayer / chat - if you do not thing that there is anything there, then she is just talking to her self. Not all cathholics abuse children - there is good and bad in all people, it is just that the news papers always put the "big " headlines of 'Catholic Priest.....' yet there are always other abuse stories, but they do not get the news coverage. Yes i am a catholic by birth, and now a lapsed catholic by choise. i did go to a catholic school, and also went to other clubs like brownies, where i mixed with all sorts of people, and the children with a christian up bringing were kinder, nicer people. Not all will agree, but these are my experiances.

Answer 3

I'm catholic and I went to a catholic school that was years ago at the time you had to be a catholic to go there this changed many years ago. My children also went to a catholic school and the junior school was fantastic the secondary school was just OK the education was very good apart from religious education I thought it was over the top, I spoke to my children about sex and was very open with them so that they were aware on issues regarding contraception. That is because I don't believe in the catholic views on contraception. My son who is 29 has 2 children and they also go to a catholic school and it is great they are taught there own religion only they are also taught other religious beliefs and they learn well from that, this is because there are children from different religions who go there. I still think that the secondary school has the same values regarding sex education although this don't worry me now as my son and his partner are like what I am and they will explain and be open minded. I hated my secondary school as I was taught by Nun's in an all girl school, thank God those days are gone. As long as you explain to your daughter as they now do that there are other religions she will be fine.

Answer 4

Pastor Billy says: it would be easier to answer you if you provide a bit more insight for example what country are you in and what is your denomination if you are a Protestant Christian or what is your religion if you are in fact religious?

Some countries have both a public Catholic school system and a private Catholic school system. Obviously the private system will contain even more religious study whereas in the public there might not even be a requirement for non-Catholics attending the school to take religious study.

Overall Catholic school systems tend to offer a higher standard level and you will regularly find the student will not only excel academically but also athletically.

Sounds to me if you are really interested in Catholic doctrine you should study it for yourself and go straight to the source
I'll list some good quality websites and make sure you goto the Vatican website and spend time reading the Catechism.

PS goto avemariaradio and listen daily they have some very good programming for the family

Answer 5

Us Catholics are not as bad as some of the answers you will get on here, I suggest you check into RCIA Class that normally start in the early fall.

You can also Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or ask the Principal of the School for some suggested reading.

You can also ask more here:

www.Catholic.com
or
www.Catholic.org.

Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 6

it depends on your view of God etc. I always thought that only the catholics in the catholic school were taught a lot about religion, or thats how it works in the school near me.

If you are against it then I would move school. I know its maybe the best school for other things it is not the best school for you or your child.

However if your not fussed one way or the other about religion then leave her be. I would be a good idea to give her information about other religions as well to give her a balance

Answer 7

make certain that they do not practice extreme punishment. They did when I went to Catholic school. The Head Sisters office actually had a machine that would paddle/spank kids! There were many times classmates were forced to hold Bibles while kneeling arms straight out. A girl in my class once swallowed a quarter and was choking and the nun beat her in front of the whole class. I am not lying, it was really awful.

Answer 8

I am an Episcopalian with strong Zen leanings. I taught in Catholic schools for many years and work as a director of music in a Catholic church.

If you are concerned about what your child might be learning, ask for the name of the series of textbooks that are used for teaching religion. Get yourself copies and read them. If you have questions ask the principal or pastor.

Answer 9

I suggest you go to the school and introduce yourself, explain that you are not Catholic and ask them to recommend to you a good basic book so that you can better understand what the culture is.

You'd do the same if your daughter were enrolled in a Buddhist school. Catholic schools continue to have the reputation for top education, often far exceeding the results from public schools.

Answer 10

i am not knocking any school.but the Catholic schools are better,for teaching,and if your daughter isn't catholic she will not have to attend mass,or get her Communion'when she is eight,but no matter what school she would attend they all teach religion,so the choice is yours,the catholic schools have to take x amount of children of different religions.we are catholics and we have never had a problem with our childrens schooling.hope this helped you a little.and good luck to you.