Catholic Home School Leaders Gather for Fourth Annual Meeting in Chicago
On November 8, 9, 10, The Round Table of Catholic Home School Leaders represent states from California to Massachusetts, met for their fourth annual meeting.
The Round Table has no officers but offers an opportunity for home schooling leaders to meet on an annual basis to discuss mutual interests and concerns. A main topic of discussion at the Round Table this year is the difficulty home schooling families are encountering in receiving the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation from their local parishes. Many dioceses are now imposing, formally or informally, regulations to force home schooling parents to use certain approved textbooks, or to obtain catechetical certificates. Some dioceses are "mandating" that children attend certain parish one or two-year programs before receiving the sacraments.
The Round Table leaders encourage pastors to adhere to the official teachings of the church and allow parent to prepare their children for the sacraments. The leaders support the Church teaching that pastors and bishops may evaluate the children to be sure they are adequately prepared before receiving the sacraments.
But the actual preparation materials, such as textbooks, video, CD Roms, movies, catechisms, lives of the saints, or oral presentations should be used according to the parents wishes as long as they are in accordance with the official doctrines of the Church.
Other items discussed by the Round Table Leaders included establishing and maintaining home schooling state organizations and local organizations. The group reviewed the results of the successful trip to Rome where the Round Table representatives met with seven leaders of Vatican Congregations to discuss the future of Catholic Home Schooling.
In addition, the Round Table sent a letter to the National Conference of
Catholic Bishops at their annual conference in Washington, D.C.
The letter reads as follows:
The National Round Table of Catholic Home School
Leaders, at its annual meeting in Chicago this past weekend, send the bishops
their best wishes and prayers for a grace-filled and fruitful NCCB meeting.
We assure you of the continuing participation of home school families in the
life of their parishes and dioceses.
We have pledged fidelity to the Magisterium and all that it teaches.
Having met with the presidents an/or secretaries of seven Vatican
Congregations last November, we were encouraged by their enthusiastic and
continuing support of Cathoic homeschools in the United States, and we remain
in contact with them as they requested .
Our leaders had the privilege of meeting with the Holy Father, receiving
Communion from him, and we daily remind ourselves of his words: I support
your work, and I send my blessing to all your families.
We ask for your blessing, please.
The November 1997 Round Table is scheduled in Tampa, Florida.
