The home, school and parish all play a role in the faith formation of children. 
In your home, how do you compliment what they are learning in school and at church?

January 27, 2005

Because of the Catholic schools our children attend, faith is such an integral part of our lives that any topic we discuss whether it concerns relationships with friends or sportsmanship or even an Education Fair project includes issues of faith or morality or values. That's the beauty of the Catholic Schools. Reinforcement comes at home with very little effort-Grace at meals, prayers before bed, important life decisions, topics of discussion at the dinner table, and personal studies compliment the lessons our children are learning at school. It all blends together so well that our children's faith becomes as natural as breathing.

Sarah M. Freking, Bishop Garrigan Schools of Algona parent

My husband and I grew up in excellent public school systems. God Bless our CCD teachers for packing as much religion as possible into us one hour a week. It wasn't until our children began attending school at Kuemper last year that we had any idea the impact that Catholic Education would have on our family life. It is a great feeling to have our daughter tug on my coat during the Gospel or the Homily and tell me that she heard that particular Gospel at school mass earlier in the week. To know that she was listening in church and then discussing it at home was something greatly unexpected. Never in a million years did we believe we would have ever heard the most beautiful words come out of our child's mouth the night of the Easter Vigil. Before going to bed that night, my son asked me why there was fire at church that night. I explained to him that it symbolized the Holy Spirit coming to take Jesus to heaven. He then told me that Jesus was his best friend. When I asked why Jesus was his best friend, he replied "Because mommy, he died on the cross for me. Can you believe that someone would die for me?" Tears welled in my eyes and I gave him the biggest hug. I knew then that it was a group effort. The teachers, priests and parents had worked together to teach our son something he will never forget and something that will remain one of our fondest memories.

Amy R. Wallace, Kuemper Catholic Grade School of Carroll parent

We talk with the children with different issues they have talked about in school and the Gospels in church. If one of the Sunday Gospels or Homilies touch us we discuss it. Lent, Advent, and special times of the year we do extra readings daily along with our prayers. We pray morning and night, meals and always to have each one tell petitions or thanks to God. We talk a lot about how important our faith is in our daily normal life as well as the big things.

Barb Swift, Emmetsburg Catholic School parent

There are many ways we incorporate our faith into our family: The first is to be an example for our children--if we want our children to grow in their faith then we must be open about how our own faith guides us everyday. We are open about how prayer helps all of us; we discuss what is the Christian response in situations and how to treat others. Mostly, we want our children to understand that developing and following our faith is something that each of us have to work at every day and we do that by living in the way that Jesus would want us to.

Susan and Tom Chalstrom, St. Edmond Elementary of Fort Dodge parents

We compliment what our children have learn at Spalding and at our church by practicing our faith at home. We pray and worship together as a family and we take an active role in the liturgy at church. We are involved with the welcome committee and other organizations at church. As a family, we help arrange service projects for the students at school and in the cluster. By our active participation in our faith, school, and church, we teach our children how to live their faith.

Ric Hansen, Spalding High School of Granville parent

We want them to do more than learn their religion in school and church. We want them to know, be, live, and show to the public what it means to be a Catholic. We do that through prayer, family activities, following the commandments, communicating and caring for each other. We also surround our family by the milestones of the church.

- Matt & Margaret (Morrisey) Wankum, parents of Gehlen students, '81 Gehlen grads from Assumption Parish in Merrill

It has always been our goal as parents to support our school and church, both financially and through our words and actions. My husband and I have seen five children through our Catholic school and are now enjoying the remaining 3 1/2 years of our last child's education before she graduates in 2008. With having a large family "go through the system", our social lives for the past 23 years have revolved around church and school. We feel that through our positive actions and attitudes, in regards to our school and church, we have helped our grown children gain the same ideals as they begin their married lives. As a staff member of our Catholic school, it's rewarding for me to work in an atmosphere where our faith is practice all day long and reinforced in home and outside activities.

- LeAnn Wiederholt, St. Mary's High School of Remsen parent

We are grateful to have the CSSC available to us. We wholeheartedly agree that it takes the home, the parish and the school to develop and support a meaningful faith relationship in a child. There are too many obstacles and challenges in today's society for only one or two dimensions contributing to faith formation. We try to compliment what they learn at church and school by open discussion. When your child brings home various stories, pictures and projects based on the Catholic teachings it is very easy to ask questions, answer questions or just discuss what it all means. We hope that as we demonstrate interest and importance to these faith filled ideas they will as well.

- Julie Schiltz, Mater Dei School of Sioux City parent

In everything, we try to instill the character of Christ. We encourage prayer and faith in all of life's encounters. We encourage each other to live clean and reverent lives, and to enjoy the blessings we have. We place high value on faith-based education and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to participate in this vital Catholic tradition.

- Craig and Cindy Wells, St. Mary's Elementary of Storm Lake parents