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Catholic Homeschool Pledge of Solidarity - Will It Help or Hinder?

Who Decides?

With the exception of letters and outside links appearing on this page,

all other info is copyrighted by KIC, 1998.

All Rights Reserved

Email: keepitcatholic@usa.net

 

On this page, Keeping It Catholic (KIC) supplies both the first and second versions of "The Pledge of Solidarity for Catholic Home Schoolers and Their Supporters," submitted for public distribution by both Julia Fogassy of Our Father's House (a homeschool business) and an associate homeschool leader from Washington state, Katherine Eames.

 

The pledge appears to be a response to Marianna Bartold's series of articles in Mothers Watch and Catholic Family News.

KIC strongly urges that all three of Mrs. Bartold's articles are read, as well as the response of Mary Hasson (who is on both the board of NACHE and TORCH) in the TORCH May 1998 newsletter at www.catholic-homeschool.com and Seton Home Study's School "Authority" article at www.setonhome.org as well as the Pledge (available here) and a few responses to it.

Mrs. Bartold, founder of Keeping It Catholic, the national group Catholic Home School Network of America (CHSNA) and the state group Michigan Catholic Home Educators (MCHE), original homeschool editor of Sursum Corda, publisher of The Catholic Family's Magnificat, and original homeschool forum moderator of EWTN Online, addressed many controversial issues especially pertinent to Catholic home education in the light of Church teaching.

Mrs. Bartold's latest article, "Homeschoolers and the Hierarchy," appeared in Catholic Family News (July 1998).

Within weeks of the article's release, the Pledge of Solidarity began making the email and list rounds on or around July 28, 1998.

The Pledge has been reprinted in the TORCH National Newsletter and circulated among various Catholic homeschooling email lists, online boards, and newsletters.

To Whom Was the Pledge Originally Sent?

Although a practical bevy of homeschool leaders and supporters received a copy, the Pledge authors did not send either of their two versions directly to KIC's Marianna Bartold. No reason for this omission has been given to date. KIC was made aware of it when another leader (not affiliated with TORCH or NACHE) forwarded her a copy of it.

Keeping It Catholic is also supplying public responses, sent via email, to Catholic homeschool leaders which did include Marianna Bartold of KIC, as well as Dr. Mary Kay Clark of Seton Home Study, Katie Moran of CHSNA, Mary Hasson of NACHE, Vicky Coughlin of Florida, Kristen West McGuire, Lesley Payne (editor of NACHE's Catholic Home Educator), Michael Waldstein of Austria, Paul Brazier of Australia (St. Joseph's Foundation), Mary Ann Shapiro of California (Christ the King Academy Homeschool Group), and Fr. John Fessio, S.J. (Ignatius Press, Catholic World Report), among many others.

 

KIC is also supplying the email addresses of the various letters shared here so that you may contact them personally with any questions. These are publicly known email addresses among Catholic homeschool leadership or else the leaders themselves have distributed information via email, asking that recipients pass it along for public distribution.


  Links on This Page

 

Pledge of Solidarity - First Version
 Pledge of Solidarity - Second Version

A Leader Has Questions About the Pledge

One Pledge Author's Response to A Leader's Questions

Yet Another Request

On Another Page:

Keeping It Catholic Addresses Twelve Problems with the Pledge


Note from Keeping It Catholic:

Below is the exact email sent to homeschool leaders via TORCH's Inchi Sugarman, which was forwarded to Marianna Bartold at Keeping It Catholic from another homeschool leader. This email was intended to be publicly disseminated although not one TORCH or NACHE leader personally ensured it reached Marianna Bartold at Keeping It Catholic.

Neither TORCH nor NACHE board members have made any private or public attempt to contact Mrs. Bartold concerning her articles on their collective activities and principles. However, Mrs. Bartold has attempted to open communications once more with both groups via Kimberly Hahn and Mary Hasson, as well as Katie Moran of CHSNA. Mary Hasson of TORCH and NACHE has acknowledged receipt of the contact via email. No replies have yet been forthcoming from any of the aforementioned groups.


 

 From: TORCHMOM@aol.com

Subject: Homeschoolers' Solidarity Pledge

Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 08:30:49 EDT

 

 

Here is a message from Julia Fogassy, a homeschool support group leader inSeattle. This solidarity pledge is not a statement from TORCH and Julia Fogassy is not a TORCH member; however, TORCH supports this pledge of solidarity. If you have questions about the statement itself, please direct them to Julia at jfogassy@aol.com If you have questions about TORCH's support of the statement, please e-mail me or Joan Stromberg (strombergj@aol.com).

 

In Christ's service,

Inchi Sugarman

 

************************************

 Letter Introducing the Pledge(First Version)

Dear Friends,

This message is directed to all Catholic homeschoolers and their supporters. It comes to you from two ladies in the Pacific Northwest who have been greatly saddened by some of the rhetoric that has found its way into print in recent months.

Though we very much encourage open discussion and lively debate on the many issues facing Catholic homeschoolers today, we strongly believe that such debate must at all times be guided by charity.

To that end, we submit the following pledge for your consideration. We invite signatures and support for this statement of solidarity. We encourage priests, pastoral leaders, lay leaders, homeschooling parents, and all Catholics to join us in this mutual pledge. If you agree with the mission, goals and methods as stated below, and are willing to abide by them in all public discourse, please indicate your support in one of the following ways:

1. Send a return email message to me, indicating your support, including your full name, address and zip code, the name of your local support group, and what position, if any, you hold in the group.

2. Print a copy and return it by mail to:

Julia Fogassy

5530 S. Orcas St.

Seattle, WA 98118

JFogassy@aol.com

 

Please feel free to reprint this invitation and pledge in your local newsletters.

 

Sincerely,

Julia M. Fogassy


A Pledge of Solidarity for Catholic Home Educators and Their Supporters

(First Version)

submitted by

Seattle homeschooling leaders

Julia Fogassy and Katherine Eames

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT
Accepting with joy and gratitude the children whom God has entrusted to us, we solemnly pledge to the best of our abilities to fulfill our sacred duty as parents by caring for the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of our children. Our object is to hand on to them, intact, the faith of the Holy Catholic Church, which is our most precious possession.
GOALS
1. To support parents in their "indispensable and primordial duty" as the primary educators of their children while acknowledging the pastoral responsibilities and lawful authority of the Church.

 

2. To foster an attitude of filial love and respect towards our Church leaders in a spirit of collaboration with and service to the Church's mission to make disciples.

 

3. To serve all Catholic home educators with humility and joy, recognizing with Pope John Paul II the awesome truth that, "The future of humanity passes by way of the family."

4. To model hope and courage, rather than despair and fear, in meeting the challenges of our day, with the secure knowledge that our ultimate victory is already won in Christ. In the words of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, "Be not afraid!"

 

5. To recognize and affirm principles of discernment for parents and ecclesial authorities as they seek to safeguard parental rights and responsibilities.

 

6. To emphasize the virtue of prudence as the sure guide for parents as they discern between influences which may threaten or enhance the faith formation of their children.

 

7. To help form parents in the Catholic faith, encouraging them to choose materials that best meet the needs of their children.

 

8. To foster all worthy efforts of communication, parent education, and among Catholic home educators.

 

METHODS
Knowing that the sacred duty of caring for the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of our children is best carried out, not in isolation, but within the wider context of the local community and the universal Church, we acknowledge that varying opinions and conflicts will arise. Recognizing that scandalous divisions in the Body of Christ are directly opposed to the will of God, and that we are morally obliged to maintain Christian unity,we embrace St. Augustine's maxim:
In matters of doctrine, unity;

In matters not doctrinal, liberty;

In all things, charity.

 

 

 

 

PLEDGE

 

Therefore, we mutually pledge the following:

 

1. When conflicts arise, we will first separate the person from the issue and then determine whether the matter is essential to the faith. If the concern is a matter of doctrine, we will clearly identify it as such and work towards unity.

 

2. If the concern is not doctrinal, we will clearly identify it as such and acknowledge the liberty to differ.

 

3. In dealing with all differences, we will practice charity; charity means following the scriptural mandate to communicate directly to the person, assuming the best motives, and confining the discussion to examining issues, not attacking persons.

 

Signed _________________________________________

 

address_________________________________________

 

_________________________________________

 

group name______________________________________

 

position _________________________________________

 

 

 


Pledge of Solidarity -
Second Version

 

A Pledge of Solidarity for Catholic Home Educators and Their Supporters
(Second Version)

submitted by

Seattle homeschooling leaders

Julia Fogassy and Katherine Eames

 

 

MISSION STATEMENT
Accepting with joy and gratitude the children whom God has entrusted to us, we solemnly pledge to the best of our abilities to fulfill our sacred duty as parents by caring for the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of our children. Our object is to hand on to them, intact, the faith of the Holy Catholic Church, which is our most precious possession.

 

GOALS
1. To support parents in their "indispensable and primordial duty" as the primary educators of their children while acknowledging the pastoral responsibilities and lawful authority of the Church.

 

2. To foster an attitude of filial love and respect towards our Church leaders in a spirit of collaboration with and service to the Church's mission to make disciples.

 

3. To serve all Catholic home educators with humility and joy, recognizing with Pope John Paul II the awesome truth that, "The future of humanity passes by way of the family."

 

4. To model hope and courage, rather than despair and fear, in meeting the challenges of our day, with the secure knowledge that our ultimate victory is already won in Christ. In the words of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, "Be not afraid!"

 

5. To recognize and affirm principles of discernment for parents and ecclesial authorities as they seek to safeguard parental rights and responsibilities.

 

6. To emphasize the virtue of prudence as the sure guide for parents as they discern between influences which may threaten or enhance the faith formation of their children.

 

  7. To help form parents in the Catholic faith, encouraging them to choose materials that best meet the needs of their children.

 

8. To foster all worthy efforts of communication, parent education, and among Catholic home educators.

 

METHODS
Knowing that the sacred duty of caring for the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of our children is best carried out, not in isolation, but within the wider context of the local community and the universal Church, we acknowledge that varying opinions and conflicts will arise. Recognizing that scandalous divisions in the Body of Christ are directly opposed to the will of God, and that we are morally obliged to maintain Christian unity, we embrace St. Augustine's maxim:

 

In necessariis unitas,

In dubiis libertas,

In omnibus caritas.

 

PLEDGE

 

Therefore, we mutually pledge the following:

 

1. When conflicts arise, we will first separate the person from the issue and then determine whether the matter is essential to the faith. If the concern is a matter of necessity, we will clearly identify it as such and work towards unity.

 

2. If the concern is not essential to the faith, we will clearly identify it as such and acknowledge the liberty to differ.

 

3. In dealing with all differences, we will practice charity; charity means following the scriptural mandate to communicate directly to the person, assuming the best motives, and confining the discussion to examining issues, not attacking persons.

 

Signed________________________________________

 

address_________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________

 

group name______________________________________

 

position _________________________________________

 


The email below is a letter written by Mary Ann Shapiro of California, Christ the King Academy Support Group. It was originally sent to Catholic homeschool leaders via email and did include Marianna Bartold at Keeping It Catholic. It is printed here with permission from its author. (Emphasis are KIC's.) You can email Mary Ann Shapiro at ctka@usa.net

 

Dear Julia (et.al.)

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your email of 7/28. I have read the pledge carefully, prayed about it, and spoken at length with my husband.

 

I find I am unable to sign this pledge for several reasons, discussed below.

 

Let me say that I found myself wanting to sign just to go along. Nobody wants to become "persona non grata," which seems to happen to those who present disagreeing positions.

 

But not wanting to offend is not a reason to set aside valid concerns. I pray we are able to continue discussions and grow in respect for each other. I will try to make my objections brief but clear.

 

1. The document itself has problems.

In the document, under the goals, goal #1 is phrased in such a way as to set up a dichotomy between laity and hierarchy. This opposition is not the intention of the Church. This goal should clearly state our roles of working together to bring souls to Christ.

 

In goal #4, the phrase "model hope and courage, rather than despair and fear" is used. My experience has been that people who are trying to describe scandalous situations in order to deal with them are accused of "fear mongering" or "being divisive." Such words are designed to end a conversation without dealing with the issues.

 

Faith in the power of Almighty God does not preclude intelligent and articulate understanding of the challenges that face us.

 

Goal #8 must be missing some words, because it is unintelligible as written.

 

The fact that the quote from St. Augustine remained in Latin is significant. The maxim embraced in our quest for unity could not be translated to the English language (!) because an agreement on 2 words could not be reached, yet there are only 9 words in the quotation.

 

The translation hanging over my desk reads "essentials" and "non-essentials;" I have heard "necessary" used, but never "doctrine."

 

2. The public use of this document.

 

Public use of this document was not clarified. However, it has come to my attention through private conversation, that this pledge, with a list of signers, is to be published in the next NACHE newsletter. Is this true? Why was this not made clear when asking for signatures?

 

Those who sign will be duly noted. Those who do not will be conspicuous for their absence. What opportunity will there be to make public the reasons for not signing? Are we fostering unity or forcing people to take sides?

 

Further, who decides how and when the pledge has been broken? Why is there such a rush to make the pledge public? Suggested revisions made within a few days of the first email were rejected because "it was too late." By whose time frame?

 

3. Not living up to the pledge already.

This pledge was prompted by recent "rhetoric that has found its way into print". Does this refer in whole or part to articles by Mrs. Marianna Bartold? How interesting that a copy of the pledge was NOT sent to her. (I called her to verify this). Only 2 people have contacted her with specific complaints about the facts of her articles, myself and 1 other person. What's the point of signing a pledge at the same time that you are refusing to "communicate directly to the person"?

 

Christian principles do not apply to people only when when they agree with you. The mature Christian must apply them at all times and in all situations.

 

This complaining about the use of rhetoric, as far as I can tell, has caused the facts of any issue to be ignored. What factual information reported was false? I am not defending anyone, only asking a question. The complaint has been that events were reported in a rude or divisive way, but no one has called to correct any errors, nor have the facts been disputed in print. Am I missing something?

 

The Catholic homeschooling movement is dead if people are not allowed to speak freely.

 

Along with the principles already enunciated for dialog, maybe we should add the 11th Commandment, "Thou shalt not take thyself too damned seriously."

 

Offer up the pain of misunderstandings and disagreements and look to the facts. It simplifies the discussion, helps us make progress, and merits grace. Not bad goals!

 

I do want unity. I do not want Catholic homeschooling to be neutralized by bickering among those of us perceived as leaders. However, signing a pledge to achieve the appearance of unity is not unity.

Nor does unity necessarily equal peace. A graveyard is peaceful, but everyone is dead. Understanding and respect will be achieved by prayerfully addressing the issues, especially those which cause great disagreement.

 

Admitting we are wrong, or maintaining fidelity to the truth without condemning or excommunicating each other is only achieved with grace.

 

To that end, I would ask everyone to say 1 extra decade of the rosary each day for a growth in the true unity we all already share by being members of Christ's true Church.

 

May God bless you all and long live Christ our King and Mary our Queen!

 

Mary Ann Shapiro

ctka@usa.net

 
One Author's Response to Questions About the Pledge

 From Julia Fogassy (Fogassy@aol.com) directed to Mary Ann Shapiro and other homeschool leaders, including Marianna Bartold of Keeping It Catholic. For easier reading, Mrs. Fogassy's response remains in black, and her quotes of Mary Ann Shapiro's letter (printed above) are in blue. No changes to the words have been made, though red color emphasis has been added by KIC. The letter is printed here with permission from its author.

 

Dear Maryann, et. al

 

Thanks for your thoughtful reply to the Pledge Katherine and I sent out. Our goal is to foster a climate in which Catholic homeschoolers of differing opinions can express their concerns, be respectfully heard, and solicit response.

We believe that the public discourse has deteriorated to a scandalous and unacceptable level which discourages us greatly. In the present situation we do not think silence is an option. You may or may not agree.

After reading your responses (see below) we invite you to add, subtract or rewrite whatever parts of the Pledge you wish, suggesting a wording that would be acceptable to you. We know this will take more of your time, but we think the matter is serious enough to warrant your input.

 

>>Dear Julia (et.al.) I am sorry that it has taken me so long to respond to your email of 7/28. I have read the pledge carefully, prayed about it, and spoken at length with my husband. I find I am unable to sign this pledge for several reasons, discussed below. Let me say that I found myself wanting to sign just to go along. Nobody wants to become "persona non grata", which seems to happen to those who present disagreeing positions. But not wanting to offend is not a reason to set aside valid concerns. I pray we are able to continue discussions and grow in respect for each other. I will try to make my objections brief but clear. <<

JMF: Our point in offering the Pledge was precisely to be "able to continue discussions and grow in respect for each other." We definitely believe that many of the concerns presently under discussion are valid, while at the same time recognizing that Christians must never stoop to calumny, slander, or detraction.

 

>> 1. The document itself has problems. In the document, under the goals, goal #1 is phrased in such a way as to set up a dichotomy between laity and hierarchy. This opposition is not the intention of the Church. This goal should clearly state our roles of working together to bring souls to Christ. <<

JMF: In the final version, (we went through at least three versions before we finally settled on one) Goal #1 states, "To support parents in their indispensable and primordial duty as the primary educators of their children in cooperation with the lawful authority of the Church." Perhaps the word 'acknowledging", which was used in an earlier version, conveyed a sentiment that we did not intend. I do not know who suggested the change, but hopefully, it more clearly expresses the attitude of mutual respect and cooperation that should exist between the hierarchy and the laity.

 

>> In goal #4, the phrase "model hope and courage, rather than despair and fear" is used. My experience has been that people who are trying to describe scandalous situations in order to deal with them are accused of "fear mongering" or "being divisive". Such words are designed to end a conversation without dealing with the issues. Faith in the power of Almighty God does not preclude intelligent and articulate understanding of the challenges that face us. <<

 

JMF: We are in complete agreement with you about the need for continued discussion. It is not at all our intention "to end the conversation without dealing with the issues." In the letter that accompanied the Pledge, we stated, "Though we very much encourage open discussion and lively debate on the many issues facing Catholic homeschoolers today, we strongly believe that such debate must at all times be guided by charity."

 

>>Goal #8 must be missing some words, because it is unintelligible as written.<<

<<The fact that the quote from St. Augustine remained in Latin is significant. The maxim embraced in our quest for unity could not be translated to the English language (!) because an agreement on 2 words could not be reached, yet there are only 9 words in the quotation. The translation hanging over my desk reads "essentials" and "non-essentials"; I have heard "necessary" used, but never "doctrine". <<

 

JMF: We really went round and round on this one. Part of the problem is my faulty memory. Another part is my narrow way of thinking. I knew I had a copy of the Latin original somewhere, but I couldn't find it and I didn't want to guess. I tried rephrasing the maxim in English, and didn't do such a good job. Kimberly Hahn expressed the same concerns you did and suggested the word "essentials" instead of "doctrine." But I talked her out of it.

When Father Fessio kindly responded with your same objections, I humbly conceded. My original reasoning was, "We MUST agree on matters of doctrine, but people can endlessly debate what they think is essential or non-essential, so doctrine is a safer word to use."

But Father explained: "I think the translation of Augustine's adage is defective. (Then he gave the original Latin.) "The translation you have used is more restrictive than the Latin and I think building your pledge upon it is problematic."

"An accurate translation would be: unity in what is necessary; liberty in what is open to question (or uncertain, or undecided); in all things charity. My concern is this: Liturgy is not exactly the same as doctrine; nor is Church discipline, But we must be united on these things as well. The real distinction is between what all Catholics must hold or accept, and what they are not bound to hold or accept."

 

This little multi-input process, done in charity, is a good example of how much thought and communication it takes for someone like me to get the picture. It is good that people like Kimberly and Father Fessio, and now you, are willing to politely offer your thoughts. We also emailed and telephoned Dr. Clark to request her input and were directed to her son, Ken. He commented briefly on the Pledge and has not yet communicated his final response.

 

>> 2. The public use of this document. Public use of this document was not clarified. However, it has come to my attention through private conversation that this pledge, with a list of signers, is to be published in the next NACHE newsletter. Is this true? Why was this not made clear when asking for signatures? Those who sign will be duly noted. Those who do not will be conspicuous for their absence. What opportunity will there be to make public the reasons for not signing? Are we fostering unity or forcing people to take sides?<<

 

JMF: Included in the original transmission we stated: "We encourage priests, pastoral leaders, lay leaders, homeschooling parents and all Catholics to join us in this mutual pledge…Please feel free to reprint this invitation and pledge in your local newsletters." I have received emails from people around the country saying that the pledge will be reprinted in several newsletters or periodicals.

I certainly hope that it will appear in many. It is our intention to spread it widely. Anyone has our permission to reprint it and solicit additional signatures.

We hope that those whose signatures appear will be "duly noted", just as you suggest. We believe that certain norms must govern the public discourse of Christians, and we appreciate knowing of others who are willing to hold themselves accountable for a common standard of conduct. Another benefit is to allow persons with limited time resources (like ourselves)to dialogue with members of the self-selected group. We understand this to be a positive, not a problem.

Anyone is free to write a letter to the editor of any periodical in which the Pledge appears, expressing his or her viewpoint. I expect there will be some who choose not to offer the Pledge to their members, and still others who comment unfavorably on it. We welcome all such discussion.

I would hesitate to use the phrase "forcing people to take sides". What Katherine and I meant to do was to state what we believe is the best way to deal with the present issues, and to invite others to join us.

 

>> Further, who decides how and when the pledge has been broken? Why is there such a rush to make the pledge public? Suggested revisions made within a few days of the first email were rejected because "it was too late". By whose time frame? <<

 >> 3. Not living up to the pledge already. This pledge was prompted by recent "rhetoric that has found its way into print". Does this refer in whole or part to articles by Mrs. Marianna Bartold? How interesting that a copy of the pledge was NOT sent to her. (I called her to verify this). Only 2 people have contacted her with specific complaints about the facts of her articles, myself and 1 other person. What's the point of signing a pledge at the same time that you are refusing to "communicate directly to the person"?<<

 >> This complaining about the use of rhetoric, as far as I can tell, has caused the facts of any issue to be ignored. What factual information reported was false? I am not defending anyone, only asking a question. The complaint has been that events were reported in a rude or divisive way, but no one has called to correct any errors, nor have the facts been disputed in print. Am I missing something? <<

JMF: Hopefully, I will address these concerns in the article that I'm working on (and who knows when it might ever see the light of day?).

However, just as one example, consider the opening sentence in Marianna's June article: "As the Catholic homeschool movement grows, so does the dilution of authentic Catholic education." This is a very broad, very negative, and, based on my eleven years of homeschooling experience and contact with thousands of homeschoolers around the country, a very false statement.

Maybe the majority of Catholic homeschoolers that Marianna knows are, purposefully diluting the truth, distorting the faith, and leading their children into error, but I do not believe such a statement can be made about Catholic homsechoolers in general, nor about Kimberly Hahn and Mary Hasson in particular. Yet this very allegation is the focus of her entire article.

We believe, that for a Christian, facts are not the only issue, and to hide a slanderous personal attack behind a claim of "fact" is clearly wrong. We hope to model (not only for homeschool leadership, but also for our own children) another way of airing differences. As homeschoolers, everything we do has the opportunity to be a "teaching moment". We would be embarrassed if our children behaved on the church play ground the way some homeschool leaders have behaved in the public forum.

More importantly, if such behavior occurred, we could not in conscience remain silent. Between us we have nine adult children who are aware of the present discussions. Our response and the way in which it is expressed will not go unnoticed. We suspect we are not alone.

 

(The remainder of this email consisted of the end quotes from Mary Ann Shapiro's email which is published directly above this letter.)


Yet Another Request

 

Dear Sisters in Christ,

I have been observing the discussions and dialogs regarding the proposed pledge for Catholic homeschooling. I have shared your discussions with the members of my ISP, Cabrini Academy.

We are sorry that the fighting within Catholic homeschooling has escalated to the point that a pledge of this nature is seen as a solution. We believe that prayer is the only solution to this problem and we are basing our belief upon our own experiences as homeschooling mothers.

Let us explain. Cabrini Academy was started to support an small group of Catholic homeschooling families in the San Francisco Bay Area who face major trials inwhich HSLDA is unable to assist them. We have one family whose husband/father is unjustly imprisoned. Another family homeschools their adopted special needs daughter (heart disease, spina bifida and club feet are some of her disabilities) while the child's birth mother is demanding her return. Another family is suffering the effects of an angry ex-husband/father who is seeking custody of his children and demanding a court order to stop homeschooling.

It is an endless parade of judges, lawyers, social workers and psychologists that cross our families paths on a daily, weekly and monthly basis while they struggle to homeschool their children. Yet we have experienced God's greatness and mercy in spite of these seemingly hopeless situations.

Through Eucharistic Adoration, devotion to Divine Mercy,and the daily Rosary we have seen our hope, our joyful confidence in God, fortified and working. For example, the State Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal that was filed. The court must make its decision by October 5, Blessed Faustina's feast day. The social workers in the adoption case have sided with our family. That in itself is a miracle.

Their recommendation to the judge is that a homeschooling environment is in the child's best interest. The ex-husband/father was forced to settle out of court in our family's favor. The high powered attorney he hired refused to represent him after he saw the list of witnesses for the defense, which was submitted to the judge.

Seton Home Study, Thomas Aquinas College and Cabrini Academy all agreed to testify on the validity of homeschooling. This cooperation among fellow Catholics along with Adoration, Divine Mercy and the Rosary had the attorney tell his client (and this is a direct quote) "We can't win. They will blow us out of the water."

If Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy devotions and daily rosary can bring about comfort and victory in the midst of major adversity, just think what it can do for the unification of all homeschoolers.

If there is a need for a pledge, how about one that offers this type of prayer, on a daily basis, for the Catholic homeschooling movement? It could be any type of prayer, but in our experience, we can not think of a more powerful combination than Adoration, Divine Mercy and a daily rosary.

Our Lord told Sr. Lucia of Fatima that the greatest sacrifice anyone can make in the 20th century would be devotion to daily duty. Perhaps this is the area where Catholic homeschoolers need to come together and make this their battle cry. We really don't have time for anything else, especially when we are busy with our families, which means we are busy with eternity.

In the year 2013, I will be closing my ISP, God willing, because we will be finished homeschooling all of our children. It is our group's intention to go to Tahiti for a long vacation, and then on to Northern Greenland just for the experience. You are all welcome to join us. We will be wearing our not-so-famous T-shirts that say "Cabrini Academy, got a lawyer?" In the meantime, dear sisters, life is short and we all need to get a life in Christ and pray hard.

In Jesus and Mary,

Fran Wise


Keeping It Catholic Addresses Twelve Problems with the Pledge

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