I Love My Parish!

There are over 3,200 registered families at our parish, and we have a K through 8 school. But as far as I know, there are only 2-3 homeschool families. And one of those only homeschools for K or grades 1-2 and then enrolls her children in the school.

So often there are conflicts in parishes between the families with students in the school and those with students in Religious Ed. Or between the homeschoolers and the school families. But I haven't seen that kind of conflict at my church.

Last fall my three youngest joined the children's choir, which meets for practice twice a month after school. Most of the kids attend the parish school, and they sing at the weekly school Mass as well as at a Sunday Mass once a month. When they found out my kids were homeschooled, they were invited to come sing with the others at the school Masses. My kids were thrilled as they love to sing. And the students in the choir greeted the news that they were homeschooled with comments like, "Cool!"

Not only that, but Pretzel tried out for a cantoring position and got one! So several times this year he and a fellow student cantored the responsorial psalm together. Today was special, though. Pretzel sang the Psalm solo. I was so proud of him! And so very, very grateful for this parish -- and its school -- which could welcome my children and let them fully participate.

It is as it should be, I think. But we all know far too many things that aren't as they should be, so I don't take this for granted.