Tuesday's Truth: Catholic Enough?

A friend of mine once said to me, "You know? There are times I've been made to feel that I'm not Catholic enough."  


Bingo! She hit the proverbial nail on the head. I'll explain why in a moment.


I am involved in a home school ministry through our church. Because of this, I am acquainted with some of the most devout, wonderful, charitable, Christian, Catholic women. I admire these women and the sacrifices that they have made for themselves and family. 


I understand exactly what my dear friend was trying to say. You see, there is a small minority within our home schooling ranks that demonstrate, in my humble opinion, true unchristian behavior. They believe themselves superior because they:


Do not watch television unless it is EWTN.
Do not allow their kids to read Harry Potter.
Believe those that do are committing the most egregious sin, ever!
(and that goes double for all you Twilight fans out there)
Only read "religious" books by Catholic authors.
Do not allow their kids to play with non-Catholic children.
Believe Pokemon is of the devil.
Believe in their own sainthood and martyrdom here on earth.
Believe they know so much more than their parish priest.
Think all music, unless it's hymns, Gospel or Gregorian chant, is evil.
and on and on....

When I began home schooling it was for scholastic/academic purposes, not religious. I have given my children a firm foundation in their faith but I also hope I have taught them to respect people of all faiths, backgrounds, and stations in life. With that said, after May, I will no longer be a home schooling mom. My job is done. I've accomplished what I needed to do and both my children will be attending the same charter school. Bethany was able to begin attending the charter, this year, for 9th grade. 


Hence, the reason for today's post. I encountered one such woman, above, after Mass yesterday. She inquired about my daughter and how school was going for her. I explained she was doing very well and appears to be gifted academically. "No," she responds, "how is she REALLY doing?" Oh, okay, I'll bite. I went on to say that although some of the other students drive her nuts she has found a good, solid, core group of friends. I then stated that Bethany is learning real life lessons, since, after all, she's in the real world now. You would have thought that I had smeared her face with dog poo the way she tore into me. And I quote:


"Real world? Real world! That's not the real world! The real world work environment doesn't have gangs and violence and drugs and sex!"


I shook my head sadly and simply said, "Dear friend, I work in the real world and have done so for over 30 years. I'm sorry to report that yes, indeed, these are things you encounter every single day in the real world. I am confident, however, I have taught my children well enough to avoid being lured into the seedier side of real life." 


I then walked away, pitying her.