September 24, 2014 By Maeana Cragg Being a Catholic homeschooler is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Sometimes, though, it can get lonely. I know that I am less alone than most in our diocese, as at the Latin Mass, every one of the families homeschools. Even then, it can seem like we are the only Catholics in the area choosing to teach our children at home. Other options are limited. There are some very attractive Christian co-ops in the area, but most force you to sign a statement of faith in order to take part. This may seem simple enough, but many of those statements are at odds with Catholic doctrine, and quite often, the main goal of the group is to evangelize. There are other secular co-op groups which are wonderful in their own way. However, the central element to every home school day, faith, is missing. You can talk to the other parents about many things, but religion is the one topic that is generally avoided. Thanks to Dolores Bell, Kim Tyler, and especially our Bishop, that all changed, at least for a lovely Friday afternoon. In just about a week, a Mass for homeschoolers and a delicious potluck at the Bishop’s home were planned. Emails flew back and forth as word spread. On Sept. 5, at about 11:30 a.m., my family arrived at St. Mary’s Cathedral looking forward to a noon Mass celebrated by Bishop LaValley. The first thing we noticed was another good sized family standing in the entryway of the church. Suddenly, my children became even more excited, seeing that there actually were other homeschooling families in the diocese with kids about their ages. As we walked in to the cathedral, we heard the rosary just beginning. All the other families already there were joining in, and we were able to complete our daily rosary, not just as a family, but with many other Catholic families. It was with a bit of trepidation that I knelt praying before Mass. I’ll admit that one of my prayers was for my sweet toddler to continue his nap in my arms. I generally have the support of my husband, especially when it comes to my youngest two. I imagine that many mothers were feeling the same way as I, but as Mass started with the cantor’s beautiful tenor voice filling the air and the entire congregation joining him, I knew I had nothing to worry about. After a beautiful Mass, we were invited back to the Bishop’s home for a picnic. It was a warm and windy day, just right for a potluck. We arrived at Bishop LaValley’s home to find picnic tables and tents all set up for us. As families started placing dishes of deliciousness on the food tables, I noticed that though we were not in the middle of Lent, every one of the dishes was meatless. The bishops in our country decided that meatless Fridays were no longer a requirement outside of Lent, but that some sort of penance is. It was so nice to see how many Catholic homeschooling families took the simplest route as we do and continued to make abstinence from meat the penance of choice. The Bishop soon arrived, and we were invited to take a tour of his home in small groups. Our Bishop walked every one of the families around his home, giving a personal tour to each of us. We were able to see his beautiful Amish built chapel, and photographs taken with Saint John Paul II and Pope Benedict. After spying cookies made to be shared with all the homeschooling families in his kitchen, we moved on to the dining room and the foyer where his portrait is hung. It was incredible to stand in the living room where there is a portrait of every one of our bishops from the time the diocese of Ogdensburg was formed. Even better than the delicious cooking was the chatting and reaching out. There were so many like-minded people. Every time I hear the concern that homeschoolers are not socialized, I wish they could see a gathering of homeschooled children. The bishop’s lawn was filled with children talking, laughing, and playing with other children they had met just that day. We couldn’t end the day without a picture. As we all stood on the steps around Bishop LaValley, he noticed my three-year-old in his brother’s arms. Our Bishop offered Gavan his own arms, and my little boy accepted joyfully. The picnic ended with rosaries blessed and contact information exchanged. Our diocese is a large one, and gatherings can be tricky, but just knowing that there are others out there with our struggles, with our joys, with our faith, is enough to help us continue in our vocations.
Photos by Kim Tyler
The 17 Catholic homeschooling families who accepted Bishop LaValley’s invitation to a Mass, picnic and tour of his residence are pictured . The families are the Bells, Tylers, Dillenbacks, Janks, Powers, Olsons, Craggs, Pignones, Marceaus, Sarsfields, Kraegers, Griffins, Pierces, Trevails, Pittsleys, and Sweeneys.
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