In today's economy, we know that anything can happen, virtually overnight, that could easily put tuition and commuting cost out of our financial reach. For example, right now all across the nation, Catholic schools are running into financial troubles. Some of them have already been shut down or downsized. Others are in the process. Some have had to cut all their financial aid programs. Now I'm not saying this will happen to your child's Catholic school, but we all know that it could, and no school system is immune from the sour economy we now find ourselves in.
There are more factors to consider as well. In addition to the above, there is always the possibility of a massive inflationary cycle due to the federal government's printing of money for the federal bailout packages. Virtually EVERYONE agrees this WILL CAUSE INFLATION. The only question is how much inflation and how fast. That's a source of much debate at this time. So we don't know what the future holds for us in that regard. Should inflation hit us rapidly, our Catholic schools may be forced to raise their tuition rapidly, and I doubt our salaries (or financial aid) will be able to keep up with it. So that's another possibility to consider.
Then of course we have to consider gasoline prices. Should we experience political troubles in the middle east again, and we probably will, we can expect gasoline prices to shoot through the roof once again. This puts many of us who have to commute any significant distance in another financial bind, especially when we have to drive into town everyday to drop off and pick up our kids from school. Once gasoline hits $4 a gallon, this may become too financially burdensome to practice. So we have to think about that possibility too.
Finally, there is the realistic possibility that personal financial issues may trump all of the above. In this economy we all know at least one person who has lost a job. Some of us know more than one. Who is to say that won't happen to one of us, or a pay cut, or reduced work hours? Any of those possibilities will put a strain on our budget that could put Catholic school tuition beyond our reach.
I know it's unpleasant to think about these things, but it is reality, and as uncomfortable as it may be, we need to pause to give it some consideration. Personally, I don't fear these things, and neither should you. I believe in the proverbial saying that "those who are flexible are not easily broken." I also believe in planning ahead, and making provision for the possibility of things going wrong. I can't think of anything more important than the Catholic education of my children. Can you? Since any of the above possibilities could easily happen in today's economy, doesn't it make sense to plan ahead, just in case?
That's what I'm doing, and I'm going to keep this link bookmarked on my computer for just such a possibility. I suggest you do the same. I'm also going to print out the contact information of this school and keep it filed in a safe place as well. I suggest you do the same. We don't know what awaits us in the future, but there is no need to fear it. As I've said, those who are flexible are not easily broken. Those who learn how to adapt not only survive hard times, but they sometimes even flourish during them. We can too. Plan ahead, and then you won't need to worry about it.
Here's the link...
http://www.olvs.org/
http://www.olvs.org/
7 comments; post here:
My wife and I live in Missouri and have 8 children of which the oldest five are of school age and homeschooled. We home school with Our Lady of Victory and would recommend it to anyone interested in a good solid Catholic Education for their children. Thanks for posting this.
God bless you Mr Knight for your rightful zeal for the care of your children! The education of their souls in the catholic faith is the number 1 obligation which God entrusts to HIS children given to us.
One fear i have is that, given the current regime in both DC and the states, home schooling may soon be made illegal, as in other countries where children are forcibly removed from parents. Pray this does not happen here. Pete Frey
Sir Knight,
Thank you for posting this link. After much prayer and contemplation, my husband has agreed to homeschooling beginning next year. Praise Jesus! I've been investigating programs. I will look further into OLV.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090929/ap_on_re_us/us_baby_sitter_backlash_mich
Hey Mr Knight, READ THIS!!!! Pete Frey
Pete, what we have in the story you provided in that link is a classic example of state bureaucracy hard at work. This is what happens when government get's too big for it's britches. Thankfully, the people of Michigan are taking matters into their own hands to get the problem fixed.
All of this comes back to the principle of Subsidiarity of course, which after all is said and done, defines the difference between a just government and a tyrannical government.
In the case of education, Subsidiarity is key, because if the parents are capable of providing their children with a good education, their right to do so MUST be supported by the state. Otherwise the state is a tyranny, at least on that issue.
The good news is this. Massive government bureaucracies that micromanage everything don't work at all. The 20th century proved that beyond the shadow of a doubt. To maintain control, the state must use a loose grip, allowing as much freedom as possible within reason. Otherwise, the more the state tightens it's grip, the more control slips through it's fingers. If we are vigilant, and we are righteous, we will retain our freedoms. If we lose our vigilance, or our righteousness, then we will lose them, but only for a short time. Maybe a generation or two at most. Because massive government bureaucracies that micromanage everything eventually crumble, under their own weight. So if we are vigilant and righteous again, we will regain our freedoms. Only a lazy and immoral people are ruled by tyrants for very long. So the moral to the story is be righteous and moral in everything you do. Then be vigilant as you can, fighting tyranny through all honorable means. Or as Jesus put it: "be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
I am a homeschooling mom of 5 boys. There are a lot of good Catholic home schooling curriculums out there to choose from. OLV is one that does a good job. MODG, Seton and Kolbe Academy are also worth looking into. All are reasonably priced and definitely less expensive than Catholic school tuition.
Dear Catholic Knight, thank you so much for this blog. I had you booked marked for awhile and just the other night came across it again. I have been enjoying reading your articles. I would like to add to this post on good, solid Catholic homeschool options. This year we signed up with Classical Liberal Arts Academy. They were established in 2008? or 2009. It's an online Catholic school completely faithful to the Magisterium. I have found it greatly reduces my stress for teaching. I have 7 children, 5 of them are now school age. The curriculum is a truly classic curriculum. I love the fact that they are learning Latin along with English. Keep up the great work.
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