I started teaching Religion class tonight, sort of. It was an opening Mass to kick off the year, then just 15 minutes of class time. I'm not sure if I've ever been quite this shocked. Not one single parent in the whole k-8 showed up for Mass. I'm pretty sure I would go if my kid had to be there. Then there's the whole matter of my lovely sixth grade class. Hmm, where do I begin? Exactly 1/2 of my class showed up, I was constantly threatening them and taking things away from them all during church. They were AWFUL!! Finally, my dear friend Sister Mary Edwin (who is a former principal) came up during Father's homily, grabbed them one by one, asked them how old they were, told them they were a disgrace, and sat them down so there was only one in each pew. After Mass, she let them have it again, telling them "Don't you love Jesus?!", "Don't you even care that He died on a cross for you?!" There was one girl (totally dressed like a hussie) that had a big smirk on her face the whole time Sister was talking her. I told her she needed to pay attention the most to what Sister was saying. Like I said, I am in shock. These kids in SIXTH GRADE didn't know the Hail Mary, Our Father, or Glory Be. They didn't know when to sit, stand, or kneel in church. They didn't know about genuflecting, holy water, or the sign of the cross!! My ONE year old can make the sign of the cross for crying out loud, and my ONE year old is a million times more well behaved in church than these kids! I'm SO saddened by all of this, that parents aren't teaching their kids ANYTHING about the faith, it honestly brings me to tears to think that this is what our world is coming to. Am I, as one person, really going to change anything, it just makes me SO sad!
So when I brought them back to the classroom, I separated them, told them I may look easygoing, but I wasn't going to put up with their misbehaviour, and that Sister and I were very good friends, and I won't hesitate to have her come in and teach with me every week! I also said if they were going to continue to act that way, I wouldn't hesitate to kick them out, and have their parents teach them if they wanted to be confirmed. (That would be a total disaster since the parents obviously don't know anything, but hopefully I got my point across.) The kids also tried to intimidate me by telling me they made their teacher last year quit. I said that's too bad, and that they obviously don't know me, and that I won't put up with their attitudes. So that's how things stand right now, please, pray for me!
5 comments:
Oh my dear. Be heartened by Madeleine! I totally feel your pain; your post reminds me of my time as DRE. You can do it. Way to be, laying down the law the first night.
I will pray for you and for your class. I recommend putting a bunch of time into creatively preparing for class (as long as it doesn't take you away from your family responsibilities). Don't necessarily follow the lesson plan, and don't have them read aloud, one at a time. Act it out, have them act something out, put it to music, bring in music (preferably something with a beat). Be real with them, address their concerns, make the faith real. Give them a chance to write down their questions and address them anonymously the next week. Look up answers to their questions and get back to them. Tell them your story of Isabella's first minutes (without ANY detail, of course!). Point out God in creation around them, in the changing of the seasons, in the quiet of the night. They long for God, even if they don't know it. Young people thirst for the TRUTH, not the watery faith that well-meaning textbook publishers sometimes give them. They're not getting it at home, so even though it may not feel like you're making a difference, make them curious each week to see what you're gonna throw at them next.
Sorry to get carried away. Like I said, I can visualize your class, and I know that you will be great for them. You are such a gift to so many, and by the end of the year, they'll see it, too. It sounds like a real challenge - I so feel for you! I'll pray!
I was going to say now you've been initiated. Sigh. How frustrating! Fourth graders weren't quite that bad, but it's a tough, tough job! I'm glad God called such a good woman to it!!
Thanks girls! And thank you, Meredith, for all your wonderful suggestions!
Oh those little Pagans :) Just kidding!
I feel your pain. I taught abstinence education in inner city schools, in the WORST areas of Indy - in the projects - for 2 years. I'm not sure I got through to ANY of them. But, I know I was called to be there for THOSE particular little heathens :) You are called to be there for these kids. I know you will make a difference in their lives. My mom says her 3rd graders never go to mass and don't know simple prayers either. We're starting early in our house!
Yikes. And you are totally right. If the parish is like ours, you have to be in CCD or PRE, whatever you call it, for 2 years before your confirmation. Parents just put them in at the las minute. I hope next week is better. You should bring Isabella and show her off to those brats!
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