From the Pastor's Desk

Summer always goes by too quickly. And, believe it or not, our teachers are already back, working hard to prepare for the arrival this week of our students. The first half day is Thursday, with a full day on Friday. Registration is still open and there are  at least a couple available seats remaining in most grades.

If children are instead enrolled in one of the public schools, you also can find registration information for Religious Education. And for high school students from any high school -- Lansing Catholic, Haslett, Okemos, Williamston, or elsewhere -- our fantastic Youth Group is already under way. Contact Jackie Rosalez for information about Religious Education, jrosalez@st-martha.org. And you can reach Claudia Fountain for details about Youth Group, cfountain@st-martha.org.

We also are aware of another cohort in our parish -- those families who have decided to begin home-school instruction. We know from media reports that public school enrollments have declined across the country in the wake of Covid and the greater awareness of parents concerning some of the curricular and social trends in those schools.

Home-schooling has another element. Even when children remain enrolled in school, parents may nonetheless decide that the religious education of their children is something to bring home. Indeed, there are multiple Church documents that clearly define the parents -- not the public schools and not even the Catholic schools -- as the first educators of their children. Thus it is entirely fitting that parents, while growing in their own understanding of the Truth revealed by Christ, opt to take the lead in the Christian education and formation of their children.

What do all these educational models have in common? Two things.

First, we can help. Saint Martha has a great school with an outstanding faculty. Our tuition is affordable and our virtue-driven classroom environment is a wonderful setting for growing children. Likewise, our Religious Education program, Youth Group, and support for home-school religious education can provide exactly what young people need!

Second, if you have young children, you need to pick one of these paths. Today's culture is so challenging to young people. In the swirl of electronics and other sources, our children are encountering all sorts of strange notions about biology, history, economics, physics, drugs, the human person, and so much else. If they are to have any understanding of the love of God and His great plans for their happiness, we have to provide strong guidance. The days are long gone when a vaguely Christian culture would bring most young people along fairly safely.

Please, then, make sure that all your children (and grandchildren) are enrolled somewhere in our array of programs for the young.
 
Blessings!

frmike