[qs mom]

I too am Catholic. I'm single and awaiting the arrival of my son from Bulgaria. In fact, my parish is having an Adoption Mass this Saturday morning for all people whose lives have been touched by adoption. I can't wait to attend. I met a woman who was a temp at my office who was adopted and had attended this Mass several years ago with her children. She said it was very emotional. Many birthmom's attend hoping to reunite. I'm very excited.

I also attended Catholic grammar school. I was the first one in my extended family to attend and there has beens somone from my family attending ever since. I started there in 1973 and graduated 8th grade in 1978. My nephew is currently the youngest of our family to attend, he's 6 and in first grade. My former math teacher is now the principal and she's great.

I did intend to send my son there when the time comes, however, he will be 3 when he arrives here and I want to be sure to send him to a school that has experience with International issues. We actually have and International school here. They teach and celebrate cultures from all over the world. I think that may be my first choice, Catholic school second.

Best of luck to everyone and God Bless everyone.

[angela1013]

Hi-
Hope everyone is keeping their prayers to St. Gerard going. Our birthmom is going into her 6th month. We had her med. records checked out by my OBGYN and he said everything looks perfect. I truly feel blessed.

Public vs. parochial

I too attended catholic school and then went to a State college and the difficulty I had was tremendous. 1. I found out not everyone was Catholic 2. I was not encouraged to have my own opinion and 3. the regiment that I was used to in catholic school was not there. I ended up dropping out and going back 4 years later p/t to get my associates and now my bachelors.

I'm not putting down the Catholic schools, however they don't allow the child to think as an individual. I was told what my opinion was, it wasn't until I was older that I realized I'm allowed to have my own.

I think I will probably send our children to public school and have them attend "Sunday school". It's not my ideal choice, however I want our children to know that they have the right as individuals to form an opinion and still love God.

I only pray we make the right choices.

Have a good day everyone!

[joannemckay76]

You know when i started this thread i didn't expect it would be about Catholic education. My 14 yo son loves it. The school he attends has the highest state scores in Washington state. It is a tiny school with a wonderful group of lay teachers, great parent involvement. The public schools in our district are not good, greater then 50% failer rates on these same standard tests.My son was in public k-5th, then Catholic 6-HS.Its a price we are willing to pay when God never enters the picture in childrens schools anymore. It wasnt that nice when i went to Catholic school in NY in the early 60's...not good at all.The whole experience is so positive now. When we finally adopt (God willing) i hope we send him or her to Montessori ps and Catholic elementary
....that seems so far off and like a dream right now though.Please say a pray to St.Gerard for us...

[Anita]

The Catholic/Public school debate weighs heavily on my mind. Both types of schooling here are good, and my daughter is just starting her school adventure years.

Waiting for our referral seems painful at times. I have been so optimistic through out the process. But the timeframe is so much longer than I anticipated! And compared to a lot of discussions on these boards, I don't know what waiting means. Sometimes it just puts me into such helpless/depressed state of mind.

My girlfriend asked the other day if I had an alternate plan, or a cut off date for the referral to come. To be honest, I had never considered it. I did so much research, and truly believe I was spiritually guided to my choice, that stopping/changing was never a thought. Now I think to myself, how long is too long?

We also received a letter from our consultant. The 3-6 month waiting period for Poland is now more like 3-18 months. That is quite a big difference, especially considering we just finished month 6.

These two events combined have left me unsettled once again about waiting.

What is interesting is that when I sought a daily mediation, as I was feeling sorry for myself, it was about faith.

I know faith is what I need to have, but as we all know, it is tough at times.

[Peggy]

I also felt called to adoption. I adopted through the state, and my wait was over a year. It is hard, but have faith, it will happen. It may mean that God has selected you for a specific child, and you need to wait, for this child to be available.

[Mary Ann Bednar]

I know that I'm a bit late posting,but I'm a single adoptive Mom of 4 beautiful kids ages 4-ll. The youngest are twins and they were placed with me 4 months ago. I spent much time along with my two girls praying for the right kids. When they arrived, my parish was awsome! they threw a baby shower for me 4 days after the boys arrived.(I'd had less than 24hr to get ready for them).
We had been waiting for over a year for a referral, and then it happened literally overnight. God does work in mysterious ways. I bent the ear of the Blessed Mother as well as St. Jude during my wait. The journey was long, but God sent us what we asked for "the perfect children for our family". God bless

[joannemckay76]

Hello everyone, my son Alex had his 8th grade graduation at St Thomas More, a wonderful mass and wonderful retreat. I continue to pray for a baby to adopt, love and raise, we are giving it until end of August.We needed an end point, a conclusion one way or another.After two and a half years we need to get on with our lives and move on.BUT that doesnt mean i won't continue to look and network like crazy til then! Say a prayer please....Joanne

[Symondson]

Not all Catholic schools are good. My experience was utter hell in the one school. We had a principle that sided with bullies because it was easier that way, and every teacher from grades 4 - 9 had a nervouse break down at one time or another. We had kids getting into knife fights, and drugs in the boot rooms. (This was the school I attended from grades 3-8, and then I went back to the other Catholic School which was a much nicer experience.)

I never had band class, and computers were taught on a limited basis while the public school provided their kids with the skills they needed. I did go to public school for grades 10-12, and learned what I needed for university. We were not taught by nuns, nor were our teachers all Catholic. My father at one time was taught by nuns, and his school (Same as the bad one I went to) was run a lot better than in my time.

My kids are NOT going to a Catholic school. I will teach them what they need to know, and they will go to church. It's the examples the parents leave that the children remember, not the pictures they drew of Jesus on the cross, or the artwork they did in a class called religion. If you go Catholic, or public, ... I would strongly look at the school to make sure that it is indeed living up to the expectations that you need for your child.

[carrington]

I have 2 adopted children and we are Catholic aswell. My 5 year old daughter is starting Catholic Kindergarten in the fall and is very excited. I want her to have the same experience I did, I went to Catholic school from 1-12. My newly adopted son 6 weeks old now, is being Baptised the late part of June. Can't wait for that. . Keep in touch.

[sandileerw]

I have two adopted children. My oldest will be attending a catholic school for 1st grade in the fall. Prior to this she has been attending a Montessori School, where she has done quite well. I am hopeful that the Christ-based focus will have a wonderful effect on her long-term, but I regret having her not be with her brother - who is 3 years old. They have become much closer since attending the same school. Advise?

[paperchasingmom]

Hi everyone!!!

My husband and I are both born again christians and have chosen the Catholic faith and school to be where we would like our adopted children to go to school....while we will teach our children that God and faith can be demonstrated in ANY christian faith, (after all there's only ONE heaven and all us christians will be there, right, irregardless of our denominations?) we are excited in the fact that our child will be allowed to PRAY in school and learn alot about christianity and how it will always be a big and NORMAL part of her life!!! That is so important to us---knowing our child, when she's without us during the day, these 8 hours or so, how she will be allowed to learn about faith and to pray and to seek godly wisdom, just like what we hope to teach her at home too! That is priceless to us!

Both my husband and I, as children, attended christian schools and felt it has had a lasting impact on our lives....even if the curriculum might be a little slower I wouldn't care....I would rather at night, at home, have to teach my child a little more "student" stuff, than have to try to unteach the unchristianly things she might have learned in a non-christian school....that's not to say the catholic schools are perfect, but at least they are taught about Jesus and christianity and hopefully morality and right to life, etc. etc. etc. Where you won't be ostracized if you want to pray or you won't be sued if you want to pray in the classroom or witness to a fellow student in need....

My husband and I both believe that we can be fed God's word from many different areas and we watch alot of Christian TV and listen to christian radio and we are thrilled to know that our child will attend a new catholic school that was just built very close to our home--within walking distance!! Plus it was built right next to our library too!!!

We have been attending Mass and have been spiritually moved to sit in church and pray and come together as a family, my husband and I, a family in waiting if you will. We also had our homestudy done by Catholic Charities and were very pleased with them..

I also was invited to join our Catholic Church's Mom's Club!!! How happy was I!!! I thought it was so gracious of them to quickly invite me to be a part of their christian parenting group even before I was officially a "mom"!!! Says alot more about them then it even does about some of my family members!!!

The woman that runs it, as soon as she met me and heard we were adopting, she quickly invited me to join their group, no waiting or hestitation on her part or anything--made me feel just like a normal mom!!!

The welcome I felt was tremendous!!! I felt so accepted and welcomed and I can't wait till we bring our little one home so she can meet these other precious children and their mommies too!!!

It's so nice to feel this support system I have with these other moms and it's great to see these other babies and children....get's me so excited and involved NOW with them, while I'm waiting for our child. I'm able to do a little more than some of the moms for the mere fact that our child isn't here with us yet. So that's nice--I can do alot for them now and then take a break if I have to from helping them out so much when our daughter gets here.....

Last night we had our Fall Festival and both my husband and I worked it as volunteers....it was being put on by the Mom's Club and even my husband helped out!!!! It made us both feel like the parents we feel that we are--even if it's right now only in our hearts!!! It was so precious to see all those little ones all dressed up in their costumes!!!

Well, I know this thread is a little old but I did just want to chime in and see how everyone is doing in their adoption journey ...has anyone gotten any matches or referrals yet? How's everyone doing? Anything new to share??????

Blessings to all,

Melody

[Matt's Mom]

Hello,

My husband and I are both Catholic and are raising our son Catholic he is adopted from Korea. We had a hard time finding a church that would baptize him before the adoption was final but the third church we called agreed to do it. The only thing is they will not give us the baptisimal certificate until the adoption is final.


GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kastevens]

Very interesting thread! My husband and I are both Catholic. I attending Catholic school through grade 8. I had a rough time adjusting to high school for many of the same reasons that some of you stated. I am grateful for the religious background that was instilled in me. We are not overly religious Catholics, and do not attend church on a regular basis.

We have just made our first appt with Catholic Charities in CT to start the adoption process. We were married in church and intend to baptise our children. Depending on where we live when they go to school will depend on which type of school system he/she goes to. The Catholic schools are not what they used to be..IMO! We will instill the Catholic religion through CCD and such, but feel many other things are important in raising a child as well.

My son, whom I lost in 1995, is my guardian angel and will know that his mom will someday be a full time mom again!

[May4u2nvme]

We are it seems far from adoption. We have been loking around and trying to find the finances to adopt for about 3 months now, I hoped to be just waiting for a match by now, but we just don't have the money to start the process. I have been for a couple years noe been praying to Gabriel, the Archangel. I have a prayer, but it's in spanish... I will do my best to translate it. here goes:

You that announced to our mother the birth to come of Christ, and you filled her with the devine blessing, I ask, according to the grace of God, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the blessing for all women pure of heart who wish for a child that will do good on this earth: I ask for a blessing for ___________ and for the being that grows/or will grow in their hearts. I plead for your assistance and the support of all your angeles during the formation of its body. That it will be healthy and filled with your qualities, requiered to plant the love and avoid the pain in an active life on this physical world. Fill us with your light of purety without comparison, so that with your devine illumination our conciens will rise and manifest only love towards humanity, so that your angels can structure a harmonious world filled with happiness.

You have to forgive both my spelling and the fact that the prayer sounds is hard to follow at time, in spanish the prayer sounds flowwing, and the translation if I had not done it so literally would probably sound better.

Also the prayer was designed for conceiving, but I continue t use it even now that we have moved beyond trying to conceive to try and adopt.

I hope that the prayer helps someone and that it may give someone a new hope. God bless you all!

[Matt's Mom]

That prayer is beautiful. I will personally say a prayer for you so that you too may get your dream come true. Thanks for the inspiration.




GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!