The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-01-14
PARISH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

PARISH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
It would be both instructive and in
teresting to show the number of Cath
Ollie children attending the Public
Schools; but unfortunately there are
no reliable data obtainable for the
making of such a tabulation. An APP
Proclamation of the number might be
formed if accurate and trustworthy
statistics could be had of the number
of Catholics in the United States. The
estimate might be made, in the fol-
lowing manner. The school popula-
ton of the United States is about
twenty per cent. of the total popula-
ton. The same percentage of the to-
tai Catholic population would give the
number of Catholic children between
the ages of five and eighteen years.
IL from this number were deducted the
present number of Catholic children in
the Parish Schools, the remainder
would show in fairly accurate degree
the actual attendance of Catholic chill
dren in the Public Schools OF the
United States.
While the true facts must remain a
matter of conjecture, there can be no
question that many Catholic children
are enrolled on the books of the Pub
lie Schools. One aspect of this sub
ject deserves special consideration.
The opponents of Catholic education
are accustomed to interpret the at
tendance of Catholic children at nom
Catholic schools as proof of the dis
satisfaction of the Catholic laity with
the Church's educational policy. That
such a conclusion is unwarranted is
clear when all the facts in the case
are known.
1t may be conceded that certain
number of Catholics are not of the
Church's mind in regard to education.
But the assertion that the Catholic
laity, as body, are not loyal and
obedient to the expressed will of the
Church is contradicted fatty by the
object lesson of generosity and self
sacrifice of American Catholics in the
supporting of their Parish Schools. In
explanation of the attendance of Cath
olics at non-Catholic schools, the fol-
lowing reasons may be adduced:
1. In sparsely settled districts a
Catholic school is impossible.
2. In certain small towns CathO-
lies are so few that their resources are
inadequate to build and support a
school.
8. Even in those places where Cath
olics are numerous the debt on the
Church property is so great that COM
should not increase his burden, al
ready too heavy, by the erection OF a
parish school.
4. In large cities where ground is
valuable newly-organized parish can
do little more, at first, than provide
for the erection of church.
5. Sometimes the parish school is
too small for all the children of the
parish, and many must of necessity
go elsewhere.
6. Again, the school may be large
enough to house all the children of the
parish, but the parish revenue is in
adequate to educate all, and the pas
tor limits the number in attendance
so as to keep within his resources.
Z. In certain instances the Catholic
population of place is in the ma
jority, the environment is Catholic,
and hence neither priest nor people
feel that separate school is neces-
sity. .#
s. A certain proportion of Catholic
children attend non-Catholic schools in
order to prepare more directly to
teach in the public schools.
9. Catholics often attend non
Catholic secondary schools because of
the inability of the Church at present
to provide everywhere Catholic high
schools.
10. Some attend secular high
schools, colleges, and universities be-
cause Catholic schools of the same
grade are not near at hand.
II. Sometimes pastor is indiffer.
ent to Catholic education and his peo-
pie, rejecting his attitude, send their
children to the public schools.
IL. Some people are imbued with
the idea that the secular school is
superior to the Catholic school.
Is. Some again in their reaching
for social prestige and advancement
think these reputed advantages can be
best secured in secular institutions.
When these reasons are given due
consideration it will be quite well un.
derstood why thousands of Catholic
Many are theer with sufficient reason
| duu CCnpdidClF01y lew are IACl0 Ill
open definance of the legislation OF
the Church. Keeping in view the
above explanation for the non-attend
ance at Catholic schools of SO many
of our children, we may look forward
hopefully and confidently to the time
as not far distant when every Catholic
child in the United States may enjoy
his true inheritance-a Catholic edu
cation. The future will witness the
passing away of the struggles and
trials inevitably associated with 9
pioneer period, and the Catholic
schools, colleges, and universities
shall cover the land to carry out com
pletely and logically the principles Of
Catholic teaching
A new phase of charitable work is
being carried on by the Sunday schoo
4 ahi1drou nf CT Francis To Ca1os