It has now been some times since the following events actually occurred. I will try to recount them to the best of my ability.
Out of all the educators at Queen of Peace, only about three are non Catholic. This being said, on Monday mornings the staff meets to discuss things and to pray. I was included in this and introduced at the end. Everyone was very warm and welcoming. It was some one's birthday amongst the staff and everyone sang Happy Birthday to here. Incidentally it was also my birthday as well as a student in the class. The class sang to both of us. It was really sweet and charming for me.
The school day started off with a very quick run through of the upcoming week. This week included the Diasason (spelling??) Mass. Lunches would be provided, but those with food allergies were recommended to bring their own. The students were to dress nicely and behave in a respectful/pious manner. One of the students was asking if the service would break for lunch and the teacher explained that no it wouldn't because they would have extra people on hand to help with receiving communion.
In speaking about church, that is where the class was headed to hear a guest speaker's message. He was an ex-Packer's player who considers himself to be a messenger rather than a motivational speaker. He definitely had a religious slant that he added to his message, but it is a Catholic school. He told of his early life, discovering football, etc. The dangers of life, SAD, and how it can be tricky to navigate through these without GLAD. Sex, Alcohol, and Drugs are traps along the way that GLAD can help with (Glad ???stands for what again??) A student was brought up to the stage and blindfolded to try and find her way through SAD obstacles (aka chairs). She couldn't do it on her own so a friend was called up to help. But he kept telling her false directions and she was following the voice she heard until her friend's voice came through and told her what to do. There are many voices that can take us off our paths. We need to listen to God's voice, parents, friends (good ones) - that kind of thing. At the end he has students write down some of their take aways from their time with him. He read off a few from previous times. I am not positive, but I'm pretty sure one of the cards that he read off said something like; "I now realize that my homosexual relationship is wrong and that with help I can overcome it. But, it's hard to get over someone that you love". The main thing is that it appeared to be getting across to other students in the audience a very un-accepting view of those who are homosexual in orientation. I do know that the church, especially the Catholic, doesn't seem to be as accepting, but this just seemed really out of order to me. Coming to Edgewood where education classes are constantly promoting acceptance, tolerance, and multiculural-ness this came as a step backwards to me.
I am not Catholic, I was raised Lutheran so perhaps part of my ignorance about another religion is part of the barrier here. Even upon entering the church I got a very different experience. There are the little fonts by the door so that worshipers can bless themselves with the Holy water, Jesus is portrayed differently as well. It was different and different doesn't have to be a bad thing. I just wish that the 'Jesus died for you and accepts you' vibe could not be circumstantial and judgmental.
The assembly basically took up most of the time that I was there.
Plans were made for me to teach a review lesson the following week. I stayed a little longer than before and learned that the class prays before going down to lunch.
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