Preparing For The Future Of Catholic Education

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: I found a conservative Catholic homeschool program that is VERY reasonably priced at less than a fraction of the cost of most Catholic schools. Now you may be wondering why I'm looking around for such things, and the answer is I think we need to be prepared for the unexpected.

In today's economy, we know that anything can happen, virtually overnight, that could easily put tuition and commuting cost out of our financial reach. For example, right now all across the nation, Catholic schools are running into financial troubles. Some of them have already been shut down or downsized. Others are in the process. Some have had to cut all their financial aid programs. Now I'm not saying this will happen to your child's Catholic school, but we all know that it could, and no school system is immune from the sour economy we now find ourselves in.

There are more factors to consider as well. In addition to the above, there is always the possibility of a massive inflationary cycle due to the federal government's printing of money for the federal bailout packages. Virtually EVERYONE agrees this WILL CAUSE INFLATION. The only question is how much inflation and how fast. That's a source of much debate at this time. So we don't know what the future holds for us in that regard. Should inflation hit us rapidly, our Catholic schools may be forced to raise their tuition rapidly, and I doubt our salaries (or financial aid) will be able to keep up with it. So that's another possibility to consider.

Then of course we have to consider gasoline prices. Should we experience political troubles in the middle east again, and we probably will, we can expect gasoline prices to shoot through the roof once again. This puts many of us who have to commute any significant distance in another financial bind, especially when we have to drive into town everyday to drop off and pick up our kids from school. Once gasoline hits $4 a gallon, this may become too financially burdensome to practice. So we have to think about that possibility too.

Finally, there is the realistic possibility that personal financial issues may trump all of the above. In this economy we all know at least one person who has lost a job. Some of us know more than one. Who is to say that won't happen to one of us, or a pay cut, or reduced work hours? Any of those possibilities will put a strain on our budget that could put Catholic school tuition beyond our reach.

I know it's unpleasant to think about these things, but it is reality, and as uncomfortable as it may be, we need to pause to give it some consideration. Personally, I don't fear these things, and neither should you. I believe in the proverbial saying that "those who are flexible are not easily broken." I also believe in planning ahead, and making provision for the possibility of things going wrong. I can't think of anything more important than the Catholic education of my children. Can you? Since any of the above possibilities could easily happen in today's economy, doesn't it make sense to plan ahead, just in case?

That's what I'm doing, and I'm going to keep this link bookmarked on my computer for just such a possibility. I suggest you do the same. I'm also going to print out the contact information of this school and keep it filed in a safe place as well. I suggest you do the same. We don't know what awaits us in the future, but there is no need to fear it. As I've said, those who are flexible are not easily broken. Those who learn how to adapt not only survive hard times, but they sometimes even flourish during them. We can too. Plan ahead, and then you won't need to worry about it.

Here's the link...
http://www.olvs.org/