<p>Hey-we ARE Catholic. We go to Mass every week, and my daughter went to Catholic school and regularly thanks us for sending her to Catholic school. She tells me it's one of the best gifts as a parent I gave her. </p>
<p>So...now...we are also a Jesuit family. My H. went to Jesuit schools all the way though..until we moved we attended a Jesuit parish..my mom attended a Jesuit college...Our elementary school was led by an ex-Jesuit priest. Our views of the faith and of Catholic education in particular have been formed by the Jesuits. </p>
<p>I value their openness and their willingness to debate. Their sex ed was far and way more detailed and more accurate than the public school version that D. received when she moved to public school. They provided the kids with medically and scientifically accurate information about human reproductiona nd about disease transmission...and also a very age-appropriate version of the Catholic view of human sexuality. The kids are well equipped with all the facts they need, all of the Church's teachings..but the important thing is that they are allowed the freedom of conscience and can make up their own minds. </p>
<p>In that context, it is not surprising that they choose to follow (as far as I know) the path of deciding for themselves to refrain from such activity until they are married, but my D. would debate you down to the ground on the insistence that poor women or women in societies with high HIV rates should "let go of their fear" and submit to the risks of pregnancy and/or disease. </p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that there is room at ND to debate--we are visiting there in a few weeks and she can see and decide for herself. She loves and values the Catholic faith and being part of a Catholic community is a big plus for her, but she's used to the Jesuit approach and I'm really curious to see how different it will be at ND.</p>