<p>I think many Catholic parents are just disappointed that when they send their kids to a Catholic college (with their money) that they find out later that the college actually promotes stuff that is in conflict with the Catholic faith. It’s almost like fraud.</p>
<p>Thanks for the backup JLauer. </p>
<p>As to CityGirlsMom, I was simply expressing my disappointment with how Loyola chose to not publicly embrace their Catholic identity…rather they minimized it. And yes, this was ONE tour guide…maybe a different guide would have impressed us differently. My D would prefer to attend a Catholic university because she loves her faith and would like to attend a school where a large part of the student population attends Mass regularly, and celebrate that identity in a variety of ways (Confession, Holy Days, RCIA etc). I was put off that the tour guide made it sound like attending Mass at Loyola was akin to doing something distasteful rather than saying “we have lots of Mass times available and everyone is welcome to attend”…‘Guilted into attending Mass’?..please, my daughter is almost an adult, she CHOOSES to do so because she loves her faith THAT much. </p>
<p>And as far as thinking it is a good idea for Catholic higher education to require a class on Catholic identity, history and principals…why not? Catholic bashing is a widespread problem in American society, why not promote some understanding and wisdom if you are going to choose to attend a school that is religiously based? Tolerance is a two way street in my mind. I would say the same thing if my daughter wanted to attend BYU…why shouldn’t she have a required course on LDS teachings? Why shouldn’t she learn about the history and teachings of their church? It’s run by Mormons after all. For that matter, if my daughter or son were lesbian/gay or bi I would imagine that they would feel most comfortable where those choices were freely accepted and there was a significant presence of like minded student clubs/organizations that supported that. </p>
<p>I hardly think that my expecting a Catholic college to retain their Catholic identity (in a visible manner) is something to diss me on.</p>
<p>I am not Catholic, but you are absolutely right about the important role of the Catholic university.</p>
<p>I heartily agree with your sentiments.</p>
<p>I dont know if OaksMom was suggesting that I had “dissed” her or just citygirlsmom. But regardless, let me clarify and extrapolate.</p>
<p>Even at Notre Dame University, by most accounts the MOST Catholic School in the country before Christendom College was formed, there are daily masses, daily confessions, and an abundance of Catholic identifiers and faith supporting activities…but there are also agnostics, atheists, and false christians…people who profess a faith but live another life altogether.</p>
<p>I am an unabashed conservative, but I dont want my kid at ANY school that is so dogmatic and onesided as to make mockery of the term “university or college”. If you want indoctrination, then perhaps a diocesan conference or some other venue is possible. But that is not what college is about. </p>
<p>Your D or S will have to face the real world some day and its important that they see it in college…not to join those ranks and illicit activities or even condone them, but to face them. Most Catholic colleges try their best to root out bad behavior, but short of employing the Gestapo in every dorm every night, patroling the university grounds and asking for papers on your true faith, its impossible.</p>
<p>While it may well be disconcerting that a student guide would openly take a step back from professing the faith to prospective students, perhaps you should take a different view that they are simply trying to be accomodating to all comers…not that I agree with that stance, but just a point of view.</p>
<p>If it were me, I would say, “We are Catholic. We teach Catholic theology here, as well as other offer other courses in comparative religion and we examen the Torah, the Koran, the Bahavaghad Gita, etc. We are open to all faiths and all views, but our own view is Roman Catholic. If that offends you, then perhaps this is not the school for you. If you are tolerant, then we welcome you to engage us with your thoughts.”</p>
<p>I didnt send my D to college to become a Nun. I have high hopes she will find a renewed strength in her faith, take religion classes as electives, but moreover embrace the Jesuit ethics and ethos at Fordham. </p>
<p>Fordham offers mass daily and confession several times a week on campus. Its Sunday evening liturgy is extremely well attended. It offers some of the deepest thinking courses in theology and is noted for its Program on American Catholicism, which has received acclaim both inside and outside the Church. It has Jews, Muslims, Eastern Orthodox and Hindus on faculty. But it is decidedly a Jesuit institution…with the most Jesuits on campus of any Jesuit college in the US, I believe. Fr. McShane PERSONALLY greeted parents and kids as they drove through the gates on Move In day, September 2. HE concelebrated mass on the lawn that evening with 7 other Jesuits, bringing enough incense to start a three alarm fire. At the end of mass, attended by over 500 people, he said, “The Mass has ended. Go in the Peace of Christ. Parents, the hour has come to say good-bye. Kiss your children and please depart. Students, report to the Edwards Parade and pick up your class schedules.” It was highly emotional and rewarding.</p>
<p>But is Fordham entirely Catholic and Jesuit? No. Nor is Loyola Marymount in LA.</p>
<p>If you and your D or S are seeking a campus that is 100% Catholic you may be hard pressed. Perhaps Ave Maria College or Christendom College are best for you.</p>
<p>But I wanted a school (and so did my D) that openly embraced diversity and tolerance…its what the Jesuits are all about. And we are ANYTHING BUT LIBERALS. In every respect.</p>
<p>I was thinking about applying at Fordham before I read your post friedokra.</p>
<p>Now I know I will be.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What’s funny about that statement is that it describes liberals perfectly. It’s also what we loved about our sons’ Jesuit middle/high school experience, and I suspect you described Fordham perfectly.</p>
<p>No, friedokra…I was more put off by citygirlsmom’s comments. </p>
<p>My friend’s daughter was very impressed with Fordham during a summer visit, it sounds like it is a great fit for your family and might be for her too.</p>
<p>For my d, there are just some things she wants to see on the campus of her choice…and lots of kids attending Mass would be near the top on her list.</p>
<p>Good luck to all who choose/hope to attend a Catholic school…it’s not exactly an inexpensive route to go these days!</p>
<p>Glad I could be a positive influence for future Fordham students and families.</p>
<p>Agreed, its not inexpensive…and Fordham is no exception…but consider if they graduate and stay in New York, they will be making plenty of money and get an excellent return on your/their investment.</p>
<p>All those who were “thinking about applying to Fordham” can you tell me if you did and what happened? Other catholic colleges? I hope you got in if you did. Anyone?</p>
<p>Thanks, Motherdear. Does it specifically have to be Jesuit? There are other Catholic colleges that are well liked such as Villanova, Duquesne, Notre Dame, Providence.</p>
<p>here is an interesting old article from Time Magazine on “The Catholic Ivy League”</p>
<p>[BEST</a> CATHOLIC COLLEGES - TIME](<a href=“http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,938328,00.html]BEST”>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,938328,00.html)</p>
<p>Notably strong in philosophy and medicine is St. Louis University (8,847 students), founded in 1818 and taken over by the Jesuits in 1827 as their first college west of the Mississippi. Two-thirds of its students are from the St. Louis area; one-quarter are first-in-their-family collegians, including many Negroes.</p>