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Tee
Mary's Servant
USA
140 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 7:16:43 PM
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I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students.
When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing. When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material.
What happened next was shocking.
There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand.
The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say.
The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach "facts," and the home was responsible for moral training.
I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials.
"Donuts, at the back," announced the teacher during the break.
"I'd like you to put on the name tags we have prepared-they're right by the donuts-and mingle with the other parents.
Everyone moved to the back of the room.
As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials. I uttered a silent prayer for guidance.
My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher's hand on my shoulder.
"Won't you join the others, Mrs. Layton?" The nurse smiled sweetly at me. "The donuts are good."
"Thank you, no," I replied.
"Well, then, how about a name tag? I'm sure the others would like to meet you."
"Somehow I doubt that," I replied.
"Won't you please join them?" she coaxed.
"I'll just wait here," I said.
When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags. She ignored me.
Then she said, "Now we're going to give you the same lesson we'll be giving your children. Everyone please peel off your name tags." I watched in silence as the tags came off.
"Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?"
The gentleman across from me held it up.
"Here it is!" "All right," she said.
"The flower represents disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?"
He pointed to a couple of people. "Very good," she replied.
"The handshake in this case represents intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease."
There was laughter and joking among the parents.
The teacher continued, "And whom did the two of you shake hands with?"
The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread.
"Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease."
"Speak now, I thought, "but be humble."
I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair.
I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make.
"Not all of us were infected," I said. "One of us ... abstained."
"they must seek to fulfill their daily duties, that is as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes..." ~ 3rd basic tenet of Apostolate of Holy Motherhood
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JohnF
Mary's Servant
USA
428 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2008 : 7:36:40 PM
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Wonderful!
And you didn't even have to wear a "glove" to prevent catching the disease. |
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Gaby
Formation
48 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2008 : 12:51:50 PM
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| What a fantastic response. Good for you! |
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Tee
Mary's Servant
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2008 : 5:21:55 PM
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I guess I should have clarified I found this while I was surfing some catholic websites. This did not happen to me personally, but I thought it made a good point and was humorous as well even if it's in the ironic catagory. I can't for the life of me remember which site now and I didn't see credit given to anyone. Sorry for any mixup.
~Tee
"they must seek to fulfill their daily duties, that is as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes..." ~ 3rd basic tenet of Apostolate of Holy Motherhood |
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Pro-life Sarah
Moderator
653 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 2:26:06 PM
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Good story... very realistic and quite the ending. The story itself would be a powerful lesson for sure.... do you think they'd read it in schools?
Take Care and God Bless,
Sarah
Please say one Hail Mary a day for the intentions all forum members |
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Tee
Mary's Servant
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 3:43:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Pro-life Sarah
Good story... very realistic and quite the ending. The story itself would be a powerful lesson for sure.... do you think they'd read it in schools?
Take Care and God Bless,
Sarah
Please say one Hail Mary a day for the intentions all forum members
lol not a chance, at least not public ones, it's not sponsered by planned parenthood, or politically correct
~Tee
"they must seek to fulfill their daily duties, that is as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes..." ~ 3rd basic tenet of Apostolate of Holy Motherhood |
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Pro-life Sarah
Moderator
653 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2008 : 8:09:42 PM
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Quite true. Sadly.
Take Care and God Bless,
Sarah
Please say one Hail Mary a day for the intentions all forum members |
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abstinence
