Metro Area Roman Catholic Homeschoolers

Did you know?

2012-01-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

We have active Little Flowers and Blue Knights groups that meet once a month at Assumption? E-mail for more details.

First Fridays at Assumption

2012-01-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

Join us every First Friday at Assumption Parish for Mass at 11. Followed by a BYO lunch and playtime in the Fr. Bernard Hall next door. Fr. Michael offers confessions from about 10:30 until 11.

Upcoming Catholic Homeschool Conferences

2011-02-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

Although there is not a homeschooling conference specifically for Catholics in Nashville, we are fortunate to have a few good ones not too far away.

First, March 18-19 comes one in Memphis. Next, on April 2, there will be a conference in Atlanta. Finally, in June there is a Catholic homeschooling conference in Kentucky.

I went to my first homeschooling conference last year and really enjoyed the experience and the inspiration to keep on going. I highly recommend trying to get to one of these options.

Mom's Night Out

2011-02-15T10:36:00.000-08:00

Get out of the house, chat and eat with other Catholic homeschooling moms. Join us on February 16 for a night out. For more information, e-mail me.

Join Us...

2010-10-04T20:38:00.000-07:00

MARCH meets every First Friday at Assumption Church for Mass, lunch and play time. Other activities take place throughout the month. South MARCH (for Catholic homeschoolers in and around Franklin, TN) meets several Fridays out of the month.

Year Opening Mass

2010-08-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

MARCH will be having a Mass to open the school year at Assumption on the first Friday in September. Come join us for Mass and pizza afterwards. Parents, bring your ideas and calendars, so we can begin to plan our school year activities!

End of Year Program

2010-05-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Spring is advancing quickly and summer will soon be upon us. It is time to think about our annual MARCH End-of-Year program.

For those of you who have not yet participated in this event, I would just explain that it has become a favorite MARCH tradition. We gather on a weekend afternoon and our children use the opportunity to display their particular talents. They play an instrument or dance or recite a poem. They might perform a little skit or bring artwork. Once we had a display of the fruits of the garden; on another occasion there was a chess demonstration. This is intended to be a fun opportunity for us all to enjoy each others' talents. The kids do not have to be ready to appear at the Schermerhorn.

Who: All are invited.

What: MARCH End-of-Year Program

When: Saturday, June 26

Please bring:

A side dish or dessert. Karen Pagan and her son John Paul will make something wonderful for a main dish.

Flood Recovery

2010-05-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Nashville and the surrounding areas suffered an enormous flood. For information on where to send help, visit here.

Prepare for Lent and Celebrate Mardi Gras Early

2010-02-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Since Lent will be beginning soon, this First Thursday at Assumption would be a good time for us to prepare. We'll be having some brief lessons for kids on getting ready for Lent, which will be split into two age groups.

But before Lent begins, people often like to have a little fun. Therefore, we'll also be decorating some Mardi Gras masks and having a little dancing after Mass.

What: First Thursday Mass at Assumption, preparation for Lent and a pre-Mardi Gras party

What should I bring? Bring a frozen pizza or two to share, ice cream or favorite toppings for banana splits, any dress up clothes your children would like to wear to dance in after Mass

I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

Advent Program at Assumption

2009-11-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Fr. George McGinnis, a member of the Fathers of Mercy, will lead an Advent Mission at Assumption.

WHEN: Sunday, December 13 through Thursday, December 17, 2009.

WHAT TIME: The schedule will be the same for each evening:

5:30 - Dinner in the Assumption Parish Hall
6:30 - Holy Hour in the Church with Exposition, Adoration, Homily, and Benediction
7:30 - Dessert in the Assumption Parish Hall

Fr. McGinnis will be available for Confession before and after the Holy Hour.

CHILDCARE: Childcare will be provided during the Holy Hour for children who have not made First Holy Communion.

All Saints Day Party

2009-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

The annual MARCH All Saints Day Party will be held at 3 p.m. on November 1. Kids should dress as their favorite saint and come prepared to tell the rest a little bit about that saint and their story.

E-mail Jordana Adams at adamsjct -- at -- gmail dot com for more information about location and what to bring.

First Thursdays at Assumption

2009-08-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

During this Year for Priests, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the first Thursday of the month by attending Mass, offering prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mold them to his heart," going to confession and praying for the intentions of the Pope.

Fr. Michael has agreed to say the Mass for MARCH and all parishioners at Assumption on the First Thursdays beginning on September 3. Confessions will begin at 10:30 and Mass at 11.

First Fridays at St. Philip's

2009-08-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

South MARCH has a wonderful program planned for First Fridays after mass at St. Philip's. They will be using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline as the basis for their program and dividing kids into 3 groups by age. Contact Erin Morel for more details about the curriculum and program. MorelFam -- at -- aol dot com

Rustic Cabin Family Camping

2009-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

This is an event not to be missed. A trip into the woods is planned for all members MARCH. No need for a tent because 43 rustic (and I mean rustic) cabins are available for our group. The cabins have either 4 or 2 bunks with room on the floor for more. There is a dining hall for meal preparation, 3 bathhouses, a field for sports, other structures for activities, and a lake. All of this is in an area that is secluded and for the use of our group only. Here are the details so far:

Who: All families of any MARCH

What: Rustic Cabin Family Camping

Where: Montgomery Bell State Park located in Dickson just west of Nashville

Cost: Currently estimated to be $75 per family for the entire weekend (less for day trips) including food. This is subject to change but would not change dramatically

For more information e-mail Steven Glynn nolapark1 -- at -- bellsouth dot net

Civil War and Belle Meade Plantation

2009-08-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

The MARCH group is scheduled as a group to go to the Home School Days Civil War and Belle Meade Plantation program on August 24, 2009 at 9:30. Cost is $5 per child who will participate in the event. Preschool siblings are welcome as observers at no cost. E-mail Robin Sparks nashvillesparks -- at -- bellsouth dot net to reserve your spot.

Spiritual Armor

2009-07-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

An excellent talk by Fr. Martin Fox at the Dayton Homeschooling Conference.

MARCH Planning Meeting and Cook-Off

2009-07-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Midsummer is upon us and already it is time to begin thinking about the Fall. Therefore, it is also time for our annual MARCH Fall planning meeting, at which we will discuss ideas and make plans for homeschool activities for the coming Fall semester. This meeting will also feature our annual MARCH cooking contest!

The theme of the cooking contest this year will be The Old South. Can you fry up a great batch of Hush Puppies? Do you make Chicken Fricassee just like Grandma used to do for Sunday dinner? Can you make the best Fried Green Tomatoes this side of the Mississippi? Then this event is for you. Break out your favorite southern-style recipe, and join us for an evening of good down-home cooking.

Who: All are invited. Dads too. Cooking has historically been a
male-dominated field, so come on, you menfolks. Enter a dish in the contest, and show the ladies what you can do.

What: Southern-Style Cook-Off and Planning Meeting.

When: Saturday, August 22, at 3 p.m.

All dishes entered for competition will be judged by a panel of inexpert, amateurish, inexperienced judges--namely, the homeschool parents who come to the meeting. If you are not too tuckered out after working all day on your dish of hog jowls and redeye gravy for entry in the Cook-Off, then you might also consider making an entry in the Dessert Cook-Off, to be held the same evening and to be judged by a separate panel of extremely discerning and excruciatingly honest judges--our kids! Just think of all the mouth-watering Southern specialties you might present for the dessert contest: pecan pie, sweet potato pie, Mississippi mud cake, pecan pralines, Georgia peach pie, shoo-fly pie... the possibilities are endless. And if you just want to bring chocolate chip cookies, that's OK too.

And, as always, if you are a timid soul and if you are afraid of competition and don't want to enter a dish in the contest, that's fine. Just come on down, y'all, and eat hearty. But bear in mind that those of us who do participate in the competition will have more fun than you.

For further information, e-mail Jordana Adams (adamsjct -- at -- gmail.com) or Karen Pagan (kpagan -- at -- catholicweb.com). So bring your appetite, bring a rib-stickin dish to share if you can, bring your calendar, and bring your ideas.

MARCH at Nashville Public Library

2009-07-01T10:14:00.000-07:00

Join us on July 9 in the puppet theater for a presentation of the Nashville Public Library's new adaptation of Cinderella!

Compare Notes on Curricula

2009-05-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Bring your favorite books and programs so that we can all look at books before we order next year's curricula. Bring anything you want to get off your shelves and send to a new home, so that someone else can try it out.

For more information e-mail adamsjct -- at -- gmail -- dot -- com

Homeschooler's Craft Fair to Support Assumption Outreach

2009-05-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 7 after both Masses, there will be a sale of craft items handmade by the children of Assumption parish. Half of the proceeds will go to Assumption Outreach, and half to the children. Any unsold items will be donated to be sold at the Assumption Country Store Oktoberfest booth. There will be a maximum price of $10/item. This event is organized by the parish's homeschoolers, but all Assumption children and teens -- homeschooled or not -- are welcome to participate.

Totus Tuus at Assumption

2009-04-07T17:31:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars! Totus Tuus is coming to Assumption early this summer. It will run from Sunday May 30 to Friday June 5. Totus Tuus is a summer catechetical program for children and youth from first grade through high school. The content is strong on Catholic identity and Marian spirituality, and the experience is lots of fun. Contact Karen Pagan (kpagan -- at -- catholicweb.com) for details about registration.

Annual Gingerbread House Building Day

2008-11-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

The annual gingerbread house building party and donation to Sister Sally's outreach is coming up! We'll be at Assumption on Thursday, December 11.

Bring:

box or 2 of HONEY MAID graham crackers to build houses (quality REALLY counts
here generics tend to break which causes frustration)
pretty candy to share for decorating.
item to donate to Sister Sally, this can be canned or boxed non-perishables, diapers wipes, really, anything.
low $ gift to play pass the present (1 per participating child), please wrap this.

Also, bring cardboard if you have any around. This is good for building the
houses on.

The icing must be made ahead of time. Let Phoebe know if you are (or even might be) coming. Better to have too much icing than not enough.

Questions? pkhoover -- at --bellsouth.net

Mondays in Advent

2008-11-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

At Assumption Church there will be an Advent Program, not exclusively for homeschoolers, but which might be of interest them.

Monday, December 1

5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served.

6:30 p.m. Peter Pagan will present a talk for adults on the topic, "Why Politics Needs Religion." Activities for children of all ages will be offered at the same time.

7:30 p.m. Advent Vespers will be sung in the church.

Monday, December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception

4:45 p.m. A Holy Hour, with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, will be offered in the church.

6:00 p.m. Holy Mass will be offered in the church.

7:00 p.m. Dinner will be served.

Monday, December 15

5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served.

6:30 p.m. Andrew Hoover and Justin Adams will present a talk for adults on the topic, "Chant in the Mother Tongue of the Church." Activities for children of all ages will be offered at the same time.

7:30 p.m. Advent Vespers will be sung in the church.

Monday, December 22

5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served.

6:30 p.m. David Hernandez will present a Veneration of Relics. David is a long-time friend of the MARCH group, and his very reverent and instructive presentations about relics are always popular. The Veneration of Relics appeals to all ages.

7:30 p.m. MARCH and Assumption children will present a program of Advent Lessons and Carols in the church. If your children would like to participate in the singing or the readings, please contact Karen Pagan at 746-6533.

All are welcome at our Advent program. Come late, leave early, or stay for the duration: whatever suits your schedule. For further information, contact Karen Pagan at 746-6533.

All Saints Day Party

2008-10-22T19:31:00.000-07:00

We will be holding the annual homeschoolers All Saints Day party on Saturday, Nov. 1, starting at about 2:00 pm. Because the feast day happens to fall on a Saturday this year, it is a great opportunity for dads to attend as well. Children (and adults, for that matter) are all welcome to dress as saints. We usually group the children together by age and have them take turns giving the group a clue about their saint, and the children guess who it is.

Hot dogs and all the fixin's will be provided, but families staying for dinner should bring a side dish, dessert, paper supplies, or beverages.

E-mail Jordana Adams (adamsjct at gmail dot com) for further details and information.

First Friday at St. Philip's

2008-09-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

The families located in the southern section of our MARCH group are meeting 1-3 at St. Philip's in Franklin on September 5, the First Friday. Meet at the Mary statue on Main St. and finish with Adoration at 3pm in the big church. All are welcome to join in.

Beginning of the Year Mass

2008-08-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's time to start up full-time schoolwork again. A special Mass for the homeschool group is a nice way to start the school year right.

Who: All are invited.

What: A special Mass for the MARCH Group, followed by activities for younger children (in one group) and older children (in another group) in honor of Our Lady on her Birthday, followed by lunch, followed by informal social time.

When: Monday, September 8, at 10 a.m. This is the Feast of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Where: At Assumption Church

Please bring: Bring enough frozen pizza to feed your family. We can cook the pizzas in the kitchen and then share and share alike. Fresh fruit and drinks will be provided, and we'll have a birthday cake for Our Lady.

Annual Family Dinner and Planning Meeting

2008-08-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

The long-awaited day is about to arrive! It is time again for the
annual MARCH Planning Meeting and Cook-Off.

For this year's Cook-Off, all are invited to prepare their favorite
Italian specialty. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is a cooking
contest. And since none of us is ready to teach at the Cordon Bleu
Cooking School, you, yes you, might just win. So break out your
favorite recipe for spaghetti sauce, lasagna, manicotti, stuffed
shells, mostacciolli, pastafazoul, or anything else Italian. We will
prepare a big pot of perfectly cooked spaghetti; if you decide to
prepare a sauce for pasta, just bring it in your crock-pot.

Following are categories in which your entry may or may not be judged:

--Most Authentic Marinara

--Best Vodka Sauce this Side of the Tiber

--Just like Mama Bonvissuto Used to Make

--That's Italian

--That's Amore

--Three Day Bellyache

Of course you don't have to compete. You can just come with your
family and eat and visit.

When: Saturday, Sept 13

Who: All homeschoolers and those interested in homeschooling are invited.

Contact Jordana Adams (adamsjct at gmail dot com) for further location and time details.

To complement the day's festivities, and by popular request, dessert will consist of our famous annual MARCH cookie contest. Enter your favorite homemade cookies in our cookie Bake-Off. They will be subjected to the rigorous scrutiny and demanding standards of the pickiest eaters in the world: OUR KIDS.

After the delightful dinner we will all prepare, our children will play quietly together like angels, and we adults will have a little planning session for the upcoming school year in the MARCH group. So bring your ideas about what events you would like to see us offer. And bring your calendar.

End of Year Follow-Up

2008-06-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone who turned out for the MARCH end-of-year program had a great time. The host family's living room was filled to capacity and children presented a wonderful program of poetry recitations, art work and piano pieces. After the formal program, the kids swarmed to the backyard swimming pool, while the adults chatted, made sure everyone in the pool was safe and tried not to overheat. The evening wrapped up with dinner and more socializing.

Food Donations Needed

2008-05-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Sister Naomi and Sister Sally at North Nashville Catholic Charities provide food, clothing, and other material assistance to our neighbors who have less than we do. The need for food donations is particularly great at this time.

Sister Naomi said that they do already have some canned vegetables. They really need canned meat, such as chili or tuna fish or even beefaroni. They need tomato sauce to go with the pasta they have. They need peanut butter and jelly. Any non-perishable food items would be welcome. They will take monetary donations as well. Those coming to the MARCH end of year program, please bring something on Saturday and it can be passed on to North Nashville Catholic Charities.

Park Day Revisited

2008-05-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

Families who came for the first park day in April had so much fun, we did another trip to Two Rivers Park in Nashville, before the weather warms up too much for the kids to run around outside for so long. Highlights of this particular park day include sandcastle building and a disc golf lesson from a friendly park visitor who engaged a dozen willing listeners (including a few parents) and let everyone try tossing a frisbee or two.

MARCH End-of-Year Program

2008-05-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 31, we will be having an end of year program to share our children's talents and accomplishments. If your children play a musical instrument, if they have memorized a poem, if they would like to put together a little skit of some kind, if they could sing a song, we would all love to see their performance. Or they may bring some artwork to display. Of course, the children's work does not have to be museum quality. The point of this event is to have fun and share some of the creative things the children have done over the course of the school year.

Dinner will be included. The hostess will make a main dish, and those of you who come can bring side dishes.

For more information, contact Karen Pagan (kpagan -- at -- catholicweb.com) or phone 746-6533.

Park Day

2008-04-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

On a hot spring day, several families from locations as far afield as Joelton, Donelson, Nashville, and Columbia got together at Two Rivers Park for a day out playing on the playground, running around the fields and picnicking together. While the kids ran around, the moms and dads got a chance to visit, compare curricula and discuss the school year as it winds to a close.

Mom's Night Out

2008-04-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Who: All homeschooling moms and interested dads

What: An evening of support and good conversation

When: Wednesday, April 30 at 7 p.m.

Where: Whole Foods Market at Green Hills, 4021 Hillsboro Pike, 440-5100

There is a Mass at 6 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 3001 Belmont Blvd, 292-2884. You may wish to attend the Mass before coming along to Whole Foods.

First Sunday Brunch at Assumption

2008-03-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

At Assumption we have a Brunch after the 11 a.m. Mass every first Sunday of the month. Various groups of Assumption people take turns donating and cooking the food. On April 6, the Brunch will be made by the homeschoolers at Assumption.

Let's get the kids in on the cooking. We'll meet on Saturday April 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption. Kids of all ages are welcome. The older ones can dice tomatoes and mash avocados and cook ground beef. The younger ones can just play, in the school hall or outside in the back yard. Dads are welcome, too, because of course, many Dads can wield spoons and spatulas with expertise.

If you are unable to come and help on the 5th, please do not let that discourage you. There are two other ways in which you may participate. 1) Prepare something at home and bring it to Assumption on or before the day of the Brunch. 2) Just donate $10.00, and we'll will buy something delicious for the Brunch.

Mom's Night Out

2008-03-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Come and join us for an evening of good food and good conversation.

Who: All moms-and interested dads-are invited.

What: Mom's Night Out

When: Thursday, Mach 27 at 7 p.m.

Where: Whole Foods at Green Hills, 4021 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, 37215

Christ the King Church has a Mass at 6 p.m. Thursday evenings. Some of us will meet there for the Mass before proceeding over to Whole Foods. So please join us for Mass and/or for a pleasant evening at Whole Foods.