How Firm A Foundation II

I remember a dear colleague of mine, many years back describing herself as a 'Recovering Catholic'. I remember laughing with her and agreeing that I too, was a 'Recovering Catholic'.  It was an easy concept to laugh at.  There were definitive aspects of our shared upbringing as Parochial School Catholics that we could instantly relate to.

Originally I was  amazed at the number of Catholics in my chosen profession. I have long since stopped being surprised when I am introduced to a new 'Cobol' Developer that had roots in Catholicism, there is something about the structure, logic, and precision of Cobol working with Relational Databases that attracts the Parochial trained mind.  Someday I may write a blog studying this more.

Regardless of the cause, my Parochial upbringing was a very powerful and direct influence upon me, lifelong. Though, it has been decades since I have considered myself Catholic, the aspects of Catholicism that continue to effect my life are countless.

What I learned about Mathematics and Algebra, I learned in Elementary School, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Phoenix Arizona provided me a firm foundation in those two key tools. Mathematics and being a Cobol developer go hand in hand. My mind is geared toward pretty and precise If-Then logic. For my mind, there is an algorithmic solution for every technical or business problem. That I try to instill this formula for problem solving in my personal life may not always be as successful, but I never fail to try to apply it.  I know that my Parochial upbringing was a big part of me being able to support myself and my family for all these years. And from the number of Catholics in my profession, I don't think this was unique for me.

There is more Catholic in my makeup than just the logic I use in my occupation.  'Catholic Guilt' courses through my veins as one of my chief moral drivers. I am a living breathing example of 'Catholic Guilt'.  I am loyal to my Children and wife, I am loyal to my siblings, any personal challenge to that loyalty triggers the 'Guilt' gene in my like an ignition switch. My 'Recovering' friend would laugh at this part of me if she were to read this now, like this 'guilt' is some type of curse.  I guess I have learned to come to grips with this part of myself.  At this later stage in my life, I start to look back at the precept of  'Catholic Guilt' as a productive guiding part of me. I am proud to be dedicated to the institution of family, the preservation of that institution to me is a noble endeavor. When I look at some of the countries where Catholicism is prevalent, like south of our border, or Italy...I see that institution of family has been put on a pedestal. Grandparents, the elderly, are treated with respect and kindness. Children are protected and cherished. Large, close knit families are not mocked and abused, rather they are admired and cherished.   I fail to see this as a negative outcome of 'Catholic' Guilt. That my moral compass is influenced from the Catholic upbringing can not be denied, and I would not want it to be denied.

I believe my parents raised me as best they could. They chose to raise me within the boundaries of their faith. My father was raised a Catholic, and my Mom adopted Catholicism as a married adult.  At times when I choose to view my parents through my 20/20 hindsight, all their mistakes and blemishes are so very clear and obvious. It becomes so easy for me to itemize all their faults.  But they did not have the luxury of 20/20 hindsight as they were fostering us through out our lives, putting their parenthood skills to the test.  That they turned to the Catholic Church for help in building my moral character means that they did have faith in the family unit, enough faith to entrust me and my siblings to the teachings that they understood to be the best for us as a family. It also meant they had faith in Our Father in Heaven, and in his begotten Son,  such faith that they chose to add those helping hands into our lives. This is no small thing. It took a great deal of sacrifice of their time, their Sundays, and their budget to educate and indoctrinate my siblings and myself.  If I look at my seven living brothers and sisters, I see that miracles did happen. That each of us were able to raise ourselves up out of poverty and to build our own families with moral character and with faith. This is no small accomplishment from such humble beginnings.

Occasionally I hear a judgment  passed upon organized Religion concerning raising children within the loving arms of faith.  The judgement is some variation of 'I prefer to let my children learn religion at their own pace, as they are ready for it, and without my guidance or leanings'.  I believe I understand that concept, and I see some value in it.  But, as I look at how I was raised, and how I raised my daughters, and how my grandchildren are being raised, I am not sure that is the only way to raise children. Yes, it may be fine for others, it is not for me to judge. But for me, and mine, I feel that a parent wishing to add faith to the mix when raising children is perfectly within his rights as a parent.  I believe that faith is a virtue, and that sharing faith can be an act of love passed parent to child.  I believe Children may choose to reject that Faith, move on to other Faiths, or perhaps even adopt that Faith in their lives as they move to their own adulthood. But the foundation of Faith provided and taught by the parents, when it is done with respect and love for the child, is also of great value.

For my parents, for their choices and for all the work they did in raising my siblings and myself...I have the greatest love and am gaining greater understanding, day by day. Thanks Mom and Dan. :)

Cheers, nca