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Welcome to the TORCH website.

Feel free to browse around the content and use it as you can. Homeschooling is a challenging yet highly rewarding experience. The support documentation found here can help get a family started, encourage those in the middle of the school year, and even cheer on those...

Happy New Year!!

Once again we get to experience all that God has perfectly designed for us as we head into a new calendar year. We have the chance to start over, to begin anew, to refresh and put the nose back to the old grind-stone. Maybe you are one of...

The big day is almost here!! All the preparing, the planning, the baking and all the spending is about to culminate in a matter of a few days… Then it’s over, all too soon. The wind of anticipation has messed up our hair, our sleep has been interrupted by visions...

The election is FINALLY over. We can now return to “normal” without the advertisements, the phone calls, the junk mail, the yard placards and the hype. Well, alright the hype will stick around I suppose with the focus changing now to the Christmas season. Have you already seen Christmas decorating...

Fall has arrived in all of its splendor and explosion of colors. God is good, to offer us this evolving portrait of our earth, changing before our eyes. From the falling leaves to the falling temperatures (except in Los Angeles… 103 degrees a few days back), autumn is here. Football...

According to Wikipedia September is the ninth month, one of four Gregorian months that have 30 days. At one point it was the seventh month (In Latin septem means “seven”) on the Roman calendar. Another interesting wiki factoid is that the first of September and December begin on the same...

Our Lady assumed into Heaven, pray for us!

The feast days of the Church are not just the commemoration of historical events; they do not look only to the past. They look to the present and to the future and give us an insight into our own relationship with God....

I homeschool three rambunctious boys (is Rambo short for that?) ages 11, 9, and 7. If we don’t keep to some sort of schedule, nothing but baseball playing would ever get done. They are up sometime between 6 and 7am, and though I would much prefer to stay up late...

August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.

Along...

"He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he who pursues idleness is very foolish." Proverbs 12:11

Work-free boyhood has produced its own spirituality in recent years (like Jesus, helper of baseball players) but the situation is getting worse as families turn to video games, television and the...

We can all relate to the image of driving a car full of children; fun but nerve-wrecking at times. How do busy parents avoid burning out? Here is a vignette of our family life and some ideas for the road.

Young lady prays to God for the spouse of her dreams....

Recently, while I puttered in my flower garden, pulling up a few weeds and pruning a few plants, with the warmth of the sun on my back and birds singing nearby, I meditated on a beautiful passage from Scripture that I had been thinking about lately.

Look at the birds of...

What to write about this month? Perhaps a set of varied ideas and thoughts…

These hot and humid days make me long for the cooler days of Spring and Autumn. I know that there are portions of the US, and locations around the world that suffer this type of heat nearly...

“The family should be your place of encounter with God.” Pope John Paul II has told us. As mothers, we need to realize that this is indeed true. We may tend to think that we exclusively encounter God at Mass or during our prayers. Yet, we meet God each day...

From the desk of… July 2010

“When in the course of human events…” Recognize that, I hope. It is of course the opening line of our Declaration of Independence. Britain had been an overbearing tyrant, insisting on its own course for this great vast continent. But our forefathers had other, more...

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and...

Many Catholic moms all over are hoping and praying for a blessed, relaxing, happy, and holy summer. They’ve had busy years and are longing for some well-deserved rest and relaxation if that is at all possible. I’ve spoken to many moms lately and some have shared that they are a...

(The following is a talk given by TORCH National Director, Theresa Carlson at a Mother's Breakfast sponsored by CRECHE, the TORCH chapter in Batavia, IL).

To have a grateful heart in all things….this is what I desire. I want to be thankful to God; to say to God, as...

Because we are in the beautiful month of May—Mary’s month, I thought I would offer a reflection on Blessed Mother Teresa’s devotion to our Blessed Mother using excerpts from my book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship.

“Behold Your Mother”
To answer God’s call, Mother Teresa kept herself closely connected...

This and that getting in the way? Too many things on your plate? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Welcome to the club.
This club is exclusive, and membership is free. Exclusive meaning that everyone is exactly the same so there are no outsiders allowed in, heck, they wouldn’t even want to be...

(Note that Kathleen's Comments are in Black, Carolyne's comments are in Red, and Jake's comments are in Blue.)

The day starts early for me. My alarm beeps at me at 5am. While I don’t exactly jump out of bed, I am a morning person and it’s usually not too...

Turning to Mary

To the Virgin Mary we turn our eyes and hearts in this [month of May, dedicated to our Blessed Lady]. She is our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our hope. How fitting to turn to her so that she, who formed Jesus, can form us too. We...

I must admit that I love spring and all that it brings. The newness of life, re-emerging after months of being dormant, stretching out and opening up, new life, new day, new warmth. Here in the upper Midwest Easter is usually a cold and windy day, though sunny. Kind...

The basket by the front door, which had previously held the mittens, scarves and hats, now contains knee, elbow pads, wrist guards, and bike gloves. It is a glorious time of year—gone are the snow, ice and frigid weather. Here are the fragrances of blossoms, luscious spring breezes and sunshine...

We’ve been homeschooling for ten years now. I can honestly say that our days over the years have ranged from very structured to not structured at all. So before I tell you about how A Day in My Life is today, keep in mind that our typical day changes from...

"Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore" (Rev 1:17-18).

We heard these comforting words in the Second Reading taken from the Book of Revelation. They invite us to turn our gaze to Christ, to experience His...

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all,...

In a decree dated August 3, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary announced that in order “to ensure that the faithful would observe this day (Divine Mercy Sunday) with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence…so that the faithful might receive in great...

In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy; Sister tells us:
"I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to...

Have you ever asked any of these questions?

• How can two people from the same family be so different?
• I taught my oldest how to read this way, why can’t I teach my second the same way?
• Why does he leave his laundry on the floor?
• How is she able to teach school, juggle...

“Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent Him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation. Since ‘without faith it is impossible to please [God]’ (Heb 11:16)” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 161). We receive our faith from the teaching of the Apostles, which has been...

The way a father says ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to his children can either inspire responsibility or lead to rebellion...

“HE’S BEEN REALLY DISRESPECTFUL lately, and I know I need to find some better ways to handle him,” said Michael, who wasn’t getting along with his 14-year-old son.

When asked what was behind...

At the start of the penitential and holy season of Lent, we might have found ourselves scrambling to figure out what to “give up.” We have given up desserts, candy and possibly TV in the past. But maybe we’ve decided to switch our emphasis this year.

And just what is penance...

March. The only month named for a forward movement. Here in the Midwest, and this year in the East, it reminds us to continue through the last few cold mornings, some shoveling and scraping of car windshields required, so that we can enjoy the afternoon sunshine. March. Reminding us to...

A recent headline reveals that 27 million Americans now take anti-depressants; suicide rates are almost equal between the very poor and the very rich; and according to the Surgeon General homicide and suicide are the second and third leading causes of death for young people 15-24 years old. So what’s...

Could you envision the kind of mother God would create for His Son? Without a doubt Mary must have been someone truly awe inspiring in order to be the perfect tabernacle for Christ. Imagine teaching God’s Son patience, diligence and concentration; to name just a few human traits that take...

Lent is a time of special graces ordered to renewing our spiritual life and centering our lives more consciously on what is most important: God and His holy will. Since it is a time of grace, it is also a time of trial. Trials are sent to us so that...

If someone were to ask you when you should pray, what would you tell them? Often times we think of the more noticeable. For instance, we could begin by explaining our morning offering. In a morning offering, we offer up to God all we will think, do and say throughout...

“I’m a father with two young children. We’re considering homeschooling. Do you have any advice for us?”

Yes I do.

First, make sure this this is the right choice for your family. Your wife and you will need to discuss this pretty thoroughly. Who will do the primary teaching? What curriculum would...

Lent is right around the corner. Have you had enough time to work off those extra pounds from Christmas? Have the decorations made it back into the boxes for their safe keeping? Have you even begun to reflect on what you might do this Lenten season? Do you look at...

Pope John Paul II gave mothers some poignant words to ponder. He told us that prayer is related to our very humanity and the first condition for authentic freedom of spirit. Specifically, he said, “It should never be forgotten that prayer constitutes an essential part of the Christian life, understood...

As we approach and embark upon this brand New Year, all kinds of things may be swirling round our minds. How will my life change in the coming year? Will it change at all? Am I going to make some New Year’s resolutions? Will I keep them? Whether I make...

This is surely an unusual subject for today’s conference, "How To Keep Your Children Catholic." The subject may be unusual but it is desperately important. I would like to briefly address myself to three questions, expressed in three words, Why? What? and How?

Why?

I don't think anyone here has any...

Keep Checking Back - Video/Audio Message to be posted from Paul Carlson

"The Civil Year ends [on December 31st]. At Midnight, a New Year will begin, as the world counts time, and the present one will sink into the abyss of eternity. It is one step further on in our lives, and brings us nearer to that end of all things, which...

“Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following His ways and observing His statutes, commands, ordinances and decrees, that you may succeed in whatever you do.” (1 Kings 2:2-3)

I. Develop an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to forgive you of your past,...

“When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.She brings him good and not evil, all the days of her life.”- Proverbs 31:10-12

I. Develop an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus...

Christ - The Portrait of Perfection
Consider a portrait, the likeness of a person created by a painter. Most of us only see the final result hanging in a gallery, a museum, or some other venue. We may never consider the various stages a portrait goes through—preparation of the canvas,...

Holy Family TORCH Baltimore recieved permission from Dr. Loomis, the original founder of "A Drop of Clear Water" (Goshen, NY; www.dropofclearwater.com) to start a group in Baltimore, following the same format but adding "in Baltimore" to the name to differentiate from the...

As we begin our new Liturgical year, lighting our first Advent candle—we embark on a pilgrimage once again towards the Christ Child—a pilgrimage blessed with hope. Advent is the perfect time to rediscover the beauty and depth of Christmas hope and what it really means to be a Catholic. We...

I hope that you find the following fun and enlightening. It is a work of fiction, but see if you can note some interesting twists and turns. Does this sound familiar? It could be any one of us…

What a rough week it has been. I know that I shouldn’t complain,...

Advent celebrates the twofold coming of CHRIST, His Birth at Bethlehem and His second coming in glory together with His angels. Nowhere do we find the ministries of the holy angels so intense and manifest as on these two occasions. The new Catechism declares: "From the Incarnation to the Ascension...

“As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental” (CCC, 2229).

This year my wife, Andrea, and I are staring at a decision that thousands of Catholic homeschool families face...

In less than a month my husband, Mike, and I are going to be married 20 years. We are homeschooling five children—our own three (son - 9th grade, daughter - 6th grade, and son - Kindergarten), as well as our niece (10th grade) and nephew (12th grade). We are in...

I did not watch the television show The Waltons when I was a child; however, pop culture being what it is, everyone knew the ending of the show with “Good night Mary Ellen, Good night Jon Boy.” Earl Hamner’s recollections of hischildhood in rural Virginia during the Depression and into...

My third grade student raised her hand and seemed bursting to share something with our religious education class recently when we were discussing the saints. I called on her and she quickly blurted out, “I know who the next saint will be!”

“Who?” I asked.

“I don’t know her name,” she answered,...

Funny how some people influence our lives, without our even knowing. Have you done this for anyone else? Allow me to introduce you to someone that I know has had quite an impact on all of us. Let me mention up front that I...

The month of October may draw our attention to our Blessed Mother since the Church has designated October for the prayer of the Rosary. It’s also Pro-life month.

Mary’s “Yes” to God’s pro-life plan for her and our world dramatically changed history forever. Mary’s words, “Be it done unto me...

I dare say all of us, from the youngest of children to the oldest of adults, have been taught about the loving care and protection our guardian angels provide all of our lives. While the following "Illuminations and Reflections" may seem nothing more than a "woe is me" lament, in...

July is the devoted to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. The following reflection on devotion to the precious blood was presented by Fr. John Hardon in 1993 and is found at www.therealpresence.org.

St. Peter gives us the revealed foundation for our devotion to...

Years ago a missionary came to my house and tried to make the case that infant baptism is invalid. He argued that baptism is the sacrament of faith, that faith involves a personal decision, and infants lack the capacity to make that decision.

I argued back that Jesus instructed that...

“Having completed the course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII solemnly declared these words to assist us in understanding and learning about our Blessed Mother at the end of her life here on earth. Of course we celebrate...

St. Philomena's Feast Day is on August 11th. Pray a Novena beginning this coming Sunday, August 2nd to Pray for all children, parents and educators that they grow in the virtue of chastity through the intercession of St. Philomena. The

We'd like to thank Jen Mackintosh, homeschooling mother of four (12, 8, 4, and 1) from Alabama, for agreeing to share the way she has organized her homeschool space. Jen blogs at www.wildflowersandmarbles.blogspot.com. No one organizes in the same way, in the same places with the same ideas. The...

Prologue

There are three things contained in this (angelic) salutation. The first part comes from the Angel, Gabriel, namely, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women." The second part comes from Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, namely, "Blessed is...

“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of...

The TORCH of Colorado Springs co-op meets weekly at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. Our program enhances home education with classes that are more difficult to provide within a single family. Classes have included biology lab, chemistry lab, Gregorian chant, art, Latin, Spanish, Little Flowers, Blue Knights,...

The entire purpose of children’s upbringing — that which unites discipline, schooling, and the myriad details of family life is this: that children be led to become competent, responsible, considerate men and women who are committed to live by Christian principles.Knowing the catechism alone is not enough. Children must be...

About once a quarter, we host a formal Teen Dinner & Dance with a potluck dinner. We have a very specific set of rules for behavior and dress. Teens are required to sign a contract concerning their behavior upon...

During a March 16, 2009 plenary assembly with members of the Congregation for the Clergy, the Pope called for a jubilee year of the priest. The event would mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, the...

I have been reading a lot online about different perspectives on parenting and homeschooling methods. As soon-to-be parents of twelve, my husband and I have tried about every different parenting strategy, as well as about fifteen different homeschooling...

The spiritual life is more than a spiritual doctrine, but if it were, it would be about Jesus: "I am the truth!", "in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2,3), and Jesus would be our teacher, "We know that you are...

Hello fellow homeschooler sharing in the task of forming our children. My name is Cecilia (Sam) Fatzinger and I am expecting my twelfth child in Sept. I have homeschooled my children for the past fifteen years and have enjoyed the struggles and the joys of homeschooling....

It is a wonder to me that over time, more and more is expected of children at a younger age. And not just expected, but demanded. Did you know that in my new home state a majority of children start school at age 2? TWO! Formal preschool. Inquisitively, I once...

May, God's gift to the Earth

Christ has risen on Easter Sunday, we have celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, the rains have fallen (sometimes a bit too much for our liking), and May is upon us. Thanks be to God!

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the...

As we come to the close of this year's Lenten season, our hearts and minds come to the pinnacle of Christ's mission, His Death and Resurrection and the Institution of the Church. The special time of Holy Week draws our minds into the great mystery and...

April 7th, 2009

It is time for another of my children to recite “The Road not Taken.” I always look forward to it. They are also asked to memorize another Robert Frost favorite, “Stopping by Woods...

As we approach the end of Lent and enter the "home stretch" toward the finish of another home school year, this seems a good time for a reminder of ways to keep the joy in homeschooling. To that end, an article previously penned by Dr. Popcak...

As we head into the last weeks of Lent, let’s consider three areas that will be in focus as we celebrate the triduum, the Cross, suffering and perseverance.

The Cross
We all have crosses...

God’s call to holiness is universal. Every human person is, by God’s design, created to live a holy life, to become ever more united to Christ. The Eucharist is at the very heart of the life of the Catholic and devotion to the Eucharist is the...

The following is reprinted by permission of the original author from her blog at http://holdontoyourcatholickids.blogspot.com.

Of all the Saints, perhaps it is Little Thérèse who shows us the most perfect example of what it means to depend entirely on God, to...

Father John Bartunek, LC, was asked the question, "Can you help me better understand what spiritual direction is, and what it is not? What are the key characteristics of good spiritual direction?" His reply follows:

There are three ways to answer this question,...

[The following article from February 6, 2009 is reprinted with permission from the Catholic Culture Project, www.catholicculture.org.]

If we get too busy with “projects”, including the Catholic Culture Project, we’re sure to forget about the role prayer must play in all...

"He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry" (Mt 4,1-2)

This is the title of the Holy Father's Lenten message to all of us this year for Lent (click here to read the entire message). "Through fasting and praying, we...

There is a real difference between “need to be” and “will be.” Yes, that’s an obvious statement for neither the words or the letters are the same. However, I am not referring to syntax, I am referring to boys. I am referring to the two phrases...

Holy Family TORCH of North Georgia

I have one of those wonderful, big, crazy Catholic families that home school (eleven years and counting). We have a tenth-grade girl who has a some health issues (and is the most helpful, sweet, empathetic young lady I can imagine), a seventh-grade boy who has...

What do St. Brigid, St. Blasé, St. Paul Miki, St. Bernadette, St. Polycarp and St. Cassian all have in common other than being declared as saints? Would you like a hint? St. Valentine is a celebrated saint during this time. The answer is...

"Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho! Joshua fought the battle of Jericho! And the walls came tumbling down!"

I can still see the scene in my mind's eye: the cafeteria of St. Mary's...

Jeanette Cohn and her husband, Bob are Associate National Directors for TORCH. A mother to seven homeschooled children, Jeanette and her family reside in Severna Park, MD.

"God is God, and I am not."

I love writing and singing. It has been a passion of mine...

As we move through Advent towards Christmas, consider if you were a Magi, what gift would you bring? For the last few weeks leading up toward the Advent season we heard about talents, outspoken witnesses of Christ and some doubting apostles. The parable is told of the...

(The following from In Conversation With God provides insights for reflection during both the Advent and Christmas seasons - Ed.)

Through the tender mercy of our God, when the day shall dawn upon us from on high to give light to those who...

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His Mercy endures forever.

I conclude my confession to Christ, after offering contrition through a priest, and I hear these words. As we approach the national Thanksgiving holiday I am compelled to offer...

When Pope Benedict XVI announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul in 2007, he said the Church needs modern Christians who will imitate the apostle's missionary energy and spirit of sacrifice. This jubilee year began on June 28, 2008, marking the approximately 2,000th anniversary...

On All Saints Day, November 1, we will hear the beatitudes once again (Mt5:1-12). On this high feast day we celebrate all the countless souls who have returned to God and who the Church declares as saints. In doing so, we re-establish why we, who are bound to earth, hold...

As I reflect back on elections past, it is amazing to re-discover what we thought about the candidates, the platforms and perhaps the party line on that candidate. Speaking with my Dad recently, he laughed at how his own father downplayed FDR and all that he stood for, until...

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.

Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden...

When Pope Benedict XVI announced a special jubilee year dedicated to St. Paul in 2007, he said the Church needs modern Christians who will imitate the apostle's missionary energy and spirit of sacrifice. This jubilee year began on June 28, 2008, marking the approximately 2,000th...

Dear TORCH Families,

Welcome, or welcome back...

As you can see, the website is back, and with a new look. It is a privilege to welcome all of you, both new members, and those who have looked forward to the return of the website, steadfast in generosity and hope. We...

While most of the content posted to the TORCH web site will consist of new articles, reflections and other materials, periodically we will re-publish a previous article from the former TORCH website. "Dad's Corner" for the month of November is one such article.