Parents as Primary Teachers- August 9, 2026
Brothers and sisters,
We often lament the priesthood crisis, namely that there aren’t enough and are being stretched thin, that there aren’t enough who are trained as administrators, etc. And it is true that we are in a priest crisis. But that spawned from a more primitive cause – the crisis of the family. I don’t mean the crisis of broken homes, necessarily, because I believe that is a symptom more than a cause. The cause I am thinking of is more basic than that: worldwide, we have forgotten the esteemed place of the family.
The home is the first school, and the primary educators are the parents. Schools are supplementary education. We live in a world now where schools have become the primary educators, and in many ways are raising our kids for us. Not to say that parents are doing a poor job, but dependence on the education system can lead to a sort of complacence at home. That is part of the crisis.
Parents don’t have to know everything, of course. “I don’t know” is a perfectly acceptable answer. But reliance on the education system to form our kids carries ramifications. If they are taught that stealing is okay, for example, when they come home they would need the formation given by the parents to expose that error. Conversely, if they are taught the Lord loves them or that 2+2=4, the parents confirm that truth. A huge part of the crisis (though maybe not the biggest) is the amnesia regarding the high place of parenting. It is time to reclaim the dignity of being the primary educators for your children! Trust the school to supplement home formation but remember it’s only a supplement!
School is right around the corner, and I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of, and encourage you in, the high dignity of family life. Especially as it pertains to school life itself. This school year, let’s pray with our children and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your home formation! We don’t need to be anxious about it, because Jesus promised the Spirit will give us the words we need.
You’re doing great, parents! Thank you for your vocation!
God Bless!
Fr. Stoley
