Raising Children in a Catholic Culture

PRLog (Press Release) - May 26, 2009 -
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Christine Schicker, 404-6108871 or
cschicker@maximusmg.com

First Annual Sacred H.E.A.R.T. Convention Offers Encouragement and Support to Parents

Orange, NJ, May 26, 2009—Parents are often times worried about who and what influences their children: the media, peer groups, the Internet, popular culture, even school textbooks. At the first annual Sacred H.E.A.R.T. (Homeschooler’s Educational Alliance of Roman Catholics in the Tri-state Area) convention, parents will learn what it means to raise children in a Catholic culture.

The Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist parish in Orange. The convention is designed to assist and edify both veteran and new Catholic homeschoolers in the Tri-state and New England areas, as well as other parents and families seeking guidance and support in raising their children in a Catholic culture. Distinguished speakers will teach parents how to educate their children in the Catholic Faith, how to teach their children morals and values, how to create a Catholic home life, and how to train the next generation of Catholic leaders. Participants will also be able to visit vendor booths, to ask questions of Catholic college representatives, to listen to classical music, and to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Speakers include Damon Owens, founder of God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage program and a frequent guest on EWTN; Steven Greydanus, film critic for the National Catholic Register and founder of DecentFilms.com; Martha Nowik, a homeschooling mother of 10 and a professional church musician; Mary Daly, founder of Ye Hedge School; and Dylan McDonald, founder of The Family Cloister Learning Center. Workshops will cover a range of topics including a presentation by Kate Daneluk, co-founder of Making Music, Praying Twice, an early childhood music program for families to use at home. Other workshops include “Helping Your Child to Write” and “Teaching the Struggling Learner.” There will also be a Questions and Answers panel for pre-teen, junior high and high school students.

Damon Owens will speak on solid marriages as the foundation for raising children who will positively impact the culture. “The common good of marriage as the foundation of a just society is no longer part of the common sense of our culture. The Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention is the perfect place to explore why the family is the source of all culture, why marriage is the source of the family, and how our Catholic faith and identity animates these vocations.”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available and an adoration chapel will be accessible for reflection and prayer. The Angelus will be prayed at noon and an organ recital will be offered by Domecq Smith on the parish’s historic 1879 Hook and Hastings organ. The closing Mass will be celebrated by the Most Reverend John Myers, Archbishop of Newark, with music offerings by the combined St. John the Evangelist parish choirs and the Little Way Homeschool Choir. Refreshments will be available for purchase, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own food and beverages.

Registration is offered at a significant discount if postmarked by June 10, 2009. Free childcare is available for children under the age of ten but only for those who preregister.

For more information or to register, visit www.HeartConvention.org or call 732-388-9719. Early registration fees are as follows: $25 per couple, $20 for a single adult, $5 for children ages 10-18. After June 10, 2009, the prices will be $40 per couple, $30 for a single adult, $5 for children ages 10-18. All priests and religious are free.

For more information about the Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention or to schedule an interview with Damon Owens, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871.