TORCH's Mission
Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes (TORCH) is an association of lay faithful established to promote homeschooling among Catholic families and to support those families who are engaged in providing their children's primary education at home.
"Since parents have conferred life on their children they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it." (Gravissimum Educationis #3)
TORCH has its foundation and as the guiding principle of all its functions and activities, fidelity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly to the Pope, who, as successor to St. Peter, is the universal teacher in matters of faith and morals, and to the diocesan bishop teaching in communion with him.
...Religious submission of will and mind must be shown in a special way to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he is not speaking ex cathedra. That is, it must be shown in such a way that his supreme magisterium is acknowledged with reverence, the judgment made by him are sincerely adhered to, according to his manifest mind and will. (Lumen Gentium #25)
* Gravissimum Educationis and Lumen Gentium are official Catholic Church documents from the Second Vatican Council.
Our TORCH group has provided several activities for our children.
In fall of 2005 some of our activities included:
- English From the Roots Up
- Mom's TEAs
- a field trip to Westville
- an All Saints Day party with games
- a group science class
- a christmas play, Christmas on Greccio
- a Saint Nicholaus party according to authentic German tradition
We are looking forward to more exciting activities in 2006.
- the group science class will continue
- a group spanish class
- a co-op Geography class by the moms
- a reading discussion group
- a Shakespeare discussion group for the older kids
- Stevi B Nights on the first Wednesday of each month - we get .50 for every person that says they are with TORCH
- monthly parties including an Ephiphany party and a Career Day
- monthly mom's TEAs will continue
- a Catholic Little Flowers group to teach girls about the saints and how to live out the virtues
- and much more!
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English From the Roots Up
The moms in our group each purchased this book and worked together to teach two different groups of children the material. One group was for the younger children, and the second group was for the older children. Each week we met to study a set of words each week. It was really interesting and helped to improve everyone's vocabulary. Now that the second volume is available we may do this co-op again in the future.
www.literacyunlimited.com
For children
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Westville
Westville is a recreation of an 1850's town in west Georgia. We visited the town during the yellow fever epidemic this year. We learned quite a lot and enjoyed making old fashioned candles, washing clothes with old fashioned soap, and trying real gingerbread cookies.
www.westville.org
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Mom's TEAs
Each month we set one day aside for all the mom's to get together for a Time of Encouragement and Affirmation. Each TEA is hosted by a different mom at a place of her choosing. She usually serves some kind of appetizer or snack and there is usually a theme or craft. One TEA we learned how to make beaded rosaries, at another one we learned how to make lanterns, and at another one we exchanged christmas cookies so that our families had a variety to enjoy. We also traded Christmas ornaments at the Christmas TEA. Of course this is a time for mom's to get together away from their daily tasks, so childcare has to be found. Usually one of the older kids is available though.
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All Saints Day
The Catholic Church honours the saints, and those who have died in a state of grace, on November 1st. In recognition of the holiday we held our own party. The children dressed like different saints and gave a report about the saint they chose. We also had several games for the kids to play. The favorite game was the cupcake walk with Saint cards. We also popped the sins, threw bean bags at goliath, and more.
Saints
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Science Classes
Group science classes are taught each week by a teacher. It covers everything from Biology to Astronomy. Each of the kids earned a prize for creating model animal and plant cells.
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2005 Christmas Play
All the kids worked really hard at rehearsing for - they did an awesome job too!
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St. Nicholaus in Germany
We had a wonderful St. Ncholaus Party at the local frozen custard restaurant, The Boardwalk. The children brought gifts for the poor, and before they left each one found their own boot full of nuts and candy. The food and custard was delicious! We had fun singing christmas carols while own of the kids played on her guitar. Even the news came out to video tape us!
Nikolaus
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Spanish Classes
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Geography Co-op Classes
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Reading Discussion Group
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Shakespeare Discussion Group
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Stevi B Night's
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Little Flowers
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Check out the links on the left to learn more about the Catholic churches in the middle Geogriga area, Catholic homeschooling programs, and more. Click here for more information on Little Flowers.
Check out our new forum and chatroom. A great place for us to leave each other messages or talk real time! The Shakespeare and Reading Discussion will be here. You must be approved by Carissa in order to join the message board. New forums!
To visit the T.O.R.C.H. International website go to www.catholic-homeschool.com/