Catholic School - Getting the Referral Letter from the Priest

[MrsOCD]

Our Catholic primary school is very popular and over-subscribed more and more every year. We tick most boxes - both catholic, DD baptised and we do try and go to mass most Sundays. However, I've heard from others that it is getting more and more difficult to get that letter signed from the priests to say you are marvellous practicing catholics (!) and your child deserves a place.

I see some Mums pushing themselves forward with their offspring every Sun, grinning manically at the priests and offering to help with everything from flowers to baking for the autumn fayre. Whilst I'm not against a bit of cake-making, it makes me cringe! Surely the priests can see what the Mums are up to?!

Anyone else in a similar position or are you one of the mums who cooks the priests dinner to get on his good side?!

if you are regular church goers then surely the priest should know you without you having to kiss his feet for the letter?

Well, sort of regular. We do go away a lot of weekends. Visiting relatives or sick M-in-L rather than jollies to Romantic Cities! It is a packed mass we go to so maybe just ought to start saying hello rather than offering the cardigan off my back!

lol - was in chuirch last sunday as dc are cibs and had church parade and was lol @ mum just as you describe - in the fornt row, had don e all the flowers etc and interjecting at every possible moment, send ing her dd around with the collection and gettignt he dd to collect in the hymn books. The dd was about 3

MrsGofG, my DH and I have a snigger every Sunday. Two Mums in particular have to get the front seat, I think they must camp out on Sat nights. One thanks the choir after every mass, and asks the priest back for Sunday lunch (strangely, he always seems busy) and the other pushes her kids to the priest to say a BIG thank you for the lovely mass. Cringey.

you don't have to suck up to the priest you just have to go to mass on Sunday.

And yes, the priest has seen it all before and knows exactly why people invite him to dinner and do all the flowers. he's not stupid.

Please move here! Our fantastic local catholic schoo; struggles to keep the numbers up, despite all our good catholic reproductive ways.

If it's anything like our church, the nuns know exactly who is there. They have eyes in the back of their heads and memories like elephants. They're certainly not fooled by any sudden interest when the school year approaches.

Actually, I have got involved more because of dd although I was a regular attendee before and I really enjoy all the extra things. My brother and I do the teas and coffees after mass on Sundays and I now know lots of people in my area that I wouldn't have known otherwise. We're not arse lickers but it is nice to get to know the priests etc.

If you are concerned, phone the parish office and explain and see what they say: explain you have family commitments but have been taken aback at some behaviour... They'll probably laugh at it all with you and yet they'll remember ou when it comes to form filling..

the priest just needs to recognise you
make sure you are registered in the parish
not a bad idea to do "planned giving" either - where you do a standing order/gift aid certificate etc.. the amount is irrelevant, the point is you are a permanent member of the parish and haven't just turned up. That's what the priest is trying to avoid - signing everyone's forms means that the ones who are regular attendees can't get in.