Online High School Theology Course: Catholic Spiritual Writers

Update: This live course has concluded and is now available as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Although we are scheduling spring courses there are still two fall class still open. One is Catholic Spiritual Writers and it starts November 5, 2009. Dr. Gotcher's classes are terrific for high school students as they are not only academically challenging but also spiritually uplifting. This course is a terrific opportunity for you to give your high school student credit for literature and theology as well help him or her grow in love with all things Catholic.

Course Title:
Catholic Spiritual Writers
(click on the hyperlink to register)

Course Description:
In this course we will look at the basic principles of Catholic spirituality as they are explained by some of the great spiritual writers, such as St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, Thomas a Kempis, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis de Sales, and St. Therese of Lisieux. We will especially emphasize their application to the life of the young laity.

Homework
The assignment will be to pick one of the great spiritual classics, read the entire book over the six weeks of the course, and keep a journal of reflections as you read.

Fee:
Six-week course for $120.

Dates and Time:
Classes will begin Wednesday, November 4, 2009 and meet every Wednesday through December 16, 2009. The time will begin 8:00 PM Eastern (7:00 Central). The class is one hour 15 minutes.

Enrollment Period:
Enrollment is currently open and will close when the class is filled. (Maximum 15 students.)

Course Materials Needed by Students:
The text will be The Classics of Catholic Spirituality by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P. (editor of the English language edition of Magnificat magazine). It is very inexpensive ($7). The rest of the texts from the great spiritual writers are available free online.

Equipment requirements:
Because this is a discussion course, students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with a microphone. If you do not own a headset, you can find them for a reasonable price at Amazon.

Course Access:
All Homeschool Connections courses are recorded and available to registered students for up to six months.

Professor's Biography:
Dr. Robert F. Gotcher most recently served as Associate Professor of Systematic Studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the home schooling of his children, especially in the junior high and high school years. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts.

Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1991 and his Ph.D. from Marquette University in 2002. In his adult life he has done everything from volunteering with the poor in Appalachia, to religious education and youth ministry, to desktop publishing and computer related responsibilities at a law firm. At the seminary he taught introduction to theology, the doctrine of God, one and three, theological anthropology (creation, sin, redemption, grace, four last things), life principles, and human sexuality and has given public presentations on Vatican II, the encyclicals of the pope, social justice, life issues, human sexuality and the theology of the body. His publications focus on family issues, lay spirituality and issues related to the Second Vatican Council. He is involved in the secular Franciscan order, home schooling, and pro-life activities in the Milwaukee area and nationally.

Dr. Gotcher blogs at Heart, Mind & Strength, Classic Catholic and Love2Learn.

Click here to learn about other homeschool online classes.

High School Government Online Class

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more:Adult and High School Catholic Online Classes

We're getting most of our spring classes scheduled this week. First up is our introductory government course. We're offering that again due to its popularity:

Course Description:
American government has been called the most radical experiment in self-governing in human history based on its unique system of democracy and citizen involvement. Learn how the fundamental elements of American government are supposed to work, how they actually work, and the role and responsibility each citizen has in our government and our future."

Instructor's Biography:
Ed Rivet has a B.S. in Pre-Law and Public Policy and a Master's in Public Administration both from Michigan State University. He served three years as a legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives. For 21 years Ed has served as the Right to Life of Michigan's Legislative Director. He has written and helped enact dozens of laws, including the nation's first complete ban on human cloning, and banning assisted suicide in the face of the assault on human life by Jack Kevorkian and Geoffrey Fieger. Ed was the director of the state of Michigan's largest all-volunteer citizen petition drive which also was the state's most accurate petition drive ever, 97.3% valid signatures. Ed has done countless media interviews, appearing in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, plus live interviews on CNN and Good Morning America.

Price: $135

Dates and Time:
This is a nine-week course. Classes will begin Friday, February 12, 2010 and meet every Friday through April 16, 2010 (No class on Good Friday). The time will begin 12:00 PM Eastern Time and end at 1:15 PM.

Enrollment Period:
Enrollment is currently open and will close on February 7, 2010. This will provide students time to learn about the educational software Moodle (free) and the instructor time to provide a syllabus and welcome letter.

Misc. Details:
All coursework will be provided by the instructor or available online for free. Homework and research projects will be given and graded. (Though Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.) Mr. Rivet will be available via email in between classes to answer questions and take comments.

Equipment requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone is recommended. If you do not own a headset, you can find them for a reasonable price at Amazon. A web cam is NOT required.

Comments from Mr. Rivet's Past Students:

"The class was fantastic! I really enjoyed it!"

"Thanks for teaching this class ... I really enjoyed it and I felt like it gave me a better understanding of my government."

"I loved this class!"

"NICE JOB!!!!! I really enjoyed the class and I am thankful I did it. The course gave me a basic yet essential understanding of how our government works that I never had before. Thanks a bunch!"

To register, go to: Democracy, Government, and Citizenship. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Register button and then follow the instructions. We take Visa and Master Card. If you prefer to pay by check, please don't hesitate to email me.

I'll post the rest of the courses here on the blog over the next week as we get them together. Or you can check in at the Homeschool Connections website to see what's being scheduled.

Francican University Steubenville

Addendum: The live webinar with FUS went fantastic. You may watch the recording at Meet Franciscan University.

Catholic College Month is under way. The webinar on how to pay for college without breaking your bank account went great! It's never too early to start planning! If you'd like to view the recording just click on How to Pay for College.

Next up for Catholic College Month is Meet and Greet Franciscan University of Steubenville. This is a terrific opportunity to meet firsthand (electronically at least) FUS's key admissions officials:

Franciscan University of Steubenville Catholic? Absolutely! Typical? Not Even Close!

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Time: 3:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Duration: 1 hour
Presenters: Margaret Weber and Joel Recznik

Description: A Catholic liberal arts school, Franciscan University of Steubenville integrates strong academic programs and a lively faith environment, educating and forming men and women of hope to be a transforming presence in the Church and the world. This attractive combination draws over 2,400 students from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. Students choose from over 40 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs, and a popular study abroad program in Austria. Faith households -- small groups of male or female students -- provide positive peer support, while confession, daily Mass, eucharistic adoration, and Festivals of Praise encourage students to pursue ongoing personal conversion in the power of the Holy Spirit. A Great Books Honors Program, NCAA Division III and intramural sports, Works of Mercy and Missions of Peace, and a Human Life Studies Minor are among the many additional opportunities found at Franciscan. Franciscan University is Academically Challenging and Passionately Catholic.

Presenters Biographies: Mrs. Margaret Weber has served Franciscan University of Steubenville in the Admissions Department for over 26 years. The last 18 years she has been the Director of Admissions. Margaret and her husband Gregory have two sons who are graduates of Franciscan University a daughter who is currently a junior.

Mr. Joel Recznik has served Franciscan University of Steubenville for 23 years, and the last 8 have been as VP for Enrollment. Joel and his wife Joan have 12 children and their three oldest are currently attending Franciscan University.

Seating for this event is limited so enroll soon!

Catholic College Month Update

We've scheduled a few more colleges and universities for Catholic College Month. This event is open to all families interested in Catholic higher education. It is also a tremendous opportunity to meet first hand (electronically, at least) with key admissions officials at some of the great Catholic universities and colleges in the country, and it's FREE!

Here is the schedule thus far:

• How to Pay for College Without Breaking the Bank October 5 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
  
• Meet Franciscan University on October 21 @ 3 p.m. ET
• Meet Wyoming Catholic College on October 28 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
• Ave Maria University on October 29 @ 8:00 p.m. ET
  
• Meet Christendom College on November 5 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
• Meet University of St. Thomas (Houston, TX) on November 10 @ 8:30 p.m. ET
• University of Dallas on November 9 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
  

Moral Theology: Online High School Course:

Update: This live course has concluded and is now available as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Theology 101: Christian Anthropology is going along splendidly. I can't believe how much I've learned alongside the students. Miss Ashour is a wonderful teacher. Christian Anthropology finishes up tomorrow and the next course in the Theology 101 series will begin October 13, 2009 -- Moral Theology. The third and final course in the series, Social Ethics, will begin in January. These courses can be taken independently of one another or together. All are recorded and will be made available to view on your own time in the upcoming months.

If you would like to enroll in Moral Theology here is all of the information:
Instructor's Biography
Having had 20 years of experience in the classroom, 3 years of experience working at St. Mary's Catholic Church at Texas A&M University as one of the Campus Ministers, and Master Degrees in Humanities and Theological Studies from the University of Dallas, Monica Ashour comes to us with a breadth and depth of vision that will solidify and electrify high school students. Orthodox, passionate, and pedogogically adept, Miss Ashour reaches youth especially in the areas of Christian Anthropology, Moral Theology, and Social Ethics. Her former students come to her often with gratitude in preparing them for the various experiences that they faced in college. Here is a direct quotation from one of her former students who was a junior at the time of writing:

Miss Ashour, I wanted to thank you for preparing me in class for Shakespeare in Italy. I got so much more out of Rome because of my education (you!) prepared me for the wealth of culture and religion it offers. All I have learned in your class about Catholicism and truth made The Vatican and the major basilicas come alive for me.
--Mary M.

Course Description
Every human person is called to the perfection of charity (cf. LG #40). This vocation has been revealed through Jesus Christ and can be accomplished only in and with Jesus Christ, whose Paschal Mystery is made present in the Church’s liturgy—the “great work in which God is perfectly glorified and men are sanctified” (SC #7). To further man’s sanctification, the Second Vatican Council has asked that “. . . special care should be given to the perfecting of moral theology. Its scientific presentation should draw more fully on the teaching of Holy Scripture and should throw light upon the exalted vocation of the faithful in Christ and their obligation to bring forth fruit in charity for the life of the world” (OT #16).

Therefore, this course will attempt to focus upon the moral life, first of all, within the context of man’s vocation in Christ, the model of holiness, who took the form of a slave, emptied himself, and learned obedience through suffering; secondly, within the context of man’s natural endowments, his capacity for virtue; and finally, within the context of charity as the form of the virtues and the goal of all man’s strivings since “God is love” (1Jn 4:8).

Week-By-Week Outline:
Week 1:
Quick review of Christian Anthropology: Man made in God’s image and likeness (the 4-fold communion before the Fall: Trinitarian Theology (our goal: we are made for union and communion with God); Christian Anthropology based on Pope John Paul’s Theology of the Body, “the most suitable education about man;” freedom; Natural Law, secularist relativism; redemption and the Mass; grace and justification—Catholic and Protestant perspectives; drawn from and geared toward the Gift of Self of Jesus at Calvary participated in at Mass; the source of Revelation—Jesus, entrusted to us in Scripture & Tradition as guided by the Magisterium; infallibility; objective Truth and subjective experience; the danger of sentimentality; C.S. Lewis’ “Man and Rabbit” and “Weight of Glory” (Morality is not the essence of Christianity; abundant life in Christ is)

Week 2:
3 fonts of the moral act; “the acting person” (Pope John Paul), Mortal sin and venial sin; the radical and moderate Fundamental Option Theory related to the Protestant “once saved, always saved; Veritatis Splendor (Pope John Paul); salvation and sanctity; purgatory; indulgences; conscience—defined, formation of, and the 4 scenarios

Week 3:
Nominalism and William of Ockham’s influence on Moral Theology, leading to relativism ( which is what Pope Benedict says is the worst evil of today);the split of the Medieval Synthesis of faith and reason; Pope Benedict’s Regensburg address; proportionalism (from Veritatis Splendor and as commented on by Dr. Janet Smith); proportionalism’s wrong application to moral acts: contraception, abortion, euthanasia, pornography, and other intrinsically evil acts.

Week 4:
Virtue and vice; emotions’ proper role; Marriage and sexuality: The beauty behind the Church’s teaching regarding marriage and family life, related back to our telos, our goal of union and communion with Christ, the Bridegroom and His Bride, the Church who takes us to the Perichoresis, the inner exchange of life and love of the Blessed Trinity. Eschatology.

Goal:
Each student, challenged and emboldened to think deeply, will receive skills to meet the challenges of living “in the world but not of the world.”

Fee:
The regular price is $60.

Dates and Time:
This is a four-week course. Classes will begin Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and meet every Tuesday through November 3, 2009. The classes will begin 1:00 PM Eastern Time (noon Central) and are one hour long.

Enrollment Period:
Enrollment is currently open.

Misc. Details:
Miss Ashour will be available via email in between classes to answer questions and take comments. Recordings of the classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.

Equipment Requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet. A headset with microphone is required. You can find them reasonably price at Amazon. To check your connection with the online classes visit: http://www.webex.com/lp/jointest/.

Next in the series: Social Ethics

Catholic College Month: Your Chance to Give Us Your Input

I need your input. Remember a few days ago I mentioned Catholic College Month? Well, the response has been terrific. I've been notified by a large number of good Catholic colleges and universities over the past few days who would like to participate.

Here's how you can help: I need to know what topics and what colleges you want to hear about. Please take a couple of minutes to complete this survey: Catholic College Webinars. There are only four questions to complete, but I can't tell you how much that would help everyone involved in this ever growing project. Please tell all your friends!

Thank you!

Online Courses: Late Fall 2009 Enrollment

We are offering Fall 2009 courses that do not begin until October or November so that you may ease in the school year. These are all 4 to 6 week courses. Click on the links below to learn more or to register:

Oct. 6 to Oct. 27 - Literature: The Canterbury Tales
Oct. 13 to Nov. 3 - Moral Theology
Nov. 3 to Nov. 24 - Literature: King Arthur
Nov. 4 to Dec. 16 - Catholic Spiritual Writers

Update: These live courses have all concluded and all are now available as recorded courses through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Catholic College Month

October is Catholic College Month at Homeschool Connections. We are in the midst of scheduling a number of free webinars on the topic of preparing for our children's college years.

On the calendar so far:

How to Pay for College Without Going Broke
http://tinyurl.com/affordcollege
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, 8:30 PM Eastern
Presented by: Katherine O'Brien of Celtic College Consultants
http://www.celticcollegeconsultants.com/

Franciscan University of Steubenville Catholic? Absolutely! Typical? Not Even Close!
http://tinyurl.com/meetfus
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, 3:00 PM Eastern
Presented by: Margaret Weber and Joel Recznik
http://franciscan.edu/

Wyoming Catholic College: Blazing New Trails in Catholic Higher Education
http://tinyurl.com/meetwyoming
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:30 Eastern
Presented by: Mario Coccia
http://www.wyomingcatholiccollege.com/

Praise for Online Course

It is so delightful when I get emails like this one:

I've been meaning to email you since Friday. I was SO impressed with the government class and the absolutely awesome technology that allowed my teens to participate in a Catholic high school from their living rooms! It was WAY cool! They are both really looking forward to their next class tomorrow night. I can't thank you enough for setting this up and all the work you do to make it happen. It is really awesome.

If you would like to learn about our online courses for Catholic homeschool students, please visit the Homeschool Connections website.

Fall 2009 Online Classes Still Available

This has been an exciting week with the start of school. I've had the privilege to sit in on some awesome online classes such as philosophy, economics, theology, government, and literature.

The great news is that there are still a few fall courses that will not begin until later in the semester.


Sept. 15 to Oct. 20 - Tolkien & Fairy Stories
Sept. 16 to Oct. 21 - The Mass Explained
Sept. 18 to Oct. 23 - Science: Physiology of Blood

Oct. 6 to Oct. 27 - Literature: The Canterbury Tales
Oct. 13 to Nov. 3 - Moral Theology
Nov. 3 to Nov. 24 - Literature: King Arthur
Nov. 4 to Dec. 16 - Catholic Spiritual Writers

Update: These live courses have all concluded and all are now available as recorded courses through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Online Class: Tolkien & Fairy Stories

Update: This live course has concluded and is now available as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Course Title:
Literature: Tolkien & Fairy Stories
(click on the hyperlink to register)

Course Description:
In this course we will discuss in seminar (discussion) format five short stories by J.R.R. Tolkien in light of his essay called “On Fairy Stories.” The stories are “Smith of Wooton Major,” “Farmer Giles of Ham,” “Leaf by Niggle,” “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil,” and “Roverandom.” All five stories and the essay are available in one volume, called Tales from the Perilous Realm by J. R. R. Tolkien. The assignment will be to write your own fantasy story by the end of the six weeks. High school.

It is preferred that students have read Lord of the Rings before coming to this course, but not required.

Fee:
Six-week course for $120.

Dates and Time:
Classes will begin Tuesday, September 15, 2009 and meet every Tuesday through October 20, 2009. The time will begin 8:00 PM Eastern (7:00 Central). The class is one hour 15 minutes.

Enrollment Period:
Enrollment is currently open and will close when the class is filled. (Maximum 15 students.)

Course Materials Needed by Students:
Tales from the Perilous Realm by J. R. R. Tolkien

Equipment requirements:
Because this is a discussion course, students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with a microphone. If you do not own a headset, you can find them for a reasonable price at Amazon.

Course Access:
All Homeschool Connections courses are recorded and available to registered students for up to six months.


Professor's Biography:
Dr. Robert F. Gotcher most recently served as Associate Professor of Systematic Studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the home schooling of his children, especially in the junior high and high school years. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts.

Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1991 and his Ph.D. from Marquette University in 2002. In his adult life he has done everything from volunteering with the poor in Appalachia, to religious education and youth ministry, to desktop publishing and computer related responsibilities at a law firm. At the seminary he taught introduction to theology, the doctrine of God, one and three, theological anthropology (creation, sin, redemption, grace, four last things), life principles, and human sexuality and has given public presentations on Vatican II, the encyclicals of the pope, social justice, life issues, human sexuality and the theology of the body. His publications focus on family issues, lay spirituality and issues related to the Second Vatican Council. He is involved in the secular Franciscan order, home schooling, and pro-life activities in the Milwaukee area and nationally.

Dr. Gotcher blogs at Heart, Mind & Strength, Classic Catholic and Love2Learn.

Click here to learn about other homeschool online classes.

The Mass Explained for Teenagers

Update: This live course has concluded and is now available as a recorded course through our Subscription Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows.To subscribe or learn more: Online Catholic Courses

Dr. Robert Gotcher will be teaching a 6-week online class for high school students on the beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is an awesome opportunity for Catholic students, whether they attend public school, private school or home school, to learn directly from a college theology professor who also has a deep love for the Church.

Course Description:
n order to participate fully in the Mass, we need to understand it better. The Bible provides many images and ideas that are the basis for the structure and prayers of the Mass. This course looks at these Biblical ideas and explains how they are realized and fulfilled in the celebration of the Mass. Some of the images include the Trinity; temple, priest and sacrifice; the Passover and the Exodus; and the bridegroom/bride. In this course we will look closely at the prayers and structure of the Mass in light of these images and ideas. This course will not require written assignments. It will involve reading from the Bible. High school.

Fee: $90

Registration:
Go to Theology: The Mass Explained. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Register button and then follow the instructions. We take Visa and Master Card. If you prefer to pay by check, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Maureen Wittmann.

Course Materials Needed by Students:
A Catholic Bible and missal.

Dates and Time:
This is a six-week course. Classes will begin Wednesday, September 16, 2009 and meet every Wednesday through October 21, 2009. The time will begin 8:00 PM Eastern Time (7:00 Central) and last one hour.

Enrollment Period:
Enrollment is currently open and will close on September 15, 2009.

Homework:
There is no graded homework for The Mass Explained.

Misc. Details:
Dr. Gotcher will be available via email in between classes to answer questions and take comments.

Recordings of the classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.

Equipment Requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet. A headset with microphone is required. You can find them reasonably price at Amazon. To check your connection with the online classes visit: http://www.webex.com/lp/jointest/.

Professor's Biography:
Dr. Robert F. Gotcher most recently served as Associate Professor of Systematic Studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the home schooling of his children, especially in the junior high and high school years. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts.

Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1991 and his Ph.D. from Marquette University in 2002. In his adult life he has done everything from volunteering with the poor in Appalachia, to religious education and youth ministry, to desktop publishing and computer related responsibilities at a law firm. At the seminary he taught introduction to theology, the doctrine of God, one and three, theological anthropology (creation, sin, redemption, grace, four last things), life principles, and human sexuality and has given public presentations on Vatican II, the encyclicals of the pope, social justice, life issues, human sexuality and the theology of the body. His publications focus on family issues, lay spirituality and issues related to the Second Vatican Council. He is involved in the secular Franciscan order, home schooling, and pro-life activities in the Milwaukee area and nationally.

Other Courses Taught by Dr. Gotcher:
Literature: Tolkien & Fairy Stories
Theology: Catholic Spiritual Writers

Preparing Future Voters, Part Two

In yesterday's post, Maria Rioux mentioned the importance of teaching economics in preparing our children to be leaders in this country. Another important course along this vein is Political Science: Democracy, Government, & Citizenship.

Note that as of today there are only 5 seats left for this course.

American government has been called the most radical experiment in self-governing in human history based on its unique system of democracy and citizen involvement. Learn how the fundamental elements of American government are supposed to work, how they actually work, and the role and responsibility each citizen has in our government and our future.

Preparing Future Voters

From Maria Rioux, homeschool mom:

I want to make sure you all know about a terrific opportunity to study the principles of economics in light of Catholic social teaching. Our friend, Dr. David Harris, is teaching an online class, aimed at high school students but open to others, on the subject. David is a committed Catholic, and somewhat unique among economists in that he includes a study/discussion/application of Catholic Social teaching in his class. Given all the policy changes/economic troubles our country is facing, this would be a great way to prepare those future voters to make prudent and faithful choices ... and back them up with a solid grasp of the principles one ought to use when considering these things.

To help you decide whether this class would be a good fit for you and whether you like David as much as we do :), you might want to view the recorded webinar: Meet and Greet the Economics Professor.

Here's a brief description of the class:

Economics with Catholic Principles
This course is intended to introduce students to fundamental concepts of economics. We will develop the use of economic reasoning to answer basic economic questions in a rational manner. It also aims to provide a thorough understanding of many economic concepts, including marginal analysis, demand and supply, and market equilibrium analysis. The class is intended to assist students in using critical thinking to solve problems. A series of applications will often accompany the course material. In addition, the class will include a brief review of Catholic Social Teaching and its role within the economic realm.

Homeschooling with Real Books

Here are links to free webinars from our series: For the Love of Literature:

Bringing Joy to Your Homeschool Science and Math Lessons
Bringing an Appreciation of Art and Music to Your Homeschool
How to Teach History with Real Books

These webinars are loaded with lots of book ideas & practical advice for implementing living books into your classroom.

As with all Homeschool Connections recorded webinars, make sure to click on the video and chat icons in the top right corner after the recording starts to get the full effect.

Homeschool Planning and Organization

Do you have all your ducks in a row?

The first day of school is just around the corner. Are you scrambling to get your curriculum plan together? Have you been putting off getting the classroom organized? Are you still wondering what you're going to do for high school science? Well, we're here to help. To find high school online classes, click here.

And here are links to free webinars on homeschool planning and organization:
Prayerfully Reflecting on Last Year
Prayerfully Planning for Next Year
Choosing Worthwhile Homeschool Materials
Time Management for Moms 101
Homeschool Organization 102
Organizing Your Classroom 101

Free Webinar: Paying for College Without Breaking the Bank

Addendum:
The live webinar was fantastic. Katherine shared a lot of practical advice for us. You can watch the recording at: Pay for College Without Breaking the Bank. Make sure to bring along pen and paper so you can take lots of notes.

Whether your children are little or in high school, this is an important webinar to attend. If you can't make it, don't worry as all Homeschool Connections webinars are recorded and you can watch at a later date. I'll post the link here as soon as it's filed.

However, if you can make to the live event it's ever so much better as you can interact with the speaker and get your questions answered.

Paying for College Without Breaking the Bank

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
Time: 8:30 Eastern (7:30 Central)
Length: 90 minutes

Description:
This webinar will teach you how to document your child's achievements so colleges will recognize them. Additionally, it will cover admissions and college selection. Financial aid basics will be explained next, including the kinds and sources of aid, as well as the forms involved. Funding strategies will also be introduced.

If you want your child to go to a Newman Guide college, you need a funding plan. If you don't know what the Newman Guide is, come and learn how to find authentically Catholic colleges.

Presenter:
Katherine O'Brien
Katherine is an eleven-year homeschool veteran with six children. She earned her BS Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and an MA Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

She founded Celtic College Consultants in 2004 and has been helping students and their families make their college dreams come true without breaking their banks.

Katherine holds the Certified College Planning Specialist designation from the NICCP. NICCP advisers are professionals with extensive training and continuing education in college financial planning. She also belongs to the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling. She has expertise both in admissions and college funding.

Catholic Homeschool Mom Bible Study

Register for Meet & Greet Webinar

Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms

Is it a challenge for you to make it to your local Bible study or prayer group? Attend a mother’s study group in the comfort of your home! Join other homeschooling mothers for an online interactive webinar twice a month as we prayerfully reflect on and discuss a book selection designed to inspire us and challenge us in our vocations. Emily Crawford and Jenny Bales will be co-leading this exciting new group!

This fall’s selection is Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage by Kimberly Hahn. This is the first in her series of Bible studies based on Proverbs 31. This particular book focuses specifically on verses 10-12. Her audio series on Proverbs 31, More Precious Than Jewels: How to Be a Godly Wife and Mother, has been extremely popular among Catholic and all Christian mothers for well over a decade! Our discussions on this book will be united by our common vocation as homeschooling mothers. In our busy days as mothers and teachers of our children, sometimes our husbands can be overlooked or unappreciated. It is our hope that this study group will inspire each of us to place a new priority on our marriage, giving our children one of the most valuable lessons we can, as we witness the beauty of a holy marriage.

Every other Thursday evening, September 3 through November 12, we will gather in prayer to discuss two chapters of the book, which mothers are asked to read before each meeting. The discussion questions at the back of the book will provide structure for our conversations. Mothers are asked to participate both in the online chat and audio components of the technology, so it is requested that each mother have a headset with microphone. A donation of $10.00 to a Scholarship Fund sponsored by Homeschool Connections will ensure committed participation by the mothers throughout the sessions. (This donation will be donated to a scholarship fund that will benefit Catholic homeschool students attending Catholic universities. Due to services rendered this is not tax deductible.)

You can sign up below for the study group now and/or sign up to attend a free informational Meet & Greet Webinar on Thursday, August 20 at 8:30PM ET to learn more about the technology and the group. Please contact Emily and Jenny at heartofacatholicmom@gmail.com with any questions.

Register for Meet & Greet Webinar

Register for Bible Study for Homeschool Moms

Free NASA Goodies for Homeschooled Kids

Last week Domenico Ruggiero gave an awesome webinar on his work at NASA. It was a wonderful learning experience for my family. The great news is that the webinar was recorded and you can watch it yourself at: One Small Step for Parents, One Giant Leap for Homeschool Kids: Insights from a NASA Engineer.

If you have a child with the least bit interest in aerospace, astronomy or engineering, you absolutely should not miss this one.

PLUS, Domenico arranged with NASA to give away all kinds of neat NASA goodies -- posters, decals, rulers, and more. To receive these giveaways drop Domenico an email. He'll email back a form so you can choose what you would like to receive. But don't wait! The deadline is August 19, 2009.

Thank you Emmanuel Books!

Homeschool Connections is able to bring free webinars to Catholic and homeschooling parents thanks to our sponsors. They help us pay the bills so we can bring quality information where it is needed. We are most grateful for that, especially considering the economic hardships that so many are experiencing at this time.

One of our sponsors is Emmanuel Books. If you are not familiar with this company, then you really should check out their Catholic homeschooling catalog online. I've been ordering educational materials from them for over a decade. Not only do they offer great products but have wonderful customer service. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to partner with Emmanuel Books.

The next time you place an order with Emmanuel, please let them know how much you appreciate their sponsorship so that we may continue to bring free webinars to you.