10 Year Anniversary | Homeschool Kickoff
On August 24, 2024, all homeschooling families are invited to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s tenth Annual Homeschool Kickoff. The event always takes place on a Saturday at the end of August, when homeschooling families are preparing for the new academic year. With this timing, it can help families both prepare for and celebrate what is to come. The day’s schedule includes the Masses and confessions normally available at the Shrine, talks on subjects relevant to homeschooling families, and, of course, a picnic and games outside.
This Year’s Homeschool Kickoff Speakers:
Keynote Speaker: Homesteading with Q&A
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. John Cuddeback, chairman of the philosophy department at Christendom College, who speaks from the experience of having homeschooled his own six children. Dr. Cuddeback will be participating remotely, with two pre-recorded talks on “Spiritually Motivated Homesteading” and a livestream Q&A session.
Local Priest: Father Daniel Sedlacek
The other featured speaker is Fr. Daniel Sedlacek, brother of Shrine videographer Benjamin Sedlacek. Fr. Sedlacek’s talk is titled “Farm to Altar: a Vocation Story.” Every vocation story, in some ways, begins in the home; as the Catechism says, “A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one’s life” (CCC §2225).
Outdoor Picnic
Besides formation and spiritual enrichment, families are invited to get to know each other and enjoy a good time, especially during the outdoor picnic lunch and games. During lunch, too, the Troops of St. George will hold their annual fundraiser of grilled food and baked goods. To help the Troops calculate how much food to prepare, families who plan to purchase from the fundraiser are asked to send pre-orders to Captain Bill Coppernoll at coppernollww@yahoo.com.
Fostering Community
For ten years, Catholic families have gathered from not only the area near the Shrine, but distant towns and even other states, to participate in the Homeschool Kickoff. Our Lady’s Shrine is truly blessed to witness the example of these families and support them in their journey of home education. The Christian family “assumes singular importance in the Church” (Catechism §2204), and, therefore, also in the mission of Our Lady’s Shrine.
