Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces The Pastoral Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico
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New Mexico Federation of Catholic School Families background

In 1990, the Catholic Bishops of the United States issued a pastoral statement in which they called for the creation of state and diocesan parent organizations to address public policy issues of interest to parents and Catholic schools:

"We call on all citizens to join with us in supporting federal and state legislative efforts to provide financial assistance to all parents which will ensure that they can afford to choose the type of schooling they desire for their children. We support and encourage the formation of diocesan, state and national organizations of CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS."

Federation Formed
The New Mexico Federation of Catholic School Families was formally created in September 1995 by Archbishop Sheehan of Santa Fe, Bishop Ramirez, Diocese of Las Cruces and Bishop Pellotte, Diocese of Gallup. They declared:

"As a matter of conscience and justice, we must lend our voices and our public support to policies and legislation which will allow all our families - including the poor ones - to choose a value-oriented education with religious formation. . . .We are, therefore, pleased to announce the formal creation of the New Mexico Federation of Catholic School Families, to be established under the auspices of our Diocesan Catholic Schools Offices, and our New Mexico Catholic Conference."

Mission of the Federation
To educate and advocate for the enactment of public policy initiatives that would provide direct government assistance or otherwise be of benefit to Catholic School Parents, Students and Faculty.

Purposes of the Federation
In the interests of more than 8,000 students in Catholic schools state-wide, the Federation seeks to provide these services to Catholic school families and staff members:

  • INFORM them about public policies that affect them.
  • MOBILIZE them to communicate with their legislators and other public officials regarding educational rights provided to nonpublic school students by the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court decisions.
  • Enhance the ADVOCACY EFFORTS of the Catholic school community with a visible, well-informed network in the legislative districts across the state.
  • Promote CHOICE and EQUITY in educational opportunities for ALL of New Mexico's children.

Organization

  • The superintendent of each diocese is the catalyst for affiliate activities.
  • The administrator of the local school is the primary channel for information along with...
  • At least one parent and one teacher, appointed annually as the contacts and motivators at and for the local Catholic school.
  • The local parent organizations (PTO, Home and School) are the vehicles through which activities are initiated and carried out.

Membership

  • All Catholic school parents, administrators and teachers are automatically members of the Federation.
  • $1.00 per family from the school's parent organization dues are paid annually to support the Federation lobbyist, attorney Chuck Reynolds.

Activities

  • Annual Training in Albuquerque with the director of the National Catholic Parent Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Local school initiatives to educate Catholic parents about current and relevant legislative issues.
  • School delegations to the State Capitol during the annual New Mexico State Legislative Session (January-February).
  • Lobbyist activities throughout the year in collaboration with the Catholic School superintendents of the dioceses of Santa Fe, Gallup and Las Cruces.
  • Lobbyist activities throughout the year in collaboration with the New Mexico State Department of Education.
  • Lobbyist activities throughout the year with legislators and the state legislative committees regarding the Federation's agenda and bills to be proposed.

Legislative Agenda

  • Bishops and Superintendents of New Mexico and the New Mexico Federation of Catholic School Families SUPPORT...
  • Educational CHOICE for all parents.
  • A pilot VOUCHER program for lower income families, for use at accredited New Mexico schools.
  • A TAX CREDIT that stands the test of constitutionality for parents who send their children to accredited nonpublic schools.
  • TECHNOLOGY ALLOTMENT per child in accredited nonpublic schools equal to that received by students in public schools of New Mexico.
  • FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ALL teachers in both public and nonpublic schools.

Principles for Educational Reform in the United States in Catholic Education
(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

We believe that . . .

  • Parents are the first and foremost educators of their children.
  • Parental rights are inalienable and should not be limited to the economically privileged.
  • There are educational duties and responsibilities vested in civil and religious authority in order to better provide for the common good of all.
  • Parents have the right to choose the kind of education best suited to the needs of their children, and should not be burdened economically for choosing a private or religious school in exercising this right.
  • The state and private agencies, including the Church, should provide, where necessary, economic assistance to access options [in education].
  • Parents are responsible to be involved actively in decisions affecting the education of their children.