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Michigan Catholic Home-Educators, or MCH, was formed in the summer of 1994 by a handful of Catholic home schooling parents who initially met at a home in Ortonville, Michigan. These parents had been urged by individuals such as Dr. Mary Kay Clark, director of Seton Home Study Program in Virginia, and Rev. John Hardon, S.J., to unite with other parents in order to address the specific needs and interests of Catholic home educating families. The late Fr. Hardon was a well-known Jesuit theologian and author who had been one of the foremost proponents of Catholic home education in the United States.
After much discussion, thought, and prayer, the Ortonville group decided to form a state-wide Catholic home education group which would emphasize loyalty to the Holy Father and the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Rather than supplant the individual local support groups, the new organization would serve as a communications network for the entire state in order to help people find other Catholic home schooling families and support groups in their area. It would also be a channel for Catholic home schooling information and resources. In addition, because some Christian (Protestant) support groups were requiring Catholics to sign a statement of faith contrary to Catholic beliefs, it was felt that the formation of a totally Catholic association was extremely important.
In keeping with the emphasis on the family, the Holy Family was chosen as the patron for Michigan Catholic Home-Educators.
Michigan Catholic Home-Educators, which was incorporated with tax exempt status in 1995, is operated by home schooling parents all volunteers. There are no paid positions.
One of the first projects of MCH was to start a quarterly newsletter called Opus Gloriae, which is Latin for "Work of Glory", referring to the work of home educating our children÷our work of glory for God. The purpose of the newsletter is to encourage and support our members and to inform them of the latest news affecting Catholic homes schooling families, including current legislation. We also strive to publicize new Catholic curricula and resources, Catholic events, support groups, shrines, camps, etc. in Michigan.
In addition, MCH has represented the interests of Catholic home schooling families in meetings with the Michigan State Department of Education. MCH also networks with home schooling leaders and organizations across the country.
Michigan Catholic Home-Educators is committed to encouraging the use of Catholic curriculums and the formation of local Catholic support groups. We keep a list of Catholic support groups in Michigan on file to help families find each other.
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