Homeschooling For Catholic Parents

Are we raising children who can recognize good and evil—or simply hoping they'll figure it out?

Fresh from a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Maeve shares a remarkable message from the Blessed Mother that speaks directly to the mission of Catholic parents today.

From Blessed Fulton Sheen's chilling warning about false compassion to the surprising spiritual lessons hiding in our children's favorite books and movies, Maeve and Mat explore what it really means to form a child's conscience in a morally confused world.

Along the way, there's a miraculous fire, a little-known Catholic devotion, some confession comedy, and one unforgettable family story about the spiritual battle we cannot afford to ignore.

Because raising Catholic children isn't just about protecting them from the world. It's about preparing them to face it.

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

How much of the outcome is actually up to us as parents?

After a mother-daughter pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, Maeve came home thinking about that question—especially as children grow, pull away, and begin making choices of their own.

In this episode, Maeve and Mat talk about the changing role of a parent, the temptation to confuse love with control, and some timely wisdom from Blessed Fulton Sheen about what Catholic parents are actually called to do.

Along the way, there’s a surprisingly intense story about St. Maximilian Kolbe’s mother, a very specific prayer for basketball parents, and a reminder for anyone who has ever worried, Am I doing enough?

Because raising faithful children doesn't mean controlling the outcome. Our job is to faithfully do what God has asked of us—and leave room for grace to do what we cannot.

Show Notes: 

Published Oct. 4, 2026

National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — https://championshrine.org/

Tara Bonna’s episode 132

Real Moms of Real Saints by Colleen Pressprich — https://www.elevatortoheaven.com/

Catechism of the Catholic Church §§2222–2223 —

Blessed Fulton Sheen What Mary Teaches Parents who's Children Have left The Faith.

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

 Mat and Maeve discuss pew wars between brothers, the benefits of weekly church attendance, and homeschooling.  Also, who understands the Feast of the Assumption better, a 50-year-old (Mat) or our 15-year-old daughter? 
We also highlight the value of homeschooling and dispel the number one misbelief of homeschooling...How will you socialize them?

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

Does your homeschool ever look like a complete mess from where you’re standing? The kids seem aimless, the routine isn’t quite there, and you start wondering if you’re doing enough—or doing any of it well.

Maeve found herself in exactly that place at the beginning of another school year. But a recent day of surfing reminded her that sometimes things look very different once you stop standing on the shore and paddle out.

In this episode, Maeve and Mat talk about starting before everything feels organized, trusting the small things you’re doing each day, and recognizing the surprising ways God connects the dots in your children’s education—often long before you can see what He’s doing.

If your homeschool feels a little disheveled right now, this one is for you.

Show Notes: 

Published September 20, 2026

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The First Friday Devotion & Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart (taken from Cathedral of the Sacred Heart's Website)

Mary, Our Lady of Grace, brings people to Christ and his Sacred Heart.

The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary
Our Lord Jesus Christ made these twelve promises to those who honor His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French nun, whom he called “the Beloved Disciple of the Sacred Heart” and the Heiress “of all Its treasures”, in the 1670’s. They show us how much he cherishes this devotion.
Considering that the blood that redeemed us at Calvary came from His Sacred Heart and that so much love and light still exude from it, these promises were revealed in one of many private revelations that Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary. Our Lord promised the following:
12 Promises of the Sacred Heart

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will bless every home in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored.
4. I will console them in all their difficulties.
5. I will be their refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.
6. I will shed abundant blessing upon all their undertakings.
7. Sinners shall find in My Heart a fountain and boundless ocean of mercy.
8. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
9. Fervent souls shall rise speedily to great perfection.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the hardest hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart never to be blotted out.
12. I promise you, in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all who communicate on the First Friday of the month for nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My displeasure nor without their last Sacraments: “My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.”

 Robert Frost — A Servant to Servants

Episode 131 — Did Homeschooling Work? Our Daughter''s Honest Exit Interview
Episode 133 —Work on Your Marriage
Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy
Emerson Eggerich's Love and Respect — https://www.loveandrespect.com/product/love-respect-book

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

EPISODE SUMMARY 

Dr. Ray Guarendi has 45 years  helping parents stop second-guessing themselves—and in this conversation, he brings his trademark humor, straight talk, Catholic faith, and experience as the father of ten homeschooled children.

Maeve and Dr. Ray talk about his journey back to the Catholic Church, the heartbreak parents can feel when an adult child walks away from the faith, and why even doing “everything right” can never override a child's free will. They dig into discipline and authority in the homeschool, sibling fighting, why some parents feel they “could never homeschool,” and the surprising psychological advantages homeschooling can offer.

They also tackle one of the biggest parenting challenges of our time: smartphones, gaming, pornography, and the level of vigilance required to protect childhood without trying to protect children forever. 

And perhaps most importantly, Dr. Ray reminds good parents to stop catastrophizing every mistake. You don't have to parent perfectly. You need faith, common sense, consistency—and enough humor to survive the whole thing.

Because as Dr. Ray puts it, “The experts have really taken the fun out of parenting.”

SHOW NOTES Published September 13, 2026:

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dr. Ray Guarendi

GRN (Gaudalupe Radio Network) Academy — Dr. Ray’s Seven-Week Parenting Course

• Dr. Ray Guarendi’s Website & Bookstore
• https://www.drray.com/
• Living Right with Dr. Ray on EWTN
• The Doctor Is In on EWTN Radio

Books by Dr. Ray

• Thinking Like Jesus: The Psychology of a Faithful Disciple
• Living Calm: Mastering Anger and Frustration

Mentioned in the Episode

• The Logic of Being Catholic by Dr. Ray Guarendi — Lighthouse Catholic Media
• The Logic of Being Catholic — Watch/Listen on FORMED

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

How do we raise kids who aren't afraid of hard things?

Maeve sits down with Catholic homeschool mom, entrepreneur, accountant, and Youth CEO Academy creator Sue Campo to talk about the life skills our children develop when they're given room to create, fail, try again, and take ownership of their ideas.

They talk growth mindset, grit, entitlement, entrepreneurship, following through, discovering a child's God-given interests—and why Mom doesn't necessarily need to turn every new passion into another homeschool class.

Plus, Sue shares how even selling can become an act of service, why our children need the freedom to experiment, and the beautiful ways St. Padre Pio seems to keep showing up in her family's life.

Because homeschooling isn't only about raising educated kids. We're raising capable kids who know how to contribute, persevere, discern—and ultimately become saints.

Show Notes: 

Published September 6, 2026

Learn more about Sue and Youth CEO Academy at youthceoacademy.com.

Youth CEO Academy

Book mentioned:

Grit by Angela Duckworth

What happens when we stop protecting our children from every hard thing—and instead teach them that they can figure things out?

In this episode, Maeve talks with Sue Campo, Catholic homeschool mother of three, accountant, entrepreneur, and creator of Youth CEO Academy, about developing an entrepreneurial spirit in our children—even if they never become entrepreneurs.

Maeve and Sue discuss:

• Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset
• Why childhood is the perfect time to do hard things
• Teaching children to see failure as feedback
• The connection between agency and entitlement
• Giving kids freedom to experiment (and make messes!)
• How to encourage interests without turning every passion into a homeschool class
• Why following through develops grit
• Reframing sales as an act of service
• Helping children understand and share their story
• Discernment and discovering where God may be leading them
• Sue's family's special connection to St. Padre Pio

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

What counts as a successful homeschool day?

Maeve and Mat are still hanging onto their “bonus summer,” even as everyone else seems to be heading back to school. Piper is settling into college, NCAA homeschool paperwork is testing Maeve’s sanity, and an innocent moonwalk has somehow turned into a family hip-hop class.

But when Maeve tries to gently ease everyone back into school, nobody can seem to get moving—and one simple comment from one of the kids changes the way she sees the entire day.

This week, Maeve and Mat talk about the lessons that never make it onto a transcript: empathy, charity, noticing what our children are carrying, and remembering that homeschooling is about forming a whole human person—not simply producing an academically successful student.

Show Notes:

In this episode:

• Why Maeve is declaring an extended “bonus summer”
• Piper’s transition to college
• A warning for homeschool parents of prospective NCAA athletes
• Why homeschooling is about formation, not just academics
• Maeve’s tendency to turn every new interest into a class
• The moonwalk that resulted in hip-hop lessons
• Recognizing what may be underneath a child’s lack of motivation
• Romans 12:15 and empathy in the domestic church
• Why charity begins at home
• Helping children notice and respond to what others are carrying

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Mentioned in this episode: Dr. Ray Guarendi will be joining us for an upcoming episode. Send Maeve your parenting and family questions for Dr. Ray at [email protected].

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

After 21 years of marriage, Mat and I have learned a few things.

Some the easy way. Some… definitely not. 😂

This week, we’re going a little old-school—less polished, more banter, and a very real conversation about marriage, what makes a spouse feel truly appreciated, and a few lessons we wish we’d figured out a whole lot sooner.

We also revisit one of our earliest podcast opinions (a retraction is officially in order), share a marriage moment from our recent trip to Maine, and somehow end up discussing everything from love languages to purses at Communion.

Because a good marriage doesn’t just happen—even after 21 years.

Sometimes you have to work on it.

And sometimes you have to laugh at it.

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

What happens when a Catholic mom goes looking for wholesome, faith-filled screen time for her little ones—and can't find quite what she's looking for?

She makes it herself.

This week, Maeve sits down with Tara Bonna, better known as Mrs. Faith, creator of Raising Saints TV. And it's especially fitting that this episode airs on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—the same feast day Tara chose to launch Raising Saints TV last year.

Tara shares how motherhood helped lead her back to the Catholic faith, and why discovering the truth of the Eucharist changed everything.

They also talk honestly about screen-time guilt, raising children in a culture that doesn't always share our values, listening when God asks you to do something that feels impossible, and finding the encouragement to keep going when the work gets hard.

And because this is Homeschooling for Catholic Parents, the conversation naturally includes a CatholicMatch love story, babies napping in the car, Our Lady of Champion, saint relics, Mary Magdalene—and a Catholic cookbook that apparently requires you to be a French chef.

A joyful conversation about motherhood, media, the saints, and what can happen when a Catholic mom says yes to an idea God won't let her forget.

Our Lady assumed into Heaven, pray for us!

Show Notes:

Raising Saints TV: https://www.youtube.com/@raisingsaintstv

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1

After years of homeschooling, how do you know if it actually worked?

Our oldest daughter, Piper, is heading off to college—so we decided it was time for an exit interview.

Piper joins Maeve in the studio for an honest (and sometimes hilarious) look back at her homeschool years: what she loved, what she definitely did NOT love, what made her feel most loved by her parents, the rules she appreciates now, and what she thinks we could have done better.

But the conversation goes deeper as Piper shares how homeschooling prepared her to take ownership of her education, develop a strong moral compass, and understand and defend her Catholic faith.

And because no exit interview should be completely comfortable, Maeve puts 18 years of Catholic formation to the test by pulling out the old apologetics cards and quizzing Piper on the spot.

If you're still in the trenches wondering whether all those read-alouds, field trips, phone battles, catechism lessons, and ordinary days at home are actually making a difference, this one's for you.

Grab the 2026-2027 Catholic Homeschool Planner here.

Isn't it hard to find Catholic friends?! I've got a solution. Hop on over to the Homeschooling for Catholic Parents Facebook community. Where we share about apologetics, homeschooling, and family life!

https://maevejemison.com/


Purchase Home Is Where The Truth Is:
https://www.amazon.com/Home-Where-Truth-Should-Homeschool/dp/B0CSWJ2QXC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1705863918&sr=8-1