Welcome to CRECHE!

CRECHE was established in 1999 by a small group of Catholic homeschooling families to help support the efforts of parents as primary educators, to teach their children at home. We've not only grown in numbers, but have also grown in our Catholic faith, realizing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Faithful to the Catholic Magesterium guided by the Pope and the bishops in union with him, we unabashedly promote homeschooling as an intellectually and spiritually rewarding alternative to traditional educational methods. Open to homeschooling or non-homeschooling families in the Fox Valley/western suburbs of Chicago, CRECHE provides activities that encourage friendship and vibrant family life, striving to help members grow as disciples, bringing Christ to the world.

The TORCH Mission Statement for Home Education

"Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators.  This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking.  Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man, in which the well-rounded personal and social education of children is fostered.  Hence the family is the first school of the social virtues that every society needs." (Gravissium Educationis #3)

November Devotion: The Holy Souls in Purgatory

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. As a reminder of our duty to pray for the suffering faithful in Purgatory, the Church has dedicated the month of November to the Holy Souls. The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

INVOCATION Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine agony in the Garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise. Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest, etc.

-- excerpted from http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=764

Saint Gertrude and the Souls in Purgatory: Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great  

Our Lord dictated the following prayer to St. Gertrude the Great to release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory each time it is said:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."