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Starting a Catholic homeschool run team has been a labor of love and faith, a chance to weave running with spiritual growth for kids. Our uniquness is that we start our pracitces with adoration. I didn't realize that this important part of our faith would be met with challenges we didn’t anticipate.
Recently, we faced a tough decision when our run team was denied participation in a local homeschooling sports league due to our Eucharistic beliefs. You see we start all our pracitce in adoration, seeking the strength of Jesus Christ, truly present in the Adoration, to run the race, race of faith. As difficult as this moment was, it’s inspired us to share our story and use it as an opportunity to bring awareness to our faith—and we're doing it, one run at a time, with our T-shirts as a symbol of our commitment.
The Denial: Faith on the Sidelines
It was heartbreaking to learn that our Eucharistic beliefs—central to our identity as Catholics—were the reason we couldn’t join a broader league with other homeschooling families. The Eucharist isn’t just a part of our faith; it *is* our faith, the living embodiment of our relationship with Jesus. Yet, this precious belief became the very reason we were excluded from sharing the field with others.
The disappointment was real, not just for me but for the kids, especialy my 8 year who loves to run and was looking forward to completing in Homeschool meets. However, I felt this could be a chance to teach them a powerful lesson: that standing firm in our beliefs might not always be easy, but it’s a witness to the world. If this was the price of staying true to the Eucharist, then it was a price we were willing to pay.
We have been advised that we have a strong case if legal action becomes necessary. We've reached out to the board again and provided a timeline for their response before we proceed with any legal measures.
Raising Awareness: The Story Behind the T-Shirts
To turn this challenge into something positive, we decided to share our story in a way that would be both inspiring and visible. And so, our *Laudate Loins Catholic Run Club* T-shirts became more than just team wear—they became a statement of our faith and our cause.
The T-shirts feature a lion, symbolizing strength, courage, and the bravery it takes to hold onto one’s beliefs in a world that may not always understand or accept them. With every mile they run, our young runners wear these shirts with pride, standing as witnesses to the value of the Eucharist and the joy of their faith. These shirts are a reminder that their strength isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual, rooted in the love of Christ present in the Eucharist.
Running with a Mission: How You Can Support Us
We’re not just running for fitness; we’re running to build a community that welcomes and celebrates our Catholic identity. Through our club and our shirts, we hope to inspire others to stand firm in their beliefs and find courage in their faith. And as we grow, we invite you to support us by helping us spread the message.
Here’s how you can get involved:
1. Wear Our T-Shirt:Our shirts are not only for our team members; they’re for anyone who stands with us in the love of the Eucharist and the value of faith-centered athletics. Every shirt is a symbol of our cause, sparking conversations and inspiring others to learn more about the Catholic faith.
2. Spread the Word: Share our story with your friends, family, and online communities. Let people know that, while we may have faced exclusion, we’re choosing to turn it into something positive and inclusive for those who share our values.
3. Pray for Us: The most important support you can give is your prayer. Pray for our young runners, that they might grow in strength, joy, and an unshakable love for the Lord. Pray that our story may inspire others to run their own races with faith, courage, and purpose. We’re hoping to have this decision reversed, but ultimately, we trust that God’s will is at work here—and that it’s all for His greater glory!
Standing Together in Faith
The denial from the league stings, but it’s shown us something even more powerful: the incredible strength and unity we can build when we stay true to our beliefs. While we may be on a different track from others, we’re united in a mission that goes beyond winning races—it’s about growing closer to Christ, who strengthens us in body, mind, and soul.
As we run, we wear our T-shirts with pride, symbols of our journey and our love for the Eucharist. We hope that, by sharing this story, we can inspire other Catholics to stand tall in their faith and support one another, no matter where life’s path may lead.
If you would like to learn more about the Laduate Lions Run Club and how to bring one to your area, visit us at mercyrunsonlove.com
Maria Cecilia is a devoted Catholic homeschooling mother of ten children, including five who are saints in heaven. She resides on the beautiful coast of South Mississippi, where she serves as the Director of Adult Formation at Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church. Maria Cecilia finds joy in running along the Bay of St. Louis, strength training with kettlebells, reading, writing, and spending cherished moments with Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Her passions include deepening her faith, enjoying beautiful music, and promoting classical education. She dreams of opening a classical school in her community to inspire others to embrace all that is good, beautiful, and true.
