TORCH promotes Catholic traditions by sponsoring family activities that celebrate our rich Catholic heritage — feast day celebrations, rosary making, service projects, and other Christ-centered events. Families come together to teach their children traditions and history of the Church, devotion to the Blessed Mother, the lives of the saints, and Christian virtues. Various clubs, from St. Jerome's Book Club to Little Flowers Girls Club to Writing Clubs provide endless opportunities for wholesome socialization as well as character formation. Parents also get together for monthly Homeschooling Forums and Parents' Nights Out to discuss curriculum ideas and to fellowship. Above all, TORCH aids families and individuals into a closer and more intimate union with Jesus Christ.
The Pillars of TORCH
The TORCH philosophy is built on five pillars:
Catholic — TORCH has as its foundation and as the guiding principle in all its functions and activities, fidelity to the teachings and sacred traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly to the Pope, who, as successor to St. Peter, is the universal teacher in matters of faith and morals, and to his bishops teaching in union with him.
Vibrant — TORCH supports homeschooling as a vibrant and positive educational alternative — not as a negative reaction against public or parochial schools. Homeschooling is viewed as a way of nurturing, training, and educating children, to pass on Faith and culture to the next generation.
Spiritual — TORCH encourages all members to have ongoing spiritual formation and to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and increase their knowledge of the Catholic Faith. TORCH upholds the Blessed Virgin Mary as the model for virtue: perfect in faith, hope and love; humility; obedience; simplicity; and collaboration in the redemptive plan of Jesus Christ.
Organized — TORCH organizes activities that meet the needs of the members. Each chapter has one or two leaders who coordinate the planning of activities and the welcoming of new members into their chapters.
Apostolic — TORCH believes that its members are called to evangelize through spiritual and corporal acts of mercy in everyday life. TORCH is committed to building the Church by working from within the heart of the Church.
TORCH Across the Country
New TORCH Chapters continue to form nationwide and internationally. By being affiliated with the TORCH umbrella, each chapter is part of an organization whose name and philosophies are representative of an authentic Catholic family and positive homeschooling ideology.
TORCH's monthly newsletter features curriculum reviews, articles covering homeschooling trends and resources, suggestions for strengthening Catholic family life, support group dynamics, a reader forum, kids' page, and other items of interest to homeschoolers.
Benefits of membership include an 11-month subscription to the national newsletter, a 15% discount on Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) dues as well as other discounts, and much more. To become a member, send $12 to TORCH, 3307 Bigelow Court, Burtonsville MD 20866.
Is there a TORCH Chapter in your area? For more information, please contact a Regional Coordinator or send $2 to TORCH, Route 1, Box 325, Lyndhurst, VA 22952 for a New Chapter Packet to get the information on forming a TORCH group right away!