OUR STORY
Hi, my name is Dylan McDonald. My wife, Joanne, and I are the founders of Family Cloister Learning Center (FCLC).
We started FCLC as a family business and apostolate after refinancing our home for ten God-given reasons: our children, the chief blessings we have in this life. We wanted to find a way to spend more time together and live a more Christ-centered life at home. We also hoped, with God’s help, to offer other families support in the everyday struggles we all face.
We’re grateful for the privilege of educating our boys and girls to know, love and serve Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth so that they can be happy with Him forever in heaven.
The Catholic Church is in crisis. Public morals are more and more hostile to God’s laws. It seems everyday there are more forces to hinder families than there are resources to help them. And the thought of winning the daily battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil often seems like an impossible dream.
Yet we know that Holy Matrimony is a beautiful vocation.
We firmly believe that this holy sacrament has a reservoir of grace for us to fulfill our duties in the joys, sorrows, and glories of family life. And we know that God is all-powerful and faithful to His promises.
Convinced that many other parents believe the same things, Joanne and I took a hard look at a big part of our common struggle: feeling alone or isolated in the battles on our home fronts. Why should Catholic parents fight alone--or feel like we're fighting alone? We're not alone. We're all members of Our Lord's Mystical Body. And our strength is in working together.
So we tried to imagine a place—in addition to our church on Sunday—where families could go during the week for support, education and encouragement:
- A place where Catholic families could go to learn or review the timeless principles that inspire a holy family life;
- A place where both parents and children could go every week for classes—academic, spiritual and cultural;
- A place where families could go to watch—and perform!—edifying plays in a real family-friendly environment;
- A place where families could find Catholic gifts to share the Faith with others and resources for living the Faith at home;
- Finally, a place where family members of all ages—grandparents included!—could go to socialize and enjoy wholesome recreation.
What We Do
For five years we’ve been putting this vision into action on a small scale in our town of Franklin, New Jersey.
During the school year we offer small group classes and tutoring in Latin, French, English, Math, History, Science, Gregorian Chant, Choral Music and Sewing. Guitar lessons and piano lessons are also provided. In the summer we offer a camp program that includes swim lessons, music, fishing, archery, special projects for boys and girls, and discussions for parents on how to live a Catholic family life in our time.
Our theatrical productions have included plays on the lives of St. Louis, St. Francis, and St. Joan of Arc as well as puppet shows.
To honor Our Lady and do our part to hasten the triumph of her Immaculate Heart, we’ve started an annual Fatima Family Festival. This event’s activities include a Rosary procession, presentations on Our Lady's messages, a picnic lunch, and inter-generational field games so the whole family can have fun together.
We want to encourage Moms and Dads like ourselves, who are knee-deep in diapers, dishes and discipline, to persevere in their efforts to live a Catholic family life.
Our Vision
We’re committed to the restoration of the family in Christ, especially through the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in every family. And we believe there are three keys to winning the victory in today’s fight for our Catholic homes:
- The first key is close collaboration with Traditional Catholic clergy to be sure that our work remains a true apostolate for the Church.
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The second key is Holy Matrimony. Marriage is God's foundation for the family, which is the cell of society. Without Holy Marriages we won’t have holy families, which are the natural source of vocations and the best training ground for tomorrow's mothers and fathers.
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The third key is Catholic Family Culture. We want to encourage a home life that puts Our Lord first in everything: our thoughts, our plans, our work, our conversations, and our play time.
Objection!
It may be objected that it’s impossible to do all these things in today’s world. Our reply is: “Impossible? No. Difficult? Yes!” Our Lord told us Himself that we would have difficulty in this world. But He also said to “have confidence, for I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” As St. Paul advises, let us “not lose our confidence, which hath a great reward
St. Gabriel told Our Lady that with God all things are possible (Luke 1:37). The days are clearly evil, but we want to redeem the time. At Family Cloister Learning Center we want to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21). It’s a small beginning, but we believe that, if it’s God’s will, He will give the increase.
Working Together-
First by prayer: please say today our Little Office for the Family to help us draw down graces for all families, especially those in most need.
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Second, please visit our store: Your purchase at our retail store in Franklin, New Jersey, or online at http://shop.familycloister.com can help us cover operating costs at FCLC.
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Third, you can also make a donation to FCLC to help us in our work of family education. Please note that we are not a tax-exempt organization. Although your gift is not tax-deductible, we will prayerfully put it to good use for families.
Contact Us
We appreciate your prayers and support. It would be great to hear from you. Feel free to call us at (973) 209-2700.
Thank you for visiting our Web site. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who reigns in spite of His enemies, bless you and your family.
Sincerely, in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Dylan J. McDonald
Founder/Owner
Family Cloister Learning Center
P.O. Box 533 | 155 Main Street
Franklin, NJ 07416
Phone: 
(973)209-2700
Email: contactus@familycloister.com