Religious Education: Models and Resources for Accommodating All Children Sr. Kathleen Schipani Pastoral Care for Persons With Disabilities and the Deaf Apostolate Archdiocese of Philadelphia 1
Jesus Encounters People with Disabilities Bartimaeus Jesus stood still and said, Call him here. Then Jesus said to him, What do you want me to do for you? 2
Jesus Encounters People with Disabilities Deaf Man He took him aside in private, away from the crowd... Looking up to heaven, he sighed, Be opened 3
Jesus Encounters People with Disabilities The Man who could not get in When Jesus saw their faith, he said, Friend, Your sins are forgiven. 4
WHY Catechesis for all Children No one can believe alone... (2005 NDC28:F, 2nd paragraph) Every person, however limited, is capable of growth in holiness. (2005 NDC 49:2nd paragraph) 5
WHY Catechesis for all Children All baptized person with disabilities have a right to adequate catechesis and deserve the means to develop a relationship with God. (2005 NDC 9:3rd paragraph) 6
HOW Catechesis for all Children Every parish should seek out its parishioners with cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities, support them with love and concern, and ensure that they have ready access to a catechetical program suited to their needs and abilities. (2005 NDC 61:B,1, 2nd paragraph) 7
A Welcoming P.R.E.P.: What are your expectations from your parish community in relation to your son with a disability? The parish has been very supportive by inviting him to participate in Little Church School. In kindergarten Jacob has a one on one aide and the Little Church School has made the same provision for him on Sundays. When he is older we would like him to receive the sacraments. I know they will support him in the Prep program as well. 8
Collaborating with Parents Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children. (2005 NDC 54:C,10) involvement of their families indispensable. (2005 NDC 49:5th paragraph) 9
The Parish as a Resource The whole community of faith needs to be aware of the presence of persons with special needs within it and be involved in their catechesis. (NDC 49: 4 th paragraph) 10
WHAT Special Ed or Regular Ed? Persons with disabilities should be integrated into the ordinary catechetical programs as much as possible they should not be segregated for specialized catecheses unless their disability make it impossible to participate in the basic catechetical program. (2005 NDC 49:B, 4 th paragraph) 11
12 Full Integration Integration with Individualized Instruction ACCESS AND INCLUSION MODELS Parish Religious Education Programs Archdiocese of Philadelphia Integration with Accommodations Providing for an inclusive faith formation program is only limited by our imagination. These are suggested models of inclusion: Program Integration in Learning Support Classroom
Parish Religious Education Program / Catechuminate Full Integration Integration with Accommodations Program Integration in Learning Support Class Integration with Individual Instruction 13
What we notice Catechesis for some persons with disabilities, however requires more personalization. (2005 NDC 49: 5 th paragraph) The Church s pastoral response in such situations is to learn about the disability, offer support to the family, and welcome the child. (2005 NDC 49:B, 4th paragraph) 14
The Model of the Stressed Shepherd... this one sheep was more work than the 99 others put together. 15
Group Sharing/Discussion Think of past challenging situation Your initial reaction Your steps to change A workable solution was 16
What s s Needed? Knowledge Creativity & Teamwork Resources 17
Attitudinal Solutions Parish Mission / Evangelization Effort Beginning at an early age Modeling Language 18
Administrative Solutions Teaming with Parents Creating Instructional Support Teams - Recruit Utilizing available Resources/Persons 19
Architectural/Physical Solutions Plan in advance for persons of mixed abilities Identify and create barrier free, safe environments 20
Sacramental Access Catholics with disabilities have the right to participate in the sacraments as full functioning members of the ecclesial community. (2005 NDC 36:A, 3b-3/ canon 213) By reason of their Baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling. (2005 NDC 36:A, 3b-3/ canon 213) 21
Reconciliation According to the Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, 1995: As long as the individual is capable of having a sense of contrition for having committed sin, even if he or she cannot describe the sin precisely in words, the person may receive sacramental absolution. #23 Those with profound mental disabilities who cannot experience even minimal contrition, may be invited to participate in penitential services with the rest of the community to the extent of their ability. 22
Eucharist According to the Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, 1995: that the person be able to distinguish the Body of Christ from ordinary food, even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture or reverential silence Cases of doubt should be resolved in favor of the right of the baptized person to receive the sacrament. #20 23
Confirmation According to the Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, 1995: Parents.and especially pastors are to see to it that the faithful who have been baptized are properly instructed to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and to approach it at the appropriate time. #15 Persons who because of developmental or mental abilities may never attain the use of reason are encouraged directly or, if necessary, through their parents or guardian to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the appropriate time. #16 24
Goal of Catechesis Communion with Jesus Christ The definitive aim of Catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ. 25
Religious Education: Accommodating All Children What I heard from Him I tell the world. The echo of the Word of God is catechesis. 26
we are one flock 27
National Resources NCPD National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities www.ncpd.org NCOD National Catholic Office for the Deaf - www.ncod.org NAfIM National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry - www.nafim.org NICE Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators www.ipi.udayton.edu Local Resources Diocesan Disabilities Resources State and Local Associations and Agencies Parents/Guardians Professionals in your parish and area 28