Question about Catechism...

[matthew'smom]

Hi all,
Its been quite awhile since I've been here, but I always know where to check in when I encounter something new in Matthew's life...with the EXPERTS!!
Anyone get any resistance from their Catholic church when they wanted to register their child with DS up for CCD? Matthew will be in 1st grade next year, so he should be starting CCD. When I called to inquire about registration I mentioned that he had DS and the next thing I knew, the Director of Religious Education was giving me phone #'s for two other parishes that could "handle" kids with special needs...not at all nearby, but that is besides the point! I realize that the people that teach CCD are usually NOT educators, much less special educators, but this woman made an assumption about him without even asking to meet him!! What would you do? I would really like for him to be able to make his First Communion when he is in 2nd grade.
Frustrated,
Nicole

[logansmom]

Our son is in Kindergarten. When I told the priest that we expect him to participate in CCD, he was very surprised. In all honesty, I don't think he had ever considered the idea.

Fortunately, a special ed. teacher/co-op director recently took early retirement and she came up to us and offered to teach, tutor and work with Logan in CCD. She is very involved and well-respected in our Parish, and when I told the priest that she wanted to work with Logan he was totally fine with the idea.

I'm not sure if he'll be ready by 2nd grade or not . . . but I have full confidence that he'll complete the requirements and participate in his First Communion in his own time.

Kim, Logan (Ds, 7) and Carson (4 1/2)

[Ericsmomma]

Our parish has a program for special needs children that is based out of our local Catholic High School. Each child is paired with a Junior or Senior high schooler, who is their mentor.
They meet on Saturdays, for about 1 hour. Parents are welcome to stay in the lounge and wait for their child. It is a nice set up, and Eric really liked it. The young man who was Eric's mentor was wonderful. Really patient and made things fun. Unfortunetly, I started working every Saturday and we aren't able to attend. But it was a great way to get the kids ready for the sacraments.

[dannysmom]

One day while at breakfast, 2 women approached our families table. She told us they were part of an organization that worked with people with special needs to recieve their sacrements. They weren't part of my particular parish...but another in the area. This was a few years ago and my Daniel is only 4....but I know for now it at least exists in our area. My older daughter is in 1st grade and just began CCD this year. When I registered her...I told my parish about my son and my wishes of him making his 1st communion at OUR parish.

Now here's my thoughts....at nearly 5...Daniel has NO understanding of God or Jesus...or anything like that. Not sure if in the next 2 years he would be able to either. I read somewhere that as long as the child understands that they aren't just eating a piece of bread..and that it has meaning and they know it is special....then they can receive the sacrements.

I will be interesting to follow this thread to see how other areas of the country handle this CCD process for our kids.

[marcysc]

I am not Catholic, but Episcopalian. My son is 6 and he just recently started receiving communion. This after a lengthy conversation with our priest. Anyway, Ryan takes communion every Sunday because we all felt that that he understands that it is a meaningful time, a special time. I know that he doesn't understand God or Jesus (he does call him by name when he sees him in a picture), but I do believe in my heart that Ryan sees communion as a special time because he is respectful, reverent if will, when he goes to the rail. It's actually quite amazing to be a part of because my child isn''t always the most well behaved. (Wow, if he'd act like he does during communion at gymnastics he'd be a star.)

I'd also like to add that we've been saying the same prayers at night with him for years now. We started when he was just a little baby in his crib. Now he says part of the Lord's Prayer on his own and will say, "Dear Lord, please bless Mommy, Daddy, Ryan and Lilly." Oh and he won't let us forget either. It does my heart good to be walking out the door and hear him say, "Mommy, wait. Pray."

But back to your question...I think I'd ask to meet with the director of religious education. We were having a few issues with Ryan at church and I sat down with the youth minister and it did a world of good. I think it was a real eye opener for everyone involved.

[MB]

My guy was individually tutored every week for a couple of months while we went to Mass at the beginning of second grade. We had a private First Communion during Advent because he was obsessed with Princesses and we didn't think he could handle 50 pint-sized Princesses walking around.

Our guy understood that when "he eats the Holy Bread, Christ is in his stomach." He also understood reconciliation and was happy to report all of his parents' sins to the priest. Seriously, whenever he finished reconciliation he would go back to his pew and lie prostate and weep. Trust me, the priest that heard his confession is one of the kindest men on earth. He was not scolded.

The other thing that happened was he told his tutor that Baby Jesus never has his eyes open, why? The tutor said it wasn't true and set out to find a picture of Baby Jesus with his eyes open and couldn't find one. Watch your Christmas cards this year.

Our guy has a very deep faith. It is a priviledge to be part of it.

mb

[matthew'smom]

Thank you all for sharing...now I can go back to the Director and have some ideas for how we can make this work for all of us!

[meghans_mom]

hi Nicole
it's been ages since I've been on UM but wanted to share our experiences about Meghan and CCD.
I held Meghan back because I felt she was not ready in first grade to begin CCD.
I figured she and my Matthew (currently 6) could both learn together.
Well, our parish has a special needs program but we couldn't get Meghan there b/c I work that day.
So I tried other parishes, etc to no avail.
I even offered to teach Meghan privately at home. They wouldn't allow it.

So...I offered to teach a class. I'm no teacher but I figured I could handle it. so thats what I'm doing. I have 6 students..Meghan, Matthew and 4 other neighborhood kids.
Even though she's a little older, she's the exact same size as the first graders - and she's thrilled to be participating and she's doing very well. I'm surprised at how well she's learning :-)
She'll receive her first Holy Communion the end of next year. She'll be in 4th grade but for her, waiting was a good thing.
Good luck!!

[ceo4kbeinc]

I don't come on here very much at all, but my friend sent this topic to me, so here I am.
You have great advice here but I also wanted to add to it. I have a 9 yr. old son with DS.

1) if it's feasible for you, you could volunteer to be the assistant or teacher in the class - this would set the model for other catechists
2) The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Curriculum is available which includes lessons that are modified for people with special needs. Portions of this could be used in the lessons. You could recommend this resource to the DRE.
3) Down Syndrome Assoc. of Central Texas (DSACT) has a handout for Inclusive Congregations. It's a how to for Sunday school teachers. Very concise and easy to use!
4) If your diocese has a ministry for people with special needs you can contact them to see if they offer training for catechists or see if they can offer other resources besides the ones you mentioned.
5) Talk to the pastor about your concerns. See what his attitude is. That may tell you if it's the DRE's issue or the pastor's. There are some priests that believe our kids are "angels" and what could they possibly do wrong.

I decided to do home study with both of my kids this year b/c I wasn't happy with last year's experience at a different parish. Next year, they will both be in the typical CCD classes. The DRE at my parish told me that our pastor would work with my son so he could receive the sacraments to the best of his ability of understanding. So far my son has made his first reconciliation and will make his first communion in April.

Good Luck! I hope the resources are helpful to you.

Jennifer