Re: Question of the Month: Religion

[Guest guest]

That would be " Bat " Mitzvah. Sorry.

Marie

>

> Laurie, Ellen and I thought it would be interesting, besides the

> usual discussions and inquires, to have a question of the month--

> something we focus in on and discuss all month. This month, I am

> posing it.

>

> The basis question is this: after your child or family member has

> reached young adulthood, how has your religion and religious

> community treated your family member? Do they attend weekly

> services and special holiday services? Are they welcomed into the

> music program or other worship leader opportunities? Is there a

> youth group or Bible study group they are encouraged to join? In

> times of need, is your religion the first place you reach out to,

or

> the last? If you could tell your clergy one thing about including

> your family member, what would it be?

> These are just ideas to get you started. I encourage you to speak

> with your clergy, pass this on to them and ask them to share with

us

> their thoughts. Chime in and tell us what has worked for your

> family. I know SRED is great, but what happens after that? If

your

> child has made their Bar or Mat Mitzvah, do they still attend

Temple?

>

> Please let us know what you think--share your experiences. We can

> all learn from them, no matter what your Faith.

>

> Blessings,

> Marie

>

[Guest guest]

Good morning Marie,

You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am the " Special

Needs Co-ordinator " for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south Naperville.

(I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)

I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this position/ministry was

created was to help kids with disl be included in regular religous

education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed typically starts in

first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school, church

building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of the yet to

be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec. needs. he

approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named

Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and I jumped

at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us to be one

in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people should be at

the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has persued a

micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.

All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in regular r.e.

classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and teachers.

The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with their friends.

My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) to do some

yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The church

confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.

One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the youth " Teen

Life " mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she loved her

faith and loved to sing.

Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist Minisgter.

For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year we had 5

people with dis. give " witness " to their faith and life journey. This year

we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from architecture to

culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry room because

this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying needed to

be a part of the greater congregation.

There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly saying amen,

that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.

My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-disabled

friends.

Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I want my

child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith based

prospective, church should be the " emotional down filled blanket " .

This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first Communion. The

buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the holy act.

This is real communion, by any faith standard.

A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the material on

Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't happening

in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take months to

debate. We made it happen.

I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this work. Feel

free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things happening.

I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do all the

readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still for a very

sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .

Blessings to you

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.

[Guest guest]

It is one of my interests as well. I'm a professional musician and

have been a professional church musician for many congregations,

mostly Presbyterian, as director of music or director of choirs.

Now I serve a Dutch Reformed congregation. I wanted to see what

others were doing in this area. Please feel free to add your " two

cents " when needed. Good to have your input!

Marie

>

> Good morning Marie,

> You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am

the " Special

> Needs Co-ordinator " for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south

Naperville.

> (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)

> I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this position/ministry

was

> created was to help kids with disl be included in regular religous

> education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed typically

starts in

> first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school,

church

> building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of

the yet to

> be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec.

needs. he

> approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named

> Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and

I jumped

> at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us

to be one

> in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people

should be at

> the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has

persued a

> micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.

> All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in

regular r.e.

> classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and

teachers.

> The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with their

friends.

> My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) to

do some

> yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The

church

> confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.

> One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the

youth " Teen

> Life " mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she

loved her

> faith and loved to sing.

> Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist

Minisgter.

> For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year

we had 5

> people with dis. give " witness " to their faith and life journey.

This year

> we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from

architecture to

> culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry

room because

> this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying

needed to

> be a part of the greater congregation.

> There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly saying

amen,

> that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.

> My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-

disabled

> friends.

> Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I

want my

> child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith

based

> prospective, church should be the " emotional down filled blanket " .

> This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first

Communion. The

> buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the

holy act.

> This is real communion, by any faith standard.

> A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the

material on

> Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't

happening

> in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take

months to

> debate. We made it happen.

> I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this

work. Feel

> free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things

happening.

>

> I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do all

the

> readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still

for a very

> sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .

> Blessings to you

> Cindi

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

, I love your description of all that you have done for your religious community and your own child.

We live in Northbrook and were fortunate that a group called Keshet (it means rainbow in Hebrew) was organized and up and running by the time we were looking for a Sunday school and camp for Noah at age 5. Keshet has a Jewish day school, Sunday School and recreational programs including summer camp for children with special needs. Though the day school is predominantly Jewish children, because there is Jewish content imbedded in the day to day activities and learning experiences, the camp, which is in many integrated settings throughout the suburbs and the city has a mix of participants. The families often bond and form long term relationships, as we have found to be the case. I can count over 20 families with whom we have become very close over the fifteen years of our involvement in Keshet. It is a welcoming and nurturing community that has a great deal of integration as a basis for bringing children with special needs into the larger community. Noah had his Bar Mitzvah at age 13 through our own Synagogue but with much Keshet support as well as the support of our private providers. It was an awesome experience. Most Keshet Sunday School students become Bar and Bat Mitzvah. This is an expectation. Whatever level of assistance and support is needed, can be given, often with Keshet staff collaborating with a family's Synagogue.

Noah is very spiritual and loves Judaism. We attend Friday night services regularly and he is very much accepted.

Our Rabbi, concerned with Noah's future, has offered Noah a job at the Synagogue. Noah is currently working 1-2 hours every day, with the support of his school job coach. He is trying out lots of different tasks and the Rabbi assures us that whatever number of hours he wants to work and whatever jobs he is most comfortable doing, will be available to him for as long as he wants to work there. The Synagogue is in our neighborhood, several minutes from our house. He will be paid a regular pay check as soon as we set that up. Noah can continue involvement in Keshet Sunday school for as long as he wants. There are currently participants in their 30's who attend the school on Sundays.

Both Keshet and our Synagogue are models, I think for other religious affiliations.

I would encourage other families to investigate what can be done to welcome their sons and daughters into their community religious organizations.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: Religion

Good morning Marie,You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am the "Special Needs Co-ordinator" for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south Naperville. (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this position/ministry was created was to help kids with disl be included in regular religous education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed typically starts in first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school, church building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of the yet to be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec. needs. he approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and I jumped at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us to be one in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people should be at the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has persued a micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in regular r.e. classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and teachers.The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with their friends.My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) to do some yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The church confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the youth "Teen Life" mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she loved her faith and loved to sing.Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist Minisgter.For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year we had 5 people with dis. give "witness" to their faith and life journey. This year we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from architecture to culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry room because this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying needed to be a part of the greater congregation.There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly saying amen, that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-disabled friends.Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I want my child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith based prospective, church should be the "emotional down filled blanket" .This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first Communion. The buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the holy act. This is real communion, by any faith standard.A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the material on Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't happening in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take months to debate. We made it happen.I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this work. Feel free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things happening.I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do all the readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still for a very sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .Blessings to youCindi

[Guest guest]

Sustainability is a big issue.

It needs to be a larger, community effort. A couple of people cannot keep a program alive.

Unfortunately, the very families who are stressed to the "max" with their children's special needs, are typically the ones who are called upon to create and sustain the specialized programs outside of public education. How about involving the aunts, uncles, neices, nephews and grandparents, who often cannot give direct support to your child but keep asking what they can do to help?

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: Religion

Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.

[Guest guest]

Ellen, this is wonderful. We all need to know what can and is being done,

so no one can say " uh, we've never had anyone like....fill in the blank.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Exactly, Cindi.

Let's face it, every neighborhood, every church and every Synagogue has constituents with disabilities. They may need a little help in learning how best to serve them, but everybody should have a place to worship and belong, if they so desire. No excuses!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: Religion

Ellen, this is wonderful. We all need to know what can and is being done, so no one can say "uh, we've never had anyone like....fill in the blank. Cindi

[Guest guest]

I am especially impressed with your congregation's insight by having

a special needs co-ordinator! Most of the congregations I have

served have had a religious ed director and I sometimes

would " consult " with them, since they didn't have a clue. But to

have someone, dedicated, to including those with disabilites is

quite something.

Marie

>

> Hi all:

> , I love your description of all that you have done for your

religious community and your own child.

> We live in Northbrook and were fortunate that a group called

Keshet (it means rainbow in Hebrew) was organized and up and running

by the time we were looking for a Sunday school and camp for Noah at

age 5. Keshet has a Jewish day school, Sunday School and

recreational programs including summer camp for children with

special needs. Though the day school is predominantly Jewish

children, because there is Jewish content imbedded in the day to day

activities and learning experiences, the camp, which is in many

integrated settings throughout the suburbs and the city has a mix of

participants. The families often bond and form long term

relationships, as we have found to be the case. I can count over 20

families with whom we have become very close over the fifteen years

of our involvement in Keshet. It is a welcoming and nurturing

community that has a great deal of integration as a basis for

bringing children with special needs into the larger community.

Noah had his Bar Mitzvah at age 13 through our own Synagogue but

with much Keshet support as well as the support of our private

providers. It was an awesome experience. Most Keshet Sunday School

students become Bar and Bat Mitzvah. This is an expectation.

Whatever level of assistance and support is needed, can be given,

often with Keshet staff collaborating with a family's Synagogue.

> Noah is very spiritual and loves Judaism. We attend Friday night

services regularly and he is very much accepted.

> Our Rabbi, concerned with Noah's future, has offered Noah a job at

the Synagogue. Noah is currently working 1-2 hours every day, with

the support of his school job coach. He is trying out lots of

different tasks and the Rabbi assures us that whatever number of

hours he wants to work and whatever jobs he is most comfortable

doing, will be available to him for as long as he wants to work

there. The Synagogue is in our neighborhood, several minutes from

our house. He will be paid a regular pay check as soon as we set

that up. Noah can continue involvement in Keshet Sunday school for

as long as he wants. There are currently participants in their 30's

who attend the school on Sundays.

> Both Keshet and our Synagogue are models, I think for other

religious affiliations.

> I would encourage other families to investigate what can be done

to welcome their sons and daughters into their community religious

organizations.

> Ellen

>

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Re: Question of the Month: Religion

>

>

> Good morning Marie,

> You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am

the " Special

> Needs Co-ordinator " for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south

Naperville.

> (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)

> I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this

position/ministry was

> created was to help kids with disl be included in regular

religous

> education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed

typically starts in

> first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school,

church

> building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of

the yet to

> be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec.

needs. he

> approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named

> Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and

I jumped

> at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us

to be one

> in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people

should be at

> the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has

persued a

> micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.

> All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in

regular r.e.

> classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and

teachers.

> The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with

their friends.

> My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid)

to do some

> yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The

church

> confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.

> One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the

youth " Teen

> Life " mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she

loved her

> faith and loved to sing.

> Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist

Minisgter.

> For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year

we had 5

> people with dis. give " witness " to their faith and life journey.

This year

> we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from

architecture to

> culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry

room because

> this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying

needed to

> be a part of the greater congregation.

> There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly

saying amen,

> that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.

> My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-

disabled

> friends.

> Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I

want my

> child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith

based

> prospective, church should be the " emotional down filled

blanket " .

> This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first

Communion. The

> buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the

holy act.

> This is real communion, by any faith standard.

> A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the

material on

> Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't

happening

> in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take

months to

> debate. We made it happen.

> I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this

work. Feel

> free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things

happening.

>

> I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do

all the

> readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still

for a very

> sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .

> Blessings to you

> Cindi

>

[Guest guest]

I agree! I am currently involved in starting a disability ministry at our Catholic Church here in Champaign, IL. We are just at the beginning stages, but there seems to be a very good response so far. Up to this point, there has been very little that has happened in the way of inclusiveness for individuals with disabilities at our parish. I'll keep you posted.

Re: Question of the Month: Religion> > > Good morning Marie,> You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am the "Special > Needs Co-ordinator" for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south Naperville. > (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)> I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this position/ministry was > created was to help kids with disl be included in regular religous > education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed typically starts in > first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school, church > building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of the yet to > be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec. needs. he > approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named > Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and I jumped > at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us to be one > in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people should be at > the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has persued a > micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.> All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in regular r.e. > classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and teachers.> The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with their friends.> My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) to do some > yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The church > confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.> One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the youth "Teen > Life" mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she loved her > faith and loved to sing.> Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist Minisgter.> For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year we had 5 > people with dis. give "witness" to their faith and life journey. This year > we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from architecture to > culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry room because > this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying needed to > be a part of the greater congregation.> There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly saying amen, > that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.> My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-disabled > friends.> Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I want my > child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith based > prospective, church should be the "emotional down filled blanket" .> This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first Communion. The > buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the holy act. > This is real communion, by any faith standard.> A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the material on > Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't happening > in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take months to > debate. We made it happen.> I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this work. Feel > free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things happening.> > I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do all the > readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still for a very > sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .> Blessings to you> Cindi>

[Guest guest]

That's great, . We used to live in Champaign--what parish

(can't remember the parish churches--one in C and one in U?)

Perhaps you and Cindi can compare notes--how wonderful that we hear

about this. Ellen's community program sounds wonderful as well. It

is inspiring to know this is happening.

Marie

> >

> > Hi all:

> > , I love your description of all that you have done for

your

> religious community and your own child.

> > We live in Northbrook and were fortunate that a group called

> Keshet (it means rainbow in Hebrew) was organized and up and

running

> by the time we were looking for a Sunday school and camp for

Noah at

> age 5. Keshet has a Jewish day school, Sunday School and

> recreational programs including summer camp for children with

> special needs. Though the day school is predominantly Jewish

> children, because there is Jewish content imbedded in the day to

day

> activities and learning experiences, the camp, which is in many

> integrated settings throughout the suburbs and the city has a

mix of

> participants. The families often bond and form long term

> relationships, as we have found to be the case. I can count over

20

> families with whom we have become very close over the fifteen

years

> of our involvement in Keshet. It is a welcoming and nurturing

> community that has a great deal of integration as a basis for

> bringing children with special needs into the larger community.

> Noah had his Bar Mitzvah at age 13 through our own Synagogue but

> with much Keshet support as well as the support of our private

> providers. It was an awesome experience. Most Keshet Sunday

School

> students become Bar and Bat Mitzvah. This is an expectation.

> Whatever level of assistance and support is needed, can be

given,

> often with Keshet staff collaborating with a family's Synagogue.

> > Noah is very spiritual and loves Judaism. We attend Friday

night

> services regularly and he is very much accepted.

> > Our Rabbi, concerned with Noah's future, has offered Noah a

job at

> the Synagogue. Noah is currently working 1-2 hours every day,

with

> the support of his school job coach. He is trying out lots of

> different tasks and the Rabbi assures us that whatever number of

> hours he wants to work and whatever jobs he is most comfortable

> doing, will be available to him for as long as he wants to work

> there. The Synagogue is in our neighborhood, several minutes

from

> our house. He will be paid a regular pay check as soon as we set

> that up. Noah can continue involvement in Keshet Sunday school

for

> as long as he wants. There are currently participants in their

30's

> who attend the school on Sundays.

> > Both Keshet and our Synagogue are models, I think for other

> religious affiliations.

> > I would encourage other families to investigate what can be

done

> to welcome their sons and daughters into their community

religious

> organizations.

> > Ellen

> >

> > Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> > egskb@

> > Re: Question of the Month: Religion

> >

> >

> > Good morning Marie,

> > You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am

> the " Special

> > Needs Co-ordinator " for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in

south

> Naperville.

> > (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)

> > I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this

> position/ministry was

> > created was to help kids with disl be included in regular

> religous

> > education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed

> typically starts in

> > first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church

school,

> church

> > building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor

of

> the yet to

> > be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec.

> needs. he

> > approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He

named

>

> > Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago

and

> I jumped

> > at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught

us

> to be one

> > in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people

> should be at

> > the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish

has

> persued a

> > micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.

> > All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in

> regular r.e.

> > classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents

and

> teachers.

> > The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with

> their friends.

> > My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid)

> to do some

> > yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The

> church

> > confirmation kids have done service by supporting the

Greenhouse.

> > One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the

> youth " Teen

> > Life " mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because

she

> loved her

> > faith and loved to sing.

> > Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist

> Minisgter.

> > For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last

year

> we had 5

> > people with dis. give " witness " to their faith and life

journey.

> This year

> > we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from

> architecture to

> > culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry

> room because

> > this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying

> needed to

> > be a part of the greater congregation.

> > There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly

> saying amen,

> > that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the

church.

> > My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-

> disabled

> > friends.

> > Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I

> want my

> > child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith

> based

> > prospective, church should be the " emotional down filled

> blanket " .

> > This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first

> Communion. The

> > buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after

the

> holy act.

> > This is real communion, by any faith standard.

> > A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the

> material on

> > Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it

wasn't

> happening

> > in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take

> months to

> > debate. We made it happen.

> > I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this

> work. Feel

> > free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things

> happening.

> >

> > I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do

> all the

> > readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand

still

> for a very

> > sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .

> > Blessings to you

> > Cindi

> >

>

[Guest guest]

We are at St. 's parish in Champaign -

Re: Question of the Month: Religion> > > > > > Good morning Marie,> > You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am > the "Special > > Needs Co-ordinator" for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south > Naperville. > > (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)> > I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this > position/ministry was > > created was to help kids with disl be included in regular > religous > > education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed > typically starts in > > first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school, > church > > building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of > the yet to > > be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec. > needs. he > > approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named > > > Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and > I jumped > > at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us > to be one > > in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people > should be at > > the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has > persued a > > micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.> > All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in > regular r.e. > > classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and > teachers.> > The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with > their friends.> > My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) > to do some > > yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The > church > > confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.> > One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the > youth "Teen > > Life" mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she > loved her > > faith and loved to sing.> > Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist > Minisgter.> > For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year > we had 5 > > people with dis. give "witness" to their faith and life journey. > This year > > we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from > architecture to > > culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry > room because > > this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying > needed to > > be a part of the greater congregation.> > There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly > saying amen, > > that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.> > My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-> disabled > > friends.> > Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I > want my > > child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith > based > > prospective, church should be the "emotional down filled > blanket" .> > This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first > Communion. The > > buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the > holy act. > > This is real communion, by any faith standard.> > A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the > material on > > Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't > happening > > in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take > months to > > debate. We made it happen.> > I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this > work. Feel > > free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things > happening.> > > > I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do > all the > > readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still > for a very > > sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .> > Blessings to you> > Cindi> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi, good luck to you. Check the diocease of Pittsburgh, Univ of Dayton,

and the National Catholic conference on persons with dis. Thjere is a lot

of good stuff from Dayton to adapt curriculum so all kids can be in r e

together. Be in touch ..I am so blessed to have this job. We also do

outreach. I have speakers on idea, ssi, etc. We had our pas agency come

in and schedule PUNS . Cindi s

[Guest guest]

Will do! Thanks for the information.

Re: Re: Question of the Month: Religion

Hi, good luck to you. Check the diocease of Pittsburgh, Univ of Dayton, and the National Catholic conference on persons with dis. Thjere is a lot of good stuff from Dayton to adapt curriculum so all kids can be in r e together. Be in touch ..I am so blessed to have this job. We also do outreach. I have speakers on idea, ssi, etc. We had our pas agency come in and schedule PUNS . Cindi s

[Guest guest]

Keshet has quite a bit of integration built in, but creating a welcoming inclusive environment within a parish or Synagogue or school district is definitely a very good thing to be doing.

There should be no need to create a "separate but equal" system. I love Keshet, but it has some resemblance to the institutional model.

I would welcome comments on this.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: Religion> > > > > > Good morning Marie,> > You are speaking up one of my many inclusion alleys! I am > the "Special > > Needs Co-ordinator" for Holy Spirit Catholic Community in south > Naperville. > > (I also work for the Il. Lifespan Project at the Arcof Il)> > I work 10-15 hours a wk. The inital reason this > position/ministry was > > created was to help kids with disl be included in regular > religous > > education. In the Catholic church formation/religous ed > typically starts in > > first grade, about an hour a week, either in the church school, > church > > building , or volunteer teachers' homes. When the new pastor of > the yet to > > be built church saw how many kiods were coming in with spec. > needs. he > > approached a parishenr who had a baby with spec needs. He named > > > Palmeri the first spec. needs co. She move about 4 years ago and > I jumped > > at this opportunity. Because of the belief that Jesus taught us > to be one > > in Him, the U.S. Bishops in '78,83, an 94 proclined all people > should be at > > the liturgical table at the same time together, this parish has > persued a > > micro and macro approach to inclusion/celebration.> > All our kids with dis. that are known to us are included in > regular r.e. > > classes. I help support that with collabortaion with parents and > teachers.> > The kids all are invited/welcome to receive sacraments with > their friends.> > My son, who has Down Syndrome volunteers and works (gets paid) > to do some > > yard work. (We are involved in We Grow Dreams as a family. The > church > > confirmation kids have done service by supporting the Greenhouse.> > One of our teen girls wiht Down Syndrome had a solo in the > youth "Teen > > Life" mass. Not because she was the best singer, but because she > loved her > > faith and loved to sing.> > Another young lady, done with sacraments is a Eucharist > Minisgter.> > For the last two years we have had Inclusion weekend. Last year > we had 5 > > people with dis. give "witness" to their faith and life journey. > This year > > we are putting together a video of life in the parish, from > architecture to > > culture of the people. The building was designed with NO cry > room because > > this pastor beleived that all people, even if they were crying > needed to > > be a part of the greater congregation.> > There is a young many who is somewhat boisterous ...loudly > saying amen, > > that's right, and often he will get affirmation from the church.> > My own son made sacraments at St. Margaret with his non-> disabled > > friends.> > Spread was nice in its day, but , just like in secular life, I > want my > > child to be a part of the greater community..and frojm a faith > based > > prospective, church should be the "emotional down filled > blanket" .> > This really workds. This spring a boy with ASD made first > Communion. The > > buddies, non-disabled, from football, chest butted him after the > holy act. > > This is real communion, by any faith standard.> > A little girl, blind, she will be with us all the way..got the > material on > > Braille. Her mother found out what we were doing, knew it wasn't > happening > > in many churches. and registered this summer. It did not take > months to > > debate. We made it happen.> > I am blind, have and MSW, cradle Catholic , and I love this > work. Feel > > free to get in touch with me. There are a lot of good things > happening.> > > > I knew of a young boy, Jewish..the Rbbi allowed the dad to do > all the > > readings, and the Rabbi asked if the boy could just stand still > for a very > > sacred passage, they would call it a Bar Mitzvah .> > Blessings to you> > Cindi> >>

[Guest guest]

ellen, look into Pathways Awareness Foundation. JoAnn Meyers is the exec.

Vedry very approachabble. Catholic, but Pathways is eucumenical. I cant

spell that but you know what I lmean. It is all about including people with

dis. She has a lot of lit. on the matter. I am a bit c onflicted. I am

all inclusion. However, my son is a big SpecialOlym. athlete. lplays for

the tomahawks hockey. So some will say a bible study may be o k if it is

self contained so the studnets can better undertstnad the material...like

sports..they can access it better. I suppose that is o k so long as they

are still welcome to the greater congregation for service, lay ministry and

social content. Cindi. (I thing I am going to call it a night. chat

tomorrow.) Cindi

[Guest guest]

I think I should share that Pathways Awareness Foundation gives recognition to

congregations which promote inclusion in religious education and rituals. I

think one of their programs is called Open Hearts, Open Minds. You may find them

on our website, listed below. Use the link to Search for Advocacy/Service

Providers. Then use their name to search under AGENCY NAME, from the choices of

different fields to search.

Mike Kaminsky, Director

www.Illinoislifespan.org

800-588-7002

Re: Question of the Month: Religion

Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH

which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by

the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the

wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step

back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Mike.

I will check that out.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: ReligionSince the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your perspective. I too agree that there are instances in which accessibility creates issues in full inclusion, almost like comparing women's sports and determining that women and men competing against one another in most sports is unrealistic.

It is always a good idea though to have those litmus tests to make sure we are not creating institutional models. It is a matter of raising our social consciousness a notch both within our disabilities groups and within the greater community.

I will check out the Pathways site.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Re: Question of the Month: Religion

ellen, look into Pathways Awareness Foundation. JoAnn Meyers is the exec. Vedry very approachabble. Catholic, but Pathways is eucumenical. I cant spell that but you know what I lmean. It is all about including people with dis. She has a lot of lit. on the matter. I am a bit c onflicted. I am all inclusion. However, my son is a big SpecialOlym. athlete. lplays for the tomahawks hockey. So some will say a bible study may be o k if it is self contained so the studnets can better undertstnad the material...like sports..they can access it better. I suppose that is o k so long as they are still welcome to the greater congregation for service, lay ministry and social content. Cindi. (I thing I am going to call it a night. chat tomorrow.) Cindi

[Guest guest]

I found the site, Mike and would recommend it for anyone looking for more information on inclusion in religious education and rituals. It is quite interesting. I sent it to our Rabbi.

Thanks.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: ReligionSince the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.

[Guest guest]

I wasn't able to find the information on the Pathways site regarding

inclusion and religious education - can you provide the exact link

(web address) for the page you are referring to?

In the meantime.......

The Archdiocese of Chicago has a program called SPRED (Special

Religious Development) www.spred.org

" SPRED is a network of services designed to assist persons with

developmental disabilities and/or learning problems to become

integrated into parish assemblies of worship through the process of

education in their faith. SPRED services are provided through the

leadership of the Special Religious Education Agency of the Catholic

Archdiocese of Chicago. "

The Joliet Diocese should have the same program.

When my family made the decision last year to join the Catholic

Church, we were welcomed with open and loving arms by our local

parish (Corpus Christi in Carol Stream, IL). My daughter is 18

years post TBI (severe physical disabilities and cognitive

impairment). The SPRED program wasn't used - instead the RE dept.

put together a special program for her. She made her confirmation

and first communion through the RCIA program (because of her age).

Previously, we had attended other churches (non-Catholic) and had

some good and some not so good experiences. I won't name names

here, but at one church it was like we were all invisible.

>

> I found the site, Mike and would recommend it for anyone looking

for more information on inclusion in religious education and

rituals. It is quite interesting. I sent it to our Rabbi.

> Thanks.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Re: Question of the Month: Religion

>

> Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class

called REACH

> which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is

fully funded by

> the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this

year, the

> wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it

are ready to step

> back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this

program.

>

[Guest guest]

I am hoping Mike will respond because I don't remember offhand how I got to the Pathways site.

I have a friend whose daughter has been attending SPRED in Glenview and she is very pleased with the program. She was instrumental in getting it started in this community.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@...

Re: Question of the Month: Religion> > Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class called REACH > which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is fully funded by > the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this year, the > wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it are ready to step > back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this program.>

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Here's the info on Pathways:

.. Pathways Awareness Foundation's program called Open Hearts, Open

Minds promotes inclusion in worship. Lots of practical information

for parents, congregation volunteers, teachers and religious leaders

on ways to make programs, rituals and worship an inclusive

experience for all. Their website is:

http://www.inclusioninworship.org/.

FYI, what I am doing is editing all responses to our QOMs into a

File which I'm storing in the Files section of this Group.

So, if you click on Files to the left, look for one called Questions

of the Month -- that's where the Religion question is stored, and

I'm almost done, too, with the Voting one. I'll try to include

relevant websites when possible.

Diane, I'll add your Carol Stream info to the file later today.

That's great information to share with others.

Thanks everyone!

Laurie

> >

> > I found the site, Mike and would recommend it for anyone looking

> for more information on inclusion in religious education and

> rituals. It is quite interesting. I sent it to our Rabbi.

> > Thanks.

> > Ellen

> > Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> > egskb@

> > Re: Question of the Month: Religion

> >

> > Since the age of six, Angel has attended a special CCD class

> called REACH

> > which is held at St. ph's Parish in Downers Grove. It is

> fully funded by

> > the St 's Council of the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, this

> year, the

> > wonderful ladies (and one man) who have volunteered to run it

> are ready to step

> > back. Angel made her Communion and Confirmation through this

> program.

> >

>