Re: First Communion/Sacraments

March 24, 2011

Hi , my daughter would never eat the host, but she did make her Holy

Communion. She went to a CCD called REACH for children with special needs.

>

> Hello-

> My son is 7 years old and has multiple disabilities. He is non-verbal, does

not walk, and only eats pureed food.

> I just spoke with my church about how he can receive the Sacrament of the

Eucharist/Holy Communion (Catholic). I stumped them--they are going to look in

to it and get back to me. BUt has anyone had experience with this or have

suggestions.

>

> He is not able to take the classes etc or does he comprehend what he is

receiving - but we want him to be a part of this process and receive his

Sacraments.

>

> Thanks so much!

>

March 24, 2011

,

I would suggest you go to the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities

website,

ncpd.org

You can search for two major documents penned by the

US Bishops in the late 70s and again in the 90s stating ALL people

with/without disabilities can access all the sacraments. I do consult work

for the Joliet diocese to help churches involve and include people wiht

disabilities. If you care to e mail me off line, i can offer more. The one

issue of 'getting it' or understanding , we never really know do we if

anyone gets it. It is faith, it is all a mystery and we should all be

included. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America last fall issued a

similar statement proclaiming all are welcome. It is up to the people,

laity to create the atmosphere to make that happen.

Good luck in finding the docs. If you have trouble, get in touch with me

and I can e mail them to you.

Cindi

March 24, 2011

You all know that Cindi is just plain flat one of the most wonderful

advocates ever. Just needed to say it out loud.

I think there are two issues here. One is whether God is worried about this.

I personally don't think God cares. I think he embraces us all, whether we

can get to the physical Communion Table or not. I think our respective

religions have made up so many artificial rules that are doing so much

damage to our collective world that it goes way beyond the disability

community. We hurt each other so much in the name of religion.

Whew, having said that, I think that there is a bigger (okay smaller) issue;

being able to participate in the rites and customs of our religious homes.

Currently, and his housemates attend church with us. Honestly, coffee

and cookies before church are far more important to them than Communion. And

maybe that breaking of bread (eating cookies) is the real communion. And I

love it that the " guys " now usher. But I wax on.

Currently only lasts until the end of the Gloria Patri, about 15

minutes into service. I'm trying to remember the last time he took

communion. In our current (Presbyterian) church, communion happens at the

end of service and he would NEVER last that long. And I just don't think God

cares. I think he loves so completely that it is far beyond my

imagination.

The fun bit of info here is that I was baptized Methodist, raised

Presbyterian, married a Catholic, was Lutheran for over a decade and am now

again a Presbyterian. We were still members of an ELCA Lutheran Church when

was a young teenager. He did not attend confirmation classes

(probably a huge parental failure on my part, gasp). However he took

Communion with the rest of the church by " intinture " . We walked with him to

the front of the church and dipped the communion wafer in the wine for him

and placed it in his mouth.

And I think God cheered.

From: IPADDUnite [mailto:IPADDUnite ] On

Behalf Of Cindi Swanson

Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 4:18 PM

IPADDUnite

Subject: Re: First Communion/Sacraments