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May 09. 2012 9:06PM
Program aims to help kids with special needs through the confirmation process
LONDONDERRY — Faced with a number of children deprived of fully participating in the sacraments due to a learning disability or chronic illness, St. Jude Parish in Londonderry launched a program 10 years ago geared toward teaching young people with special needs.
On Sunday, May 13, the parish will celebrate as the second group of students to complete the program is confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith.
“It’s our belief that these children — like any other child — have the right to come to learn about their faith and develop their relationship with God. These kids are so special, they already have a special relationship with God beyond our knowledge,” said the Rev. Robert Couto, pastor of St. Jude’s.
The children have various conditions that range from autism to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to chronic illness, he said.
Trish M. Woodward, religious education director, organized a team of volunteers with expertise in teaching special-needs students, and together they developed a curriculum taught “at a level that they can comprehend.”
Then-Bishop of Manchester John B. McCormack confirmed the first group of students about five years ago. One child, who was about 8 years old when she was confirmed, has since died.
“She was 10 years old, and in her 10 years she had more than 100 surgeries,” the pastor said.
Current Manchester Bishop Peter A. Libasci will confirm the second group at Sunday’s 10 a.m. Mass.
“He said to me that special-needs children have a special place in his heart,” Couto said of the bishop.
While Catholic youths traditionally receive the sacrament of confirmation in 10th grade, these children start learning much younger because many would find it too difficult to achieve the same level of spiritual understanding as a 10th grader, Couto said.
And “we recognize that some of these children who suffer from chronic illness may not make it to the 10th grade,” he added.
The religious education program is open to any Catholic child with special needs, regardless of whether he or she belongs to the parish.
“They are so precious,” Couto said of the children. “They’re truly precious. They are a great gift to all of us.”
On Sunday, May 13, the parish will celebrate as the second group of students to complete the program is confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith.
“It’s our belief that these children — like any other child — have the right to come to learn about their faith and develop their relationship with God. These kids are so special, they already have a special relationship with God beyond our knowledge,” said the Rev. Robert Couto, pastor of St. Jude’s.
The children have various conditions that range from autism to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to chronic illness, he said.
Trish M. Woodward, religious education director, organized a team of volunteers with expertise in teaching special-needs students, and together they developed a curriculum taught “at a level that they can comprehend.”
Then-Bishop of Manchester John B. McCormack confirmed the first group of students about five years ago. One child, who was about 8 years old when she was confirmed, has since died.
“She was 10 years old, and in her 10 years she had more than 100 surgeries,” the pastor said.
Current Manchester Bishop Peter A. Libasci will confirm the second group at Sunday’s 10 a.m. Mass.
“He said to me that special-needs children have a special place in his heart,” Couto said of the bishop.
While Catholic youths traditionally receive the sacrament of confirmation in 10th grade, these children start learning much younger because many would find it too difficult to achieve the same level of spiritual understanding as a 10th grader, Couto said.
And “we recognize that some of these children who suffer from chronic illness may not make it to the 10th grade,” he added.
The religious education program is open to any Catholic child with special needs, regardless of whether he or she belongs to the parish.
“They are so precious,” Couto said of the children. “They’re truly precious. They are a great gift to all of us.”
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