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Catechesis for Children with Special Needs

Here at St. Thomas More, we believe that all children are created in the image of God, and therefore can know and love God and live as members of a community of faith. Our goal is to include and provide catechesis for every child in the parish. We are guided by the words of St. Paul, speaking of the Church as the Body of Christ:

"It is precisely the parts of the body which seem to be weakest which are indispensable, and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with greater honor. ... God has so composed the body, giving the greater dignity to the weaker part, so that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is given special honor, all rejoice together." (1 Corinthians 12:22-23a, 24-26)

Parents are therefore invited to bring their children with special needs to participate in the Elementary Faith Development program. We will do our best to assess the gifts and needs of each child, and we will work with parents, siblings, catechists and other children to enable your children to participate to the greatest extent possible. In particular, we will make every effort to enable all children to prepare for and celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation.

Resources for Children with Special Needs

Faith Formation Individualized Education Form Word PDF

Guidelines for Inclusion

Catechetical Resources for Children and Youth with Disability - a Partial Bibliography

From the US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Other Resources

  • National Catholic Partnership on Disability - The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society. This websites contains webinar trainings for catechists, tips, forms and resources for catechesis of persons with disabilities.
  • Network of Inclusive Catholic Education - As part of the University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, the Network of Inclusive Catholic Educators, serves as a support network and resource to individuals with disabilities and their families. Resources for Sacramental preparation, print and DVD’s to assist with religious education are provided.
  • National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry - The National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAfIM) leads the Catholic community to the full inclusion of persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This web site includes PDF’s of tips for Catechists for Sacramental preparation and practical helps for religious education.
  • Pathways Awareness - The "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" program of Pathways Awareness assists congregations of all faith traditions to include people with physical, sensory, mental or emotional differences into all aspects of faith life. The web site also includes downloads of lesson plans for religious educators to teach students age 8 to 18 about the gifts received when everyone is included.
  • Friendship Ministries - An international, interdenominational ministry helping equip churches from more than 60 denominations to include people with cognitive impairments. Friendship materials are inter-denominational, easy to use, and sensitive to different ages and learning levels.
  • Xavier Society - Resources for the Blind - The Xavier Society continues its pioneering mission by producing Braille, large print, audiocassette and most recently digital formats of religious books and periodicals.
  • National Catholic Office for the Deaf - NCOD develops and disseminates religious education and pastoral training resources for ministry with deaf and hard of hearing individuals.