Spirited
Education
Religious Education
and Pastoral Care of Developmentally Disabled Persons
303-934-1999 | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Office
of Special Religious Education for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
provides religious education and Sacramental preparation to Catholic persons
with disabilities in the Archdiocese of Denver. Staff consists of Father Roland
Freeman, Director; Sr. Mary Catherine Widger, SL, Associate Director; and
Addie Elshire, Secretary.
Mission
Statement
The Archdiocese of Denver affirms and implements the "U.S. Catholic Bishops
Statement on Handicapped Persons" and the Pastoral Guidelines "Access to the
Sacraments of Initiation and Reconciliation for the Developmentally Disabled,"
both of which require the church to provide appropriate religious education
and pastoral care for developmentally disabled persons.
The Office of Special Religious Education and Pastoral Care is a mutual ministry with developmentally disabled persons and their families. Realizing that all persons are called to be full members of the Body of Christ, the ministry facilitates the development of the Catholic Christian faith and its sacramental life through education, nurture and presence. Rejoicing in the gifts mentally retarded persons bring to the Church, we are enabled to experience what St. Paul encountered in his communities: ". ..receiving the word in joy they became an example to all." (I Thessalonians 1: 6-7)
Catechesis for people with moderate and severe developmental disabilities is built upon scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments and parish community. We are goal-oriented and curriculum-conscious, but our mission is to minister to the religious life of the student to facilitate a life with God in Christ and create and experience Christian Community.
The content
of the scriptural text and tradition is presented and re-interpreted in words
for the developmental level of the students, but not childishly. Our students
have a deep sense of God and we work to help them to express themselves and
their feelings through activities such as drawing, working with related materials,
song, and sharing with one another. We present the sacraments in such a way
that students are enabled to move from the seen to the unseen, the concrete
visible to the invisible. As an example in the celebration of the Eucharist,
we begin by carefully planned experiences that trigger the imagination and
allow the heart to be open to the presence of God. The participation of the
students in the solemn presentation of the Book of the Gospels with candle,
incense and Alleluia song, the receiving of the students' intentions and prayers
for the offertory; their participation in the preparation of the altar, the
joyful exchange of peace, and their being taught how to prepare themselves
and to participate in the parish celebration of the Eucharist.
Special
Religious Education and Pastoral Care Programs
Catechesis for persons with developmental disabilities is provided in several ways.