Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
St. Pius prepares first Communicants with special needs
Father Bill Schooler, pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Granger, poses with Anna on her first Communion day. (Photo provided by Susan Pearson)
By Jennifer Ochstein
GRANGER — Anna Pearson, 8, has been disappointed during the last several Masses she’s attended at St. Pius Catholic Church.
It’s not that she doesn’t like the homily or participate in the liturgy.
In fact, the congregation often sees her twirling and dancing to the music in the front row, her mother, Susan Pearson, said.
Rather, Anna’s disquiet has come from a much deeper longing: her desire to receive the Eucharist.
But all that changed during a Saturday Mass at the church.
Anna and two other children, diagnosed with Down syndrome, received their first Communion after months of preparation.
Anna’s mom, Susan Pearson, said via e-mail before Anna’s experience that she’s relieved her daughter can now experience the Eucharist.
"Every time we go to Mass, she wants to receive, and I have to keep telling her not this week," Pearson said. "She gets quite upset when I tell her no."
St. Pius pastoral associate Amy Schlatterbeck began working with the children after they expressed interest in wanting to participate in the Eucharist.
"We teach the basics — prayer — and we practice receiving so they know how to do that," Schlatterbeck said. "They’re excited. It’s been difficult at Mass for them to have to wait, but the longing is good. So, they’re very ready."
Pearson said the students, including Matthew Speheger, 9, Brian Hendricks, 16, Kaitlyn Revell, 11, and Anna, have been preparing all year for their first Communion. Schlatterbeck said Brian would not be taking first Communion with the other children because a family member is out of town, and he wants to wait until the entire family is together.
"I spoke with the other moms, and we are all in agreement that this is very precious to us because we thought it would never happen," Pearson said. "As you can see by our children’s ages, some of them fell through the cracks. As a parent of a child with special needs, you are in a quandary about what to do. If you’re child isn’t ready at the age all the other children are moving forward, there are no other options. This is why we were so overwhelmed with gratitude at being given this opportunity. Our children’s lives will be forever changed because St. Pius was open and willing to work on a curriculum, which would reach our children."
And she said Schlatterbeck has provided the type of environment in which the children have flourished.
She explained that children with Down syndrome are visual learners, and Pearson thought the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program offered at St. Pius would help Anna along with her religious education because of her short attention span.
Schlatterbeck worked with Anna one-on-one last year. But instead of moving her into the mainstream catechetical classes when she was ready, Pearson said she and Schlatterbeck decided to continue in the same way except other children with Down syndrome were invited to join.
"Children with Down syndrome can do many of the same things their peers can, it just takes them longer," said Pearson.
She added later that the children’s families are grateful to St. Pius for the opportunity the children to be given religious education.
"This program has brought so much hope to our families," she said.
Indeed, Schlatterbeck said the children felt they were ready to receive Communion "and take their next step in faith.
"They expressed an interest in receiving the Eucharist, so we felt they were ready," Schlatterbeck said.
She said she’s been working with them so they understand that the bread they take is "different from regular bread. It’s transformed into the body and blood of Christ."
She’s taught them to show reverence upon receiving the Eucharist, teaching them to genuflect and bow as well as Mass etiquette — being quiet, good listeners and participating. These are the same issues about which Schlatterbeck talks with all the children.
"If it weren’t for this program, our children wouldn’t be making this journey," Pearson said. "I am hoping that this will be an inspiration for other families."
Because of her own love of the Catholic faith and her belief in Catholic education, Pearson said having Anna receive religious education is special. And Anna’s reception of the Eucharist "is a monumental day for me," she said.
Despite Anna’s first Communion, Pearson said her daughter will likely have one disappointment. Anna loves going to what she calls "church school," and is disappointed when she doesn’t go.
"I don’t know what I'm going to do now that classes are over until next fall," she said.
Pearson said each of the children participating in the class have shared their own thoughts about their first Communion.
She said that Cheryl Speheger was "blown away" when Matthew accepted the Eucharist because of sensory problems, causing him to refuse food much of the time.
Lori Hendricks, Brian’s mom and a Special Olympics coach, never thought her son would take first Communion, and because it’s such a monumental event for their family, Brian is holding off until his sister can witness the event as well, Pearson said.
"Anne Revell, Kaitlyn’s mom, shared that she feels our children are true blessings and instruments of God," Pearson said. "Our children have taught us acceptance, unconditional love and patience. Through their innocence and love they have a true connection to God, more than we can ever comprehend."
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