Catechesis for Persons with Disabilities
The Office of Catholic Education resources catechetical ministry for people with disabilities. This Special Religious Education effort takes a three-pronged approach in enhancing evangelization and catechesis for and with persons whose special needs show us God’s face, helping us grow in His love.
- Awareness - The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) strives to increase awareness of disabilities by assisting parishes with information and strategies for effective communication about persons with disabilities.
- Inclusion - Our Archdiocesan Special Religious Education effort assists parishes in establishing Inclusion Teams who work via evangelization and catechesis to include persons with disabilities in parish life. Inclusion Teams share methods, techniques and strategies to help all persons with disabilities’ gifts and talents be utilized and included in parish activities—including typical catechetical sessions when appropriate.
- Specialized Approaches e.g. SPRED - OCE utilizes a variety of programs and adaptive materials to offer people with disabilities specialized catechetical programs when appropriate. For example, SPRED (Special Religious Development) continues to grow and provide an environment in which persons with developmental and cognitive disabilities can experience ongoing faith formation, as well as positive integration into the liturgical and community life of the Church. Special annual events like the Archdiocesan SPRED Mass, dinner dances, and weekend retreats offer persons with disabilities special opportunities to experience Christ in a larger community of peers.
Learn more at the links below:
