Loving All of God’s Children through the Special Needs Ministry

Thanks to the Special Needs Ministry, our parish family can treat each child of God with great love, concern, and understanding. In God’s eyes, all life is sacred, and we pray that all life will be held sacred in our eyes as well.

“A while ago, two of our special needs students were very physically agitated before they were about to receive their First Sacraments,” says Lisa Milbrath, a Special Needs Ministry volunteer. “However, after they received their sacraments, they were so calm and content. You could really tell that the sacramental graces had taken effect. It was such a meaningful moment for us who had worked with these children.”

The Special Needs Ministry ensures that each child at our parish who has special needs or serious learning disabilities is properly prepared to receive their First Sacraments. Using a flexible, alternative track, they provide courses as needed. Last year, they worked with three students, but this year they do not have any students as no one signed up for the course. Currently, Lisa works alongside Donna Conn, Kay Durfey, and Jen Brown to meet the needs of this ministry.

“We plan to offer the course every year in case there is a child who may need it,” Lisa says.

“The courses are designed for kids who would not be able to function in the normal Religious Education classroom setting, such as those who are in special needs classrooms in their schools.”

The inspiration to initiate this ministry came about a couple of years ago when Lisa and Donna had a significant conversation one Sunday morning before Mass.

“She told me that it was on her mind and heart to have a ministry like this, and I told her it was amazing she said so, because it was on my heart, too,” Lisa says. “Then we talked to Fr. Tom about it, and he was happy to help us make it happen.”

For Lisa, being part of this ministry is particularly meaningful because her daughter, Emma, has autism.

“Even though she did just fine in the regular Religious Education courses, her having autism made me more aware of special needs kids who would struggle in class,” Lisa says. “Emma inspired me to help with this ministry. Both she and my other daughter, Mary, helped out with it last year.”

For further information about the Special Needs Ministry, please contact Lisa Milbrath at 712-309-6261.

First Eucharist Day at Corpus Christi