DISABILITIES Diocese strives to teach all

As associate director for catechesis for persons with developmental disabilities and special needs for the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC), he helps people with disabilities to get a religious education.

"I see myself as an animator, an advocate, a resource person," he told The Evangelist. "But my heroes are the people in the parishes who make this happen."

Widening scope

On any given day, he might answer a call from a parish religious ed teacher asking how to welcome people in her community who live in group homes. Another catechist might call to ask for textbooks and resource materials suited for a child with Down syndrome. A third might wonder about helping an adult from a community residence who wants to be confirmed.

Mr. Amico often travels to parishes to meet with catechists and families in order to determine the best approach to religious ed for someone with a disability. For example, at St. Helen's parish in Niskayuna, he recently provided a specialized curriculum on Confirmation for a developmentally-disabled woman; and at St. Michael's in Troy, a young girl with special needs just received her First Communion after aides helped her understand the work in regular parish religious ed classes.

Rewards

Catholic Charities also works with persons with disabilities, so his efforts aren't the only ones being made by the Diocese.

"My focus is on helping folks with disabilities to be included in the life of the parish, which is their right by Baptism," he said. "That's my piece of the ministry."

(Contact Mr. Amico at 453-6630.)

(06-06-02) [[In-content Ad]]