Parish strives to bring Jesus to all children

"Do you remember getting baptized? When did it happen?" asks catechist Cathy Terwilliger of the four children scattered around the table in the Rainbow Room at Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville.

The three boys are bent over their coloring, crayons clutched tightly in serious hands. "A long time ago," replies 12-year-old Timothy Harrigan.

"Do you remember what you were wearing? Did your parents ever show you a picture of your Baptism?" prods Mrs. Terwilliger.

Timothy looks up, thinking. "I don't know. I was in the hospital. I was sick."

Slowing down

At first, the Rainbow class looks like an ordinary religion class: children gathered around a table to learn about their faith.

But this particular session is slightly modified because it's made up of students from all grade levels, age groups and developmental levels, with a special curriculum and calm, leisurely way of teaching specifically designed to serve the needs of learning-disabled and developmentally disabled children.

According to Madeline Fretto, one of two pastoral associates for faith formation at Immaculate Conception and coordinator of the program, "other classes go too fast for the extra one-on-one attention the children need" to be prepared to receive the sacraments.

For 15 years, she said, disabled children have been getting that attention at the parish through the Rainbow program.

Catechism

The structure of the class is based on a catechism for developmentally disabled children devised by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

It divides the basic catechism of the Church into four levels: At a foundational level, there are "the basics about love, God and Jesus," according to Mrs. Fretto, with more advanced lessons covering larger concepts like grace, reconciliation and the parables.

The course is light on the factual, theological import and heavy on linking back to subjects the children are more familiar with: family, teachers and friends.

Needing Jesus

During sacramental preparation, catechesis is done one-on-one with the child according to his or her needs.

"The children don't need statistics," Mrs. Fretto explained. "They need Jesus and love and security."

One recent Sunday session had the children learning about the different symbols of Baptism -- oil, water, candles and the white garment -- by making mobiles. The boys wielded scissors with the practiced hands of children who enjoy arts and crafts. Across the table, the work moved more slowly but was no less enjoyable for 17-year-old Tiffany Petel, who pointed out colors with glee to Mrs. Terwilliger.

"Which color do you want next?" she asked.

"Blue," said Tiffany.

Many levels

The Rainbow class includes boys and girls of many different developmental levels; some are mainstreamed into local schools, while others attend special classes.

Tiffany's mother, Helen Petel, says that her daughter functions at the level of a two- or three-year-old. Two of the boys in the class go to public elementary schools.

"Educably, I'm not sure she gets much out of it," said Mrs. Petel, "but she's got to feel a security, a quietness, a peace. She likes it."

Mainstreaming

Rainbow children like Timothy and Tiffany attend all church functions that involve the parish school -- singing and signing in an Advent liturgy, for example, working on Lent projects, doing service projects and going on retreats.

Confirmation candidates in Rainbow classes attend all preparation sessions save for the actual catechesis, which is done on a one-on-one basis. One graduate of the program made her Confirmation last year and now sings with the church choir, Mrs. Fretto noted.

The Rainbow children's parents see involvement with the parish as very important, she said, adding, "Their families want them to be a part of the community and the Church. And they have a right to the sacraments. More than anything, I want them to feel welcomed, to feel that they belong to something that's beautiful."

Achievements

Kevin Mertzluff, 11, finished his mobile first and hoisted his creation high, showing it off for the rest of the table to see. That spurred 10-year-old Joshua Harrigan to work faster, and elicited a delighted cheer from Tiffany and a "Good job, Kevin!" from Mrs. Terwilliger.

Around the hubbub hovers catechetical aide Giuliana Cianfarani, 14, as busy as a bee, helping the children attach their colorful symbols to the mobile.

Giuliana, a ninth-grader in the Burnt Hills school district, helped out in the nursery with her mother, Deborah, before both were asked to teach the Rainbow program. According to Mrs. Cianfarani, the mobile was Giuliana's idea.

"I like doing it," explained Giuliana, who volunteers at local nursing homes as well. "I like giving back. I like knowing that the kids are going to understand things now -- understand why they got baptized."

Meeting God

Mrs. Cianfarani called teaching the class "a challenge -- especially keeping them occupied and happy because of their different needs and ages. They do love coloring. I think they look forward to coming and learning about God."

After class, an aide took Tiffany to visit her mother, who teaches a middle-school catechism class. Proudly, Tiffany displayed her drawings.

"She may not be able to do much with those papers," said Mrs. Petel, "but she knows they are about God. And she knows they're hers. I see pride in her. I think that God is reaching her in her heart. I wish every parish had a Rainbow program."

(11/6/03) [[In-content Ad]]