Bringing the church to those
with disabilities

	SIGNING MASS: Fr. Don Zerkel of the Milwaukee Archdiocese signs Sunday Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Green Bay. Susan Perrault, diocesan consultant for ministry to persons with disabilities, helps parishes arrange such services. (Rick Evans photo)

Third in a Bishop's Appeal series

By Joanne Flemming
Compass Correspondent

A child was preparing for First Communion. But there was a challenge. The child was tube-fed.

What to do?

Call Susan Perrault. The diocesan consultant for ministry to persons with disabilities worked with the parish and the family to prepare the child for Communion. During the process the parents indicated that the child could swallow if the Eucharist was placed on the back of his tongue.

Perrault suggested the parish order one of the long-handled spoons used for Communion in Eastern Rites and "Father practiced taking a bit of the cup" and giving it to the child, she said.

The parish gave the child the spoon as a First Communion present. When his mother brings him for weekly Eucharist, she gives the spoon to the Communion minister.

"It's perfectly OK not to do things the same way everyone else does," Perrault said, who describes her job as assisting "Catholic parishes, schools and programs in the appropriate inclusion of persons with disabilities."

She helps on a case by case basis, usually beginning with a call from a family asking for assistance in involving a child or adult with disabilities in faith formation and worship.   Full story ...

Sidebar: Bishop's Appeal

	Mass Times 2004-05 Fall/Winter Mass Schedules (from Sept. 3 issue)
	Lenten Giving/ Easter Joy Wish List (from Feb. 11 issue)

Lent
• Howard parish helps Haitians  • Bridging the Gap by Bishop Zubik --     Driving in the left hand lane  • Reflection on the Readings     by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --     'So, on what does our faith depend?'  • Explaining the Scripture     by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --     Jesus' life and death show God's love  • Guest Column by Br. Steve Herro --     We have chance to aid church mission  • Patti Christensen --     Make Lenten journey a family pilgrimage in search of the holy		• Foundations of Faith --    Ancient circuits offer new paths to God during Lent    Sidebar: How to walk • Praying with Sunday's Scriptures    Sidebar: Readings for the Week Lent articles from previous issues: • Feb. 18, 2005 issue • Feb. 11, 2005 issue • Feb. 4, 2005 issue • Lenten fast and abstinence rules 2005 Wish List Lenten Giving/Easter Joy Wish List (from Feb. 11, 2005 issue)

 • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --
    Driving in the left hand lane (Lent)

 • Reflection on the Readings by Auxiliary Bishop Morneau --
    February 27, 2005: 'So, on what does our faith depend?' (Lent)

 • Explaining the Scripture by Fr. Richard Ver Bust --
    February 27, 2005: Jesus' life and death show God's love (Lent)

 • Editorial -- Fascinating physics
    Vatican scientist says scientific discoveries change how we see the world
    and God

 • Editorial -- Dioceses deserve kudos
    Compliance with Charter good news
    Sidebar: On the Web

 • Eye on the Capitol --
    WCC ready to lobby on the budget

 • Guest Column by Br. Steve Herro --
    We have chance to aid church mission (Lent)
    Stewards are connected to the church's national and international mission

 • Foundations of Faith --
    Ancient circuits offer new paths to God during Lent (Lent)
    Twisting, turning, in and out As we pray, peace comes about
    Sidebar: How to walk

 • Saint of the Day --
    Being king not worth a war
    Casimir preferred prayer to the crown, political intrigue

 • Patti Christensen --
    Make Lenten journey a family pilgrimage in search of the holy (Lent)
    Our search for the sacred is a quest for those treasures that will not rot

 • Praying with Sunday's Scriptures (Lent)
    Sidebar: Readings for the Week

 • Calendar of Events

	Articles on Bishop's Appeal 2005
• Bringing the church to those with disabilities (Feb. 25, 2005) • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --    Driving in the left hand lane (Feb. 25, 2005) • Campus ministry fuels students' growth in faith (Feb. 18, 2005) • Bishop's Appeal brings Faces of Faith to others (Feb. 11, 2005) • Pie chart of Bishop's Appeal use