Catechists enriched by workshop on disabilities education

Teaching catechism to persons with disabilities is not so much about memorizing a long list of religious facts, but rather about nurturing relationships, asserted Charleen Katra, keynote speaker at the Feb. 22 Catechist Formation Day workshop held in the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway.

“There is always a social and spiritual connection any time Jesus is involved,” Katra continued. “The doors of the Church and the hearts of the people inside the Church should be open. We are all made in God’s image.”

Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Discipleship Formation for Children, the workshop attracted catechists from across the Diocese of Metuchen to hear Katra, associate director for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston’s Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and coauthor of “The Adaptive Teacher: Faith-Based Strategies to Reach and Teach Learners with Disabilities.”

“Communities are called to not only take care of the most fragile, but to recognize the presence of Jesus who, in a special way, manifests himself in them. Don’t ever think you do not have this ministry,” cautioned Katra. “Give the people in front of you your best, and God will take care of the rest. We are middle management.”

Language evolves as the world evolves, she continued, and past labels of the mentally or emotionally disabled may not respect a person’s value. Quoting St. John Paul II’s observation that “people with disabilities are prophets of what we will all become if we are blessed with a long life,” Katra added, “Removing an attitudinal barrier doesn’t cost any money. Be curious, not judgmental.”

The speaker shared sobering statistics about mental illness and developmental challenges. One in 36 children have been diagnosed with autism; one in six struggle with sensory processing disorders, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for those ages 10-34. “Like an iceberg, there may be more behind the behavior that you can see,” she cautioned.

Katra stated that there were four main motivators or reasons for a child’s unexpected behavior – manipulation, confusion, anger and avoidance – and it is important to ask questions to determine which is at the forefront during a student’s meltdown. She advised the catechists to publicly praise children that do things right, using their names in a positive way rather than just to reprimand, and always have an agenda available for students who crave more structure. Katra advised the catechists and administrators enlist the help of the parents in sharing how such misbehavior is addressed at home; “the same strategies can get them on track for better success.”

“People with disabilities call us to slow down,” Katra said, “and we need them more than they need us. Use immersive learning and try to employ all five senses in lessons. Teachers typically talk too much.”

She added, “We should be moving from inclusion to belonging, for it is a human need. Diversity is having a seat at the table, and inclusion is having that voice heard.”

Katra concluded, “Share what you learn with other people, spread the Good News. This ministry is very much hospitality and evangelization. Do the footwork and give them to God. God will give them the grace he wants them to have just like he did and does for each and every one of us.”

The National Catholic Partnership on Disability provides dioceses with resources, training and support to advance the full participation of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church. It may be reached at [email protected] or 771-203-4477.