tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post114428844858617079..comments2023-06-22T06:51:14.002-05:00Comments on 29 Marbles: Autism and GodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-6128292409931973792007-12-19T12:13:00.000-06:002007-12-19T12:13:00.000-06:00I had the honor a few years ago to be a "pal" to a...I had the honor a few years ago to be a "pal" to a young man as he prepared to receive First Communion. With time, repetition and the support of family and church staff, it became clear that he understood the meaning of Eucharist and was able to receive his First Communion. Certainly, this is a most personal decision on the part of parents, but I do strongly believe that the Church needs to have strong, caring, inclusive religious education programs that enable children with autism, like my pal, and other disabilities, to learn about and receive the sacraments according to their ability. <BR/><BR/>The extent of religious education should be governed by the ability of the <B> child</B>, not the ability of the church to provide catechesis.<BR/><BR/>I will forever be grateful to my pal for the lessons in faith and persistence that he taught me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-52441162284296232472007-11-13T14:38:00.000-06:002007-11-13T14:38:00.000-06:00I am a Catholic, sort of. My son being struck wit...I am a Catholic, sort of. My son being struck with Autism has devastated my faith, which I have tried to hang on to. I've read works both simple and profound to justify my faith. More importantly, I have prayed, and cried out to God, both for my son and for other children even more disabled than him, but with no appreciable result.<BR/><BR/>My quandry is not that I do not believe in God. I just have a hard time believing He cares. If He is all powerful, all caring, and all loving, I wish He'd shed a little mercy on the poor kids in my son's classroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-23574176687814113352007-08-07T07:14:00.000-05:002007-08-07T07:14:00.000-05:00Bridget, thanks for sharing your thoughts. This ...Bridget, thanks for sharing your thoughts. This is a very personal area, and one that presents serious challenges to parents, both in terms of raising your child and better understanding your faith. I'm glad you and your pastor have been able to figure it out.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05692538865185004176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6900412.post-77563058144326606122007-08-06T23:39:00.000-05:002007-08-06T23:39:00.000-05:00I am a Roman Catholic and my son is autistic. I a...I am a Roman Catholic and my son is autistic. I am not offended at all that he is not permitted to receive The Blessed Sacrament. He was baptised and confirmed. As far as I am concerned (and my pastor agrees), my son is a saint on earth and he will go straight to heaven when he dies. Since there is no way of knowing for sure if he understands that the host is NOT bread, but the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, it would be a sacrilege to allow him to receive Holy Communion. And he does NOT NEED to - he is a part of The Church and God loves him just the way He made him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com