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Special Needs Ministry Brings Families Back to Church
Confirmed
In Short: The Special Needs Ministry began as a backyard rosary group and has since expanded throughout the diocese, transforming communities and bringing families back to Mass.
The Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD's Special Needs Ministry is working to support families with children who have disabilities, encouraging their full and meaningful participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
According to the Diocese of Sioux Falls, the mission of the Special Needs Ministry is to provide support for children with special needs, affirming the dignity of every human being and growing in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of members who live with disabilities.
The ministry offers grants to help cover additional costs incurred to make it feasible for a child or children with special needs to be included in religious education.
Taylor, a mother of a child with special needs, shared her experience with EWTN News, stating, 'In the days that followed, I felt a wide range of emotions — sadness, frustration, disappointment, and a fierce determination to advocate for greater inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the Catholic Church.
Through the ministry, Taylor and her family found genuine, 'life-changing' acceptance, and the ministry has strengthened their faith journey in unexpected ways.
Sensory-friendly Masses, designed for people with special needs like autism, are 'one of the most meaningful parts of our ministry,' according to Devore, who noted that families know they can move around as needed without fear of judgment.
Devore emphasized, 'We've watched families return to Mass after years away. Children have received sacraments.
The ministry's hope is simple: that every individual with special and exceptional needs, and every parent, sibling, and caregiver who walks beside them, would know they are not just welcome in the Church, but that they are an essential part of the body of Christ.
The Special Needs Ministry began as a backyard rosary group and has since expanded throughout the diocese, transforming communities and bringing families back to Mass.
Reid was asked to leave sacramental preparation classes and Vacation Bible School because the parish couldn’t accommodate his special needs, highlighting the need for more inclusive practices.
Taylor reached out to her home diocese of Baton Rouge, who put them in contact with the All Are Welcome ministry, which has since transformed communities and brought families back to Mass.
What this adds
The ministry's efforts are part of a broader trend in churches to better support and include individuals with disabilities, as highlighted by the Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD's Special Needs Ministry.
The ministry's success in bringing families back to church and supporting children with special needs is a testament to the growing awareness and commitment to inclusivity within religious communities.
Background
The Diocese of Sioux Falls, SD's Special Needs Ministry is supporting families with children who have disabilities, encouraging their full participation in church life.
Recently, an individual with a disability sought an online church community, highlighting the need for accessible and engaging virtual spaces.
What's confirmed
- “Let the Children Come to Me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:13-14 It is the mission of the Special Needs Ministry to provide support for children with special needs.
- The church continues to affirm the dignity of every human being, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of her members who live with disabilities.
- Likewise, the Church recognizes that every parish community includes members with disabilities, and earnestly desires their active participation.
- In light of this call, the Church seeks to support all in their growth in holiness, and to encourage all in their vocations.
- Catholic adults and children with disabilities, and their families, earnestly desire full and meaningful participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
- Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities United States Conference of Catholic Bishops The special needs ministry offers grants to to help cover additional costs incurred to make it feasible for a child or children with special needs to be included in religious education.
- Your contributions to the Special Needs Ministry will help provide funding for educationally related services in Catholic schools and religious education programs.
What's still developing
- “For many families, Sunday morning isnʼt as simple as getting everyone dressed and going to Mass,” Devore said.
- Currently, 58% of male churchgoers say their congregation has an organized men’s ministry, 23% say there is nothing formal but there are activities specifically for men, 14% say their church has no activities for men and 5% aren’t sure.
- “As a whole, the findings from the research paint an encouraging picture of men’s ministry in churches across America,” said John Paul Basham, director of Lifeway Adults.
- Numerous research organizations have noted a shrinking church attendance gender gap.
- Overall, 97% of male churchgoers believe their church values men, according to this latest Lifeway Research study on men’s ministry.
- Attending churches with activities for men, however, significantly increases the likelihood a man feels ready for his spiritual calling.
- “A little bit of intentionality has a big impact on men in church,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.
- In particular, 77% of organized ministry leaders say they hear men give God glory each month for what they are experiencing in their men’s ministry, compared to 46% of those heading an informal ministry.
- “Upgrading a few men’s activities to an organized men’s ministry noticeably improves a church’s readiness to meet the needs of different types of men,” said McConnell.
- “Whether food is the reason they are coming, the thing that makes inviting easier or simply means they feel less pressure to talk, men notice that food fits with a large portion of their men’s ministry gatherings,” said McConnell.
- — Although men may be attending church more, congregations with organized men’s ministries appear better equipped to fully disciple them.
- A Lifeway Research study of 1,000 evangelical and Black Protestant male churchgoers and 473 men’s ministry leaders highlighted the importance of dedicated men’s ministries.