By Emily Clark
FAIRFIELD – A Mass celebrating people with special needs drew families, friends and staff of Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs to Holy Cross Church on November 1. In what many called a “joyous occasion,” evidenced by the continuous smiles and waves, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano confirmed three young adults and gave the Holy Eucharist to three First Communicants. Three additional young men received both sacraments.
Following the Gospel, Laura Grozier, Executive Director of Saint Catherine Center, presented the six Confirmands to the bishop who asked each of them to stand and be recognized by their community of loved ones.
In this homily, the bishop noted that this event was celebrated on a “very special day,” because of the young people seated before him and because of the Feast of All Saints. He recalled standing in line years ago, waiting to meet Pope John Paul II.
“I was also meeting, for the first time, a saint,” he remembered. “There are saints in our midst today, and we come here with grace, so that you and I, walking through life, will one day become a saint.”
Referencing Saint Catherine Center, he continued: “Here, they love the people that come, the young people and the adults. We say they come with special needs, and they do, and here, they so lovingly and competently work to have those needs met the best they can, day in and day out, so they can find a place in the world.”
Bishop Caggiano mentioned that in the Beatitudes, Jesus tells his people to be pure of heart, be poor in spirit, adding, “I suggest that our young people are already there through the simplicity and innocence of their lives. Deep within them, Jesus is already speaking to them. They know his voice. They have spent time with him. You don’t need words to do that. In the depths of their hearts, they already recognize who it is who will bring them to glory.”
After the homily, the bishop called for the Confirmands to approach the sanctuary with their sponsors, and he anointed each with the sacred chrism. Though some were unsure of the oil and the blessing and others were non-verbal, they all were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. One young man, with a wide smile on his face after the anointing, gave the bishop an enthusiastic “thumbs up.” Bishop Caggiano returned that smile.
Just prior to the faithful being motioned for Holy Eucharist, the six First Communicants, with their families by their sides, received the Body of Christ from Bishop Caggiano. Joyous applause followed each one.
As Mass ended, the bishop praised Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs and the families of these young people, saying: “This is a place where love is real. Thank you for the witness you give, the sacrifices you make. Let us remember that we are all on the journey to Heaven together, hand in hand.”
Kathy Olsen, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Saint Catherine, said after Mass: “This is my favorite day. It’s such a lovely Mass, having the young adults welcomed into the Church officially. It’s quite an accomplishment, and I’m so proud of them all.”
Allegra Herman, whose son Bradley, received his First Holy Communion, said this center is a safe environment for all. “It’s like a family here,” she said during the reception after Mass.
When her son had trouble receiving a host during the practice session, the staff and the bishop accommodated him by allowing Bradley to take the wine in an eye dropper. “He is non-verbal, but when I asked if it felt good to receive Communion, he said ‘yes,’” his mother added. “He understands what this means.”
At Saint Catherine, every day has a purpose for the students, said Serena Twombly, nodding toward her son Anton, who had just been confirmed. “This school is the best, and they [young people] have so much to teach us,” she said. “They are pure and innocent and have such holiness.”
