Special Needs Catholics And Everyday Faith

It’s hard enough for today’s parents to raise faith- filled children. But for the parents of kids with special needs, the challenges can be almost overwhelming; these parents’ own spirituality may suffer amidst the daily obstacles of raising a child with disabilities, and they may wonder how—or even if—their child can ever experience a meaningful spiritual life. In Faith, Family, and Children with Special Needs, David Rizzo—whose 12-year-old daughter has autism—offers great hope for parents who want to grow in their own spirituality while helping their children with disabilities experience God in a deeper way. Throughout the book, Rizzo’s abiding though sometimes tested Catholic faith is made clear as he thoughtfully explains everything from the practical, such as how parents can maintain sanity during Mass when the child with special needs becomes disruptive, to the profound, such as how parents can understand God in a way that is relevant to their predicament. At other times, Rizzo’s advice is intended to help the child grow in his or her own faith, as when he explains how kids with special needs can participate meaningfully in the Eucharist. By looking at big-picture issues of faith while also providing speci fic tips to nurture spiritual growth in parents and in their children with disabilities, Faith, Family, and Children with Special Needs will serve as a highly useful and inspiring resource for anyone in the community of faith who interacts with children with disabilities.

For many parents seeking faith formation for their child with special needs, the resources are either severely lacking or nonexistent. A family looking to participate in the life of the Church can find it a struggle to get the support, materials, and community needed to grow the faith for their child with special needs. David and Mercedes Rizzo know the struggle all too well. When they searched for sacramental preparation materials for their daughter Daniella, who has autism and is nonverbal, they found a lack of suitable resources. Both memoir and manual, Spiritually Able: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching the Faith to Children with Special Needs is a life-preserver to parents who are seeking ways to grow and nourish a deeper relationship to God and their faith for their child with special needs. Full of tips, advice, and personal accounts, Spiritually Able helps bridge the gap and invites all into the welcoming embrace of the Church.

“Every day is joyful. Every day is a gift. Every day I can thank God from the bottom of my heart.” Kelly Mantoan wasn’t always able to say these words. As a mother of five children, two with profound disabilities, all her energy and attention was focused on her children’s diagnoses and round the clock care. Drained and struggling, Kelly wondered if she had what it took to be the kind of parent they needed. She craved support as a Catholic mother with special-needs children, but felt lost and alone when she tried to rely on secular support groups or well-meaning friends and family who had no experience in the special-needs community. If you can relate to Kelly’s story, Better Than OK: Finding Joy with Special- Needs Children is the hope-filled book you need today. In her down-to-earth way, Kelly shares the steps parents need to take to shift their focus away from the negatives of a diagnosis and towards acceptance, renewed faith, and joy. This book is a must-read for special-needs parents, but I would recommend it to any parent who needs a dose of wisdom and encouragement. — Jen Fulwiler, bestselling author and standup comic Sometimes special-needs parents need practical tips. Sometimes we need prayers. And sometimes we just need to know that we're not alone. ... This engaging new book is a true gift to the parents of kids with special needs. — Bonnie L. Engstrom, mom of eight and author of 61 Minutes to a Miracle This book is a gem for all special-needs parents, by turns funny, poignant, and always honest. It's the book I wish my parents could've had when I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the 90s. — Emily M. DeArdo, author of Living Memento Mori: My Journey Along the Way of the Cross A truly important book for Catholic parents of special-needs children, and for family members, friends, and members of parish communities who want to better understand and more effectively support them. — Kendra Tierney, author of The Catholic All Year Compendium ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kelly Mantoan is the founder of Accepting the Gift, an online apostolate that provides resources and support to Catholic special-needs parents. She also blogs at This Ain’t the Lyceum about homeschooling, special-needs parenting, and Catholic family life. She enjoys creating useful posts and resources for her followers and speaking to groups about how God’s plan for our lives is often much better than anything we can imagine.

Over 3 million copies sold! Essential reading for Catholics of all walks of life. Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe. The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means "instruction" - this book will serve as the standard for all future catechisms. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.

Since the beginning of time and throughout all history, people have inspired and upheld one another by sharing their stories of faith, in times of trial and in times of joy. With that same conviction and mission we have gathered these true stories from prayerful Catholics around the world to continue this legacy. These heart-warming, hope-filled stories prove the power of prayer and clarify God's presence and guidance in our everyday lives. This collection of stories includes those of: Dottie, distraught over her daughter's anorexia, who renews her confidence in a devotion from her childhood. ("Sacred Heart of Jesus") Sally, mother of four daughters and a son, who receives her son's slowly unfolding news that he has decided to become a priest. ("My Son's New Job") Deborah, who, left penniless after a divorce, hardly dares to answer when asked by new friends at a retreat, "What do you need?" ("Miracle Soup") Connie, whose sister's patience wears thin over prayers to St. Anthony to find a lost wallet. ("Just Pray to St. Anthony") Martha, whose sister Jacki says God always provides for her needs, who then calls and asks, "Guess what?" ("The Christmas Bonus") Martha, who days before her daughter's wedding, despairs of finding a location for the family party and bridal shower. ("A Picture in a Prayer") Beth, with a Stage IV diagnosis, who returns to her doctor after a holy oil anointing. ("One Year") Susanna, who has eight new friends with only two things in common: the military and some connection to Catholicism. ("Like Beads on a String") Emily Sue, who wished she had listened to all the details of her dad's stories before his unexpected death, but whose melancholy vanishes as she finds a gift she had earlier been too busy to receive. ("To Susie With Love") These stories will lift your spirits and nourish your souls. Read them one at a time, alone or in a group. Savor the scripture verse or quotation. Embrace the message. Deepen your faith. Take God's hand as He guides you on your journey of hope.

Take it from people who know! Being a special needs parent comes with deep, often unexpected challenges that can shake your faith to the core. Drawing from their personal experience, David and Mercedes Rizzo share openly the myriad challenges of parenting a special needs child, while offering grace-filled counsel on practical steps you can take and suggested prayers to invite God into your situation. Topics include finding doctors and specialists who will treat your child with respect and kindness; advocating for your childs individualized education plan; preparing your child to receive the Sacraments; giving attention to your marriage and your other children; and preparing your child for adulthood. Face your challenges with the power of prayer! For every parent and caretaker of a special needs child, this resource will build your faith and offer practical ways to incorporate hope and prayer into your daily life.

This book is a treasure-trove of heart-warming stories, practical help, and inspiration for fathers of children with special needs. Author Randy Hain and all of the contributors open their hearts to the reader and share the incredible challenges they confront as fathers of children with special needs. They also unveil the unexpected blessings that come from fathering these special children. These heartfelt stories from fathers give both insight and tremendous inspirational encouragement for other fathers.Special Children, Blessed Fathers will open your eyes to the deeper beauty often missed in the world. Includes a foreword by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. Contributing writers are Joseph Pearce, Greg Willits, Kevin Lowry, Doug Keck, Matthew Warner, J.D. Flynn, Chad Judice, David Rizzo, and Bill Jones.

Through the ages up to and including ours, Catholics have witnessed or heard about miraculous events that offer supernatural evidence of God's existence and involvement in our lives. Here is a selection of astonishing true stories that will leave you convinced of the reality of God like never before. This remarkable collation includes the accounts of: Angry 15-year-old Cynthia, who scorns her mother's belief that God will always provide—until she sees an incredible result. (“Thanksgiving Angel”) Dawn, who although not Catholic is asked by her dying son if she too can see “Mary” at his bedside. (“Pretty Lady”) Courtney, in tears and praying in the back seat of her mother's car after it had stalled, watches the impossible as the gas gauge needle suddenly begins moving above E. (“Fueled by Faith”) Terrie, a cash-strapped newlywed who skips a weekly milk purchase only to marvel at how long their one gallon lasts. (“The Milk Jug”) Martha, who after 50 years still feels the flood of God's love for her nine-year-old self, who had asked Him for healing and then looked in the mirror. (“Warts and All”) Romona, who felt a tapping on her shoulder—twice!—before turning and rescuing her brother. (“My Brother's Keeper”) James, a six-year-old whose confidence never wavers, even after losing his trusted knife when fishing. (“The Fish, the Knife, and Saint Jude”) Gene, who works three jobs to care for his family and prays for $311—exactly. (“Ask and You Shall Receive”) The Everyday Catholicism series from Chicken Soup for the Soul and Sophia Institute Press are books not only about “living the Faith,” but also about a Faith that is living. These powerful, uplifting stories show the love of God and His actual presence and engagement in our lives—if only we have the eyes to see! A great gift for Confirmation, RCIA, birthdays, weddings, and holidays.

These compelling stories present convincing evidence of God's active presence in our everyday lives. Whether you're a cradle Catholic or a convert, solid in the Faith or wavering, these stories will deepen your conviction and stimulate your hope and trust in God. This extensive selection of faith-strengthening stories includes those of... Joan, who recited Hail Marys on her Buddhist, 108-bead strand while standing at her dying father's bedside and is transformed when she receives a glimmering rosary from beyond the grave. (“The White Rosary”) Jennifer, who, while walking in a strange place and having no idea (yet!) that she needed protection, is suddenly accompanied by a large, friendly, vigilant dog. (“Four-Legged Angel”) Sharon, who, distraught over having misplaced a precious jewelry box, rejoices at the effect that finding the box has on her teenage son's faith. (“Lost and Found”) Blair, an exhausted, overworked hospital resident who orders the wrong test on a patient—a Catholic priest—and whose encounter with him afterward is both startling and everlasting. (“The Accident”) Donna, a patient who had derived valuable assistance and deep comfort from regular phone consultations with a nurse and who calls one last time to say thank you and is amazed by what she learns. (“Angel on the Line”) Angela, whose East Texas Sunday school class decided to pray for snow and whose students at the boys' prison where she volunteers discover the remarkable power of prayer. (“Please, God, Make It Snow”) Your faith will be bolstered and your heart leavened by these poignant, true-life accounts of God's grace in action and how it invigorates and transforms people's lives. The stories in this book were previously published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books "Living Catholic Faith, "Answered Prayers," and "A Book of Miracles.”

Stories written for people who are faced with a prenatal diagnosis or are raising a child with special needs. Thirty three parents who have walked in your shoes share how they encountered Christ alongside them in the darkness.