Planning for a synod instituted by Pope Francis and a 50th anniversary celebration simultaneously would challenge most communities. However, for parishioners at St. Francis Assisi Parish in Derwood, Maryland their months of work, organizing efforts and especially witness to their anniversary motto, “Made in God’s Image – All are Welcome” resulted in an unexpected grace as well as worldwide attention.

A booklet containing a summary of an important listening session landed on the Vatican’s synodal resources website earlier this month – adding excitement to a busy year and highlighting the parish’s own special needs religious education program.

“We all have a place here,” said Susan Anderson, director of religious education, who working closely with families and parish volunteers, helps to implement catechesis for children and youth with special needs at the parish. “The Synod on Synodality was a beautiful opportunity to reflect on how we engage with the parish community. It was a catechetical opportunity to say we are part of a wider Church.”

Earlier this year, Anderson and a group of catechists began meeting with students during their regularly scheduled online special needs class to discuss welcoming Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, to a Mass marking the parish’s 50th anniversary year. Additionally, the teachers, parents and students started tackling three discussion themes – reflecting on the synodal questions of participation, communion and mission. Anderson collected the students’ responses in a booklet and presented it to the cardinal following the May 29th Mass.

“It was a real burst of creativity,” said Father John Dillon, St. Francis’s pastor who added that all the synod’s listening sessions truly “witness the people who want to walk with the Holy Father. People who want to walk with Pope Francis in the journey of the Church.”

The pastor noted after offering Cardinal Gregory the booklet – which contained a visual form of a prayer to the Holy Spirit, photographs and students’ original work – the prelate appeared “immediately moved by it.” With the parents and parish’s permission, archdiocesan officials eventually passed the report to leaders at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who submitted it to the international website as a resource for other parishes.

Today the booklet “Responses from Special Needs Catechesis Class at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Derwood Spring 2022” can be accessed at synodresources.org where the introduction reads: "This is a special report and resource for holding synodal listening sessions with adults and children with developmental disabilities, their families and the larger parish community. The resource has a picture version of the Adsumus (“We stand before You, Holy Spirit”) prayer to help people pray it and shows how art is an effective means of catechesis.”

Anderson described the experience as “very humbling” adding that “the gifts of ministry to special needs are so manifold.” She also credited the synod’s reflection questions and the students’ input as “a beautiful opportunity through various models to hear what all of our connections to the Church mean to us.”

The pastor, who is beginning his 10th year at the parish, agreed noting the students’ responses “manifested trust in God and great joy.” Father Dillon said the report illustrated “people who love God and are not afraid to say so – freely expressing love for God – it’s wonderful to see.”

Additionally, the pastor said, “the Holy Father really wants to have input from all the Church.”

In the presentation the students are shown drawing pictures and sharing what makes them happy about belonging to a church family including one response, “being with our friends at church and learning about God’s love.” They list the things they most like to do at Mass such as receive the Eucharist, pray, sing and attend class. One student said the Eucharist means “peace” and “joy.”

For Anderson the experience was one more reminder “God graces us with students and blessings of people who want to help,” she said. “A heart to serve is what makes this class happen.”

The religious education director also credited the many resources available including Upcounty Community Resources a program sponsored by Montgomery County, Md. and the assistance from the archdiocese. Last February, Anderson attended a webinar from the Archdiocese Office of Deaf and Disabilities sharing examples of inclusion practices centered around the synod. “I left (the meeting) saying ‘how do we do that here?” Now she and the other teachers and families “are all thrilled to know their effort is shared so widely.”

For more than 10 years the special needs catechesis class at St. Francis provided families sacrament preparation and inclusion in parish – all beginning with one parent’s request. Recently due to the pandemic, the class of about six students and their parents pivoted to online sessions. These meetings over the Internet while challenging, also provided unexpected blessings as a catechist who moved to Indiana logged on remotely and continued to assist the class. This coming school year Anderson expects the class to handle new goals as three students prepare for Confirmation.

Melissa Egan, communications coordinator at the parish and a parent of student in the special needs class described the group as “welcoming and prayerful. My son looks forward to class – the students are excited to be there.”

Anderson’s advice to other parishes wanting to included people with disabilities – “Just start.” She urged parish staff to listen to the parents and tap into the many great resources available to all parishes­ ­­­­– now including St. Francis’ own synod report.