Catechesis | Special Needs

Every parish seeks out its parishioners with cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities, supports them with love and concern, and ensures that they have ready access to a catechetical program suited to their needs and abilities. (National Directory for Catechesis 61)

Parishes and schools offer faith formation to all members of the community.  The information provided on this page is to encourage meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities in: liturgy, the Sacraments, catechesis, faith formation, ministry, evangelization, social life and mission of the church.

The Holy Innocents Society is a diocesan not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals and families who live with special needs of any kind.  HIS seeks to help anyone with special needs - children, adults and families - to take full advantage of being a part of a parish community in the Diocese of Trenton.  Click here for more information on the Holy Innocents Society. 

Parents are encouraged to reach out to the local parish to support them in the faith formation of the child. If assitance is needed please contact the Department of Catechesis.  

• Praying with the Special Needs Community & Beyond-March 30th webinar recording.

• Catechesis with People with Disabilities - USCCB
• Sacramental Guidelines for people with disabilities
• A Catechist teaches about the real presence of Jesus to a person with a disability  
• Sacrament formation program released in American Sign Language.  Read about it here.
• JMT Productions-has a great teaching resource for Special Needs classes or any Catechist.  Check out the Exciting Video Class Activities on Vimeo. 
• Disability Etiquette and Hospitality 

Adaptive Catechetical Resources for Children and Youth:

• Loyola Press
• Our Sunday Visitor
• RCL-Benziger

• National Catholic Partership on Disability www.NCPD.org This website contains webinar trainings for catechists, tip sheets, forms and resources for catechesis of persons with disabilities.
• University of Dayton Institute for Pastoral Initiatives.  Inclusive Catechesis - resources to assist with Religious Education 

The Romanello Catechesis Grant 23/24
is available to assist in updating catechetical resources for persons with disabilities
for the training, or in service, of catechists/teachers
Applications are no longer begin accepted, it is passed the 9/1/23 due date. 
Check back next year. 
More information can be found here.

Access the application here.