God s Love Embraces Autism A Religious Formation Booklet for Children with Autism Developed by: The Diocese of Pittsburgh Secretariat for Catholic Education Department for Persons with Disabilities
To parents and catechists, Children with autism are often visual learners. In this booklet, there are pictures of a church with a brief catechetical explanation on the back of each picture. There are also pictures of a priest celebrating Mass with a brief catechesis on the back. Parents/catechists should feel free to expand the catechesis for the student. These notes are stepping stones and should lead to a deeper catechesis whenever possible. The photos were taken by Charles LeClaire at Saint James Church of Guardian Angels Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The priest is the Reverend John Hissrich, Pastor. Our special thanks to Grace Harding for developing this resource. She served the Diocese of Pittsburgh as Director of the Department for Persons with Disabilities from 1987-2005. You are welcome to create a booklet in the same format with digital pictures of a similar nature from your parish for your son/ daughter/student. Creating a customized version of this resource will yield the best results for a child with autism. It is intended that this booklet be used in conjunction with a routine tour of the Church at a low/no traffic time when the child with autism can experience/explore the signs/symbols of our faith up close with a few words of explanation. May you be richly blessed for the care you take in passing on our precious faith to our children. For more information, please call: Department for Persons with Disabilities Diocese of Pittsburgh Secretariat for Catholic Education 111 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1618 Phone: (412) 456-3119 E-mail: disabilities@diopitt.org
My Book About The Church
The Church
Catechesis: This is a picture of a church. We go to church once a week to pray to God. We listen to God s word and tell Him we love Him. We receive God s Son, Jesus, in Holy Communion.
The Pews and Doors of the Church
Catechesis: This is a picture of a Church. In this church, we can see pews, the doors of the church, and the church loft where the organ is.
The Altar
Catechesis: On this altar, we see the tabernacle. There are candles next to it. The Blessed Sacrament, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus, remains in the tabernacle.
The Altar
Catechesis: This is a picture of an altar. The priest prays the words of the Mass at the altar. Do you see the candles and the cross?
The Tabernacle
Catechesis: This is a picture of a tabernacle. All churches have a tabernacle, but all tabernacles do not look the same. The Blessed Sacrament remains in the tabernacle.
Priest and Altar Server s Chairs
Catechesis: This is where the priest and altar servers sit during Mass.
The Lectern (Ambo)
Catechesis: People read the Word of God at the Lectern.
Sanctuary Lamp
Catechesis: The sanctuary lamp is near the altar. There is a candle inside. The lit candle reminds us that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.
The Crucifix
Catechesis: This is a picture of a crucifix. Jesus died on a cross many, many years ago. Jesus died to save all of us who love Him.
The Easter Candle
Catechesis: This is a picture of an Easter candle. The Easter candle reminds us that Jesus is always with us. Jesus is the Light of the world.
The Baptismal Font
Catechesis: This is a picture of a Baptismal Font. Babies are baptized here. Sometimes children and adults are baptized here. When we are baptized, we become children of God. *The catechist may want to discuss baptism, its ritual and its importance as a sacrament with the student.
The Holy Water Font
Catechesis: This is a picture of a Holy Water Font. Water that is blessed by a priest is in it. When we go in or out of a church, we put the tips of our fingers in the holy water font and make the sign of the cross on our bodies.
The Confessional
Catechesis: This is a picture of a Confessional. We go into the confessional to tell the priest our sins and that we are sorry for our sins. This is called the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation.
Inside the Confessional for face-to-face confession
Catechesis: There are two parts to a confessional. This is the side we call faceto-face. The priest and the person going to confession sit facing each other.
Inside the Confessional For private confession
Catechesis: There are two parts to a confessional. This side is the private side. The priest and the person going to confession cannot see each other. This is called a private confession.
Statue of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Catechesis: This is a picture of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There is an image of Jesus heart on the statue. This image of Jesus heart reminds us that Jesus loves us very, very much. We can pray: Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.
Statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary
Catechesis: This is a picture of a statue of the Blessed Virgin, Mary. Mary is the mother of Jesus. When we pray to Mary, we say: Hail Mary, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Statue of Saint Joseph
Catechesis: This is a picture of a statue of Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph is the foster-father of Jesus. When we pray to Saint Joseph, we say: Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Statue of Saint Anthony
Catechesis: This is a picture of a statue of Saint Anthony. Saint Anthony loved Jesus very much. When we pray to Saint Anthony, we say: Saint Anthony, pray for us.
Statue of The Guardian Angel
Catechesis: This is a picture of a statue of a Guardian Angel. God has given everyone a Guardian Angel. We pray to our Guardian Angel to protect us from harm.
Church Windows
Catechesis: Many churches have special windows called stained-glass windows. Sometimes there are pictures of Jesus and the saints in the windows.
The Pews
Catechesis: The seats in a church are called pews. Sometimes we kneel in church on kneelers.
The Organ
Catechesis: Most churches have organs. The person who plays the organ is called the organist or music minister. They play beautiful music on the organ.
When we go to Mass, the priest leads us in prayer. Here are pictures of the priest leading us in prayer during Mass.
Sign of the Cross
Catechesis: When Mass begins, Father leads us in saying, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We say, Amen.
Father reads the Gospel
Catechesis: Father reads the Gospel at Mass. Father also teaches us how to be good and holy children of God.
The Eucharistic Prayer
Catechesis: During Mass, Father says a very beautiful prayer called the Eucharist Prayer.
The Consecration
Catechesis: Father blesses bread and wine at Mass to become the Body and Blood of Jesus. This is called the Consecration.
We say, Amen
Catechesis: At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, we all say or sing, Amen!
Father blesses the people
Catechesis: When Mass is finished, Father blesses us and tells us to go in peace.
The Lamb of God
Catechesis: Sometimes we call Jesus, the Lamb of God. We call Jesus the Lamb of God because Jesus sacrificed His life for us and took away all our sins.
Diocese of Pittsburgh Secretariat for Catholic Education Department for Persons with Disabilities 111 Boulevard of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1618 Phone: (412) 456-3119 TTY: (412) 456-3122 FAX: (412) 456-3113 E-Mail: disabilities@diopitt.org