October 2023

     October is Right to Life Month and the Catholic Church has long been a staunch advocate for that right, emphasizing the inherent dignity of every human being from conception to natural death. In this context, the Church has particularly highlighted the value and worth of individuals with Down Syndrome. It encourages a compassionate and supportive response to the challenges faced by individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Nowhere has this been more evident to me than here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and more specifically at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

     My daughter, Maggie, is 40 years old now, and has been educated, nurtured and loved all along the way by different communities within our local church. First, at St. Cletus Catholic Church in Gretna where Maggie was baptized and her godparents promised to help her to know Jesus from the very start. Second, in the Montessori class at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gretna, where the Sisters of the Living Word helped that faith to grow. Third, at St. Michael Special School where she learned to read, write, and behave! But, more importantly, where she made her First Communion and her Confirmation and learned to depend on her faith to help her grow up. And finally, here at St. Catherine of Siena Church where she has been given the chance to be the faithful young woman she has grown to be.
     
     The big message here is that it might seem impossible and scary to face a future of raising a child with a disability, but it does not have to be that way. In the past 40 years, I have seen a much greater openness and acceptance of people with all kinds of differences! That is especially evident here at St. Catherine’s! Maggie has been included by all kinds of wonderful and caring people here, from the ladies of the Rosary Altar Society where she helps to clean church, to the Parish Office staff where she works on Fridays, to my son’s friends here at SCS and their families where she is just a part of the gang and always included!

     Maggie has been a blessing in our lives. We didn’t know that when she was born 40 years ago. We are all more patient, compassionate and respectful than we thought we could be. Knowing her and loving her has been our greatest reward and we only have God to thank for that.