Program among those recognized at annual Mass for Persons with Special Needs

St. Clair Shores — In order to be universal, the Catholic Church must be open and accepting to all of God’s children.

This can be challenging at times, especially when it comes to people with different learning needs, but there are countless people in the Archdiocese of Detroit who work to make sure those with special needs are welcome.

The annual Awards for Outstanding Service to People with Special Needs recognizes people and groups who do just that, being the welcoming face Christ calls all his followers to be.

Awards were given during the annual Mass for Persons with Special Needs at the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn on Sept. 20, giving the Catholic community at large a chance to recognize the volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty to welcome those with special needs.

St. Joan of Arc Parish’s Center for Exceptional Children in St. Clair Shores was one of six award winners, with Denise Swalec receiving the award on behalf of the program. Swalec has been a volunteer for the program for more than 20 years, assisting director Mary Cal.

“I was moved by seeing the families of these kids that we help, that’s why we have award ceremonies like this,” Swalec said. “People at the Mass were moved to know the Church welcomes these people.”

The St. Joan of Arc Center for Exceptional Children traces its roots back to 1956, when parishioners organized homeschooling for children with learning disabilities to teach the sacraments to those who were otherwise unable to attend traditional catechism classes.

Since then, the program has grown to be much more than a place for people with special needs to learn about the Church.

“I’m so pleased for St. Joan’s for starting the program, but it all starts with the parents of these children, they are truly saints,” Swalec said. “The families get together and support one another. I started volunteering here because I saw an ad in the newspaper, and after seeing the ad four different times, I realized this is what God wants me to do.”

The center serves students ages 7-67; students are allowed to come back as long as they want to be in a safe, including environment where they can learn about God’s love.

“Here, we have students learn about the sacraments, become altar servers and lectors, have ongoing formation and come together as a community,” Cal said. “We have classes on Saturday, and we usually expect around 35 students throughout the SERF Vicariate.”

Cal said there are five to six similar groups in the tri-county area that deserve recognition, insisting the award is not for their own benefit, but for the sponsoring organizations that make the center possible.

“We don’t do this for recognition, but we are going to put the award in a common area in the parish so people can see it,” Cal said. “There is no tuition for our program; it’s all sponsored by the Knights of Columbus chapter and Alhambra group at the parish. I’m proud of the program, but I’m more proud of my students. Parents around the vicariate find out about us because of how exceptional our students are.”

St. Joan of Arc pastor Msgr. G. Michael Bugarin said the center has brought many teaching moments for the volunteers and parishioners who work with students at St. Joan of Arc.

“I’m amazed by the simplicity of their lives; they are able to hear things we don’t hear, to notice things we take for granted,” Msgr. Bugarin said. “They get the idea of adoration. When I see them experience confirmation and Communion, they rejoice in their enthusiasm of being with the Lord, and it just causes you to slow down and appreciate the great joys in life.”

Cal hopes the archdiocese-wide recognition will send a clear message to people about those with special needs and the unique contributions they bring to the Church.

“My students aren’t dumb, they aren’t stupid,” Cal said. “They are really smart, and they love unconditionally. And that’s what I want people to take away when they meet them.”

Other people and organizations recognized during the annual awards Mass include: St. John’s Deaf Center at Holy Innocents-St. Barnabas Church in Roseville; Support Our Unique Learners; Amy Knight, a volunteer at the Continuing Religious Education program at St. Lawrence Parish in Utica; and Clare Brick, a catechist at Divine Child Parish in Dearborn.

The Lifetime Achievement Distinguished Service Award was given to Sr. Mary Choiniere, CSJ, who worked many years with the Archdiocese of Detroit as director of special education and advocated for those with special needs through lobbying efforts, programs and personal commitment.