Serving the families within the Diocese of Camden, Archbishop Damiano School and Saint John of God Community Services has offered a Faith Formation program, specifically designed for children and adults with special needs, for close to 50 years.
The program is aimed at preparing children and adults with disabilities to receive the sacraments, as well as attend post-sacrament classes, such as Scripture study, arts and crafts, and the bell choir. In addition, there is also an outreach program for families.
Some parents thought they would never see their son or daughter receive first Communion and find joy watching their loved ones continuing their religious studies. For those the program serves, they are able to receive spiritual fulfillment in an accepting and compassionate environment.
Although there are more inclusion classes for special needs children than in the past, not all are able to participate, for various reasons, in their parish programs or schools. The program at Archbishop Damiano School/Saint John of God Community Services is the church’s response to welcoming all the children of God regardless of their disability.
“Our families with children with disabilities truly value our faith formation program, because many times their children are unable to participate in the religious education programs within the parishes,” parent Linda Kutz said.
The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, which operates the foundation in Westville Grove, has been serving the Diocese of Camden for 51 years.
The Faith Formation program at Saint John of God Community Services is offered both at their main campus in Westville Grove, and at Saint Casimir’s Church in Woodbine.
Faith Formation meets regularly in Woodbine on Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and in Westville on Saturdays from 10-11 a.m. In addition, home-based Faith Formation is available for children and adults who are unable to come to the school setting because of medical frailty.
Saint John of God Community Services is currently accepting registration applications for both programs. For more information on these programs, visit www.sjog-faith.org or contact Linda Kutz at 856-848-4700 ext. 1600 or lkutz@sjogcs.org.
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