Denver Catholic

4 APRIL 25-MAY 1, 2015 | DENVER CATHOLIC In-Depth Cover W hen some people fi rst lay eyes on Diane and Stan Raczkowski's son, Shane, they see a burden. A 28-year-old man, Shane cannot walk, clean or dress himself. He gets nourish- ment for his 65-pound body through a feeding tube, and speaks with di§ culty through the tracheotomy in his throat. His parents look and see the love of their life. He's the best thing that's hap- pened to them, Diane said. "We love him just the way he is. It is hard, don't get me wrong, but we feel so blessed by God that he would think we're worthy to raise Shane and take care of him," Diane said. "He truly is the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to us." He's not a burden, she said, but brings out the best in others. His big smile bright- ens those around him, and he's taught his parents to trust in God's plan for life. "After having Shane, we learned to let go and let God," said Diane, who attends St. Francis Cabrini Parish with her family. "God uses him right where he is with all his limitations." To the outside observer, there's not mean- ingful interaction with a disabled person, Father Roland Freeman said during the Special Religious Education Mass April 19. People with disabilities have "all kinds of inadequacies that our society would say are failures," he said, but hidden behind that is a person with dignity and worth. Families, friends and educators involved in the Archdiocese of Denver's special religious education program, one of some 40 ministries supported by the Archbishop's Catholic Appeal, gather for the annual Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception to recog- nize the value of every person, especially those with disabilities. The Seybert family has attended the Mass since their 14-year-old son Jacob, who has developmental disabilities, started in the program as a toddler. The Mass is a sensory experience with many colored balloons, art proj- ects, laughter, joyful music and a§ rming touch, said Lisa and Ron Seybert, the par- ents of four children. "It's like the Gospel unfolding in front of you," Lisa said. "The love just radiates from this place on this day." Each of the archdiocese's parish-based special religious education programs along with other special needs homes present an art project during the Mass. The students are "stars of the show" and participate in the interactive Mass. It's also a time to build community among families and those with disabili- ties, said Lisa, whose family also attends St. Francis Cabrini Church. "I couldn't be more supported," she said about her experience. Through the program, her son Jacob was instructed and received the sacraments of reconciliation and fi rst Communion. "They helped coach me through con- fession, because confession is a little di• erent (for the disabled)," she said. Father Freeman and Sister Mary Cath- erine Widger, who have helped plan the Mass and led the program for years, bring "a lot of laughter and joy" to religious instruction, she added. Sister Widger, of the Sisters of Loretto, said the Mass is about giving respect and recognizing the needs of the disabled. "These students have exactly the same needs we do—to be accepted and loved," she said. It's also a time when conversation about the dignity of life can begin. "I feel like hearts change at this Mass," Lisa said. "My kids will talk about this Mass for a long time afterwards. It's like a stepping stone to open up discussion." And the discussion often revolves around virtues and love. "Jacob has brought the virtues out of our family," she explained. "He doesn't follow social rules—so we learn to be patient." Their family has learned the meaning of love. "He's nothing but pure love," Lisa said. "And you will see that in the others who are disabled, because they don't have vanity. They don't struggle with some of those other faults that we do. It's almost more love than you know what to do with." The Raczkowskis feel the same way about their son. "Because of Shane, I think we have changed as people and we have seen things in a di• erent way," Diane said. "Our faith has grown by leaps and bounds." Love from a di erent view DONATIONS Online: www.archden.org/donate Mail: Archbishop's Catholic Appeal, P.O. Box 100316, Denver, CO 80250-0316 BY NISSA LAPOINT 303-715-3138 | nissa.lapoint@archden.org www.twitter.com/DenCathNissa Father Roland Freeman, center, and Deacon Brian Feller, left, greet a woman with special needs and her caregiver during the annual Special Religious Education Mass April 19 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. PHOTO BY THERESA TAYLOR Diane and Stan Raczkow- ski, who also have a daughter, stand near their son, Shane. They said they couldn't be more blessed to care for him. PHOTO BY MACKENZIE CARULLO/DEN- VER CATHOLIC Attendees at the Mass present art projects. PHOTO BY THERESA TAYLOR

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