Bethesda resumes First Communion programme

Bethesda – For Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) resumed our sacramental programmes in 2023 after an absence due to Covid-19. For our first group of candidates for First Holy Communion we focused on children with severe or profound disabilities. Our regular adjusted programme was further adjusted to accommodate their needs.

Below is a testimony by Mary A Bastien, a school counsellor/therapist. Her daughter Zahra is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and several other combined medical issues, making her profoundly disabled. Zahra received her first Holy Communion on June 18 at St Paul’s RC Church, Couva.

“In 2018, a close friend of mine came to me with exciting news about the existence of a community within the Roman Catholic Church called Bethesda!  She explained that they facilitated sensory-friendly Masses for PwDs. She thought this would be an excellent opportunity for my daughter Zahra to participate in Mass comfortably given her multiple disabilities.

I listened but I was neither impressed nor interested in exploring this option. Instead, I reminded her of my philosophy of inclusion of ALL persons attending ALL Masses and therefore this meant that Bethesda was certainly not for Zahra.

As God would have it though, that same year I met Saira Joseph-La Foucade, the founder of the Bethesda Community.

For the five years to follow – even during the pandemic – Saira would gently nudge me toward having my daughter make First Communion as well as participating in the work of the Bethesda Community.

Today, after journeying with Zahra throughout the programme and seeing how she was able to participate in the sessions, I want to say, “thank you!”.  Thank you for allowing me to recognise the value that this work brings, not only by allowing our persons with disabilities and their families to participate in the sacraments of our Church but moreover by creating the opportunity for the Church to bear witness to the true value of human diversity.

Saira, thank you for your vision, commitment and from my perspective as an educator, thank you for truly ensuring that no child (within the Church) is left behind.”

Our programme could not be a success without the support of the dedicated catechists all of whom attended online training with Bethesda and all of whom held the most important criteria, LOVE.

Thanks also to all who journeyed together with our PwDs, including Vicar General Fr Martin Sirju, Fr Trevor Nathasingh, and our Church community all of whom provided dignity to our families and indeed our ministry at Bethesda.