“This group is amazing! I feel like I can finally be myself … like I get to be with my people.” – Christian, aged 11.
The Caruana family at The Good Shepherd Parish Plumpton are building a community of love, support and belonging in the parish community, centered in Christ by leading a support group for children with special needs and abilities.
“I’m feeling blessed,” Maryrose said, as she describes the support group her family has established at the parish.
“It’s beautiful to be involved with my wife,” her husband Jason said.
Boys checking out a Pokemon trading card collection. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Maryrose and Jason have two adorable children. Like many families who have children with diverse needs, attending Mass and preparing children to receive the Sacraments can be difficult due to visible and invisible disabilities.
“In our situation, we can’t come to Mass, so we have to watch it at home,” Jason said.
Maryrose explained that while everyone is welcome at Mass, the act of physically attending Mass can be simply impractical for a family with disabilities.
They are not alone in their experience and have received support from families in similar situations. The support group they’ve established at The Good Shepherd has one or two ‘regulars’, as well as families who travel from far and wide, including Glenmore Park.
These families attend the group because they want to give their children an encounter with Christ’s love; shown in a language they can understand.
Johann (centre) with his four children. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
“That’s why we opened up this ministry for others who are in a similar situation. This group is our church,” Jason said.
Maryrose said the support group helps create more awareness of disability in the community.
“I hope the children and families who attend will find friendship and support in the church community.”
How it all began
When their eldest son Joshua was preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, in the beginning of last year, it became clear that the current sacramental program had to be adjusted to his needs.
The Parish Priest at that time was Fr Vincy D’Costa OFM Cap (who is now located in Melbourne). Fr Vincy and the Sacramental team worked closely with Joshua to prepare him to receive the Sacrament.
Jason leads a prayer at The Good Shepherd Parish, Plumpton. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Fr Vincy recognised that Joshua’s younger brother Noah, had difficulty being still in the church. He saw that there was a need to provide extra support for local families with disabilities, and he welcomed the Caruana family’s suggestion of a parish support group.
The current Parish Priest, Fr Gerard O’Dempsey OFM Cap, is happy to support the ministry and even visited the group as they celebrated their last gathering for 2024.
“The previous Parish Priest Fr Vincy is the one who initiated this endeavor – I merely inherited it,” Fr Gerard humbly said.
The Good Shepherd Parish of Capuchin Friars adopts the charisms of St Francis: reaching out to the poor, the powerless and weak; while maintaining a “special approach” to people.1 This special needs support group is one such example of these charisms in action.
Mick and Kirstie with their children. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
A space for fun, friendship and prayer
The group usually meets on the last Sunday of the month between 3-4pm in the parish forecourt, although this ultimately depends on the needs of the families who attend (as things don’t always go to plan). The children generally range in age from six to 14 years old. Some attend local Catholic schools, and others are from the state school system.
The group offers a safe space for games, sports, art and craft activities, food, fun, friendship, and most importantly – prayer.
On the last gathering for the year, the children engaged in touch-footy, Christmas stickers, colouring sheets, craft, ten-pin bowling, soccer, and other activities. There was also plenty of space to run around and simply be themselves.
Matt, one of the parents, leads a kids’ rugby game. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
A highlight was when Santa Claus himself arrived with a bag-full of sweets for the children. The kids were ecstatic.
Maryrose and Jason coordinate the food, drinks and activities, and often receive support from participating families.
“We’re trying to get more people involved, and we could really use more support,” Maryrose said.
Kids engage with each other and build friendships through craft fun. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
What the children say
The children who attended the latest group gathering enjoyed the activities and looked forward to more gatherings in the New Year.
“I like coming to the support group, so I can make loom bands, and make friends,” said Olivia, aged 8.
A little boy named Jason said his favourite part of the support group was “having fun” and “bowling”.
Joshua, aged 13, said “rugby league” was the best part of the group, and Isaac, aged 8, said his best part was the food and games. He also liked “making friends”.
Plumpton parish’s special needs support group. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
A place for parental support
Matthew, a parent who’d been coaching the kid’s rugby game on the day, said the benefits of the group “hits home”.
“I’m here to support the cause. I think it’s important that everyone is aware of kids with disabilities. We’re bringing joy to them … it’s what we want for them,” he said.
He said he can’t imagine what some of the parents go through. “It’s very tough,” he said.
“But this thing is all about supporting the parents as well, and it definitely hits home when you have kids of your own.”
Olivia’s mum Kirstie agreed. “It’s so good to see everybody here, get together, everyone supports each other – it’s really nice,” she said.
Santa in thongs. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
“It means a lot meeting new friends and new people, and it’s good for the community,” said Johann, a parent at the gathering.
Another parent at the group, Chantelle, said she wants to support the group as much as she can. “I want to raise awareness for autism, ADHD, and other disabilities. In any way I can help, I’m happy to,” she said.
John said he’d like to help out one day. He knows first-hand the challenges of living with a disability.
“A lot of people get misdiagnosed, I have been … it’s hard,” he said. He thinks the group is doing great things.
“It’s like seeing a billion doctors getting no results and then coming to church and getting a result,” John said.
Together in prayer
There were smiles all around as Santa handed out sweets for the kids. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
The gathering ended with a group prayer led by Maryrose’s husband, Jason. Children who could participate did so, while the rest of the children were surrounded by the spirit of prayer, family and community. It perfectly reflected Jesus’ message, ‘Let the children come to me’.
Jason said he doesn’t know where the group will lead, but trusts entirely in God’s providence. He’s already seen how the group has evangelised some families who attend, bringing them closer to God.
While he never thought he’d be involved in a group such as this, he’s actively supporting the family’s calling, and trusts in God along the journey.
“I believe there will be miracles through this ministry.”
The Diocese of Parramatta is committed to supporting and promoting disability inclusion, which is underpinned by the Diocese’s new Pastoral Plan. There is always more to be done, and the Diocese of Parramatta encourages parish-based initiatives that strive to build a warm, welcoming and inclusive Church.
If you’d like to learn more about the above parish support group, please contact The Good Shepherd Parish Plumpton.
