A proud and tender moment

Aspergers and Autism Family Support
At St. Brigid’s we have tried to be supportive of families with children with special needs and over the last few years we’ve had small support meetings with parents of children with a variety of disabilities.
We don’t always know all the families who are affected by physical, emotional, social or developmental challenges but the recent news that we were proposing to use our convent building as a school for children with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism, brought out how many people are raising children with these particular conditions.
So I’m wondering, is there anything we can do together for the support of these families? Perhaps someone might like to host a “Sommer in the Summer” session and we can invite families raising children with autism to consider what we can do together. Anyone interested ?

e-mail Father Ralph:

Past Columns:
July 27: What would you ask for?
July 20: Waiting for the Wheat
July 13: What we Wear
uly 6: We Welcome Westbrook
June 29: Sommer in the Summer
June 22: Welcome Father Jaime
June 15: Father Gonzalo Lopez
June 8: What happened on Sunday
June 1: Where do you belong?
May 25: We are the Body of Christ
May 18: Trinity, It's About Unity
May 11: We are One in the Spirit
May 4: Who's in Your Top Twelve?
April 27: Now that he's gone...
April 20: Yay Deacons!
April 13: Here comes the Pope
April 6: Fresh Oil
March 30: What are you doing for Easter?
March 23: Can Easter come too early?
March 16: Which crowd is yours?
March 9: We believe, yet...
March 2: Oil or Mud
February 24: What are you thirsting for?
February 17: Who are You Wearing?
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: What's Next?

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2006

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		August 3, 2008 A proud and tender moment
Aspergers and Autism Family Support At St. Brigid’s we have tried to be supportive of families with children with special needs and over the last few years we’ve had small support meetings with parents of children with a variety of disabilities. We don’t always know all the families who are affected by physical, emotional, social or developmental challenges but the recent news that we were proposing to use our convent building as a school for children with Asperger Syndrome and high functioning autism, brought out how many people are raising children with these particular conditions. So I’m wondering, is there anything we can do together for the support of these families? Perhaps someone might like to host a “Sommer in the Summer” session and we can invite families raising children with autism to consider what we can do together. Anyone interested ? e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: July 27: What would you ask for? July 20: Waiting for the Wheat July 13: What we Wear uly 6: We Welcome Westbrook June 29: Sommer in the Summer June 22: Welcome Father Jaime June 15: Father Gonzalo Lopez June 8: What happened on Sunday June 1: Where do you belong? May 25: We are the Body of Christ May 18: Trinity, It's About Unity May 11: We are One in the Spirit May 4: Who's in Your Top Twelve? April 27: Now that he's gone... April 20: Yay Deacons! April 13: Here comes the Pope April 6: Fresh Oil March 30: What are you doing for Easter? March 23: Can Easter come too early? March 16: Which crowd is yours? March 9: We believe, yet... March 2: Oil or Mud February 24: What are you thirsting for? February 17: Who are You Wearing? February 10: Just Say No February 3: The January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: What's Next? Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	I expect there will be many wonderful experiences to come during my years at St. Brigid. But I’m certain that when I look back at my time here, few experiences will fill me with as much pride and love as last Monday night’s gathering at Westbury Middle School. Over 300 people turned out that night to show support for the use of our Convent Building as a school for 24 children with Asperger Syndrome. Speaker after speaker got up and gave witness to what kind of community we are....welcoming...supportive... empathetic... faith-filled...loving. At one point chairwoman of the Zoning Board asked all those who were in favor of the proposal to stand and we all felt the power of the whole room rising as one. Sustained applause broke out and I was almost moved to tears at that point seeing how this community could gather together to say “Yes, in my backyard,” to children and families who are sometimes shunned and misunderstood. Even the people who opposed this proposal spoke of their care about children with autism and proposed that we welcome them in a day-program. While I can’t speak for the Zoning Board, I imagine they must feel incredible pride to be leaders in such a caring community. So often we read about these kinds of meetings where hundreds of people show up to oppose something. But to have hundreds show up to support something? There is some special going on here and I want to say thank you to all who showed up, all who wrote letters of support to the board , all who were away but were praying for us, all who wrote e-mails of encouragement. We are now awaiting the decision of the Zoning Board, a decision I’m told is expected within the next several weeks. An affirmative decision will allow New York State to approve the funding (it’s ready to go and not in jeopardy from budget cuts) and once the funding is approved, we can finalize and sign our lease. The agency that is arranging to site Westbrook Prep here will fund an over $1million renovation of the building and that is expected to take nearly a year. (They will be paying us a minimal rent during this time -- full rent when the school begins using it.) New lease...$200,000+ per year; last Monday night’s communitysupport....PRICELESS!