Like many other lifelong Catholics, Danny Benavidez, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista, California, helps out at his parish in a number of ways. On Thursdays he serves as a eucharistic minister. Every other Sunday he delivers communion to the homebound. Once a month he listens to the \u201ctalking, talking, talking\u201d at his Knights of Columbus meeting. And once a week\u2014usually Tuesday\u2014he stops into a neighboring parish to visit an old friend, who is now a deacon.<\/p>\n
Benavidez, who has Down syndrome, is a third-degree Knight. He was an altar server for 20 years. Since 1981 he has been involved in his parish\u2019s Faith and Light community for people with developmental disabilities and their family members and friends. Passionate about his faith, he joyfully greets his pastor at Mass every week.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody knows him,\u201d says Edith Benavidez, Danny\u2019s mother. \u201cHe\u2019s the type who will go up and talk to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benavidez is one of a reported 2.5 million people with a developmental disability in the United States today, as estimated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At 59, he has difficulties with communication and cannot live independently. He lives with his parents, works part-time as a McDonald\u2019s custodian, bowls in three separate leagues, and loves to spend time with his Catholic community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me feel better,\u201d he says. \u201cI like doing things at church.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the CDC, the number of children born with developmental disabilities has increased 17.1 percent since 1997. Included in those numbers is a rapid increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism, which has jumped 289.5 percent.<\/p>\n
As more knowledge comes to light about these disabilities and their symptoms, parishes around the United States are learning how best to accommodate Catholics like Danny. For some parishes, this means specially adapted Masses or religious education classes. For others, it\u2019s working with parishioners to change attitudes to create a more welcoming atmosphere.<\/p>\n
For all, it\u2019s part of an ongoing journey toward a more universal church\u2014one that is accepting of not only other ethnicities and cultures, but other abilities as well.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Read the rest.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo: Karen Callaway Here\u2019s an aspect of parish life that doesn\u2019t get much attention. From U.S. Catholic:\u00a0 Like many other lifelong Catholics, Danny Benavidez, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista, California, helps out at his parish in a number of ways. On Thursdays he serves as a eucharistic minister. Every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-people-in-the-pews"],"yoast_head":"\n
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