Persons with disabilities discuss faith in Jesus at diocesan retreat

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
August 16, 2007

CARROLL - Persons with disabilities shared their faith in a new way at a recent retreat held here.

The theme, "Whiter than Snow," comes from the Bible verse Psalm 51:9b, 12 - "Wash me, make me whiter than snow. A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit."

Each of the attendees was given the opportunity to talk about how Jesus has washed them "whiter than snow."

Sixty to 75 people - participants and volunteers - took part in the Carroll retreat at New Hope Village.

For more than 15 years, the Coalition for Ministry with Persons Having Disabilities has sponsored retreats in the Diocese of Sioux City for adults who have moderate developmental disabilities.

This year three spring retreats were planned at locations in the diocese - Estherville, Carroll and Kingsley.

Vera Ludwig, director of family programs for the diocese and a member of the coalition, said the retreat in Carroll was held in mid-July and the Kingsley retreat is slated for Sept. 15.

The retreat was open to all persons 18 years and older with moderate developmental disabilities. Many of the participants came from area group homes.

The attendees took part in several activities including making snow globes and door hangers, talking about Scripture, relating it to their lives, skits and Bingo.

The master of ceremonies, Sue Wind, a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson and member of the coalition, said, "The participants love every single minute of it. It is important to them to pray and most of them believe in God and believe that Jesus is there to help them.

"This is an opportunity for all of these people to think about how Jesus and God are involved in their lives," she said. "It is also an opportunity for them to connect with each other."

The participants usually only see those they work with on a day-to-day basis and the retreat is a time for them to be around other people who possibly have similar disabilities, said Wind.

"They see that they are not alone in their struggle with whatever their disability is," she said. "They meet new friends and see volunteers helping everyone."

The sign choir from New Hope Village taught the participants signs to the songs that were sung. The whole group rehearsed the signs along with the songs and then used them in the prayer service at the end of the day.

During the songs, the participants used music makers including maracas and bells. They were able to take part in the songs even if they were not able to sing along, said Ludwig.

Helping to organize the retreat were Deb Musfeldt and Roma Schimmer, both members of the coalition.

"It is a fun day for them to enhance their religion. It is a day away from the regular routine that they have," said Musfeldt. "It is also a fun day for the volunteers to get to see that other side and interact with the participants on a more down to earth basis."

"It is a wonderful opportunity to spend a day with folks who might not otherwise have an opportunity to share their faith with others," said Ludwig.

Ludwig said the goal was to help the attendees gain an understanding of how much Jesus loves them and to share that with others.

"This group of retreat participants loves to get together," she said. "Even though the theme wasn't in season, they were together and listening about how God loves them. They were singing and sharing."

A donation from the Carroll Knights of Columbus made a donation that helped pay for pizza and the local Wal-Mart donated the pop.

For more information about the Sept. 15 retreat, contact Ludwig at (712) 233-7532 or e-mail her at veral@scdiocese.org. There is a need for volunteers to be table leaders. Group homes or parents wishing to send someone to the retreat should contact Ludwig.