Our Mission :: Other Funded Ministries & Agencies > Nazareth House
Very Rev. Pat Cullen, Vicar
Nazareth House, a diocesan apostolate with persons having intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a program of religious education, liturgy and advocacy functioning through our the diocese and funded through Catholic Charities.
Nazareth House serves over one hundred thirty children and adults throughout The Diocese of Birmingham. It is a program, which has as its main goal the incorporation of persons having intellectual and developmental disabilities into the life of their own parish communities.
Nazareth House has been in operation for 48 years. From the beginning, there was the realization that, in the Diocese of Birmingham, there were people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are uncatechized: children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. It is the foal of this apostolate to meet this need.
The past year continued to witness growth of the program in noticeable ways with new children entering the program, the births of babies with special needs, and several children and adolescents preparing to receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation, and Reconciliation.
Nazareth House programs serve the diocese in the cities of Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. In order to accomplish the ministry, catechists are recruited and trained for this special mission. The catechists are teenagers-high school and university students.
Parish communities, in various parts of the diocese, have requested assistance in programming individual children needing special attention with regard to religious education and preparation of the Sacraments. Parents, concerned for the future of their children, called for counseling and referrals. There has also been the growth in the numbers of children who have a diagnosis of seers autism spectrum disorder.
This summer will mark the 7th move of our central office located in Birmingham. The program will function from the Cathedral of St. Paul. Over time, the realization, that with the move, will come children new to the program, as well as additional catechists.
While Nazareth House is most frequently thought of in terms of religious education and liturgy, there is another aspect of the apostolate which has come to the forefront over the past few years-advocacy. With the closure of State facilities many people have been placed in group home settings. This has created the need to monitor for possible situations of abuse and/or neglect. Nazareth House aims to meet these needs, as well.
Nazareth House, a diocesan apostolate with persons having intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a program of religious education, liturgy and advocacy functioning through our the diocese and funded through Catholic Charities.
Nazareth House serves over one hundred thirty children and adults throughout The Diocese of Birmingham. It is a program, which has as its main goal the incorporation of persons having intellectual and developmental disabilities into the life of their own parish communities.
Nazareth House has been in operation for 48 years. From the beginning, there was the realization that, in the Diocese of Birmingham, there were people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are uncatechized: children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. It is the foal of this apostolate to meet this need.
The past year continued to witness growth of the program in noticeable ways with new children entering the program, the births of babies with special needs, and several children and adolescents preparing to receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation, and Reconciliation.
Nazareth House programs serve the diocese in the cities of Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. In order to accomplish the ministry, catechists are recruited and trained for this special mission. The catechists are teenagers-high school and university students.
Parish communities, in various parts of the diocese, have requested assistance in programming individual children needing special attention with regard to religious education and preparation of the Sacraments. Parents, concerned for the future of their children, called for counseling and referrals. There has also been the growth in the numbers of children who have a diagnosis of seers autism spectrum disorder.
This summer will mark the 7th move of our central office located in Birmingham. The program will function from the Cathedral of St. Paul. Over time, the realization, that with the move, will come children new to the program, as well as additional catechists.
While Nazareth House is most frequently thought of in terms of religious education and liturgy, there is another aspect of the apostolate which has come to the forefront over the past few years-advocacy. With the closure of State facilities many people have been placed in group home settings. This has created the need to monitor for possible situations of abuse and/or neglect. Nazareth House aims to meet these needs, as well.
