Nazareth HouseNazareth House, a diocesan apostolate with persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is a program of religious education, liturgy and advocacy functioning through the diocese and funded through the
Catholic Charities and Communities Appeal. |
Nazareth House catechist Michelle Vazquez Perez spends time teaching student Aracely Mancilla Moreno.
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Nazareth House is an apostolate providing education, liturgy, and advocacy for and with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Birmingham diocese. For example, this may include individuals with autism spectrum disorder as well as those with genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Nazareth House currently provides individualized religious education and sacramental preparation programming in Birmingham and Huntsville. While most children and young adults with disabilities are optimally served in their home parishes, some benefit from the Nazareth House model, which connects students with a high school volunteer catechist or teacher who meets with them
one-on-one or in a small group setting.
For decades, Catholic high school students have served as volunteer catechists. Catechists earn volunteer hours by teaching weekly during the school year, and receive the opportunity to form a meaningful peer relationship and friendship with the children and adults they teach. Volunteering at Nazareth House has informed many individuals’ future career choices in medicine, law, social work, education, and business.
Both of the current program coordinators are former volunteers as well. The experience can help participants become more sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their
families and foster a greater capacity for promoting inclusion.
In addition to the unique religious education model offered in Birmingham and Huntsville, Nazareth House provides advocacy and consultation, and resources for religious education to anyone in the diocese seeking to obtain support related to intellectual or developmental disabilities.
All this is done through your participation in the Catholic Charities and Communities Appeal.
one-on-one or in a small group setting.
For decades, Catholic high school students have served as volunteer catechists. Catechists earn volunteer hours by teaching weekly during the school year, and receive the opportunity to form a meaningful peer relationship and friendship with the children and adults they teach. Volunteering at Nazareth House has informed many individuals’ future career choices in medicine, law, social work, education, and business.
Both of the current program coordinators are former volunteers as well. The experience can help participants become more sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their
families and foster a greater capacity for promoting inclusion.
In addition to the unique religious education model offered in Birmingham and Huntsville, Nazareth House provides advocacy and consultation, and resources for religious education to anyone in the diocese seeking to obtain support related to intellectual or developmental disabilities.
All this is done through your participation in the Catholic Charities and Communities Appeal.
