Taking the Bible seriously but not literally
In Rememberance of Eunice Kennedy Shriver
"People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, 'Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom God like a child will not enter it.'" (Luke 18: 15-17)
Last Friday, August 14th, 2009, family and friends of Eunice Kennedy Shriver gathered to say farewell to a remarkable woman. A member of a remarkable generation of Kennedy’s, if times were different, she too may have made her mark in American politics. Still, she was able to make a difference in the lives of many people; people whom the rest of society was all too ready to ignore or shut them away out of sight. Through her efforts for the Special Olympics, she enabled hundreds of people with mental disabilities to the show the world their skills and their courage. She gave them all a sense of acceptance, and love.
Many years ago, when I was a seminarian, I had the privilege to spend some summers at a camp for children with mental disabilities. It was called Camp Fatima and it was in New Hampshire. For a week, these children received a true summer camp experience, with swimming, horse rides, arts, and crafts. It was both challenging and rewarding for me. I made mistakes, but they were forgiving and they still had fun.
We have had, and still members of our Secular Franciscan fraternity with mental disabilities, and they have been a blessing for us. I have a nephew with Downes Syndrome, who is a joy to the family. In a different era, their lives might have been bleak, but thanks to people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver, their lives are full of promise and hope.
Last Friday, August 14th, 2009, family and friends of Eunice Kennedy Shriver gathered to say farewell to a remarkable woman. A member of a remarkable generation of Kennedy’s, if times were different, she too may have made her mark in American politics. Still, she was able to make a difference in the lives of many people; people whom the rest of society was all too ready to ignore or shut them away out of sight. Through her efforts for the Special Olympics, she enabled hundreds of people with mental disabilities to the show the world their skills and their courage. She gave them all a sense of acceptance, and love.
Many years ago, when I was a seminarian, I had the privilege to spend some summers at a camp for children with mental disabilities. It was called Camp Fatima and it was in New Hampshire. For a week, these children received a true summer camp experience, with swimming, horse rides, arts, and crafts. It was both challenging and rewarding for me. I made mistakes, but they were forgiving and they still had fun.
We have had, and still members of our Secular Franciscan fraternity with mental disabilities, and they have been a blessing for us. I have a nephew with Downes Syndrome, who is a joy to the family. In a different era, their lives might have been bleak, but thanks to people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver, their lives are full of promise and hope.
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