Bishop Carl A. Kemme received a hug from one of the First Communicants after a special Mass on Tuesday, May 14, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. The event was organized by Jessica Lopez, director of the Ministry With Persons With Disabilities.

Lopez became emotional soon after Bishop Kemme began celebrating the Mass. “I didn’t make it 10 minutes into the Mass without crying because of how much each of the kids wanted to receive,” she said.

The liturgy was specifically for children with special needs, with seven boys and girls receiving their First Communion. According to Lopez, engaging these students in class was not difficult. “They wanted to be there. They put in the work every week. It was so heartwarming to see that.”

To partake in the Eucharist worthily, individuals must be free from mortal sin, fast for one hour, and believe that the host is Jesus Christ's real presence – body, blood, soul, and divinity – under the appearance of bread and wine.

Lopez affirmed that the students comprehended this concept. “They truly believed that the host is Jesus and were able to show us each and every time that this is Jesus and is different than any other food.”

Parents played an active role in assisting their children with class assignments. “They had to make sure the assignments were done. Some of our friends are nonverbal and are not able to read so the parents were required to do the activities with them every week,” Lopez explained.

The ministry received positive feedback regarding its instruction and plans to offer this class biennially. Additionally, a confirmation class for children with special needs who have just made their First Communion will commence in spring and will also be available every other year.

Reflecting on his experience at the service, Bishop Kemme expressed his joy: “It was a great joy to give First Communion to these young people, something I looked forward to as a parish priest and miss very much as a bishop.”

He added that despite having a particularly stressful day at work, seeing "the smiles, excitement, and joy" on these children's faces alleviated his stress entirely. “It was a great blessing for me to be with them on this solemn and most happy occasion.”