Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

On March 14, students from the Campus Ministry Club at Pius X High School in Lincoln participated in a community event to support families with children who have special needs. The students assisted during a fish fry held at the North American Martyrs Parish by engaging with children on the playground, allowing parents to navigate the event more comfortably.

Senior Maya Kane from St. Peter Parish expressed her enthusiasm for volunteering, stating, “It’s a super great opportunity to hang out with the kids. They are a joy… so awesome.” Fellow senior Lucy Ring from St. Michael Parish shared her motivation, saying, “I wanted to come out and help because I love working with kids.”

Matthew Miller of St. John the Apostle Parish emphasized the importance of such events for community visibility and appreciation: “Being visible in the community is really important,” he said. Laura Miller added, “To be able to connect with people is a little harder.” She appreciated the willingness of Pius X students to assist: “They’re really living the beatitudes in that way.”

Mary Sweeney of St. Joseph Parish sees this initiative as a potential model for future events. Inspired by an evangelical church’s respite night program, she envisions similar opportunities within their own Catholic community.

Luke Sweeney noted that involving Pius X students in such activities could foster greater understanding and acceptance of individuals with special needs: “I’d never been around anybody with special needs when I was at Pius,” he reflected.

Mary Sweeney believes this effort aligns with pro-life values by addressing how communities support individuals with special needs: “Having something like this kind of provides sanity,” she stated.

For further information about related initiatives, interested parties can join the Facebook group "Catholic Special Needs Parent’s Network," designed for parents or guardians raising children or adults with special needs within the Diocese of Lincoln.