The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Adult individuals with special needs will have an opportunity to explore the “Gifts of the Rainbow” at a renewal day Feb. 21 at Our Lady of Victory Parish. Friends, family and caregivers are also welcome.
The event in the parish center will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Participants will partake in social time, sharing, singing and prayer. Cost of the event is $15; volunteers pay $10. Lunch from Tappa’s Steakhouse will be provided.
Event coordinator Karen Kilburg said the 11th annual renewal day will focus on Catholic Christian virtues of love, joy, hope, trust in God, thanks and peace using a six-color rainbow display as a guide. “We will take each color of the rainbow and talk about virtues. … We will put these virtues on the rainbow.”
Activities will coincide with the discussed themes. Participants will make leis, mobiles and coloring plaques. Our Lady of Victory’s Victory Singers will sing with participants.
The renewal will conclude with a prayer service led by Deacon John Wagner, a member of Our Lady of Victory Parish. Deacon Wagner has worked with individuals with intellectual disabilities for more than 35 years as a psychiatric nurse.
He said his goal for individuals attending the renewal day is the same as it would be for anyone: “Make Jesus Christ a reality in their lives and help them realize that they have a call just as all of us have a call, to do good in life and bring Christ to those that are in their lives.”
He said individuals with special needs are often on the receiving end of care, but they also have a call to ministry and, along with it, “a unique opportunity to care for those who are caring for them.”
Kilburg said she is looking forward to the event and the inspiration the participants provide. “I love seeing the excitement in the individuals’ faces. They have more challenges than we do and we tend to take advantage of what we have. It puts it in perspective to see them enjoying life.”
Persons of all faiths are welcome to attend the renewal day. For registration forms contact Kilburg at (563) 210-3470 or kilburg1@q.com. Participating volunteers should have Virtus training.
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