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I originally joined this list when I was being tested for celiac.  My
blood test and endoscopy came back negative. However I am hoping you can
help me.

I work at a Catholic Parish, coordinating children's programs.  There is
a child with celiac in my First Communion class, and I am looking for
ideas as to what I can do in the preparation process that will not make
her feel excluded.

Our Archdiocese has a special needs coordinator, she helps parishes to be
inclusive of people with special needs.  I have contacted her, to ask for
resources.  She was aware of celiac disease, but I was the first person
to request help for a person with celiac disease.

I am aware of the Catholic Church's statement that only low-gluten hosts
are alowed for those with celiac, and I understand why this does not work
for people.  I believe that this family has resigned to having their
daughter only recieve communion from the cup.

In designing the preparation program I am planning on making sure that I
don't refer to taking communion, in only terms of the bread, but that I
always speak of the wine as well.

In the past I have always included a bread baking activity as one of the
classes.  For obvious reasons I cannot include this activity unless I
modify it some how.  I am looking for a simple gluten free recipe for a
biscuit or cookie that a group of children could prepare, and that would
bake in 12-15 min.  My other idea is to not do the baking activity and
have the children squeeze grapes to make juice.

I would appreciate hearing about other's experience in First Communion
preparation, and ideas that would make a communion preparation program
helpful for people with celiac.

joann
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