The Eucharist is more than a sacrament—it is a source of strength amid life’s greatest challenges. For parents raising children with special needs, the Church can be a refuge and a reminder that no one walks alone.

Cincinnati resident Laura Nanista knows this well, as she strives to navigate the complexities of caregiving with a heart rooted in Christ’s love. “Only Jesus can provide the peace that transcends all understanding,” Nanista shared, referring to Philippians 4:7. “When I receive the Eucharist, I feel that peace.”

For Nanista, a mother of two, whose 16-year-old son has special needs, faith fuels her mission to create a more inclusive Church. She’s felt the struggles special needs families face within their parishes. Her son’s journey has been intertwined with the sacraments from the day he was born. He was baptized at the hospital just after birth in an urgent celebration because doctors were unsure of his survival. His First Communion was carefully planned and practiced with the help of well-formed parish staff to accommodate his feeding tube. And his reception of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick also required thoughtfulness and adaptation, but through it all, the Church provided grace.

Nanista praises the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s “All Are Welcome, All Belong” initiative that works to ensure every person is welcomed as an equal member of the Church. As the facilitator for St. Gertrude Church’s “Moms of Special Needs Support Group,” she goes beyond advocacy to actively build community. “My primary role is to find caregivers of children with special health care needs and facilitate ways to share experiences and faith,” she explained.

Nanista sees her work as a reflection of Mary’s own journey. “I feel my mission is to model Mary as best I can in raising children with special health care needs. Due to my sinfulness, this is a challenging task. However, I can relate to Mary’s sorrow and suffering, and that provides much insight and solace.” She is currently creating a special rosary for mothers

of children with special needs, offering a new way to pray through their unique challenges.

Through her work with the archdiocese’s Office for Persons with Disabilities, Nanista has seen that the Church can make a tangible difference. From advocating for accessibility to providing sensory-friendly Masses and launching a “Mental Wellness” ministry, this office is transforming lives. “Most importantly, they provide support to those in need,” she said. “I hope many people will visit their website and sign up for their newsletters so that true belonging in the Church can be possible.”

Nanista’s message to others with disabilities is one of hope: “You are a beautiful and intentional creation of God with innate dignity. Nothing that you do, don’t do, or are unable to do will keep you from God’s love. Though we may not ever know why God made us this way, there is a reason. You are not broken or a mistake. God has great things in store for you.”

As the Church embarks on this Jubilee Year of Hope, Nanista’s story is a powerful testament to the Eucharist as both sustenance and mission. In the breaking of the bread, Christ makes Himself present to all. And through their suffering, advocacy, and faith, families like the Nanistas remind the Church of its call to love without limits.

This article appeared in the May 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.