WINTER PARK | Haylee is a smart, happy 8-year-old girl who loves God and her family. Her mother said she likes to try new things, travel to new places and meet life head on. Her gentle nature has fellow students flocking to her in faith class.

And it is that zeal that has parishioners at Sts. Peter and Paul in Winter Park working together to ensure her success. Haylee was born blind and just took second place in her age group at an international Braille competition in Los Angeles. She’s participated since she was 3, and keeps getting better and better each year.

It has been a challenging, but fruitful journey. Haylee’s mother, Keisha, admits she and her husband, Alex were overwhelmed at first.

“We put our faith in that God has a plan and everything happens for a reason,” Keisha shared. “She is who she is, and she wouldn’t be her without all of this as well.”

Obstacles popped up as soon as the family began looking for childcare. “A lot of places were turned off that she’s blind. They weren’t equipped for that,” Alex said. But that wasn’t the case with Sts. Peter and Paul, whose then Early Learning Center staff was willing to do whatever was needed. Alex, who grew up and received his Sacraments in the parish, wasn’t surprised. He’s grateful the same community is now helping form Haylee and her younger sister, Cassidy.

When Haylee began formation in kindergarten, parish catechetical leader Maribel De Abreu was unaware of Haylee’s visual impairment. De Abreu said it was a slow process discovering the best way to teach her. Meanwhile, Haylee patiently sat and scribbled on coloring sheets and listened to the instruction, but “it was kind of pointless for her,” Keisha said. Still Haylee enjoyed going with her cousin, Aiden, who walked her to class and watched out for her.

After months of research, De Abreu learned Xavier Society for the Blind would translate the catechetical materials for free. It was a gamechanger. Xavier Society even translated prayer cards the parish created.

“They got a Mass book that explained what was happening and what came next,” said Keisha. “It opened her religious curiosity – being able to read religious books herself and start to understand what was said, how the prayers might go.

It piqued her curiosity being able to look at those things herself.”

“I really liked reading about God, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,” Haylee said. “I liked reading about all the good things they helped us do. I liked reading about how they were so kind and love us so much. It makes me feel happier.”

Haylee spent hours outside class combing through the books, reading and practicing. Betsy Ferreira, second-grade catechist, said Haylee began to read in class and respond to questions.

“She was always the first one with her hand up,” Ferreira said. “It was a pleasure to have Haylee in my class.”

Ferreira has taught faith formation for more than 10 years. Although she has had other students with different abilities, Haylee was her first blind student. Haylee challenged her to find creative ways to ensure she understood the material.

After all, Haylee would receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion that year.

Hard work paid off during a tour of the confessional when Haylee said, “So God doesn’t worry about how many times or if you sinned. He just wants you to come here and believe that He wants to forgive you. He loves you. And nothing is ever going to change that, no matter how many times you do it or what you do?”

Ferreira said, “Absolutely. You’re completely right.”

Haylee then said, “Well, I have nothing to worry about then.”

“My goal for that class is for them to know, when they receive Communion for the first time, they’re receiving Jesus. Nothing else matters,” Ferreira shared with a smile. “Yes, I want them to know their prayers, to know the Gospel and the parts of the Mass, but that’s the most important.”

Looking at the experience so far, De Abreu said, “(Being able to get these materials) makes me feel she is included in all the teaching. We’re being proactive in including her in the activities at the church… All of us are children of God. He will always provide a way to guide us and to help each other.”

Father Derk Schudde, pastor of the parish, agrees.

“We try to recognize we all are one family. Like any family that has its unique challenges that are unexpected, so too in parish life,” Father Schudde shared. “Our family presents us with unexpected challenges, and we try to figure it out as best we can. It’s a learning curve. For us too, someone in our family came to us and we started out not knowing what to do, but through that learning curve with her, going step by step, we helped her through it.”

Father Schudde also credits Haylee’s parents and describes them as united. “They come to church together. He’s a cop and works nights, but he’s still willing to volunteer,” he said. “They are hall monitors and volunteer when you need them. With all the challenges they have in their own life, they take faith and what’s best for the children first and foremost.”

And Haylee appreciates all the efforts. She said her favorite thing she learned so far is, “That God loves me no matter how I do in school, or how I feel about myself. Even if I feel bad about myself, Jesus always loves me. (Receiving Communion) makes me feel like I’m really loved – that this isn’t a big joke. It’s real and that Jesus and everyone else in heaven loves me.”

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, July 11, 2024