• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Camp GLOW participant Noelle Adelsberger, right, and her sister, Kate Kleintank, sign a prayer at daily Mass at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks Aug. 8. Adelsberger, who is non-verbal, made her first Communion in front of family and fellow campers. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

St. Agnes parishioner receives first Communion at Camp GLOW

August 9, 2018
By Emily Rosenthal Alster
Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Feature, Local News, News

Camp GLOW participant Noelle Adelsberger, right, receives her first Communion from Father Michael Triplett, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Parkton, during daily Mass at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks Aug. 8. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

SPARKS – Gathered in the chapel of the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House for Mass, Deacon Bill Fleming asked the Camp GLOW (God Loves Our World) participants if they had any special intentions.

One camper raised his hand to pray for Noelle Adelsberger, a 29-year-old parishioner of St. Agnes in Catonsville, who was on the verge of receiving her first Communion.

Noelle, who is on the Autism spectrum and is non-verbal, jumped and smiled in joy.

Every year, Noelle looks forward to attending the camp with her older sister, Kate Kleintank, who takes a week off from her ministry as director of religious education at Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City to serve as Noelle’s companion. Kleintank estimates this is either their sixth or seventh year.

“She gets to have her sister with her for a whole week, and that’s the best,” said Theresa Adelsberger, their mother. “They have a special connection.”

The special occasion also included their father, Bill; Will, one of their five brothers; and Kleintank’s husband, Nathan, and son, Joshua. Followed by family and accompanied by Kleintank, Noelle received Communion joyfully.

“This is a Camp GLOW first,” said Deacon Fleming, who in his retirement from directing the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Office of Disabilities Ministry still leads the camp. “It is truly a blessing. How appropriate to be with her family and friends to receive this blessed gift.”

Father Michael Triplett, pastor of Our Lady of Grace in Parkton, was the Mass celebrant. As she received the Eucharist, in lieu of saying “Amen,” Noelle closed her hands together in prayer.

Camp GLOW participant Noelle Adelsberger, right, who was about to receive her first Communion, and her sister, Kate Kleintank, watch Father Michael Triplett, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Parkton, and Deacon William R. Fleming III, during the consecration at daily Mass at the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House in Sparks Aug. 8. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“That’s the key,” Deacon Fleming said, of her ability to distinguish the Eucharist from unconsecrated bread. “She does know that it’s different.”

Kleintank said it was a process to prepare her sister, who is 12 years younger, for the sacrament, but attributed it to her responsibility as Noelle’s godmother. She used “My Picture Missal” by Loyola Press to help Noelle understand concepts of Catholicism, including that the host, through transubstantiation, becomes more than mere physical sustenance. It becomes the body and blood of Christ.

According to her big sister, prayer is also a big part of Noelle’s life. She likes to pray while waiting for the bus that takes her to a day program in Howard County. She also prays for the babies of family and friends, and gifts them with a bear at their baptisms.

The night before, Deacon Fleming practiced the steps of receiving Communion with Noelle, using an unconsecrated host.

“After we practiced,” Kleintank said, “she bowed to the tabernacle. So she does get it.”

Father Triplett said that all Catholics have a continuing challenge to deepen their understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist.

“For those who have difficulties in communicating, we have to take it on faith that they understand,” he said, adding that Noelle’s awareness was evident. “You could see it in the joy of her expression.”

 

Email Emily Rosenthal at erosenthal@CatholicReview.org

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Emily Rosenthal Alster

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Pope Leo to return to practice of ‘imposing’ pallium on new archbishops

  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including pastor and associate pastor assignments

  • Pope’s brother says even as a baby, future pontiff had a spiritual ‘air’ about him

  • Diversity is cause for strength, not division, pope tells Rome clergy

  • Prodigal son to priest

| Latest Local News |

Prodigal son to priest

Radio Interview: Books and Authors: Inspiring Trailblazers

Future priest from Congo has a heart of service

Sister Joan Minella, former principal and pastoral life director, dies

Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts

| Latest World News |

High court sends Catholic groups’ challenge to N.Y. abortion-coverage mandate back to state courts

Religious Liberty Commission examines imperiled Native American sacred site, mandatory reporter law

As ‘new nightmare’ unfolds between Israel and Iran, ‘never-ending tragedy’ in Gaza continues

Pope asks Italian bishops to proclaim the Gospel, teach peace

Pope Leo XIV will escape Rome’s heat in July by going to papal villa

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • High court sends Catholic groups’ challenge to N.Y. abortion-coverage mandate back to state courts
  • Religious Liberty Commission examines imperiled Native American sacred site, mandatory reporter law
  • As ‘new nightmare’ unfolds between Israel and Iran, ‘never-ending tragedy’ in Gaza continues
  • Thank you to a one-of-a-kind teacher
  • Pope asks Italian bishops to proclaim the Gospel, teach peace
  • Pope Leo XIV will escape Rome’s heat in July by going to papal villa
  • Almost half of U.S. adults have Catholic connection, but Mass makes significant difference in Catholic identity
  • Prodigal son to priest
  • U.S. bishop calls for ardent prayer, diplomacy as Israel-Iran strikes continue

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED