A Message from the Leadership Team

Although there has been some real progress toward making people aware of the needs of persons with disabilities, there are still many persons with disabilities who sense that they have been disenfranchised in society and in the church. The challenge ahead is to develop and implement models for ministry in our Church which fully integrate persons with disabilities into the Body of Christ and thus to bring wholeness to the entire community. We are pleased to announce a new ministry in the Vicariate.

We are increasing our efforts to build local communities that are aware of the great benefits of reaching out in partnership with persons with disabilities. By implementing a new ministry, we hope to engage all persons in our vicariate in mutually beneficial ways. We sincerely hope that we can count on you to support this new initiative. We have described the ministry mission and vision in this web site.

We have begun setting some long-range goals for this ministry. Deacon Don Grossnickle is the facilitator of this ministry. Should you have ideas, concerns or needs that you wish to bring to our attention:

Please contact Deacon Don at: dgrossnickle@dopm.org

Proposed Vicariate Disability Outreach Partnership Priorities

• Invite and empower persons with disabilities to full participation and ministry in the church.
• Work toward making our worship facilities accessible.
• Be a voice of advocacy along with persons with disabilities and promote partnerships between church and government organizations related to disability issues.
• Assess and address unmet needs of persons with disabilities within the parish, vicariate and diocese, and act as a consultant and resource.
• Provide education/awareness workshops and assist in educational support for all.
• Support volunteer Parish Advocates, who work in partnership with persons with disabilities to solve problems and enhance quality of life.
• Maintain a special needs resource center providing materials and assistance related to disability issues.
• Establish a network of communication in order to share resourcefulness and build community.

Inviting Parish Partners — Advocates Needed

The Vicariate Outreach Ministry invites volunteers from each parish to work as advocates on behalf of their fellow parishioners who have a disability. The parish advocate is a caring compassionate friend who is sincerely interested in the well being of people with disabilities and in their inclusion in the life of the parish.

The goal of the program is to make it possible for persons with disabilities to fully participate in the life of the Church. The role of the parish advocate is to follow the example of Christ the Good Shepherd and seek out parishioners who have disabilities and together determine their spiritual, religious and human needs. The parish advocate will be recommended to the program by the pastor of their parish. The Parish Advocate will work with the pastor of the parish to welcome and include persons with disabilities in a parish by:

• Working to sensitize the parish to the needs and gifts of persons with disabilities.
• Welcoming persons with disabilities and their families into parish life and parish programs.
• Making referrals to appropriate agencies and diocesan offices when needed.
• Working to make all aspects of a parish accessible.
• Forming a network of collaborating advocates in the vicariate. The vicariate ministry will provide training, information and support services on a continuing basis for the fulfillment of the parish advocates responsibilities.
  

*Adapted Diocese of Pittsburgh

Please read the Bishop's statement on people with disabilities.

"I ask that you continue in your efforts to make ours a more welcoming and participatory church for every one."

Francis Cardinal George