APRIL 2013

Features Partnership 2013 Pope Francis Calls us to Love and Serve the Vulnerable

NCPD News & Notes Autism Awareness Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

Diocesan/Partner News and Notes Inclusion Tip: Teaching Tips for Students with Autism Annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Affirming Life Ministry Partners: A Peer Support Ministry Disabilities Awareness: Welcoming our Differences DVD God's Family Autism and Faith DVD

Partnership 2013

Where Faith and Disability Meet

We are very excited about how the program is coming together for the national conference November 1-3 in

Houston.

The website is nearly ready to launch; we will send you an emailwhen the website is live and you can register.

This three-day tri-lingual event will feature three rounds of learning sessions, keynotes, an awards ceremony for disability ministry, a plenary session on Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers and daily Eucharistic liturgies. The conference registration and information website is nearly completed. We expect it to be launched in mid-April, near tax day; we can’t recommend a better investment for a part of your rebate!

Conference Hotel

Vatican/ USCCB/ Federal News and Updates Recognize Risen Christ in Those with Autism, Vatican Says Pro-Life/Religious Freedom News

Resources Disability is Natural: Monthly Electronic Newsletter Awareness Commemorations NCPD Resources

Calendar of Events

Archived E-News

Click here

We will notify you by email as soon as it is live. Checkout the website for information on the hotel, sponsorship opportunities, workshops, registration rates and more! Every effort has been made to keep costs down--the hotel rate is $85 per night for 1-4 occupants. Be sure to take advantage of best value conference registration rates available through May 31st. In the meantime, we wanted to share with you some of our exciting news about the conference. Be sure to save the dates November 1-3. The conference will be presented in English, Spanish and ASL. Please share news of the conference with your colleagues, parishioners and friends.

Opening Keynote: John Foppe Our opening keynote will be presented by international speaker John Foppe. As some of you may know, John was born without arms and has had to break down and re-think every aspect of day-to-day life. He will share his own experience as a pro-life Catholic who puts his faith into action. John will apply this vision in his

presentation on “Where Faith and Disability Meet.” To read more info about John, click here. A variety of learning

sessions will be available throughout the day on Saturday, some Spanish-only, others in English; topics to include Catechesis, Bioethics, Family Support, Caring for Caregivers and Ministry Foundations.

Pope Francis Calls Us to Love and Serve the Vulnerable Among Us

Paul Gondreau, father of the Rhode Island boy hugged by Pope Francis shares… “Small acts with great love,” Mother Teresa was fond of saying. Yesterday (April 1, 2013), Pope Francis bestowed an extraordinary Easter blessing upon my family when he performed such an act in embracing my son, Dominic, who has cerebral palsy. The embrace occurred when the Pope spied my son while touring the Square, packed with a quarter million pilgrims, in the “pope mobile” after Mass. This tender moment, an encounter of a modern Francis with a modern Dominic (as most know, tradition holds that St. Francis and St. Dominic enjoyed an historic encounter), moved not only my family (we were all moved to tears), not only those in the immediate vicinity (many of whom were also brought to tears by it), not only by thousands who were watching on the big screens in the Square, but by the entire world.” More…

NCPD News and Notes

Autism Awareness The March 2013 E-News featured Autism Awareness for your convenience, so you could have access to resources to use in your awareness activities this month. If you want to refer to that information, you can go to:

• http://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/specific/autism to reach the autism resources page or to • http://www.ncpd.org/views-news-policy/news/enews to reach the March 2013 issue of the E-News. • Be aware that you can also reach our resources at www.CatholicswithAutism.org, another link we

created for those searching the internet who don’t yet know about NCPD.

Mental Health Awareness Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month we will take this time to highlight some resources for providing parish and diocesan support for those with mental illnesses. Please check http://www.ncpd.org/ministries-programs/specific/mentalillness#Resources for resources that are provided by the NCPD Council on Mental Illness. The NCPD Theological Framework for Ministry for and with People with Mental Illness provides the statement under which we function in providing such supports. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) sets forth the following framework as a guide to the Church’s ministry for and with people with mental illness:

Human Life is Sacred; Every Person is Created in God's Image “One of the fundamental truths of Christian belief is that each human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). The Catholic Church unconditionally embraces and faithfully proclaims this truth. It is the foundation for human dignity. Our commitment to this truth is measured through actions on behalf of the vulnerable and alienated in society, especially the poor and suffering.” Affirming the Dignity of the Mentally Ill, Nebraska Bishop’s Conference, January 2005 Since all People are Created in the Image of God, their Dignity and their Worth cannot be Diminished by any Condition including Mental Illness "Whoever suffers from mental illness 'always' bears God's image and likeness in themselves, as does every human being. In addition, they 'always' have the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God

and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such.” Pope John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind, November 30, 1996. Click the button for more.

Links for resources Below is a list of links that contain valuable information and resources related to mental illness. NCPD does not vouchsafe the content of the related links. We provide the links in the hope that there is information on these websites that can be of aid.

Mental Health Ministries has evolved into an ecumenical and interfaith outreach. It works with faith communities, advocacy groups, community organizations and mental health professionals. Our focus is on spirituality and mental illness. A distinction is made between spirituality and religion.

Spirituality springs from a belief system that gives meaning to our lives. It grows out of our experience rather than doctrine. Religion, on the other hand, refers to the beliefs and practices associated with organized groups such as churches, synagogues, mosques, etc. We support a holistic approach to mental illness encompassing the mind, body and spirit. http://www.mentalhealthministries.net

Pathways to Promise is an interfaith technical assistance and resource center which offers liturgical and educational materials, program models, and networking information to promote caring ministry with people with mental illness and their families. These resources are used by people at all levels of faith group structures from local congregations to regional and national s http://www.pathways2promise.org

NAMI Faithnet: Faithnet is a branch of NAMI. NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. Click logo for more information.

You can make a difference in the faith lives of individuals who live with a disability by making a small monthly donation to NCPD. $10, $20 or $25 per month will enable NCPD to provide resources to dioceses and parishes to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the Church and society. Click here to help.

Diocesan Director, Partner, and Organizational News and Notes

April's Inclusion Tip

Marsha Rivas, Director, Equal Access Ministries, Diocese of Toledo

Please open one of the attachments for April’s Inclusion Tip: Teaching Tips for Students with Autism, a replay in honor of Autism Awareness Month, and now available in Spanish. We are grateful to Deacon Jose Garcia, for his collaboration and commitment to make all future Inclusion Tips bilingual!

This Month's Inclusion Tip See other Inclusion Tips at the NCPD website Click here for English Visit Equal Access Ministries on the Diocesan website Click here for Spanish Like Equal Access Ministries on Facebook!

Annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities: Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Sister Kathleen Schipani, IHM, Administrator, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PCPD/Deaf Apostolate

The annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities was celebrated March 25 at the Cathedral. Enjoy listening to Archbishop Chaput's homily at the Youtube link.

Read this beautiful article and enjoy the pictures from CatholicPhilly.com electronic news about the Mass for Persons with Disabilities 2013. To read the article click on the CatholicPhilly logo below.

Affirming Life Ministry Partners: A Peer Support Ministry

Nita Grignol, Director, Diocese of Richmond, Office for & with Persons with Disabilities The Affirming Life - Embracing Grace Ministry in the Diocese of Richmond supports those who have received a poor prenatal diagnosis of a life threatening or lethal condition for their child. Note one of the beautiful communications that Nita had last week with her team of Affirming Life Ministry Partners. Names are removed to maintain privacy.

On Wednesday (March 20), at the 11th hour the Affirming Life: Embracing Grace Ministry was given the privilege through Noah’s Children (Bon Secours) to serve a family who was experiencing a poor prenatal diagnosis (PPD) and in the process of preparing for their baby’s imminent birth. Our Peer Support Minister met with the parents at length. In a few short hours with the Holy Spirit working everything out

so that paths crossed and connections were made, a photographer to take keepsake pictures was found, our seamstress finished a beautiful handmade Baptismal Gown which she delivered to the hospital right before the delivery. The baby girl was born and her family had a chance to love and cherish her for the hour that she lived. Deacon Bob from their parish baptized her. Please keep this family in your prayers." Perhaps you might be called to such a service in your diocese. Let us all pray for those teams in dioceses who are functioning in this greatly needed ministry. It is like the service we are being called to by Pope Francis…to be with and support the most vulnerable among us.

Disabilities Awareness: Welcoming our Differences DVD

Sharon Urbaniak, Director, Lifelong Faith Formation & Disability Ministry, Diocese of Buffalo The Disabilities Action Team and Daybreak Productions of the Diocese of Buffalo have produced Disabilities Awareness: Welcoming our Differences DVD through the generosity of the Vincent and Harreit Palisano Foundation which is being distributed to each Bishop in the United States for use in their Diocese. The DVD includes three components. In a 12 minute section, people with disabilities and pastors share their stories and ministry. In the second part, the role of a parish advocate and a team are explained. The third section offers two public service announcements.

Words Hurt: looks at the negative words people with disabilities have been called.Click on image to

view video.

A mother of 4 children with Autism shares how Understanding is Key in the other PSA.

God's Family

Also, the Lifelong Faith Journal (www.LifelongFaith.com) featured an article with practical ideas for an intergenerational program called God's Family that Sharon Urbaniak has coordinated for nine years and won two awards-- the 2012 NCCL New Wineskins Award and the first Edward M. Shaughnessy II Inclusion Award in 2009.

Autism and Faith DVD

Carol Ruddel, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Salt Lake City The Autism Council of Utah has produced a DVD, Autism and Faith, designed as a tool to increase the communication process and foster stronger support for families in various religious congregations. Leaders representing Utah's faith communities join parents to describe the needs of individuals with autism and their families in several faiths. Bishop John Wester, of the Diocese of Salt Lake CIty, is one of the leaders in the DVD.

The video is viewable at Sahara Cares, a non-profit Utah foundation provided the support to film and produce this excellent resource for all faith communities. Slick Here" to see video.

Vatican/ USCCB / Federal News and Updates

Recognize Risen Christ in Those With Autism, Vatican Says

By ESTEFANIA AGUIRRE/CNA/EWTN NEWS | VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is observing World Autism Awareness Day by calling on Christians to recognize the Risen Christ in autistic people and increase solidarity with them. “The [Pontifical] Council wishes to share... Read More

Pro-Life/Religious Freedom News

Hobby Lobby Granted Full Court Hearing for Mandate Case By ADELAIDE DARLING/CNA/EWTN | WASHINGTON — Christian-owned craft giant Hobby Lobby will be able to make its appeal against the federal contraception mandate before a full federal panel of nine judges, rather than the usual three. “Full court... Read More

Resources

Disability is Natural: Monthly Electronic Newsletter

Go to http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/newsletters to register for Disability is Natural monthly electronic newsletter. Kathie Snow, its creator, has a fresh approach that you will find helpful and interesting. The website contains some resources that you may like to use.

Awareness Commemorations

We occasionally receive calls about monthly commemorations of disability issues and will list them, one

month ahead, for your convenience. Below are some of the commemorations for April and May.

April May

• Autism Awareness Month

• Cancer Control Month • National Occupational

Therapy Month

• National Mental Health Awareness Month

• Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month • Hepatitis Awareness Month • National Arthritis Month • National Stroke Awareness Month • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Awareness Month • Better Speech and Hearing Month

Resources for Persons with Disabilities for Roman Missal, Third Edition

NCPD Resources

See the links listed below for helpful resources.

Catechesis Ministry Specific Resources

Various Ministry Models Spirituality

Ministry Toolkit Building Awareness

To see more resources available from NCPD click the following button.

National Catholic Network on Mental Illness - Sign Up Now

Calendar of Events

An Evening with Fr. Robert Barron to Support the National Catholic Partnership on Disability Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 5:30 PM (CDT) Chicago, IL http://ncpdchicago.eventbrite.com/

May

Ignite the Fire of Faith - Enciende el Fuego de Fe NCCL May 19-23, 2013 Cleveland, OH

November

NCPD National Conference November 1-3, 2013 Houston, TX More details to come.

Click here for archived versions of NCPD E-News.

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