Contact:    Joyce Donahue Catechetical Associate
phone: 815-727-6411 ext. 258         email: jdonahue@dioceseofjoliet.org

NEW Book Resource

on Disabilities/Pro-Life!

GIANT HERO

One couple's journey

through loving and letting go of

a son with Potter's Syndrome

Told by Angie and Cecil Bellephant,

Written by Tracy Ahrens (Kankakee, IL)

"Blessed are the souls whose purpose in life is completed in a few hours. Chosen are the parents to bear these blessed souls."

                                                                 - Naina Batish, M.D., pediatrician

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities

Live Webinars

(Next one TBA)

(Diocese of Joliet is an affiliate diocese -

registration is free to residents)

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22nd Annual

Bishops' Mass With Persons With Disabilities

October 11, 2009

Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet

11:00 a.m.

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meeting the Diverse Needs of Individuals with Special Needs in the Diocese of Joliet

Evangelization and catechesis for persons with disabilities must be geared in content and method to their particular situation.  Specialized catechists should help them interpret the meaning of their lives and should give witness to Christ’s presence in the local community in ways they can understand and appreciate.  We hasten to add, however, that great care be taken to avoid further isolation of persons with disabilities through these programs which, as far as possible, should be integrated with normal catechetical activities of the parish.

(U.S. Catholic Bishops Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities. 25) 

1978 Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities

Discerning how to catechize those with special needs:

Continuum of Models for Religious Education (courtesy, Diocese of Newark)

SERVICES PROVIDED

BY THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE

JUSTICE AND CARE

The 1978 (revised 1989) Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities calls for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the spiritual and social life of the parish. The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act mandates federal legislation to ensure dignity and equal rights for people with disabilities. The 1995 Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (U.s. Catholic Bishops) call for concrete implementation of inclusion of people with disabilities in the preparation and celebration of each of the seven sacraments. It is estimated that one out of every five people has a disability, whether it is physical, mental, or developmental. This includes people with visual, hearing, and motor impairments. Religious educators have a right and an obligation to impart the religious and spiritual tradition to people with disabilities. It is the mission of this office to continue to meet the challenge the Bishop’s Pastoral Statement gave to us by assisting parish religious education programs within the diocese meet the catechetical and sacramental needs of their student.

SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCES
Book, Booklet, and Curriculum Resources -   ( Word )    (PDF)

Video Resources -  ( Word)    ( PDF)

Resources from May 6, 2008 NCPD/NCCL Webinar:

Catechesis for Children & Youth With Disabilities:

Applying the Vision

Ability Productions - Online and Media Resources

Recommended book:

Autism and Your Church

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DEAF MINISTRY
There are three monthly signed Masses with the deaf community that are offered in the diocese.  One is offered the second Sunday of the month at St. Isidore in Bloomingdale at 4:00 p.m.  The second Mass is offered the third Sunday of the month at St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield at 12:30 p.m.  The third Mass is offered at St. Thomas the Apostle in Naperville the 1st Sunday of the month at 9:00 a.m. 

There are other parishes that have interpreted Masses with varying regularity in the diocese.  The newest of these is a weekly interpreted Mass on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Community, 2003 Hassert Blvd. and Book Rd. in Naperville.  For more information, visit www.HolySpiritNaperville.org or 630-922-0081.

It is important to know there is a difference between an interpreted Mass and a signed Mass.  An interpreted Mass is when the interpreter does everything and a signed Mass is when the priest signs and the deaf participate fully in the liturgy.

If you are in need of an interpreter and are unable to find one, or if you know of one who is willing to be of service, please contact Fr. Mark Fracaro at (815) 467-2233.