Diocese of Buffalo-Life Long Faith Formation Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

LIFE LONG FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

In their 1989 Pastoral Statement on People with Disabilities, the United States Catholic Bishops describe the way in which catechesis should be structures to bring Catholics with disabilities into the fullness of Christian life:

"Evangelization and catechesis for individuals with disabilities must be geared in content and method to their particular situation . . great care should be given to integrate them into normal catechetical activities of the parish"

These programs have been developed to supplement programs within a parish or to met the needs of the people served,

	THE CATHOLIC GUILD FOR THE BLIND serves individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including those with new vision loss. The Guild strives to promote positive attitudes about visual impairment and to assist its members in achieving dignity and independence at home, in the workplace and in the community. It unites volunteers and persons with blindness and vision loss to encourage spiritual and social activities. The Guild sponsors five activities during the year including Days of Recollection, Lenten Services, Mass and Communion Breakfast, Christmas Party, and Summer Picnic. For more information call 856-4494, or visit online at www.ccwny.org
	CONTINUING ADULT FAITH FORMATION for developmentally delayed adults is held The third Saturday of each month from 3 to 4pm followed by mass at St. Mary Parish, Lancaster. Call Don Williams at (716) 684-8410
	FAITH AND SHARING RETREAT is a two fold encounter with God and neighbor involving a cross section of the Church-young, old, single, married, priests, sisters-coming together as a community to deepen faith, hope and love. Held at Center of Renewal, Stella Niagara from Friday March 7 at 7pm to Sunday March 9 at 3pm. For information contact Connie Cosman at (716) 446-0090. Download Faith and Sharing Retreat Brochure and application.
	GOD'S FAMILY: LEARNING, LOVING AND LIVING OUR FAITH is a monthly faith formation program for all age people with disabilities and their family and friends third Saturday of each month from September to June from 1 to 3:30 pm at Baker Hall School, 777 Ridge Road in Lackawanna. Group home families are welcomed. The session includes lunch, interactive prayer services, learning of our Catholic faith, sharing our experiences of faith and taking materials to learn at home. Download this year's brochure, God's Family Brochure 2007-2008 and registration form or contact Sharon at surbaniak@buffalodiocese.org.
	ROSARY FOR LIFE is recited after the 8am mass at St. Rose of Lima Church at 500 Parker Avenue in Buffalo on the last Saturday of each month from March through November followed by a procession to an abortion clinic, public prayer and witness across the street from the clinic, For more information e-mail diacono@buffaldiocese.org
	VICTORIOUS MISSIONARIES is a spiritual network for persons with a disability or chronic illness. Visit www.vmusa.org. Its founder, Father John Maronic believed that people with disabilities have gifts that could and should be shared with the Universal Church and the World! They meet monthly from March through December for prayer and socialization in a Christian atmosphere. They also have two days of renewal each year. The group assists with transportation as needed. For more information, download the Victorious Missionaries flyer with dates of upcoming events or call Carol at (716) 694-0514.Download a story about last month's meeting, April and Amy Meeting.
	CIRCLE OF FRIENDS is a social group for parishioners with disabilities at St. Mary Parish in Lancaster that meets the third Monday of the month from March through December at 7pm. A contribution of $10 to help defray costs is appreciated. For more information contact Sarah Kinseher at skinseher30@yahoo.com .
	SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR MENTAL HEALTH is a prayerful group of people committed to helping each other. Meetings are held the last Sunday of the month at Holy Spirit Church hall at 85 Dakota Avenue from noon to 1pm. Call 875-8102 for more information.
	RETREAT CENTERS offer spiritual programming throughout the year. Five retreat centers are accessible in our Diocese. St. Columban Center at 6892 Lakeshore Road in Derby www.stcolumbancenter.org Christ the King Seminary at 711 Knox Road in East Aurora www.cks.edu Stella Niagara at 4421 Lower River Road www.center-of-renewal.org Mt. Irenaeus at 3735 Roberts Road in West Clarksville www.mounti.com
	ONLINE RESOURCES

Here are various online sites that offer opportunities for spiritual enrichment: www.beliefnet.com
www.liturgyofthehours.org
www.findinggod.org
www.HenriNouwen.org

ETREAT CENTERS offer spiritual programming throughout the year. Five retreat centers are accessible in our Diocese.
St. Columban Center at 6892 Lakeshore Road in Derby www.stcolumbancenter.org
Christ the King Seminary at 711 Knox Road in East Aurora www.cks.edu
Stella Niagara at 4421 Lower River Road www.center-of-renewal.org
Mt. Irenaeus at 3735 Roberts Road in West Clarksville www.mounti.com

VICTORIOUS MISSIONARIES is a National Organization consisting of physically, mentally, and emotionally disabled persons, and the caregivers thereof; whose purpose it is to give spiritual and social enlightenment to its members. Most of its members are Roman Catholic, but people from other churches are welcome. You need not attend a specific church to belong.

The Victorious Missionaries original got its name through Father John Moronic. Father Moronic a Catholic priest and native Illinois had a vision of disabled people getting together in spiritual and social harmony. After such a group was formed, it was first referred to as “VICTIMS.” The disabled people did not like this. They thought, “we are not victims; we are victorious over are disabilities!” So this we achieved our present name.

We are entirely volunteer however, we do accept funding from grants, churches, or other existing organizations. We meet once a month, beginning with a prayer service, followed by a luncheon. After lunch, there is a planning meeting. We plan our participation in several meetings and retreats a year, the main one taking place in Illinois , Fr. Marconi’s home state.

We have two fundraisers, and an occasional choral concert and a towel party in October.

We play with cards instead of bingo, and the winner receives a towel, currently supplied by the members. Donations of towels from other sources would be greatly appreciated. We also have a picnic in July and a Christmas party in December. Once again the food and decorations for these is supplies by the members.

If you would like to join, or if you have any questions or ideas concerning activities, please contact, Carol Buchal at (716) 639-7542 or Mary Gryc at (716) 831-1068. If you are a disabled person, or the caregiver of the disabled person, we are always looking for new members. We meet on the first Saturday of the month, from 11 am to 2 pm. at:

14 Holy Helpers School Hall
1345 Indian Church Road
West Seneca , NY 14224
Transportation is currently available.

Schedule of the 2007 year

BUFFALO CHAPTER
VICTORIOUS MISSIONARIES
SPECIAL EVENTS

October 7th
Towel Party at Villa Maria College

October 21st
25th Anniversary Celebration for Deacon Bill Willis
Mass at Noon followed by a reception in the hall

December 1
Annual Christmas Party
Catered Dinner, Entertainment. Reservations needed

For all activities, call Carol, the President at 639-7542