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Disability Parish Ministries

Our Lord calls upon us to Open Hearts so that all parishioners can enjoy full participation that is their baptismal right. Parishes strive for full parish participation through a ministry that is to, with, by and for our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Parishes mobilize leaders, prioritize needs, assess parish resources and respond appropriately.

St. Gregory the Great Chuch

St. John the Baptist Church

St. Joseph University Church

S.S. Peter and Paul Church

Our Lady of Hope

St. Gregory the Great Church

St. Gregory the Great Parish, Williamsville - established an advocacy committee to provide resources and support for individuals with disabilities so they may fully participate and share in the experiences in parish life, including prayer, the sacraments, liturgy and service. They have dedicated themselves to:

help facilitate spiritual growth in family faith formation
create a welcoming and accepting environment for their diverse members, including members with disabilities
promote awareness and acceptance of diversity through education
empower individuals with disabilities and their families by providing accommodations to participate in mass, religious education and other desired parish activities
recognize that person with disabilities are able to contribute to the parish by sharing their many talents.

The family faith formation program was awarded a grant to increase resources to assist in ministry to people with disabilities. One of the fruits of this project is a Lending Library. The parish advocacy committee meets every other month. Meetings are held in the school faculty room at 7pm. Contact Joan Rischmiller, chair at jrischmiller@stgregs.org or 688-2886.Parish events include:

From this group has grown two additional ministries: SS. Anne and Joachim Ministry is a support group for parents of children with disabilities. Founded by parishioner, Linda Amabile for experienced parents of children to share their support and experience with new parents of children with disabilities. For more information contact Linda Amabile at lkamabile@verizon.net or call 632-2530. St. Frances De Sales Deaf Ministry - whose members sign the Sunday 12:30 mass which is streamed live at www.stgregs.org website. If you are interested in being a signer at the parish contact Michele Biely at (585) 865-6531 or mloffl266@aol.com.

SS. Peter and Paul Church

SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Williamsville established their ministry in April of 2010. Advocate Dave Whalen chairs the team. A Disability Awareness Workshop was held in April of 2010

St. John the Baptist Church

St. John the Baptist Parish in Kenmore hosted our first Mardi Gras party in March of 2010 organized by Judy Gorman, advocate. The team held their first meeting on Wednesday, October 27th. They are hosting our Second Annual Mardi Gras after a noon Disability Awareness mass on Sunday, February 27th.

St. Joseph University Church

Interfaith Service - Monday, May 13th at 7:00 pm at St. Joe's for those with a Mental Health Diagnosis, their families, caregivers, supporters and friends. Please join us if you can.

Eucharistic Prayer Service for recipients of mental health services and care givers is held the Second Friday of each month at 7pm at St. Joseph University Chapel at 3275 Main Street in Buffalo. This twenty minute service is designed for those feel more comfortable in a less confining, less populated and shorter service. For more information contact, Sister Jeremy Midura at 833-0298.

Our Lady of Hope Church

Our Lady of Hope Parish, 248 Lafayette Ave. in Buffalo has established the FISH (Friends Inspiring Special Hope) ministry of support and advocacy for their brothers and sisters who are unborn or disabled. On April 10, 2011, parish advocate Mike Caputi was introduced at masses as the Parish Advocate. At the Masses of Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011, parishioner completed needs surveys in English and Spanish.

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