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30th Anniversary of the Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities
The 30th Anniversary of the Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on Persons with Disabilities is November 16, 2008. On the 30th Anniversary of this historic document, it is important that we stop and remember the great progress that our Church has made in the last 30 years. None of this would have been possible without you who have been strong advocates. But from time to time we get to see an event that helps us realize that this pastoral is again being fulfilled. Recently we’ve been blessed to witness two such events. The first is the opening of the new office for Disability Ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA. Bishop Rhoades opened this new office after convening a committee to study the need for such a ministry. On October 18, we were honored to attend their first day long symposium “In God’s Image, Disability Ministry and Catholic Social Thought”. Over 200 people turned out to learn how to better integrate persons with disabilities into their parish community. Such a number is outstanding when you consider that the Diocese of Harrisburg has only 90 parishes and this was their first attempt at bringing people together to discuss this ministry. Our own Director, Dennis McNulty, was asked to give the keynote address at the symposium. It was truly an honor to attend this event and see the spirit working in this wonderful Diocese. We wish them and their Director Ginny the best of luck! Another historic event occurred on August 15 in Cullman, Alabama. The 1978 Bishop’s Pastoral stated: “The Bishops look forward to the day when more individuals with disabilities are active in the full- time, professional service of the Church ...” (par. 24) On August 15, we got to witness another fulfillment of this statement. Adam had been a student at OLA/St. Joseph Center. As Adam grew, he developed a keen religious spirituality and was clearly drawn to ministry. Many of us know of individuals who are deaf, blind and/or have mobility challenges that have been accepted for ordination or religious life. We have wished to see to see this achieved for a person with a cognitive disability as well. Around Christmas of 2007, Adam announced that he was going to be visiting a religious community. In July, 2008, we received an email from a Brother Joshua (Adam) informing us that he was taking his simple vows on August 15 as a member of the Benedictine Monastery. It was wonderful to be present at the ceremony in Cullman, Alabama. Congratulations Brother Joshua! You will be in our prayers. Please remember us in yours. See photo's from the Symposium in Harrisburg, PA & Brother Joshua's Simple Vows Read the article about the Symposium from the Diocese of Harrisburg's paper The Witness
For Information
call: 216-334-2963 or email us at
mjscott@clevelandcatholiccharities.org
Last Update to the website was December 13, 2007
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