As guidance in our ministry to serve our brothers and sisters with disabilities, we look to the wisdom of our catechetical documents.
The National Directory for Catechesis states:
"All persons with disabilities have the capacity to proclaim the Gospel and to be living witnesses to its truth within the community of faith and offer valuable gifts. The life of the parish is enriched by their participation." (chapter 9, section 49, line 5)
"The love of the Father for the weakest of his children and the continuous presence of Jesus and His Spirit gives assurance that every person, however limited, is capable to growth in holiness. Education in the faith, which involves the family above all else, calls for personalized and adequate programs." General Directory for Catechesis 189 United States Catholic Conference
Our goal in the Department of Lifelong Faith Formation is to welcome and encourage participation of all people with disabilities into our parish programs to the greates extent possible. The following links on this Lifelong Faith Formation site offer policies, programs and resources designed to meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities, with the goal for total inclusion into parish life the ultimate goal. To welcome each person with the compassion and love that Jesus himself would offer, makes the Body of Christ complete in our parishes.
To assist our church in achieving this, we have created a Diocesan link on Disabilities which provides information to Open Doors through accessibility, Open Minds through Awareness and Open Hearts through ministry and with our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Click here for Diocese of Buffalo Disabilities link.
Information about specific disabilities can be found on our Diocesan Website's link for Disabilities - click here
These one-page information sheets may be downloaded:
Autism at Mass
Autism-tips for teaching (teaching tips for youth with Autism)
Catechist Guidelines (guidelines for teachers/catechists)
Language Do's and Don'ts
Positive Discipline
Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Teaching Reminders
Teaching Tolerance and Acceptance
Youth with Dyslexia
Sharon Urbaniak, Associate Director of Catechesis for Persons with Special Needs, is available to assist with the Faith Formation of People with Special Needs at surbaniak@buffalodiocese.org or (716) 847-5514.