For Families of Those with Special Needs. At St. Catherine of Sienna, Franklin Square, on June 8 from 6–8 p.m. Here for more info.
Diocesan Liturgy
Celebrating the Gifts of Persons with Special Needs
Families and friends are welcome to come and celebrate with us! Mass with Monsignor Robert Brennan is on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Frances in Wantagh. Coffee and cake will follow in the Parish Center. RSVP by June 6. There is no charge for this event.
Meeting the Challenges in Faith Formation Class. Tuesday, August 21, 2012, Seaford. Presenter: Dr. Joanne Sgambati. Download info here.
We Go to Mass Slide down Sheet
The We Go to Mass Slide down Sheet is designed to help children on the Autism Spectrum as well as children with developmental delays follow along at Mass. It can also be used with young children to help them to focus on what is happening during the Liturgy so that they too can belong more deeply! $1.50 includes shipping. More...
Mardi Gras 2012 Celebration
Saturday, February, 18, 2012 St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
photos by: Marianne Sheridan
with special thanks to the Campus Ministry for their participation and service in this event.
Including Children with Special Needs in Faith Formation: A Guide for Catechetical Leaders.
Why not learn to extend the hospitality of Jesus to all of your children? The goal of this booklet is to ensure that all children, regardless of disability or learning difficulty, are welcomed to faith formation and prepared for the sacraments of Eucharist, reconciliation and confirmation to the best of their ability. This guide outlines clearly the ways in which children with special needs can be included in faith formation programs. more... $7.50/PDF Download.
Sacramental Books for Children
These sacramental books are for children who are on the Autism Spectrum and who have learning difficulties and also provide suitable material for children who have developmental disabilities as they prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. The books are for use one-on-one or with small groups and can be supplemented with diocesan approved material according to the needs of the children. Includes Picture Communication Symbols from Boardmaker (Mayer-Johnson LLC); the colorful symbols help make the theologically correct material understandable and insure the interest of the students. A list of resources is included in each book. $10.00/book includes shipping.
Please visit our shopping cart to purchase this DVD.
Webinar sponsored by NCPD
“Symbolic Catechesis and Other Tools in Catechetical Ministry for People with Disabilities” Webinar sponsored by NCPD may be viewed free of charge at www.ncpd.org. Other resource materials are available in The ToolBox, in both PDF and Word, and can be accessed at Here.
ADD and ADHD: Solving the Mystery
Dr. Joanne Sgambati provided the tools necessary to help us understand the challenges of ADD and ADHD and how we can help integrate these children into our faith formation classes. You can download her PowerPoint presentation here…
The Roman Missal and the Visually Impaired.
Xavier Society for the Blind has offered to provide free pew cards in both Braille and large print (24 point) to assist those who are blind or visually impaired. The deadline for requests for the cards is August 31, 2011. Contact Kathleen Lynch at kathleen@xaviersocietyfortheblind.org. While the Xavier Society for the Blind provides all of its service free-of-charge, donations are gratefully accepted.
Dinner Dance for Adults with Special Needs
June 3, 2011 St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
Photos taken by Marianne Sheridan.
With grateful thanks to the members of the Campus Ministry for their generous help!
Awards for Accessibility and Inclusion of persons with Disabilities
The Pathways Awareness Foundation grants congregations up to $1,000 for their efforts to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities. Congregations across the U.S. are recognized for their access and inclusion efforts with the National Junior Open Hearts Awards for children and the National Open Hearts Awards for adults. The deadline for applying for these grants is August 1, 2012. Why not join the six parishes in Rockville Centre that have already received grants to enhance the accessibility of their churches? Follow the link to access an application at www.inclusioninworship.org. Awards will be received by the second weekend of October 2011 when Inclusion Awareness Day is celebrated.
Give it Your All Sports and the JJS Foundation Start a Sports Program for Children with Special Needs.
Begins Sunday, November 14. T-ball, KickBall, Soccer and more will be played. Parent Participation needed. More info…
Diocesan Liturgy Celebrating the Gifts of Persons with Special Needs
May 22, 2011 St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
Photos taken by Bill Mossbruger.
Developing Faith and Light in Nesconset
Spring of 2011
The Presentation of the Lord
The Road to Emmaus
Journeying Together
Celebrating in song
Community
Mardi Gras Celebration
March 5, 2011 St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
photos by Marianne Sheridan
2010 Open Hearts Award Winning Congregations in the
Diocese of Rockville Centre
..The Church of the Curé of Ars, Merrick
..Church of St. Sylvester, Medford
..RC Church of the Holy Cross, Nesconset
..St. Bernard Catholic Church, Levittown
..St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Plainview
More...
Pope: Society Judged by How It Treats Suffering Members
In his message for the 19th World Day of the Sick, which will be observed Feb. 11 on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI said:
"If every man is our brother, much more so are the weak, the suffering and those needful of care, and they must be at the center of our attention, so that none of them feel forgotten or marginalized.” The full text of his comments can be found at www.zenit.org/article-31286?l=english
Celebrating Inclusion Awareness
Liturgy and Lunch, St. Thomas More,
October 9, 2010
Photographer: Tony Procaccini
Six Easy, Nearly-Free Ways to Be More Disabled-Accessible
This month Blue Avocado features an article by Mary L. Lester which indicates some simple ways to make your programs more accessible without spending tons of money. While she offers six easy and affordable ways to dramatically improve your accessibility for persons with disabilities, I was particularly impressed with the specifics she offered in her item #3 about conducting a ten (10) minute training that could be helpful for many volunteers and not just staff.
3. Do a 10-minute training at the next staff meeting on appropriate interaction with people with disabilities. Making some small changes in staff behavior can make create a huge leap in your accessibility. Here are the points to make (if you have a secret acting gene, act these out with a partner):
Don't: Walk up to a low-vision or no-vision person and take him by the arm to lead him somewhere.
Do: Walk up and introduce yourself. Ask how you can help. If he asks for help getting to the conference room, say, "Let me walk you there. Would you like to take my arm?"
Don't: Escort someone who is blind to the workshop room and then leave.
Do: After getting the workshop participant seated, say, "I'm going back to my office now. If there is anything you need during the workshop, Alice here can help you."
Don't: Speak to the sign language interpreter accompanying the deaf art gallery patron or the attendant of your client with cerebral palsy.
Do: Look at and speak directly to the art patron: "Is this your sign language interpreter?" Look at and speak directly to your client: "How can I be of help to you?"
Don't: Pet a service dog or animal accompanying a person who is blind or has some other disability.
Do: Talk to the person and ignore the dog. If you really want to pet the dog, ask: "I know your dog is working. Is it okay to pet her?"
Don't: You feel awkward and can't find anything to say to a person with a disability, so you don't say anything.
Do: If you see a person in the lobby, ask, "Have you been helped yet?" or get their attention by inquiring, "May I speak to you for a minute?" and then ask, " Is there something I can help you with?" You may read the full article at http://www.blueavocado.org/node/593
CNS Interview of NCPD Regarding 20th Anniversary of ADA Signing
This Catholic News Service Interview of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability regarding the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act reaffirms our work towards accessibility and inclusion. Click here and scroll to bottom of page to view video.
Faith and Light Ministry
for people with developmental delays.
Faith and Light Ministry: International inter-faith organization for persons with intellectual challenges, their families and friends. These faith sharing communities are based on the spirituality of Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche. Call Infant Jesus Rectory 631-473-0165 or Ann Dellow 631-473-2181. The meeting at Infant Jesus is held on the first Tuesday of each month. A Faith and Light Meeting is also held on the first Friday of the month at Holy Cross in Nesconset. Call Marcia at 631-439-9724 for information.
Sacraments for Every Child
The article, Sacraments for Every Child appeared in America Magazine and addresses the issue of how parishes can better welcome children with disabilities to faith formation and worship. Written by Peter J. Smith, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago in Illinois, the article features a photograph taken in St. Frances de Chantal Church, Wantagh. Article
NCPD Announces “A Life Like Yours”
“A Life Like Yours” is a video that shares the story of Maddie, who reminds us of the dignity and joy that can be found in every human life. This video was produced in collaboration with NCPD by the Office of Special Needs and the Life Issues Department of the Archdiocese of Washington. Click here (http://www.ncpd.org/node/1106) to watch the video.
Diocesan Liturgy Celebrating the Gifts of Persons with Special Needs
May 16, 2010
St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
First Holy Communion Celebration
May 2010
St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
Celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month
March 13, 2010
St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
HEC (Handicapped Encounter Christ) Christmas Party
December 5, 2009
St. Francis of Assisi, Greenlawn
Liturgy and Lunch
October 3, 2009
St. Thomas More, Hauppauge
Dinner and Dance
June 12, 2009
St. Frances de Chantal, Wantagh
Supper and Song
May 29, 2009
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, West Islip
Sing a Joyful Song to the Lord! Alleluia!
AHRC House
A Deaf Song
Debbie and Carmen
Dinner
Dinner
The Russo Family
If you have any questions, please contact Mary Anne Russo, Coordinator, Ministry with Persons with Special Needs.
