INCLUSION I N W O R S H I P MINISTRY A Ministry to Welcome Worshippers of All Abilities as Active Participants INCLUSION REPRESENTATIVE RESOURCE BOOKLET Fourth Roman Catholic Edition DEDICATION This resource is dedicated with gratitude to the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and Father Henri Nouwen who inspired the Inclusion in Worship Ministry at the Pathways Foundation That All May Worship Conference, April 22, 1996, to Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, for his continued support, the Inclusion In Worship Round Table of advisors for their guidance and to the pastors and Inclusion Representatives who work to make the parishes in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago accessible to parishioners of all abilities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank Grace Harding, former director of the Department for Persons with Disabilities, Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA and the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania for sharing their Parish Advocate Handbooks with Pathways.org. Their publications acknowledge the following: Eastern Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities, National Pastoral Life Center, Diocese of Wichita, Diocese of Boston, Liberty Resources, Research and Training Center on Independent Living This resource was created at the request of Inclusion Representatives. If you have information that you would like to add to this booklet, please submit by email to Joanne Meyer, Program Manager, at [email protected] or call 708-922-9455. ON THE COVER The icon of the Holy Trinity was selected for the Inclusion Awareness Day prayer card because it is a source of meditation and prayer on the inter-relation of the Trinity, hospitality and inclusion. In his book, Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons, Father Nouwen explains that icons do not reveal themselves at first site but only gradually, after patient, prayerful reflection. They draw us into closer communion with God. “I have memorized them as I have memorized the Our Father and the Hail Mary, and I pray with them wherever I go.” Nouwen describes the Trinity icon as an invitation to know God, not through our intellect, but through our hearts. He writes, “As we place ourselves in front of the icon in prayer, we come to experience a gentle invitation to participate in the intimate conversation that is taking place among the three divine angels and to join them around the table.” Nouwen observes that the icon beckons us to enter a house of love that “has no boundaries and embraces everyone who wants to dwell there.” The image of the three figures extends beyond the picture to include the viewer. The icon invites each of us to join the three figures to complete the image. We are all welcome to participate. We are all invited to take our place at the Table. We are all included. Source: “Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons” by Henri J.M. Nouwen, Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2007. TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW OF THE INCLUSION IN WORSHIP MINISTRY 5 THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF THE INCLUSION IN WORSHIP MINISTRY 11 GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR INCLUSION IN WORSHIP MINISTRY 37 AFFIRMATION, COMMUNICATION AND ACCESSIBILITY 62 AFFIRMATION 64 COMMUNICATION 68 ACCESSIBILITY 72 WELCOMING PARISHIONERS OF ALL ABILITIES 78 TIPS FOR WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS OF VARYING ABILITIES 85 HEARING LOSS 86 INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 90 AUTISM AND PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER 92 VISION LOSS 96 MENTAL ILLNESS 110 RECOURCES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO 114 STATE AND NATIONAL DISABILITY RESOURCES 120 INDEX OF TERMS 128 ABOUT PATHWAYS.ORG 129 “I can tell you from personal experience how important it is to make participation and access possible.” Francis Cardinal George Archbishop of Chicago 2009 Inclusion Awareness Day Letter to Parishes OVERVIEW OF THE INCLUSION IN WORSHIP MINISTRY 5 HISTORY OF THE INCLUSION IN WORSHIP MINISTRY Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and Father Henri Nouwen generously gave their insight and guidance to the Inclusion in Worship Ministry, which was inaugurated at St. Monica’s Catholic Church on April 22, 1996 at the Inclusion in Worship Conference sponsored by Pathways.org in partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago. Cardinal Bernardin called the conference in response to a youth’s unfulfilled desire to serve as an altar boy. His parish leaders did not know how to include him because he used a walker and the altar was not ace, At the Eucharist at the historic conference parishioners of all abilities, including this young man, inaugurated their liturgical ministries. At Cardinal Bernardin’s request, Pathways.org created the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors video and Idea Guide. In both publications practical ways congregations can involve worshippers with disabilities are presented. Before his death, Cardinal Bernardin also inaugurated Inclusion Awareness Day and launched the Open Hearts Newsletter with the assistance of Pathways.org. His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, gave his blessing to the Inclusion In Worship Ministry and Inclusion Awareness Day in 1997. In 1998 the Open Hearts Awards cash grants were funded by Pathways.org to assist parishes with access projects. To date 179 grants totaling over $122,000 have been granted to congregations across the U.S. In 2001 Cardinal George called for parish Inclusion Representatives to assist pastors with implementing the Inclusion in Worship ministry. Pathways.org is currently coordinating the efforts of over 175 Parish Inclusion Representatives. Inclusion Representatives, under the direction of their pastors, assist with access and inclusion efforts, coordinate Inclusion Awareness Day celebrations and submit nominations for Pathways.org Open 6 Hearts Awards grants. They attend one meeting per year to share their progress with other Inclusion Reps from their Vicariate. In 1999 Open Hearts, Minds and Doors: Embodying the Inclusive and Vulnerable Love of God by Reverend Robert Barron and Reverend Donald Senior was published with the National Federation of Priest’s Councils. In 2006 Pathways.org released Father Henri Nouwen’s complete keynote address “The Vulnerable Journey” on DVD and CD. From inception, the Inclusion in Worship ministry has been an interfaith movement. In 1998 Pathways.org partnered with the Chicago Rabbinical Council on the production of “Seth’s Bar Mitzvah”, a video telling the story of a young man’s inclusion in his synagogue as he prepares for his bar mitzvah. In 2007 the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago embraced the Inclusion In Worship ministry and joined Pathways.org in raising awareness to the need for access and inclusion with His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos’ inauguration of Inclusion Awareness Day in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago. The activities of the Inclusion In Worship Ministry are guided by an interfaith Round Table of clergy and lay advisors from the Chicago area. Inclusion in Worship Round Table members, from l to r, Reverend Robert Heidenreich, Reverend David Jones, His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Reverend Jeremiah Boland and Reverend Jack Wall at the Pathways 28th Anniversary Dinner. 7 OPEN HEARTS ROUND TABLE OF ADVISORS Reverend Robert Barron, Rector, University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Reverend Jeremiah Boland, Pastor, Holy Family Catholic Church, Chicago Very Reverend John Canary, Vicar General, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago Reverend Claudio Diaz, Pastor, Mission San Juan Diego, Arlington Heights, IL Reverend Robert Heidenreich, Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Winnetka, IL Mrs. Kelly Horne, Inclusion Representative, Ss. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka, IL Reverend Tom Hurley, Pastor, Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Chicago, IL Reverend David Jones, Pastor, St. Benedict the African East, Chicago, IL Most Reverend Timothy Lyne, Bishop Emeritus, Chicago, IL Mrs. Sheila McLaughlin, Director, Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin, member at Large, Am Yisrael Congregation, Winnetka, IL Reverend Martin O’Donovan, Pastor, Ss. Faith, Hope and Charity, Chicago, IL His Grace Bishop Demitrios of Mokissos, Bishop, Greek orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Reverend Paul Rutgers, Chicago Council of Religious Leaders Reverend Donald Senior, President, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL Reverend Kenneth Simpson, Pastor, St. Clement Catholic Church, Chicago, IL Monsignor Kenneth Velo, Senior Administrator for Catholic Collaboration, DePaul University, Chicago, IL Reverend John Wall, President, Catholic Extension Society, Chicago, IL 8 INCLUSION IN WORSHIP ORDER FORM Since 1996 Pathways.org has developed the following materials to assist congregations to welcome worshippers of all abilities into active participation. Item Cost Quantity Amount Due Open Hearts, Open Minds (25 min.)* DVD set with bonus DVD The $10.00 Vulnerable Journey (50 min.) – with Idea Guide. The Vulnerable Journey DVD (50 min.) $5.00 By Father Henri Nouwen The Vulnerable Journey CD $4.00 By Father Henri Nouwen Open Hearts, Open Minds Idea Guide Free Booklet Opening Hearts, Minds, Doors** Free By Father Robert Barron and Father Donald Senior Seth’s Bar Mitzvah video*** $8.00 Different Gifts, but the Same Spirit Download free at religious education lesson plans www.InclusionInWorship.org $0.00 Open Hearts E-newsletter Free Include your email address below. $0.00 I wish to make a tax deductable donation to Pathways.org in the amount of: $ Shipping and handling is based on weight. Shipping & handling: $ Please call 1-800-955-2445 for shipping costs.