Disabilities Ministry

Every person, regardless of their physical and mental abilities, has the right to a full life in the Church and deserves the support of parishes and church staff. The Diocese of Joliet is an inclusive diocese, and we believe in including everyone in the ministries and programs offered at our parishes.

Sacramental Preparation

The disAbilities ministry of the diocese of Joliet fosters the full inclusion of people will all disabilities into the life of the church and serves as a pastoral resource for parishes, families, and individuals in providing welcome and access to persons with disabilities. The disAbilities ministry has been following the mandates of the United States Conference Catholic Bishops as stated in their pastoral statement on persons with disabilities.

What We Do

Our ministry goal is to follow Jesus’s example and continue His earthly ministry of bringing healing and salvation to all, but in a special way to the people we serve.

• Promote awareness of the needs of persons with disabilities within the Diocese of Joliet.
• Assist in developing policies for working with persons with disabilities and translating those policies into practical strategies.
• Create best practices for ministering to persons with disabilities and recognize those efforts that are already happening in the Diocese of Joliet.
• Serve as advocates for individuals with disabilities who are seeking help from other agencies.
• Provide persons with disabilities with catechesis, sacramental prep and opportunities to participate in programs of communal and individual prayer and celebrations that direct us all toward continued participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

Board of Directors

Renata Cichowicz, pastoral outreach lead
Lisa DiFranco, chair
Jeanne McDonald, vice chair
Kathleen Hartke, secretary

Contact

Renata Cichowicz
Phone: (815) 221-6245
[email protected]

Resources for Parishes

Adapted Religious Education

There are several special religious education program models available depending upon the needs of your parish. Training is available through the Disabilities Ministry for religious education directors and catechists upon request.

USCCB Documents

• USCCB 1978 Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities
• 1998 Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities
• 2017 Revised Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities

Resources for individuals with developmental disabilities

NCPD Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• https://ncpd.org/adapted-faith-formation
• https://ncpd.org/catecheticalpublishers
• https://www.pflaum.com/together-in-jesus-first-reconciliation-videos/

Ministerio Hispano

• https://ncpd.org/espanol
• https://udayton.edu/artssciences/ctr/ipi/inclusive_catechesis_resources/books.php

Resources for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing

• NCOD – YouCat
• My First Eucharist

Resources for Individuals who are blind or have vision loss

• Xavier Society for the Blind
• Large print Lectionary and Sacramentary from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability
• Assistance with securing religious materials in braille is available upon request: https://ncpd.org/LAMB

Training and resources for catechists

• Resources for Special Needs — Includes curricula, websites, activity books, Bibles, apps, videos, songs, and special needs products

Resources for Families

Religious Education/Sacramental Preparation Programs for Persons with Disabilities in the Diocese of Joliet
Parish	Program	Age	Meeting Date	Meeting Time	Frequency	Sacramental Prep	Contact
St. Anne Parish 551 Boulder Hill Pass P.O. Box 670 Oswego, IL 60543 Phone (630) 554-1425	SPICE – Special People Included in Catholic Environments	K–8	Saturday		Weekly	First Communion and Confirmation	Cathy Gilooly [email protected]
	SPICE for Teens	Junior High (up to 18)	Saturday	3–4:30 p.m. Parents meet at the same time	Monthly	First Communion and Confirmation	Jenine Boes Phone (630) 554-2502 Cell (630) 551-4862 [email protected]
St. Raphael Parish 1215 Modaff Rd. Naperville, IL 60540 Phone (630) 355-4545	REACH – Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped	6+	Saturday	9:30–11 a.m.	Twice a month	First Communion and Confirmation	Jeanne McDonald [email protected]
	FUN Group	18 years and up	Saturday	9:30–11 a.m.	Twice a month
Cathedral of St. Raymond 604 N. Raynor Avenue Joliet, IL 60435 Phone (815) 722-6653	REACH – Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped	K–8	Mondays	4:45–6 p.m.	Twice a month	First Communion and Confirmation	Madonna Wojtaszek-Healy [email protected] Catechists: Peggy O’Brien, Sandra Campbell
St. Mary Parish 19515 115th Ave. Mokena, IL 60448 Phone (708) 326-9356	REACH – Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped	K–8	Wednesdays	4:30–5:30 p.m.	Bi-weekly	First Communion and Confirmation	Tami Brongiel [email protected]
St. Mary Immaculate Parish 15629 South Route 59 Plainfield, IL	REACH – Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped	Grades 1–8	Monday and Thursday	Monday 6:30– 7:15 p.m. (Grades 7/8) Thursday 5–5:45 p.m. (Grades 1–6)	Weekly	First Communion and Confirmation	Geri Morse
Sts. Peter and Paul 36 N. Ellsworth Street Naperville, IL 60540 Phone (630) 355-1081	REACH – Religious Education Apostolate for Christian Handicapped	K-8				First Communion and Confirmation	Theresa Pratt [email protected]
Visitation Parish 779 S. Work Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 Phone (630) 279-7058, ext. 502	SPRED (Special Religious Education Development)	Ages 13–40	Wednesday Evenings	6:30–8 p.m.	Three times a month (September to April)		Melanie Schneider [email protected]
	One faith formation session with special friends per month One social event with special friends per month One catechist some faith formation session per month (catechist only) In a SPRED community, we are called to belong. Within the community of SPRED we find friendship and love. In this environment we can hear the call of God and live in harmony with God’s will for us. SPRED catechetical experiences prepare the way for inclusion in the liturgical celebration of our Church.

 

Additional Resources

• Illinois PUNS Database
• A Guide to Illinos PUNS
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Illinois Medicaid Home & Community Based Waiver Program
• Disability Resource Center
• Lions Club

Events