DATE: May 18, 2000

                                                                                      NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                      For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                      Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                                       bbunce@archdpdx.org

DISCIPLES IN MISSION: A MULTICULTURAL AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH

        Disciples in Mission is an evangelization process for parishes that integrates prayer, the Sunday liturgies, faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities, planning and follow-up activities. The Archdiocese of Portland in is the preparation year for implementing thisprocess in its parishes. A key component of Disciples in Mission is recognition of themulticultural make-up of the Catholic parish.

        The Disciples in Mission process fosters multicultural awareness through itsmaterials, which are available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Polish and English.  The materials also reflect the multicultural richness brought to the Church by African Americans. Disciples in Mission promotes dialog among members of the parish recognizing and acknowledging the values within their own culture and those of other cultures. The
Disciples in Mission process encourages this multicultural dialog to help members become "aware of their own culture's gifts and weaknesses and how the light of faith has the power to evangelize, heal and transform."

        The Archdiocese of Portland is encouraged by this multicultural emphasis in Disciples in Mission. The Archdiocesan leadership team includes an African American subcommittee led by Sam Jackson, Jr., an Vietnamese subcommittee led by An Thanh Vu, and an Hispanic subcommittee under the leadership of Raul Valazquez. The Hispanic subcommittee includes 25 members with representation from Medford to Portland.
The inclusiveness of Disciples in Mission is not limited to diverse ethnic cultures.  One may think of the obvious diversity, Catholics of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds: African Americans, Vietnamese, Hispanic and other unique groups. Yet within each parish there are groups and communities which may rarely meet in the true
sense of the word: the young singles, the childless couples, the single parents, the divorcees, the "empty-nesters," the retirees, the families who function within the parish school and the families who function outside the parish school. Disciples in Mission strives to strengthen the sense of parish community for all members, and to excite others with the message of Christ.

        The Archdiocese of Portland is working to ensure that those with disabilities are included in the Disciples in Mission process. The Archdiocesan Disciples in Mission team includes a subcommittee on special needs. Under the leadership of Lynda Brown of the Archdiocesan Office for People with Disabilities the special needs committee will work with parishes to be open, inclusive, accessible and welcoming. The committee will help parishes become pro-active in encouraging members with disabilities to participate in educational,
worship and fellowship opportunities.

        The Catholic Deaf Community of the greater Portland area has already committed to participate in the Disciples in Mission process. Sister Linda Roby, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for the Deaf, is working to coordinate the process and will work in training the leadership team for the Deaf community.

       Disciples in Mission materials include special materials for families and teens to use in the Lenten seasons. The materials provide an opportunity for families to experience themselves as "the domestic Church, the Church of the home." The Family Activity Booklet is written especially for families with preschool, elementary and preteen aged children, and it includes discussion, projects and prayer. Special materials were developed for teens recognizing the unique life-stage they are experiencing. The small group materials for teens incorporate prayer, sharing of personal experiences, Scripture, reflection, and follow-up projects.

        The Disciples in Mission process that parishes will begin next Lent is meant to be open and inclusive regardless of one's ethnic background, disability or age level. The process brings together the people of the Church to pray, reflect and share the good news of the Gospel.

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