Programs 

 

 

Inclusive Religious Education

“The Church owes people with disabilities her best efforts to make sure that they are enabled to hear the Good News of Jesus, to participate in the sacramental life of the Church, and to grow in their faith in the fullest and richest manner possible.”

                     US BISHOPS NATIONAL DIRECTORY FOR CATECHESIS

 

Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis for People with Disabilities/Special Needs include:

·        Archdiocesan Policy Statement                                

·        Guidelines for Parishes

·        Steps Toward Effective Inclusive Religious Education

·        Models for Inclusion 

·        Guidelines for Specialized Situations

·        Process for Identification of Special Needs

·        Sample Registration Form

 

Samples of Adapted Religious Education Curriculum are available at the Archdiocesan Office for People with Disabilities.

 

Copies are available of the US Bishops Guidelines for Reception of the Sacraments for People with Disabilities.  


Training programs and consultation are provided for Catechists to assist with accommodations needed by students with special needs.

 

See link to Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis for People with Disabilities and Bibliography of Catechetical Resources

Rex Faith Communities

REX Faith Communities provide an opportunity for people with developmental disabilities to share their faith and grow in friendship in community. It is in the sharing of each other’s gifts in support of each other’s needs that an interdependent community grows. People of all faiths are welcome.

Shamrock REX Faith Community meets for all in the Salem area on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 2:00 – 4:00 at Queen of Peace Parish.  Call Don MacIsaac, 503-581-4596
Schedule

University of Portland REX Faith Community gathers at St. Mary’s Center on the campus of University of Portland the last Saturday of each month from 2:00-4:00. Call the Office for People with Disabilities at 503-233-8399.   Schedule

For Parishes interested in

developing a

REX Faith

Community, call:

The Office for

People with

Disabilities,

503-233-8399.

 

Adapted Liturgies

confirmation

“It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to persons with disabilities since these forms are the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian community together…The experiences and needs of individuals with disabilities vary, as do those of any group of people.  For some with significant disabilities, special liturgies may be appropriate.”

Pastoral Statement of US Catholic Bishops on Persons with  Disabilities

An Adapted Liturgy is the Eucharistic Liturgy with special accommodations to enable the full participation of people with developmental disabilities or conditions that make it difficult for them to participate in their regular parish Mass.  Such accommodation needs can include:

·         Simplified language for readings, homily

·         Concrete expression of abstract concepts (i.e. dramatizing the Gospel)

·         Adjustment for length of service (under an hour)

·         Choice of music with simple, repetitive verses

·         Simplified explanations of parts of the Liturgy

·         Smaller, intimate worshipping community where it is possible for people to develop   

        relationships of understanding and acceptance

·         Openness, flexibility, acceptance of vocalizing throughout the Liturgy

·         Openness, flexibility, acceptance of agitated behaviors or need to move or walk

        around during the Liturgy.

 (See RESOURCES for Adapted Liturgies Packet)

 

Parishes Offering Adapted Liturgies:

Queen of Peace, Salem                        St. Pius X, Portland SW

1st Tuesday every other month               4th Sunday of every month

5:30pm                                                      2:45 pm

  

St. Alexander, Cornelius                St. Rose of Lima, Portland, NE

1st Sunday of every month                  2nd Sunday of every month

3:00pm - Spanish                                 12:30pm

Adapted Liturgies Schedules

  

For information about Adapted Liturgies call the Office for People with Disabilities 503-233-8399.

  

Disability Awareness

A variety of disability awareness programs are available to raise awareness of the realities of living with disabilities and those  accommodations that enable inclusion and active participation.

Welcome To My World is a disability awareness program developed for both youth and adults that guides participants through a reflection/action/reflection model to address attitudinal barriers related to disability.  The workshop involves 9 simulation centers with the opportunity to learn from people with disabilities as they share the experience of their lives. Welcome to my world photo

Toward Inclusive Worshipping Communities is offered for faith communities to become aware of “the little things that make a big difference” in creating communities of welcome and belonging for people with disabilities.

The Church and Mental Illness provides faith communities with the tools to form relationships of support with people with mental illness and their families. 

Built of Living Stones:  Accessible Churches uses the guidelines of the national Conference of Catholic Bishops in their recent document Built of Living Stones:  Art, Architecture, and Worship to explore how worship structures can create barriers or facilitate access to community and full participation.

Adaptive Religious Education  teaches catechists and parents ways to accommodate /span>  children, teens, adults who have special learning needs as they grow in faith.& 

Catechetical Ministry with Children with Challenging Behaviors guides catechists in understanding behaviors of children with special learning needs and ways to accommodate their needs with positive behavior supports.

Welcomed and Valued  building faith communities of support and hope with people with mental illness and their families.

 

 
 
 
 

 
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