The Diocesan Office of Ministry with People with Disabilities initiated the Parish Advocacy Program to enable parishes to better respond to the gifts and needs of their parishioners with disabilities. The program is in response to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’1978 Pastoral Statement of Persons with Disabilities, which challenges the Church to create an environment that fully recognizes the dignity, rights and potential of all people.
Our St Katharine Drexel Parish Advocate fosters inclusion of persons with disabilities within our parish family of faith in liturgical, educational, and social life.
For more information, please contact Dave Orris
Phone: 717-802-9090 | E-Mail: Ramp_it_2day@ hotmail.com
A parish advocate assists the pastor to work for and with parishioners with disabilities. An Advocate can be a person with disability or a person who has experience working with people with disabilities. The advocate strives to encourage parishioners with disabilities to become full participants in the life of the Church – spiritually, physically and socially. The advocate is a part of the diocesan network of advocates and receives annual training from the Office of Ministry with People with Disabilities.
Networks with parishioners with disabilities to assess needs, talents and ways to include all persons to be involved in parish life.
Builds Parish awareness to the needs and gifts of people with disabilities.
Identifies barriers (i.e. physical, communication, visual, attitudinal) to parish life and programs and, with the pastor, strive to eliminate all identified barriers.
Provides information for accessible opportunities for parishioners with disabilities to grow in their faith and social life.
Networks among other Parish Advocates in the Diocese to share in opportunities and programs and make them available for our parishioners.