Suicide Awareness, New Beginnings

Building Community

One Body In Christ

Together

Visit Our Website

Click to Contact by Email

Anne Masters, Ph.D., FAAIDD

Director

Anne.Masters@rcan.org

973-497-4309

Vol. 3, Issue 2, September 14, 2021

Dear Friends and Co-Workers in the Vineyard,

I hope you are well. September is a month often filled with anticipation and new beginnings. However, it can also be a time of heightened stress. And this year we are also faced with the realization that we are still dealing with COVID.

This edition of One Body in Christ Together provides links to information and pastoral resources that can be helpful. Parish Catechetical programs begin again in September and it is also the month for National Suicide Prevention and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness. Please share with all you think may be interested.

Thank you for all you do for ALL of God's people!

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

Anne

How do you welcome individuals with disabilities?

Whether you're a pastor welcoming a new parishioner or family to the parish or a PCL registering a new learner in your catechetical program, the process is essentially the same as with individuals who don't have a disability. Get to know the person, their particular interests, strengths, way of communicating, particular support needs, etc. Click here for questions to guide you, a tool for developing relationships. Click here for suggestions for catechetical program registration forms.

SAVE THE DATE - Catechist Convocation for New Jersey dioceses: stay tuned for more information about its live portion, October 21-24. There are a number of workshops on ministry with individuals with disabilities in English or Spanish and one on ministry with individuals who are Deaf. Stay tuned for announcements from Catechetical Office.

National Suicide Prevention Month: Pastoral and Liturgical Resources

National Suicide Prevention Month, pastoral and liturgical resources, including: click here for resources compiled by National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)

Resources from Mental Health Workgroup, Archdiocese of Baltimore
Responding to Suicide: A Pastoral Handbook for Catholic Leaders
Reaching out to survivors, family accompaniment, Prayer Petitions
Webinar: Talking to Youth About Suicide

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Month: Click here for resources compiled by NCPD

Bulletin info, prayer and petitions

Faith Formation For Diverse Learners

NCPD Council on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) develops different faith formation activities for diverse learners most months. Although they are developed for families, they can also be great for parish catechetical environment. This month's theme is Archangels. Click here for the list of available resources .

Inclusive Family Masses

Very often, individuals who have intellectual, developmental and/or other disabilities, and those who love them, do not feel comfortable attending their local parish liturgy, although they ARE very welcome. Inclusive Family Masses address this concern and invite them in particular to come and enjoy celebrating the Eucharist with other members of the surrounding community. All are welcome.

Click here for Inclusive Family Mass schedule.

Accompanying Families

We currently have two groups for parents of individuals with disabilities that have been meeting for many years at St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield. One is for moms and one is for dads. The groups' schedules are a mixture of in person and virtual gatherings at this time. For more information about support and connection, contact info below.