And the Winner Is..., Accessible Synodality, Mental Health and more

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Anne Masters, Ph.D., FAAIDD

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Vol. 4, Issue 2, January 25, 2022

Dear Friends and Co-Workers in the Vineyard,

This edition of One Body in Christ Together includes the winner of "Name the Difference!" contest, Accessible Synodality, "I Am Church!", Matters of Mental Health and renewal, how to participate in the National Study of Disability and Ministry, groups for moms and dads of individuals with disabilities and Inclusive Family Masses.

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

Yours in Christ,

Anne

Name the Difference!

Thank you to everyone who participated! In order for your name to be entered in the drawing, your answer needed to include both of the following two points:

Name the difference: the arm of the woman behind the person using a wheelchair is no longer touching the wheelchair.

Why is this important?

It makes the point that we are all journeying together, and that persons who use wheelchairs are able to participate and contribute with the same variety of ways as people who don’t. Very often wheelchair users are able to propel themselves and this number continues to grow through the availability of motorized wheelchairs. However, even if they do need assistance from someone to push their wheelchair, they are still individuals in their own right, and should be appreciated for this. We all need help from each other in different ways, some more than others and some less than others. But that doesn’t change a person’s dignity, who is created in the image of God. We are all equally loved by God regardless of what we can and cannot do.

Language about disability continues to evolve and change, just as it does in other areas of life, and it can feel daunting to keep up with. However, that’s not a reason to disregard its development. The way people are talked about impacts perceptions of them and how they are treated. The outdated expression “wheelchair bound” focuses on limitation and inability, rather than on ability and value and should not be used.

Growing in Synodality means learning to appreciate each other in our fullness as integral partners journeying together as disciples of Christ.

And The Winner Is ........

Steven Serafin, Pastoral Associate at Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Scotch Plains, congratulations Steven! Sister Donna Ciango, O.P., Chancellor for the Archdiocese and is facilitating our synodality process, draws the winning name out of the basket while Milissa Else, Assistant Coordinator for Parish Strategies, holds the basket.

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the contest! It was so affirming to read your comments!

Vatican Synodal Planning Highlights Individuals with Disabilities

Woman wheelchair user who has curly hair and a big smile.

Side view of a priest with dark hair beard and very thick eyeglasses that are about 3 inches thick. He's sitting at his computer.

This very happy woman, who is a catechist, and Fr. Jason Glyn, S.J. below are part of a video campaign by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life:

#IamChurch

#IamChurch: voices of our brothers and sisters with disabilities appearing in 5 videos in which persons with disabilities, from different parts of the world, recount their experience of faith and affirm, "I am Church!" Starting on December 6, the videos became available on the YouTube channels of Vatican News and the Dicastery and published weekly. Click here to view the videos.

Do you know individuals with disabilities who would like to share their story of “I am Church!”? Let me know please and I’ll be happy to help record their story and submit.

#WhileWalkingTOGETHERweLearn From the Archdiocese of Newark (US) a series of recommendations and resources to facilitate the synolda journey of brothers and sisters with disabilities. Thank you dear friends of Newark!

The Vatican Synodality newsletter highlighted the Archdiocese of Newark Accessible Synodality resources to facilitate individuals with disabilities participating in its newsletter dated 12/4/2021, the same issue it revealed the "I Am Church!" campaign. Click here to access the Vatican newsletter. and the importance of being together by creating #WhileWalkingTOGETHERweLearn.

Resources are organized by subject areas: understanding diverse aspects of disability, preparing an accessible presentation for presenting in person and online access, and simplified language resources for the ten themes and easy English listening sessions with pictures. The last item is geared for individuals who communicate better with simple language and/or images. Supportive strategies are included to adapt listening session process for a wide range participation capabilities, including individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Shout out to Monica Maniscalco, M.Ed., Executive Director of Training & Education at Legacy Life Solutions and a catechist at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Saddlebrook for her contributions to the adapted reflection and process. For more on accessible synodality planning and living, click here.

NOTE: Top right corner of website language is selectable. Only PDF documents aren't translated. However, I would be VERY GRATEFUL to anyone who could translate the adapted listening session materials into Spanish. Click here to view it, please.

Mental Health, COVID, and “Languishing”

Are you feeling “a bit off” but don’t really know why? Perhaps you are experiencing languishing, which Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at Wharton, forecasted in April to be the predominant emotion of 2021.* “Languishing is the void between depression and flourishing – the absence of well-being.” Grant talks of the importance in naming our sense of discomfort and acknowledging it honestly when others ask how we are, rather than the socially acceptable, but false, positive response of, “Great!” or “Fine!” As people of faith accompanying others in our work, it will help to notice languishing in others as well. So, if you ask me how I’m doing I will probably say, “peachy-keen!” which means I’m feeling the impact of the good, bad and the ugly, but also aware of God's presence in the world, keeping hopeful for moving beyond the persistent presence of covid. Click here for link to Adam Grant's article in the NY Times.

*Article by Grant in NY Times, "There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing." 4/19/2021, updated December 3/2021. Picture from article.

Thank You Fr. Anthony Randazzo!

Renewing Our Spirit: healing and resiliency in ourselves and our loved ones

And speaking of languishing, Fr. Anthony Randazzo, pastor of Church of The Holy Trinity in Westfield offered words of wisdom and encouragement for healing and resiliency for the group, And A Child Shall Lead Us (see below for more about the group). Drawing from the work of Fr. James Stephen Behrens, OCSO, Fr. Anthony reminded us that light requires something for reflection to be seen. And sometimes that something is darkness and struggles, but in that light is God's presence guiding us forward.

Be Part of the National Study of Disability and Ministry & Receive $100

Is your parish making active efforts to welcome individuals with disabilities and their families? Erik Carter and his team at Vanderbilt University invite you to participate in the new national study of disability and ministry. They want to interview ministry leaders across the country to learn more about the diverse ways churches are working to widen their welcome and the impact it is having. Receive $100 for being part of a 90-minute interview through Zoom. Erik, a friend and colleague of mine for many years, has been doing important research at the intersection of disability and participation in faith communities. His name and work should be familiar to those of you who have heard me talking about the 10 Dimensions of Belonging. Click here to learn more about Erik's work. The survey is for lay and ordained pastoral leaders of individual parishes/congregations. Click here to participate in the survey!

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.