Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
The Diocese of Albany affirms and supports the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, Revised Edition, Approved by the USCCB on June 15, 2017, which provides, in part:
"The Church continues to affirm the dignity of every human being, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of her members who live with disabilities. Likewise, the Church recognizes that every parish community includes members with disabilities, and earnestly desires their active participation. All members of the Body of Christ are uniquely called by God by
virtue of their Baptism. In light of this call, the Church seeks to support all in their growth in holiness, and to encourage all in their vocations. Participating in, and being nourished by, the grace of the sacraments is essential to this growth in holiness. Catholic adults and children with disabilities, and their families, earnestly desire full and meaningful participation in the sacramental life of the Church." And further,
"Parish sacramental celebrations should be accessible to persons with disabilities and open to thier full, active, and conscious participation, according to their capacity. Pastoral ministers should not presume to know the needs of persons with disabilities, but should rather - before all else - consult with them or their advocates before making determinations about the accessibility of a parish's facilities and the availability of its programs, policies, and ministries. Full accessibility should be the goal for every parish, and these adaptations are to be an ordinary part of the liturgical life of the parish."
Service Animals
In keeping with the spirit of the USCCB Guidelines, service animals who assist those with disabilities should be welcomed as a part of access to, and full participation in, parish worship, programs, and ministries. New York State provides helpful guidance in this regard:
https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/publications/serviceanimals-english.pdf
Deaf Ministry
Our deaf ministry strives to enable people who are deaf or have hearing loss to participate fully in the life of the Church.
Parishes with displayed words of Songs and Readings
- Christ our Light Roman Catholic Church, Loudonville
- Corpus Christi Church, Round Lake
- Holy Spirit Church, East Greenbush
- Our Lady of Victory Church, Troy
- St. Ambrose Church, Latham
- St. Joseph's Church, Broadalbin
Parishes with FM system in Sanctuary for those with Hearing Loss
- Black Catholic Apostolate, St. Joan of Arc Church, Menands
- Christ the King Church, Albany
- Corpus Christi Church, Round Lake
- Immaculate Heart of Mary of Watervliet/Green Island, Watervliet
- Parish of Mater Christi, Albany
- Parish of Our Lady of Hope, Fort Plain
- Sacred Heart Church, Stamford
- Sacred Heart Church, Troy
- St. Edward the Confessor Church, Clifton Park
- St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Albany
- St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, Rotterdam
- St. Joseph's Church, Worcester
- St. Madeleine Sophie Church, Schenectady
- St. Pius X Church, Loudonville
- St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Windham
- St. Vincent de Paul's Church, Albany
- St. Vincent de Paul's Church, Cobleskill
Parishes with Induction loop in Sanctuary for those with Hearing Loss
- Corpus Christi Church, Round Lake
- Immaculate Conception Church, Glenville
- Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, Schenectady
- Sacred Heart Church, Stamford
- Sacred Heart Church, Troy
- St. Edward the Confessor Church, Clifton Park
Interpreted Masses
Every Sunday, 11:00am
Christ the King Church
20 Sumter Ave
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 456-1644
Interpreters
Andrea MacGloin
Living Resources
Deaf and Interpreting Services
(518) 218-0000 x 5395
Denise Safranec
Interpreter Referral Service Coordinator
Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley
(518) 274-0701
E-mail: (h) dsafranec@ilchv.org
Connect with us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofAlbanyPeoplewithDisabilities/
