Children, youth and adults with disabilities should be welcomed to serve others in roles such as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ushers and musicians. Parishes also should encourage parents of children with special needs to work with religious education coordinators to discuss the best way for the child to share in a religious learning experience. Ask for parishioners with disabilities for suggestions and work with them to personalize and prioritize the needs within your parish. They are your best advisors on inclusion. It is the affirmation of others that makes that gift possible.
Affirmation creates community.
Henri Nouwen as memorialized in the inclusion video, Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors. By continuing to promote inclusion and by sharing the Open Hearts video with parishes, we are keeping the Cardinal's dream alive. The invitation by the Presbyteral Council to present the Open Hearts video to its 70 members clearly demonstrates the growing value Archdiocesan leadership places on welcoming people of all abilities to share their gifts at the altar. The Presbyteral Council assists the archbishop in the governance of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Its members are elected representatives of priests from 26 deaneries in Lake and Cook Counties.