June-July 2011 E-News
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| June-July 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Request to Stop Medicaid Cuts Webinar Registrations Recommitment to Mental Illness Council Benefits of Being an Inclusive Parish Diocesan/Partner News and Notes Inclusion Tip Be Not Afraid - Charlotte Holds Service Providers' Conference Toledo Disability Ministry Pioneer Receives Papal Award Portland Disability Ministry Director Presents at Press Briefing at Bishops Meeting Messenger, Book on Mattie Stepanek High School Options Program Creative Catechetical Tips Medicaid Cuts Jesus Style Recruiting Book Revised Roman Missal NCPD Resources Calendar of Events Archived E-News |
At their Bellevue, Washington, spring meeting the Bishops voted on their new statement opposing the legalization of physician-assisted suicide, like in the law passed in 2008 in Washington State.
On Friday morning, June 17, Professor Mikochik was interviewed by Teresa Tomeo on Catholic Connections AM radio show. On Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET, the Executive Director of NCPD was also interviewed on Ave Maria Radio’s program, Kresta in the Afternoon. Al Kresta’s show is broadcast via EWTN Global Catholic Radio. Lastly, the bishops’ statement will be the basis for a national online webinar sponsored by NCPD on September 20, 2011 for diocesan staff, schools and parishes across the country entitled Threats to the Lives of People with Disabilities, Part II: Physician-assisted Suicide (see below in NCPD News and Notes). Click below to see the following documents.
Earlier at the bishops meeting NCPD co-hosted a breakfast for bishops, along with leaders from other Catholic disability organizations, (NCOD, NAfIM, and Xavier Society for the Blind), and shared information about access to faith for Catholics who are Deaf or disabled, as they impact the strategic plans and priorities of our bishops. 16 bishops were in attendance, and were greeted by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, NCPD’s Episcopal Moderator, and Bishop Michael Driscoll, NCPD’s longtime board member. We thank Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Driscoll for sharing with their brother bishops their commitment to people with disability and the impact NCPD has made on the Church.
Bishop John Brungardt of Dodge City describes how NCPD helped the Diocese of Wichita, KS. |
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NCPD Urgently Requests Your Help
Your help is urgently needed to prevent radical Medicaid cuts from being made in the Federal Budget. NCPD will have the opportunity to address our concerns with Congressional leaders in mid-July to help communicate to Congress the need for Medicaid services by people with disabilities. We need to go to Congress with examples of real people whose lives will be severely affected by the loss of housing, medical and social services they and their families depend upon, if the radical cuts currently included in the budget process become reality. If you know of someone who receives Medicaid benefits we ask you to request that they write a letter to their Congressional leaders (links provided below) identifying the real benefits they receive from Medicaid and the hardship that would occur if they lose them. Send a copy of that letter to NCPD by the end July 5 so that we can take it with us to the Hill when we meet with Congress in mid July. As one mother we know has already said, “With the work and social program cuts my son has already experienced due to budgeting issues, if they continue with the radical cuts to Medicaid which covers his medical and remaining programs, the only thing left for him to do is die.”
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June's Inclusion Tip: Service Animals from Marsha Rivas, Diocese of Toledo's Director, Equal Access Ministries  Welcoming service animals is just another way parishes make the Sacraments, and therefore Christ, accessible to all.  Learn what your community can do to encourage parents to carry to term.Be Not Afraid-Charlotte to Hold First Annual Service Providers Conference. The teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the dignity of every human life are not only intended to inform parents who might choose to abort following a prenatal diagnosis, but also to inform the response to these babies who are our most vulnerable unborn. It is the responsibility of the Church to provide pastoral care and works of mercy to those in crisis. Join us to learn what your community can do to encourage parents to carry to term. To receive regular email updates, please email benotafraidnc@live.com. To be added to our conference mailing list, see details in the Calendar below.
Disability Ministry Pioneer Kitty Kruse Receives Papal Award Exciting news! Kitty Kruse (aka Catherine) is one of only 11 people in the Diocese of Toledo to receive a Papal Award for her lifelong ministry with people with disabilities and for establishing the diocesan office of Equal Access Ministries. This is a wonderful honor for Kitty and for the Office! These Pontifical Honors were presented on Sunday, June 12 at the Pentecost Vespers in the Cathedral at 5pm along with the Diocesan Centenary Awards. Congratulations can be sent to Kitty c/o Marsha Rivas at: Portland Disability Ministry Director Presents at Press Briefing at Bishops Meeting Following the USCCB Bishops meeting where the statement regarding physician assisted suicide, To Live Each Day with Dignity was approved 99-1, Portland resident Dorothy Coughlin presented a reflection on the issue as it relates to people with disabilities. Click button for the full reflection. Reflects on the Life of Mattie Stepanek from Peg Kolm, Coordinator Office for Ministry of People with Disabilities, Archdiocese of Washington Mattie Stepanek, the late poet and author, was our local hero…surviving the storms of his rare muscular dystrophy for nearly 14 years, and publishing many bestselling books of poetry before his death in 2004. His deep Catholic spirituality led the late Cardinal Hickey to call Mattie a “messenger.” His mother, Jeni Stepanek, has written a biography of her son, which takes its own place on the New York Times bestseller list. “Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs” appeared on the NY Times e-book bestseller list June 5, 2011. The memoire details Mattie’s earliest years through his final days of life. Oprah Winfrey called the book “a wonderful story” about “her guy,” whom she said was a “messenger for our times.” Messenger is the last book to ever be held up by Oprah during the 25 year run of the Oprah Winfrey Show. The book has also been featured on Good Morning America, was named Larry King’s ‘Book of the Month Pick,’ and selected as one of Soul Salon International’s ‘Top Ten Books of the Year.’ Messenger is the full story of Mattie – “the poet, the peacemaker, and the philosopher who played.” More information about the late poet and author is at www.mattieonline.com Editor’s note: The cause is being brought forward for the canonization of Mattie Stepanek. Watch for updates.  First time ever Options Students Named Prom King and Queen.from Chris Desmarais, Director Options Program, Paul VI Catholic High School (used with permission)  As the final weeks of school approached at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, there was increasing anticipation of one of the most unforgettable nights in high school: prom. It was an especially unforgettable night for seniors Evan Patchett and Tasha Adkins-Blanch, who were the first Options students ever to be named prom king and queen. The Options Program integrates students with intellectual disabilities into regular classrooms. Getting Creative for Catechesis of Children with Autism Gretchen R. Crowe, Catholic Herald Senior Staff Writer (used with permission) |
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Jesus-Style Recruiting by Chris Weber www.vdpublishing.net. This book is for every parish leader. You will be thrilled that at last someone has addressed recruiting volunteers from those who bake the cookies to catechetical leaders in a way that really works. Some DDs have purchased one for every parish. Read what Kathy Hendricks says in her blog. Roman Missal, Third Edition NCPD will provide the large print Revised Roman Missal by Fall, 2011, in size 24, 34 and 44 fonts, for priests and deacons who are visually impaired. To request one click here.
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National Catholic Network on Mental Illness - Sign Up Now
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Click here for archived versions of NCPD E-News. |
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NCPD E-NEWS is distributed by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), 415 Michigan Ave., NE, Suite 95, Washington, DC 20017; 202-529-2933, 202-529-2934 (tty), 202-529-4678 (fax). Contents may be freely reproduced; a credit line is appreciated. Visit our Website: www.ncpd.org |
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Bishops' Approved Statement on Physician-Assisted Suicide Helps to Protect Persons with Disabilities
The document, 
We are proud that NCPD Board member Dorothy Coughlin presented her views at the USCCB’s press briefing following the vote. Her comments and the NCPD press release are on the front page of 
