Diocese begins rebuilding of disabilities ministry
By James McEvoy
Staff Writer
PISCATAWAY - In an effort to rebuild the diocesan ministry with people with disabilities and special needs, the Office of Respect for Life hosted a night of reflection and round-table discussion.
Jennifer Ruggiero, director of the Office of Respect for Life, described the event as an appropriate kickoff to the Respect for Life Month.
Reiterating the office’s goal of helping to promote the “sanctity and dignity of human life,” she stated that women are often pressured into having an abortion when an unborn child is found to have a disability.
She also identified assisted suicide as another growing issue the office will address. Ruggiero noted the irony that patients are often denied the funds necessary for medicine while the means for euthanasia are quickly supplied.
Ruggiero welcomed and invited all people with disabilities and special needs to participate at the night of reflection as well as other events, saying that they “give witness to the sanctity of all human life.”
In her introduction, she also presented statistics that stated nearly one in three families has a member who has a special need or disability and that there are approximately 14 million Catholics living with a form of disability.
Ruggiero also expressed concern about the diocese’s work in ministering to special needs parishioners as she noted that only 27 of 108 pastors contacted by the office responded regarding their parish’s ministering to special needs parishioners.
She said she hopes to build “a more inclusive church” and that the office will “start slow and tackle some things.”
To spark the discussion, there was a screening of the Oscar-nominated short film, “The Collector of Bedford Street.”
The film chronicles the life of Larry Selman, a man who is living with mental disabilities who spends the majority of his life raising money for others.
While dismissed by many, Selman is recognized as a special individual and embraced by many in his community in an inspirational story of acceptance and caring.
Following the film, attendees discussed a variety of questions regarding the film and the ways the faith community can reach out to parishioners with special needs and disabilities.
Many of the attendees were happy to see that the diocese was beginning to address ministering to parishioners with special needs.
Thomas Keefer of Immaculate Conception Parish, Somerville, is the father of a child with special needs. He said he was happy to have been a part of “a fruitful evening” he believed was a good starting point.
“I’m glad that the diocese is addressing this very important issue,” he said.
Keefer added that he hopes the diocese continues “to keep its ears and hearts” open to further feedback and feels that the issues need to be discussed further in the parishes themselves.
Carol Ann Norland, a parish advocate at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, was also pleased with the evening’s events.
She said she especially enjoyed the film which “got a lot of people thinking.”
She added that creating advocacy and exchanging ideas would be “a good step forward” in addressing the ministry.
Ruggiero was pleased with the event and how energetic and enthusiastic the participants were.
“[It was] exactly what I wanted it to be,” she said.
Many participants wanted to meet again and have further discussions in regards to defining a parish advocate.