Access in Liturgy: Making Liturgical Ministries More Accessible to People with Disabilities

The NCPD Access Webinar, Access in Liturgy: Making Liturgical Ministries More Accessible to People with Disabilities was sponsored by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability in collaboration with the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.
This webinar focused on inclusion of persons with disabilities in the liturgical life of the Church. Liturgical ministers should reflect the cultural, ethnic, and economic diversity of the parish. They should also reflect the spectrum of disabilities found in any large community.	The above photo illustrates the story "Accessibility in Worship Architecture: Does your church welcome everyone?" posted by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Photo courtesy of Pathways Awareness Foundation.

Patrick Gorman, Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Madison, examined the importance of parish leadership in assisting the faithful in identifying and sharing their God-given gifts with others as the parish offers thanks and praise to God and the impact of removing barriers to effective ministry. Karen M. Murray, M. Div., Director of the Office for Persons with Disabilities for the Archdiocese of Boston, in a personal account concentrated on the power of invitation, the removal of the first barrier to ensuring that a person’s disability does not obscure the rich gifts given them by God, thus depriving the community of reaching its fullest potential. Lisa Tarker, Executive Director of the FDLC served as moderator for the webinar.
		Patrick Gorman, DMA

Guiding Principles Link		Karen M. Murray, M.Div.

Webinar Access in Liturgy: Making Liturgical Ministries More Accessible to People with Disabilities