FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Janice L. Benton
January 11, 2019
jbenton@ncpd.org
202-529-2933
Washington, DC office

Washington, DC – The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD), in partnership with Loyola Press, is pleased to announce Saint Patrick Church, Providence, RI as the recipient of the Loyola Press 2018 Opening Doors Parish Award. The parish will receive from Loyola Press $1000 and a plaque.

Three judges, representing the Archdioceses of Portland in Oregon and of Washington, and the Diocese of Wichita selected Saint Patrick Church after reviewing numerous applications from across the United States. In their review, the judges looked at ways parishes demonstrate a deep commitment to parishioners with disabilities providing access for full participation in all aspects of parish life: sacramental, catechetical, social, ministerial, and community service.

Judge Kelsey Bell, Director of the Office for People with Disabilities in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, noted that: “St. Patrick has demonstrated comprehensive and consistent ministry to all of its parishioners, regardless of their age, ability, or language. From having ASL interpreters available at Mass every week, to catechesis for children based on a continuum of their individual needs, to live streaming Mass for those members of the parish who are homebound or sick, to having a summer Bible camp for individuals with disabilities, to intentional consideration of individuals experiencing mental illness, it is clear that their intention is one of service and welcoming everyone in. The inclusion of individuals who experience disability on liturgical teams, as altar servers or ushers, and in music ministry highlights the importance of true integration within a parish.”

Upon learning of the award selection, Marsha Rivas, Chair of the NCPD Board of Directors, stated: “We are very pleased with our selection of St. Patrick Church (Diocese of Providence) as this year’s recipient of the Loyola Press Opening Doors Parish award. The inclusion of individuals who experience disability on liturgical teams, as altar servers or ushers, and in music ministry highlights the importance of true integration within a parish.”

The McCormick Pavilion, 415 Michigan Avenue, N.E., Suite 95, Washington, DC 20017-4501 202-529-2933; 202-529-4678 (fax); www.ncpd.org NCPD is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit corporation

Janice Benton, NCPD Executive Director notes: “It is clear that St. Patrick Parish has responded to the real needs presented in a way that truly builds community within the life of the parish.” She adds, “We thank Loyola Press for their commitment to serving individuals with disabilities through their products and training, and their sponsorship of this award.”

By granting this award to Saint Patrick Church, NCPD and Loyola Press hope to show parishes large and small, old and new, that sowing seeds of welcome to persons with disabilities and making accommodations for all to partake at the Lord’s Table produces a bountiful harvest that nourishes the entire parish.

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Loyola Press is a Catholic publishing company providing materials and resources for catechists as well as all Catholics to grow in a greater knowledge and understanding of their faith. Loyola Press has been active in facilitating greater inclusion for people with disabilities in the church through their adaptive sacramental preparation kits and the Adaptive Finding God curriculum. Their mission, as appears on their website (loyolapress.com) states, “Loyola Press is much more than a publishing company. As a Jesuit Ministry, we strive to help you find God in all things and develop a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As an apostolate of the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus (commonly known as the Jesuits), Loyola Press embraces the Jesuit passion for helping people to find God in all things. We continue the Jesuit tradition of excellence and service through the content we create and by being people for others.”

Since 1982, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) has served the
U.S. Catholic Church by providing resources, training, consultation and advocacy for the estimated 14 million U.S. Catholics who live with disability. Visit www.ncpd.org for more information on NCPD’s programs and services.