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For Immediate Release For more information, please contact:
The Office of Development and Communications 191 Joralemon Street, 12 FL Brooklyn, NY 11201	ph: 718-722-6008 fx: 718-722-6220

 

2006 BISHOP’S MASS WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens, Office of Pastoral Services, is sponsoring the annual diocesan Bishop’s Mass with Persons with Disabilities at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, 241 Jay Street, Downtown Brooklyn, on Sunday, October 15, 2006. The concelebrated Mass will begin at 3:00 p.m. Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D. will be the main celebrant and homilist. A reception in the Cathedral-Pavilion will immediately follow, during which new Parish Advocates for Persons with Disabilities will be awarded certificates for completed training. For more information, contact your Parish Advocate for Persons with Disabilities or call Catholic Charities at 718-722-6112 or TTY/VP 718-722-6226.

The Mass will be interpreted into American Sign Language (ASL) for the Deaf; the church has an Assistive Listening System for the Hard of Hearing; and the Mass will be verbally described for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The Cathedral and the Pavilion are wheelchair accessible, and the Pavilion has wheelchair accessible restrooms. Those with Developmental Disabilities also form part of the congregation. Individuals attending should make their own travel arrangements, perhaps with Access-A-Ride.

One of the more interesting elements of this celebration is that people with disabilities assume many of the liturgical ministries of the Mass (and do a good job!), and some of the Parish Advocates for Persons with Disabilities do most of the “helper” jobs.

 

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