DISABILITY AWARENESS SABBATH 2012............

This year's Disability Sabbath has a particularly poignant pertinence for me and my priestly ministry, as it underscores the incongruence of what the observance of the Disability Sabbath represents and affirms, with the juxtaposition of the reality of my current situation.  The enactment of the Americans with Disabilites Act, the passage of the United Nations Convention Rights for People with Disabilities, and the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter on Persons with Disabilities, all proclaim the necessity of Inclusion for those among us enduring physical and developmental disabilities not as problems to be placed out of sight, out of mind, but empowered with opportunities for the fullest possible participation in the day to day experiences and activities of Society and the Church.  Just as there is a place for the unfortunate in our midst - the sick, the poor, the suffering, there is also a place in our schools, workplaces, organizations, churches and other houses of worship, for the disabled. Despite the enlightenment and progress we have made in recent decades to including and empowering the disabled in the United States and in many other nations, the seamless, unconditional, practice of carrying out the spirit and truth of affirming and providing a place for the disabled is still a challenge facing us in the Faith community, which I and other priests, as well as parishioners have imposed on us due to the lack of accessibility and indifference.  The continuing challenge we face is found in the failure to maintain a Covenant relationship with those of us with disabilities that goes beyond our physical or developmental conditions, and that provides support beyond our limitations, is sadly still in existence even now; instead of a recognition that although we may have to do things differently, (as in my case use a wheelchair) we still maintain spiritual, ministerial, and communicative, experience and abilities to contribute to the Body of Christ and the People of God.  "Full, Active, Conscious", membership in the Church on the part of all Baptized and those inquiring into the Catholic-Christian Faith, is to affirm the inclusion of persons with disabilities, not deny them participation.  As I sit on the sidelines these Sundays, not presiding, preaching, and being present, to the People of God in a parish, I am grateful for the part-time ministry opportunity Sacred Heart Parish is providing me to assist with R.C.IA. and other ministries; as there is much more I can and should be doing residing and participating in parish life.  On this Disability Awareness Sabbath, it is my unwavering hope that all persons with disabilities will be given the fullest, most active, and conscientious, opportunity for inclusion and empowerment in the Community of Believers, that allows us an equal and undeniable place in the public Prayer, Worship, Ministry, as well as Evangelization and Discipleship of being Church............Fr.  Troy