THE LASTING KEYNOTES OF THE NCPD 2013 GATHERING IN GALVESTON-HOUSTON.............

 Nearly one week after my attendance at the National Catholic Partnership for Disability Convention 2013 in Houston, Texas; the experience of this vitally important ministry outreach of the Catholic Church in the United States continues to resonate with me, like it does for most of the 14 million Disabled American Catholics, who are addressed, acknowledged, affirmed, and accepted, into their rightful place, presence, and participation. in the life and ministry of the Church.  It reaffirmed me in maintaining my vocation as a Priest of Jesus Christ in so many ways through my interactions and insights garnered from being among the 235 persons present at NCPD Partnership 2013 last weekend, - both those I met and others in the U.S. Church about whom I learned are doing productive and proactive ministry despite the disabilities with which they, "live, move, and have their being".  I also discovered the story of yet another active ministry priest, Reverend Father Mike Esswein, of the Archdiocese of St. Louis Missouri; who in a wheelchair celebrates public Masses from an accessible platform in the parish church to which he is assigned.A photo of Fr. Mike, sitting in his wheelchair celebrating Mass from the accessible platform is featured in a brochure distributed by the NCPD underpinning the Partnership's purpose in, "ensuring the participation of Catholics with Disabilities in the Sacraments and Parish Life".  Their Goal is my Goal, for Accessibility and Inclusion are not an optional extra, but a pastoral and Gospel imperative.  As the National Directory for Catechesis, in the section entitled, 'Catechesis with Persons with Disabilities' asserts, "All persons with Disabilities have the capacity to proclaim the Gospel and to be Living Witnesses of its Truth within the Community of Faith and offer invaluable gifts.  Their involvement enriches every aspect of Church".  As a disabled lay person, deacon, and priest, I am but one among millions who can personally verify these statements.............Fr.  Troy David Powers