Diocese of Kalamazoo | Office of Ministry to Persons with Disabilities

Diocese of Kalamazoo
215 N. Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3760
Tel: (269) 349-8714
Fax: (269) 349-6440

Director:
Ann Sherzer
asherzer@dioceseofkalamazoo.org
(269) 349-7276

Secretary:
Anne Bushek
(269) 349-8714 ext 244

The mission of Ministry with Persons with Disabilities of the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo is to promote the growth of all persons in all ways. To recognize the dignity of all persons as members of the Body of Christ. To work toward the elimination of barriers that prevent full participation in parish life.

We acknowledge that the prejudice, ignorance and pity that comes from inaccessible hearts and minds are as much a barrier as inaccessible buildings. We recognize that full participation in the life of the Church, local and Diocesan is the right of all baptized persons. This includes the preparations for the reception of the sacraments. We are grateful that we are wonderfully made of physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual components. Differences in abilities does not diminish our total worth as equal members of the Body of Christ.

Guiding Principles

All programs and activities should affirm those with disabilities and their families as persons valuable to the community. In general programs and activities should affirm the goal of integration into parish life. The first preference will be integration, although there is a place for segregated activities. Although the Diocese Office of Ministry with Persons with Disabilities is located in Kalamazoo, its programs and activities will be fairly distributed throughout the Diocese.