Persons With Disabilities
The mission of the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
is to help each parish keep all parishioners actively involved
in parish life regardless of type, severity, or age of onset of a disability.
Programs offered
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Blind or Visually Impaired
Deaf or Hearing Impaired
Mental Health Support Group – St. Francis of Assisi
Totus Tuus for Children with Special Needs
Each summer, a session of Totus Tuus for children with special needs is offered. This program is designed for children ages 6-13 with moderate to severe special needs. Cost is $50 per child.
Advent and Lenten Retreats
Each year during Advent and Lent, the Ministry offers a half-day retreat for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 14 and up. These retreats take place in the Wichita area and in Southeast Kansas.
The Catholic Advance is available using the KU Audio-Reader Network. Anyone who is blind, visually impaired or has a print disability (dyslexia, non-reader) may access this service. In order to access the service, an application will need to be completed. For more information, contact us below.
In-Person and Live-streamed Mass with Sign Language Interpretation is offered at the 9 am Sunday Mass at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Andover. You can reach the 9 o’clock Mass by going to www.svdpks.org and selecting Live stream. You can select either Facebook or Youtube!
Assistive listening devices for those who have hearing impairments are available in many parishes. Ask an usher at Mass to assist you.
Contact your pastor if sign language interpretation is needed for funeral Masses, rosaries, weddings or other special liturgies.
We also offer a monthly newsletter, Ephphatha, for the deaf/hearing impaired community. The three most recent issues can be found in PDF form below, under “Resources,” or contact us to begin receiving the current editions via mail or email.
Mental Health Support Group – St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Mental Health Ministry has a support group for those who struggle with mental health issues and also for those close to them. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. No registration required. Feel free to attend one or all of the gatherings. This is a safe place to come learn and share. For more information, call Lawrence Schuckman at 316-259-8210 or Frances at 316-655-1311.
Tuesday
Nov 01
Wednesday
Nov 02
Young Athletes
Young Athletes (Age 3-7)
This program opens the door for their participation in sports while welcoming family members to the Special Olympics support network. Utilizing up to 1 hour of “play opportunities”, the young children rotate between activity stations which focus on different motor skills (kicking, catching, throwing, etc.). They will have the additional benefit of praying together and being part of a faith community within a social setting.
St. Joseph Catholic School Gym, 139 S Millwood Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
Thursday
Nov 03
Friday
Nov 04
Sunday
Nov 06
Tuesday
Nov 08
Wednesday
Nov 09
Mental Health Support Group
No registration is required. Feel free to attend one or all of the gatherings. This is a safe place to come learn and share.
For more information, call Lawrence Schuckman at 316-259-8210.
Thursday
Nov 10
Sunday
Nov 13
Tuesday
Nov 15
Thursday
Nov 17
Friday
Nov 18
Sunday
Nov 20
Tuesday
Nov 22
Thursday
Nov 24
Sunday
Nov 27
Resources
Retreats
Holy Family Special Needs Foundation
Contact Us
Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
424 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 269-3900