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
Holy Family Camp
Wichita Saints Special Olympics and Young Athletes
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Blind or Visually Impaired
Deaf or Hearing Impaired
Mental Health Support Group – St. Francis of Assisi
Holy Family Special Needs Foundation
Holy Family Camp is a camp for persons aged 14 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ages 3 to 7:
Young athletes can participate in the Special Olympics Young Athletes program.
Ages 8 years and up:
The Ministry with Persons with Disabilities has a Special Olympics team called the Wichita Saints. Any person with an intellectual disability who is eight years of age or older may join.
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.
The Mission of the Holy Family Special Needs Foundation is to foster the human, intellectual and spiritual growth of individuals with disabilities through education, activities and services which help them to be active disciples of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Wichita.
Sunday
Oct 01
Tuesday
Oct 03
Nourish House Calls
Wednesday
Oct 04
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.
Contact the ministry to sign up or volunteer!
St. Joseph Catholic School Gym, 132 S Millwood Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
Thursday
Oct 05
Friday
Oct 06
Sunday
Oct 08
Tuesday
Oct 10
Nourish House Calls
Wednesday
Oct 11
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.
Contact the ministry to sign up or volunteer!
St. Joseph Catholic School Gym, 132 S Millwood Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
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
Oct 12
Sunday
Oct 15
Tuesday
Oct 17
Nourish House Calls
Wednesday
Oct 18
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.
Contact the ministry to sign up or volunteer!
St. Joseph Catholic School Gym, 132 S Millwood Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
Thursday
Oct 19
Friday
Oct 20
Sunday
Oct 22
Tuesday
Oct 24
Nourish House Calls
Wednesday
Oct 25
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.
Contact the ministry to sign up or volunteer!
St. Joseph Catholic School Gym, 132 S Millwood Ave, Wichita, KS 67213, USA
Thursday
Oct 26
Sunday
Oct 29
Interpreted Mass
Resources
Retreats
Reference Guide
Contact Us
Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
Catholic Diocese of Wichita
424 N. Broadway
Wichita, KS 67202
Phone: (316) 269-3900