The Diocesan Office of Catholic Charities Disability Services & Ministries encourages you to use this month to emphasize awareness of those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in your parish and to welcome them into the life of the Church.
ASD remains the fastest growing significant disability in the U.S., with as many as 1 in every 110 children now identified with this disorder, making it an increasingly pressing need that ministry be available. Catholic parishes are seeing this number reflected in those seeking religious education and sacramental preparation.
Contact Dennis McNulty, Director of Catholic Charities Disability Services, to discuss ways that your parish can be even more of a welcoming community. Contact Dennis at 216-334-2962 or e-mail him at dmcnulty@clevelandcatholiccharities.org. The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) website www.ncpd.org also has resources for ministry and for this observation.