Spirited Times - November 2007

Open hearts, open minds, open doors

By REGGIE BUCHINO
 
The welcoming origins of Church of the Holy Spirit continue to expand in recent years with improvements that make the Worship Space and other areas more inclusive.

The Pathways Awareness Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about barriers to participation that exist in many faith communities for persons with physical, mental, emotional, or sensory disabilities. The Open Hearts Awards program recognizes and grants funds to congregations that welcome people of all abilities into the faith life. Winning congregations show outstanding efforts to include all people in their faith community and are models for other congregations.

Awards of up to $1,000 are granted to winning congregations to recognize their achievements and to allow them to expand their inclusion efforts. An essay is written by the Inclusion Representatives, but can also be written by anyone in the congregation who wishes to reflect their feelings. An application signed by their pastor must accompany the essay and be received before the deadline every year.

Church of the Holy Spirit has been recognized by the Pathways Awareness Foundation for the third year as accessible and inclusive for all persons. The Pathways Awareness Foundation has given awards since 1997 for efforts of churches to include all.
 
The start of Inclusion was in 1996 when a young boy was turned down to be an altar server, because of his disability. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin called a meeting and asked the Pathways Awareness Foundation to assist the archdiocese in this movement. Cardinal Francis George has continued this effort to include parishioners of all abilities in parish life. So now today we celebrate inclusion once a year, but we have inclusion all year.

Inclusion is all persons with a disability and without a disability coming together to worship.

Another time Church of the Holy Spirit was again recognized for our efforts to welcome all persons was in the Schaumburg Review in November 2005.

Before Inclusion Awareness Day, [husband] Len and I help coordinate the songs and prayer for awareness with the approval of our Pastor, Father Bill, our Pastoral Associate, Mandy Dillon, and Music Director, Linda Donaldson.

Although persons with disabilities wish to be like everyone else, sometimes we do need help. There are many barriers that a person with a disability faces. Sometimes just getting out of bed when a person is in pain can be difficult. Other barriers are stairs, narrow entrances, and wash rooms that are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, scooter, or walker.

Father Bill asked Len and me to be Inclusion Representatives in September 2004. He asked us because we are so quiet(?). We had no idea what an Inclusion Representative did. Our first meeting was in March 2005. That year I spoke below the Sanctuary because of our stairs. In 2006 Fr. Bill asked for volunteers to build the new Sanctuary with a ramp. He had no problem getting volunteers. In 2006 and 2007 I was able to enter the Sanctuary.

We have persons with disabilities that are altar servers, ushers, greeters, gift bearers, in leadership council, communion ministers, choir person, a religious education student and a teen group member.

In 1998 a Mass for persons who are deaf started at our church. We have two signers available for the 9:15 Mass. Also the signers are available for religious education.

Our Ministry Center has a designated emergency waiting area and alarm system for persons with disabilities. It also has the American Disabilities Act approved handles and dimensions. Our lot has accessible parking spots for persons with disabilities, curb cuts and ramps to come into church or the Ministry Center.

Much has been done at Church of the Holy Spirit but we still have a way to go to be completely accessible and inclusive.

We have a great family at Church of the Holy Spirit and Len and I are happy to be part of that family.
 
Church of the Holy Spirit, one of 10 Chicago-area parishes to win a 2007 Open Hearts Award Points of inclusion include:

• Accessible parking, curb cuts, a drop off area, 36 inch wide doorways, exterior ramps and accessible seating.

• A ramp with oak railings makes the altar accessible.

• Parishioners with disabilities serve as ushers, greeters, choir members, gift bearers, parish council members, altar servers and communion ministers.

• Sign language interpretation is provided at the 9:15 Sunday worship service, for the religious education program and for parish events.

• Font sizes of some parish printed materials have gotten larger.

• Inclusion Awareness Day is observed each year to celebrate the gifts received when all are included.

• The 2007 Open Hearts Award grant will be used to renovate washrooms in the church.

Reggie and Leonard Buchino are active members at Church of the Holy Spirit; ministries include participation on the Inclusion committee. Photo by Mandy Dillon.
 
Recent inclusive improvements include construction of a ramp for fully inclusive access to the altar (compared to the previous three steep and narrow steps). Photo by Leonard Buchino.