Menu

You belong here.

The Ministry with Persons with Disabilities works to ensure meaningful participation for individuals with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the life of the Church.

The staff and volunteers in this ministry are committed to serve and respond to requests from anyone seeking to make a difference for children and adults with disabilities in our parish communities and throughout the diocese.

We work with pastors, parish staffs, diocesan staff, teachers, catechists, parents, families, parishioners, and individuals.

Creating Faith Communities of Welcome and Accompaniment

Of all the accommodations and modifications that a parish can provide, the greatest one costs nothing.  It is attitude.  Individuals with disabilities and their families appreciate being asked what they need.  They want to feel heard and valued, and must be part of the process to create awareness, provide opportunities, and find solutions.

Many efforts in recent years are a result of individuals contacting their pastor, parish, or diocesan staff to work on an initiative that benefits their loved one with a disability.  Often the changes made for one situation have remarkable implications for others as well.  

For more information on ways to build an inclusive community, we invite you to contact your parish or, for additional support, contact us.  We are committed to responding to requests from anyone seeking to make a difference for children and adults with disabilities in our parish communities and throughout the diocese.

Contact: Allison Sturm, 260.399.1452 or [email protected]

Monthly Catholic Schools Meetings

First Tuesday @ 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Join us on the first Tuesday of each month at either 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. via Zoom to connect with others interested in helping children with disabilities attend Catholic schools in the diocese; learn about resources available in the area; and discuss ways to support parents, educators, and administrators. The meeting is open to everyone. To access the meetings, contact Allison Sturm, Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, for monthly Zoom link at 260-399-1452 or [email protected].

Sensory-Friendly Masses

A Sensory-Friendly Mass provides a safe, comfortable, and stigma-free setting for children and adults with sensory challenges, mental illness, or any kind of disability to feel engaged and experience Mass in a meaningful way. “Sensory” refers to the accommodations that help reduce over-stimulation. “Friendly” refers to the way that the priest helps people feel welcomed, wanted, and at ease.

learn more

Masses Interpreted for the Deaf

Second and Fourth Sundays @ 11 a.m.

St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend and Deaf Ministry partner to offer these Masses. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is happy to work with any parish to provide an ASL interpreter at Mass.

learn more

Faith Formation for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Though children and adults with limited mental ability may not be able to remember what is taught, they will never forget the experiences of community and acceptance and what it feels like to be a loved and treasured member of Christ’s family, the Church.
 
Please contact your pastor or parish DRE (Director of Religious Education) to learn about the options available for children and adults with disabilities to participate in faith formation.
 
If your parish would like to start or expand your current faith formation program to include children and adults with disabilities, you can connect with diocesan staff and DREs/catechists from parishes across the diocese who will assist you in meeting the needs of your faith community and the individuals with disabilities and their families who come to you for support.

view parishes today’s catholic article

Celebration of Sacraments for Individuals with Disabilities

In 2017, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the Revised Edition for the “Guidelines for the Celebration of Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities”. “To the degree possible, those with disabilities should be included along with others during the preparation and celebration of the sacrament. At times, pastoral need may necessitate an accommodated setting and a simpler manner.”
Please contact your pastor if you or a family member with a disability needs to receive one of the sacraments. Staff and volunteers in the ministry with persons with disabilities can assist the pastor and family.

sacramental guidelines Today’s Catholic article Sacramental Prep

Wheelchair Accessibility in our Parish Communities

Access into the church, pews, confessionals, restrooms, Sanctuary, chapel, gathering spaces, parish offices, and parking areas are needed by individuals who use a wheelchair or have other mobility issues.
 
Some areas to consider:
·  Can the wheelchair user open a door, use the restroom, get into the confessional, chapel, etc. without depending on someone else for assistance?
·  Whether the parish is planning an event or providing a program, are the needs of people with accessibility issues taken into account?
·  When your parish considers adding an accommodation, are the individuals who would benefit from it asked for input?
·  How would a parishioner or visitor know of the accommodations offered at your parish?

For a parish assessment regarding accessibility and how to better communicate the accommodations you provide, contact us.

View Parishes

Materials in large-print,
braille, and audio available

The Propers of the Sunday Mass and faith formation textbooks for children and adults are among the free resources provided by the Xavier Society for the Blind.

view parishes xavier society

Low-gluten Hosts

Low-gluten hosts are available for Catholics suffering from gluten intolerance and unable to receive a traditional host.

view parishes today’s catholic article

Loop (Assisted Listening System)

The LOOP is an assisted listening system that allows individuals to connect their cochlear device to the original sound source, eliminating background noise.

view parishes today’s catholic article

Providing Opportunities to Serve

A child or adult with a disability may want to use their gifts and talents during the celebration of Mass or in the life of the parish by serving as a cantor, choir member, extraordinary minister, greeter, gift bearer, lector, server, usher, catechist, board member, project leader, volunteer…

Here are a few examples of how parishes have responded to these requests to serve:
·  Provide a portable microphone to an individual who is unable to access the ambo so that he or she can lector or cantor.
·  The celebrant or extraordinary minister brings the vessel carrying the Body or Blood of Christ to the individual on the main level to distribute Holy Communion.
·  A parent, family or parish member accompanies the individual for support and provides any guidance needed as he or she serves, lectors, greets, ushers at Mass, or volunteers at the parish in some capacity.
 
Could your parish extend this message of welcome and inclusion through the parish registration form, bulletin, website or by the personal invitation by the pastor?

Today’s Catholic article View Parishes

Catholic Schools

Welcoming Students with Special Needs

82% of our Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Catholic Schools offer some form of special education support, collaborating with each other and with parents to identify the best community for a child to thrive.

To start a unique education journey for your child, contact a Catholic school near you. (Programs and services vary based on the physical building structure, enrollment, and teacher availability.)

learn more
“Each person is created in God’s image, yet there are variations in individual abilities. Positive recognition of these differences discourages discrimination and enhances the unity of the Body of Christ.” 
-Welcome and Justice for Persons with Disabilities, USCCB

Parishes Providing Accommodations

Priests, parish staffs, parishioners, and others work hard to address and meet the needs of individuals seeking support. 

While a parish may not be able to accommodate every request made, many adaptations have little or no cost,
some funds/resources are available, and there are creative ways to raise money for the accommodations needed.

Being intentional about seeking other options often results in success.

Add or Update the Accommodation Information for Your Parish

The Ministry with Persons with Disabilities created this 3-minute survey to help connect individuals and families to parish communities that provide the accommodations needed to have full and meaningful participation.  

  • There are three general areas of focus:
    • accommodations provided during Mass
    • opportunities for sacramental prep and faith formation for children and adults with disabilities
    • wheelchair accessibility in the church, parish office, parish hall, and chapel

The survey can be completed by anyone. It is continually updated as new responses are received (usually within 48 hours). Multiple surveys completed about a particular parish are helpful, as not all people in the same faith community may be aware of every accommodation provided.

If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

Large Print Missalettes

The information included in this section is based on the data collected from the survey. ONLY PARISHES PROVIDING LARGE PRINT MISSALLETTES WILL BE LISTED. If your parish provides large print missalettes but is not listed, please take the survey and your parish will be added. If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

ALLEN COUNTY

  • Fort Wayne
    • Queen of Angels Parish
    • St. Therese Parish
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish

DEKALB COUNTY

  • Auburn
    • Immaculate Conception Parish

HUNTINGTON COUNTY

  • Huntington
    • SS. Peter and Paul Parish
    • St. Mary Parish

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

  • Warsaw
    • Sacred Heart Parish

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

  • Granger
    • St. Pius X Parish

WABASH COUNTY

  • Wabash
    • St. Bernard Parish

WELLS COUNTY

  • Bluffton
    • St. Joseph Parish
Low-gluten Hosts or Communion from the Chalice

The information included in this section is based on the data collected from the survey. ONLY PARISHES PROVIDING LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS WILL BE LISTED. If your parish provides low-gluten hosts or Communion from the chalice but is not listed, please take the survey and your parish will be added. If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

ALLEN COUNTY

  • Fort Wayne
    • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish
    • Our Lady of Good Hope Parish
    • Queen of Angels Parish
    • St. Charles Borromeo Parish
    • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
    • St. John the Baptist Parish
    • St. Peter Parish
    • St. Therese Parish
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish
  • Hessen Cassel
    • St. Joseph Parish
  • New Haven
    • St. Louis Besancon Parish
  • Yoder
    • St. Aloysius Parish

ELKHART COUNTY

  • Elkhart
    • St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
  • Goshen
    • St. John the Evangelist Parish

HUNTINGTON COUNTY

  • Huntington
    • SS. Peter and Paul Parish
    • St. Mary Parish

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

  • Warsaw
    • Sacred Heart Parish

NOBLE COUNTY

  • Rome City
    • St. Gaspar del Bufalo Parish

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

  • Granger
    • St. Pius X Parish
  • Mishawaka
    • Queen of Peace Parish
    • St. Bavo Parish
    • St. Monica Parish
  • South Bend
    • Christ the King Parish
    • Holy Cross Parish
    • Holy Family Parish
    • St. Joseph Parish
    • St. Therese, Little Flower Parish

WABASH

  • North Manchester
    • St. Robert Bellarmine Parish

WHITLEY COUNTY

  • Churubusco
    • St. John Bosco Parish
  • Columbia City
    • St. Paul of the Cross Parish
LOOP (Assisted Listening System)

The information included in this section is based on the data collected from the survey. ONLY PARISHES PROVIDING THE LOOP WILL BE LISTED. If your parish offers the LOOP but is not listed, please take the survey and your parish will be added. If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

ALLEN COUNTY

  • Fort Wayne
    • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish
    • Our Lady of Good Hope Parish
    • St. Charles Borromeo Parish
    • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
    • St. John the Baptist Parish
    • St. Jude Parish
    • St. Therese Parish
  • Hessen Cassel
    • St. Joseph Parish

HUNTINGTON COUNTY

  • Huntington
    • SS. Peter and Paul Parish
    • St. Mary Parish

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

  • Granger
    • St. Pius X Parish
  • Mishawaka
    • Queen of Peace Parish
  • South Bend
    • Christ the King Parish
    • St. Joseph Parish
    • St. Therese, Little Flower Parish
Sacramental Prep and Faith Formation

It is the right of every baptized Catholic to have access to the sacraments. If your parish does not provide sacramental prep for children and adults with disabilities at this time, please contact us and we will be happy to support parishes and families to make this a reality.

  • EVERY PARISH IS LISTED IN THIS SECTION. Several parishes are listed together because they share the same pastor and thus the Faith Formation Program is held at one of the parishes and not both.
  • The information provided below indicates one of three things:
    • Sacramental prep and/or Faith Formation for children and adults with disabilities is provided
    • Sacramental Prep and Faith Formation for children and adults with disabilities is not offered at this time
    • No information has been submitted when there is a blank space behind the name of a parish

If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

DRE/Catechist Survey

  • A separate survey has been created to collect additional information on individuals who have worked with children and adults with disabilities in faith formation programs across the diocese. The information collected from this ongoing survey will be used to:
    • connect individuals across the diocese working with individuals with disabilities
    • create a database of lesson plans, helpful resources, and individuals to contact for support
    • create “best practices” for serving children (and adults) with disabilities
    • provide guidance on formation offered by the Office of Catechesis and the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities

ADAMS COUNTY

  • Decatur
    • St. Mary of the Assumption Parish –
  • Geneva
    • St. Mary of the Presentation Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered

ALLEN COUNTY

  • Arcola
    • St. Patrick Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults
  • Fort Wayne
    • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish- Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
    • Most Precious Blood Parish –
    • Our Lady of Good Hope Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children
    • Queen of Angels Parish – Faith Formation ?
    • Sacred Heart Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
    • St. Charles Borromeo Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children
    • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
    • St. Henry Parish –
    • St. John the Baptist Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
    • St. Joseph Parish – Faith Formation ?
    • St. Jude Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation ?
    • St. Mary, Mother of God Parish –
    • St. Patrick Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children
    • St. Peter Parish –
    • St. Therese Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation ?
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
  • Hessen Cassel
    • St. Joseph Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
  • Monroeville
    • St. Rose of Lima Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
  • New Haven
    • St. John the Baptist Parish –
    • St. Louis Besancon Parish –
  • Roanoke
    • St. Joseph Parish- No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
  • Yoder
    • St. Aloysius Parish –

DEKALB COUNTY

  • Auburn
    • Immaculate Conception Parish – Faith Formation ?
  • Waterloo
    • St. Michael the Archangel Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children
  • Fremont
    • St. Paul Chapel – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children

ELKHART COUNTY

  • Bristol
    • St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
  • Elkhart
    • St. Thomas the Apostle Parish –  No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered                            
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children
  • Goshen
    • Saint John the Evangelist Parish – Faith Formation ?

HUNTINGTON COUNTY

  • Huntington
    • SS. Peter and Paul Parish/St. Mary Parish –
  • Roanoke
    • St. Joseph Parish –

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

  • Pierceton
    • St. Francis Xavier Parish –
  • Syracuse
    • St. Martin de Porres Parish –
  • Warsaw
    • Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish –
    • Sacred Heart Parish – Faith Formation ?

LAGRANGE COUNTY

  • Langrange
    • St. Joseph Parish –

MARSHALL COUNTY

  • Bremen
    • St. Dominic Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children
  • Culver
    • St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish –
  • Plymouth
    • St. Michael Parish –

NOBLE COUNTY

  • Albion
    • Blessed Sacrament Parish –
  • Avilla
    • St. Mary of the Assumption Parish –
  • Ege
    • Immaculate Conception Parish –
  • Kendallville
    • Immaculate Conception Parish –
  • Ligonier
    • St. Patrick Parish –
  • Rome City
    • St. Gaspar del Bufalo Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

  • Granger
    • St. Pius X Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
  • Mishawaka
    • Queen of Peace Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
    • St. Bavo Parish – Faith Formation ?
    • St. Joseph Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults
    • St. Monica Parish –
  • New Carlisle
    • St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
  • Notre Dame
    • Sacred Heart Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children
  • South Bend
    • Christ the King Parish – Faith Formation ?
    • Corpus Christi Parish –
    • Holy Cross Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children
    • Holy Family Parish/St. John the Baptist Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
    • Our Lady of Hungary Parish –
    • Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish/St. Jude Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children
    • St. Adalbert Parish/St. Casimir Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
    • St. Anthony de Padua Parish –
    • St. Augustine Parish –
    • St. Hedwig Parish/St. Patrick Parish –
    • St. Joseph Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children
    • St. Matthew Cathedral Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children, Faith Formation for Children
    • St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
    • St. Therese, Little Flower Parish –
  • Walkerton
    • St. Patrick Parish –

STEUBEN COUNTY

  • Angola
    • St. Anthony of Padua Parish –

WABASH COUNTY

  • North Manchester
    • St. Robert Bellarmine Parish –
  • Wabash
    • St. Bernard Parish – Faith Formation ?

WELLS COUNTY

  • Bluffton
    • St. Joseph Parish – Faith Formation ?

WHITLEY COUNTY

  • Churubusco
    • St. John Bosco Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
  • Columbia City
    • St. Catherine of Alexander Parish – No Sacramental Prep or Faith Formation is currently offered
    • St. Paul of the Cross Parish – Sacramental Prep for Children and Adults, Faith Formation for Children and Adults
Parishes that have Created Opportunities to Serve

Individuals who have completed the survey have indicated that their parish encourages and intentionally creates meaningful opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to serve in the parish.

If you have had a similar experience but your parish is not listed, please take the survey and the results will be reflected accordingly.

ALLEN COUNTY

  • Fort Wayne
    • Queen of Angels Parish
    • St. Charles Borromeo Parish
    • St. John the Baptist Parish
    • St. Jude Parish
    • St. Therese Parish
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish

DEKALB COUNTY

  • Waterloo
    • St. Michael the Archangel Parish

ELKHART COUNTY

  • Elkhart
    • St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish

HUNTINGTON COUNTY

  • Huntington
    • SS. Peter and Paul Parish

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

  • Granger
    • St. Pius X Parish
  • South Bend
    • Christ the King Parish
    • St. Joseph Parish
    • St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Parish
    • St. Therese, Little Flower Parish

WABASH COUNTY

  • Wabash
    • St. Bernard Parish

WELLS COUNTY

  • Bluffton
    • St. Joseph Parish

WHITLEY COUNTY

  • Churubusco
    • St. John Bosco Parish
  • Columbia City
    • St. Paul of the Cross Parish

Wheelchair Accessibility in our Parish Communities

Church, Parish Office, Parish Hall, Chapel

Add or Update Accommodation Information for Your Parish

To update information regarding “wheelchair accessibility” at your parish, please take this 3-minute survey

Parish Church

EVERY PARISH IS LISTED IN THIS SECTION. The information provided below is based on the surveys submitted. Please take the survey if information is not listed for your parish. If you feel that there is a mistake in the information posted, please contact Allison Sturm at 260.399.1452. Thank you.

  • The areas considered are: entrances, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, and whether or not there is signage.
    • A bolded item indicates accessibility
    • A strikethrough means that that there is no accessibility
    • A blank space indicates that no information has yet been submitted from the survey

ADAMS COUNTY

  • Decatur
    • St. Mary of the Assumption Parish –
  • Geneva
    • St. Mary of the Presentation Parish –

ALLEN COUNTY 

  • Arcola
    • St. Patrick Parish –
  • Fort Wayne
    • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • Most Precious Blood Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • Our Lady of Good Hope Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • Queen of Angels Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • Sacred Heart Parish –
    • St. Charles Borromeo Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Henry Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. John the Baptist Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Joseph Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Jude Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Mary, Mother of God Parish –
    • St. Patrick Parish –
    • St. Peter Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Therese Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
  • Hessen Cassel
    • St. Joseph Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
  • Monroeville
    • St. Rose of Lima Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
  • New Haven
    • St. John the Baptist Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Louis Besancon Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
  • Yoder
    • St. Aloysius Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage

DEKALB COUNTY

  • Auburn
    • Immaculate Conception Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
  • Garrett
    • St. Joseph Parish –
  • Waterloo
    • St. Michael the Archangel Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage

ELKHART COUNTY 

  • Bristol
    • St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish –
  • Elkhart
    • St. Thomas the Apostle Parish – entrance, pews, restrooms, confessionals, Sanctuary, ambo, parking, signage
    • St. Vincent de Paul Parish