"People with disabilities are a gift for the family and an opportunity to grow in love, mutual aid and unity."
                                                                  Pope Francis
                                                                  April 9, 2016

Pope Francis TED Talk on Inclusion:
https://www.ted.com/talks/pope_francis_why_the_only_future_worth_building_includes_everyone?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=talk&utm_term=global-social%20issueserview of this ministry and open up the conversation for questions.

 

 

Mission Statement

We seek to invite, welcome and accept persons with disabilities into the full life of the Church, supporting and developing the gifts, abilities, and spirituality of each individual person, acknowledging that they are made in the image of God.  We serve as a resource to educate our parishioners regarding disabilities, furthering the dignity and respect shown to the entire Body of Christ, through acts of justice and love.  - Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Mass Accommodations

- Daily Mass is held in the chapel which is accessible through the main body of the church. Please use the ramp on the north side of the church to enter then cross over to the chapel entrance. 
- Please notify a Minister of Hospitality (usher) or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion if an individual prefers to receive Communion at their seat. 
- Large print missals can be found in baskets on the tables at both entrances.
- Wheelchair accessible restrooms are available in the foyer of the parish building (use the ramps at either church entrance and go towards the breezeway to enter the foyer). 

Faith Formation Accommodations 

Faith Formation (religious education) classes are open to all students in Kindergarten - 12th grade.  Accommodations are available for those students who may need supports in order to successfully participate in class. For more information, please contact Francisco Fajardo  (K - 12th grades) at ffajardo@stmatthewhou.org; Francisco can also be reached at 713-466-4030.    

Help Request

Do you know someone with a disability who could use assistance?  Please contact Barbara Kielaszek (at 281-445-6951 or [email protected]) with the following information:
 

• Name and age of individual needing assistance
• Contact person's name, e-mail address, phone number
• How can we help you?

Movies highlighting the abilities of real-life persons with disabilities can be shown for free to any of St. Matthew's organizations.  Following are the available movies:

• "Temple Grandin" - this movie is about the life of Dr. Temple Grandin who has Asperger Syndrome, a form autism
• "The King's Speech" - this movie is about the life of England's King George VI who had a speech impairment 
• "A Beautiful Mind" - this movie is about the life of John Forbes Nash, Jr., Nobel Prize winning mathematician who had mental illness 
• "The Theory of Everything" - this movie is about the life of the physicist, Stephen Hawking, who has a physical disability
• "The Miracle Worker" - this movie is about the relationship of Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, who was blind                                                                                                                                  
  • To schedule a showing of one of these movies, contact Barbara Kielaszek (at  281-445-6951 or  [email protected]) with the following information:

• Name of St. Matthew's organization
• Contact person's name, e-mail address, phone number
• Title of movie 
• Date and time you would like to see the movie

                             National Catholic Partnership on Disability                                   Rooted in Gospel values that affirm the dignity of every person, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society.  NCPD offers a variety of resources and webinars for individuals with disabilities, their families and parishes. Monthly Adapted Faith Formation activities for families to use at home can be accessed at the NCPD website (ncpd.org).  These activities are located under the “Catechesis” tab, click on “Adapted Faith Formation”, and then on the month that you would like to view.  All activities are free and you are welcome to share with others. 
                                             #IamChurch 
The #IamChurch campaign is a series of 5 videos in which persons with disabilities, from different parts of the world, recount their experience of faith and affirm, "I am Church!". Each video aims to bring out the contribution that persons with disabilities offer to the ecclesial community on a daily basis. Videos can be accessed at the following site - http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/amoris-laetitia/iniziative-e-risorse/i-am-church.html

                                  Adaptive Resources for Worship
The Catholic University of America, in collaboration with NCPD, offers a free adaptive resource to help parents and catechists of children with special needs. “Welcoming Children in Worship” can be found at the following link - https://welcomingchildren.catholic.edu/liturgy/#adaptive

                                  Around the Archdiocese

Jerome’s Hope 

The Archdiocese offers this support ministry for miscarriage, early infant death, prenatal diagnosis or infertility. The Jerome’s Hope team is a resource for parents and families to help navigate these difficult situa­tions. Their team is made up of parents, clergy, medical and counseling professionals who are avail­able to provide you with the support you need.

 

  Some ways support is provided includes:

• Accompanying you to doctor’s visits
• Help creating a birth plan for your baby’s arrival
• Continuing emotional support including clergy, chaplain and counseling referrals
• Healing retreats with other parents who’ve received a prenatal diagnosis
• Assistance to advocate for your child after birth
• If necessary, assistance coordinating funeral services and burial arrangements

More information is available at their website: 
https://www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/pastoral-educational-ministries/office-of-pro-life-activities/miscarriage-early-infant-death-prenatal-diagnosis-or-infertility/

St. Dominic Deaf Center: 

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has ministered to the Catholic Deaf Community for more than 50 years. Their mission is to serve all the Catholic Deaf and Hard of Hearing and they offer all the services of a regular parish.  Please see the flyer below for more information. 

Ministry with Persons with Disabilities

Contact: Melissa Alvarez, Assistant Director, Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, [email protected]
 This ministry's information is available at the following Archdiocese website:
https://www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/pastoral-educational-ministries/office-of-evangelization-and-catechesis/ministry-with-persons-with-disabilities/

Aging Ministry - This ministry's information is available at the following Archdiocese website:
https://www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/pastoral-educational-ministries/aging-ministry/
 

 

Around Houston

  
Specialize Telecommunications Assistance Program 
The STAP program provides free phones to eligible individuals.  To apply for a phone, the individual must live in the state of Texas and he/she must have a condition/disability that limits the ability to use the telephone.  Examples of conditions include - difficulty hearing, seeing, speaking, moving, or remembering.  For more information, see the ATU Brochure below.

Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) - 
The mission of MOPD is to serve as the primary advocate for the rights and needs of Houston's citizens with disabilities.  Their website information includes - ADA and You, Emergency Readiness, Parking Permits, Free Visual Fire Alarms for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Free Legal Services for People with Disabilities.  Go to http://www.houstontx.gov/disabilities for details on these services and much more. 
 

Contact Information

For more information about St.Matthew's Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, contact Barbara Kielaszek at 281-445-6951 or barbarakiel[email protected]