Mass for Persons with Disabilities

From the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

The Annual Archdiocesan Eucharistic Liturgy with Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers: This annual Liturgy is held once a year at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul at 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Archbishop Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia is the principal celebrant and homilist.  A light reception is held following the Mass.  All are Welcome. Save the date. This coming year the Mass is scheduled for March 24, 2018.  We encourage parish participation and individuals/parish groups to volunteer in assisting with all aspects of the Mass and reception. (Read more.)

From the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Office for Persons with Disabilities & the Deaf Apostolate

1. Please assist in inviting families and individuals to this annual Mass. Parish groups or individuals who wish to assist with the Mass or reception are asked to contact the Office for Persons with Disabilities.   For more details or to register go to www.opdarchphilly.org or click here.

The Annual Archdiocesan Mass Honoring the Gifts of Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers is Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul at 18^th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia.  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., will be the principal celebrant and homilist.  There will be a reception immediately following the Mass featuring entertainment by Santino Dragon New Year Brigade.  All are Welcome.  To RSVP go to www.opdarchphilly.org, or call the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 215-587-3530.

2.       Spring Contact Meeting for the Office for Persons with Disabilities, April 28, 2018: The workshop will consider how to foster active participation in worship for children with disabilities and their families.  The disability contact/advocate for each parish is asked to attend. Clergy, parish staff, parents and other parish volunteers are welcome to attend. For more details or to register go to www.opdarchphilly.org or click here.

You Belong - How to Foster Active Participation in Worship:   This workshop will be offered on April 28, 2018 from 9:30 am to noon at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. Parish Contacts for the Office for Persons with Disabilities and other parish leaders are encouraged to attend. The presenters are: Dr. Geralyn Anderson Arango from Holy Family University and  Gilian Lally, a Behavioral Specialist.  For the flyer or to RSVP go to www.opdarchphilly.org, email: opd@archphila.org or call 215-587-3530.

3.      Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat, May 1, 2018:  Click here for the online flyer and registration.

Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat:  Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Malvern Retreat House, Sr. Suzanne Mayer, IHM will direct a retreat for mothers and grandmothers who are raising children with disabilities and also those who have adult children with disabilities.  Fr. Jim Olson will be the celebrant for Mass.  There will be time to pray, reflect, and chat with other mothers.  To register on line go to www.opdarchphilly.com. For more information please contact Malvern Retreat House at 610-644-0400 or the Office for Persons with Disabilities at 215-587-3530. 

Sr. Kathleen Schipani, IHM
Director, Office for Persons with Disabilities & Deaf Apostolate

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

222 N. 17^th Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
215.587.3913 phone /267.507.1215 video phone
sr.kschipani@archphila.org

www.opdarchphilly.org / www.deafcatholicphilly.org / www.religoiusASLapp.com

 

Summer in the Forest

We at Emmaus Home love the 2017 film Summer in the Forest. From the film's website:

Like countless others Philippe, Michel, Andre and Patrick were labeled 'idiots', locked away and forgotten in violent asylums, until the 1960s, when the young philosopher Jean Vanier took a stand and secured their release - the first time in history that anyone had beaten the system. Together they created L'Arche, a commune at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris. A quiet revolution was born. Now in his 80s, and still at L'Arche, Jean has discovered something that most of us have forgotten - what it is to be human, to be foolish, and to be happy.

SUMMER IN THE FOREST invites us to abandon the rat race and forge new friendships. Amid the ancient trees, Philippe, Patrick, Jean and the others welcome us into their lives. If there are rules to break, they will be broken and if there is a truth to be told, they will tell it. Michel reveals his war torn past, Andre is desperate for a date, and young David will prove himself a hero in the fight against the forces of evil. (Read more.)

Emmaus Home at the Franklin Institute

Emmaus Home recently had an exciting outing to the Franklin Institute. It is important for our adults to be in a such a fabulous learning environment with others to practice social skills and increase the thirst for knowledge.

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Ben Franklin

The Franklin Institute

The Giant Heart

Kevin at the Surrey Center

Here is Kevin of our Emmaus Home family, working at the Surrey Senior Citizen Center as a volunteer for the first time. We are so proud of him!

A Death in the Emmaus Home Community

Anne's mother was called home by Our Lord on Christmas Day. Please pray for the repose of her soul and for her grieving family.

Kevin and Martin Receiving Gifts!

Kevin

Kevin and Martin of Emmaus Home are recipients of the Christmas Giving Tree at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Media, PA! We wish to thank Fr. Bell and his parish for this great honor!

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Martin

At Longwood Gardens

Patrick, Martin and Nick at Longwood Gardens

Emmaus Home Day Program visited Longwood Gardens today for a brisk walk around the lovely, festive displays!  Longwood Gardens participates in the Access Program which enables our participants entrance using their access cards - a TREMENDOUS DEAL - and savings. We are very grateful for the opportunity this program provides for us!

 For more of Longwood Gardens, visit their blog, HERE.

 To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home to continue, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

Ribbon-cutting at Emmaus Home

Anne and husband Larry get ready to cut the ribbon!

Our ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new facility was Saturday. It was a happy, festive day and we look forward to a bright future. We thank all of the friends who made it possible! Our new Day Program is located at 2989 Dutton Mill Road, Aston, PA. For more information contact us at 484-490-5623.

We're officially open for business!

To help our work with God's children at Emmaus Home to continue, please donate HERE. May the Lord reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name.

The Holidays at Emmaus Home

Nick and Grandmom

Anne at the Polar Express

Anne with State Representative Tom Killian

It's cold and snowing in Pennsylvania but at Emmaus Home there are warm hearts and happy times. And our work for adults with intellectual disabilities goes on. Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so that we may continue to offer shelter to God's vulnerable ones. Offerings in the name of the Child Jesus are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

Marty Hugs Mrs. Santa

Anne with Emmaus Home treasurer Bob Moore

Christmas Party with the Third Order of St. Francis

Our local community of Third Order Franciscans invited Emmaus Home to their annual Christmas Party. Everyone had a wonderful time.

At the North Pole Express

It's snowing in the Philadelphia area. Caitlin and Kevin were at the North Pole Express!! It was a chilly but happy time! It is important for our adults with intellectual disabilities to enjoy outings!

Christmas is coming and we need angels to pray for us at Emmaus Home, and help in any way they can, so our work with God's vulnerable ones can continue. Offerings are accepted HERE. May God reward you! And may He reward with Eternal Life all who do good to us in His Name!

December 2017 Newsletter

Our new Day Program is located at 2989 Dutton Mill Road, Aston, PA. It is the perfect location and a beautiful space for our participants. After waiting for its completion and meeting in parks, libraries and nature centers for several months,we are very excited and proud to be in our new program’s home. It features professional administrative offices, reception area and conference room. The ABA compliant facility has a computer lab, kitchen and ADL training area. A bright and spacious creativity area facilitates our Art, Music, Crafts and other group activities.

We now have two residences: one at 601 Vernon Street in Media, PA, and another at 1519 Black Rock Road in Swarthmore PA. They are beautiful, well-appointed homes in safe and welcoming communities. The Media home can house 3 residents with our wonderful house parent, RoseAnna Yap, who has a master's degree in special education from the Philippines, and the Swarthmore home is the residence of two adults and our newest houseparent, Dr. Rafe Martinez Arrue, with a PhD in psychology. The Franciscan Sisters have welcomed the participants of our Day Program to their Tuesday Afternoon Bingo. Every week our guys gleefully yell out their number or “bingo” and the regulars lovingly cheer them on.

Our Advent Season began with the generous gift of Christmas trees from Schmidt's Nursery and Linvilla Orchards. The Christmas trees were duly erected and decorated in Marty and Kevin’s home, the Day Program, and in our Media home. All of our men love Christmas, but Kevin goes crazy over Christmas trees. And the trees were particularly beautiful.

We are having an open house ribbon cutting ceremony on December 15th. We invite everyone to come and join us for beverages and snacks. And join us for our Wednesday Morning Coffee House from 10:00 to 11:00 beginning on December 13, with fresh coffee, donuts and pastries.

In Thanksgiving

I wish to thank Schmidt's Christmas tree farm for their generous donation of two beautiful Christmas trees for our homes.  They really make the homes of our men with disabilities shine and look so festive for the Holy season of Advent which begins on Sunday! I also wish to thank Linvilla Orchards for their generous donation of three lovely Christmas trees ! And an anonymous donor who continues to bless us during lean times of transition to our new sites! God is very good to Emmaus Home!! May God reward with eternal life all who do good to us in His Name!

Ribbon Cutting, December 15, 2017

Emmaus Home at Malvern

Today was the annual Marian Day at Philadelphia Archdiocese Malvern Retreat House featuring Monsignor John Esseff and Fr. Bill Gaffney!

Emmaus Home took resident Albert there.  He enjoyed the beautiful liturgy and delicious pasta and meatball dinner following!

It was a blessed day on this great feast of Christ the King!  So much to be grateful for!

An Amazing Day in Philadelphia for Emmaus Home

We went by train to Philadelphia. Here we are at the Reading Terminal Market (above)! A great venue for all kinds of eating! We then walked to City Hall, a very lovely old structure, with William Penn, our Quaker founder, on top. Dillworth Park is right outside of City Hall where there is a Christmas village, including a Carousel, ice skating rink and many of vendors selling cool stuff!

Everyone was thrilled with the train ride!

Autism and Thanksgiving

How to cope. From Autism Speaks:

 When Turkey Day arrives, here are some general tips for enjoying a holiday meal with a child or adult who has autism:

* Dress comfortably. This probably isn’t the best time for your son to wear something new or different – especially if this has been an issue in the past. (Pick your battles.)

* Talk with your family about keeping conversation, music and TV volume at an appropriate volume. This may be difficult if your family is anything like mine. Another option is to have your son use noise-reducing headphones – either alone or with some music he enjoys. Wearing headphones may not be appropriate for the entire day. But it can be very useful when you sense that your son is becoming overstimulated.

* Create a quiet room where your child can retreat and relax while waiting for the big meal. This is a great place to keep a bag of your son’s favorite toys, books and other independent activities.

* Most importantly, remember to catch your child being “good” – that is, playing, socializing or eating in an appropriate and healthy manner. Be sure to provide plenty of positive feedback. You know what your son likes – be it praise, a hug or a small reward such as a sticker or favorite toy. I understand that it can be hard to remember to reward a well-behaving child while you’re juggling the demands of preparing a holiday meal. Consider having a kitchen timer in your pocket or set your cell phone alarm as a reminder to touch base with your child and provide that positive feedback before disruptive behavior occurs.

* Consider minimizing table décor, including scented candles. Remember, the day will be filled with the savory and sweet aromas from all the delicious food you’re preparing. It can help to reduce other sensory input at the table.

* If you’re worried that your child will gorge on snacks and appetizers prior to the meal, consider moving these treats out of sight or under cover. You may need to enlist the help of understanding family members. For example, consider placing the appetizers in one place in bowls and platters that have covers. Ask family members to take turns monitoring the “snack zone” and assist children with appropriate portions.

* Once at the table, you can help an over-excited eater slow down by placing small portions of food on his plate. You can always serve seconds.

* If your son has difficulty controlling his impulse to grab food, consider sitting him immediately next to you or someone else who can provide support and reinforce appropriate table manners.

* Another option – if the family is willing – is to plate food in the kitchen rather than pile the table with serving platters. This avoids grabbing and encourages more of a pause between servings. (Read more.)

A Bittersweet Good-Bye to Chris

It is with bittersweetness that we say good bye to Christopher Hartung, our house parent who has lived in Emmaus Home community for one year. He is exploring new opportunities and adventures in Arizona! He has served God's  "Little Ones" well! He has had to often stretch himself beyond even his own belief that he could. But by leaving ourselves open and vulnerable to God's strength and God's grace we can and will do what is beyond our own understanding.

Chris has been a faithful friend to our four residents, both in good times and in bad. I have often observed Chris smiling and being utterly amused and amazed by our core members. Chris generously poured his entire being into the mission of Emmaus Home. From coming to day program at the last minute, to filling in for someone, to picking up a donation of Panera bread at 9 pm on a Monday night, to driving a core member to visit an old friend in another county, to updating our website, to assisting with payroll.... and on and on and on!

I think Chris would agree he has had a crash course in almost everything that will, with God's help, aid him through life. It is with great gratitude and love that I thank Chris for his generous heart in serving for one year at Emmaus Home.

Interviews with Anne

For those interested in learning more about the story of Emmaus Home, here is the 2015 interview with Peg DeGrassa of the Delco Times:

When I first met Anne Bradley, the first adjective that popped into my mind was “joyful.” The mother of eight greeted me at the door of what is the former rectory of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Essington, wearing a smile that seemed to radiate straight from her heart.

I promised Anne I’d drop by to hear more about her mission, her passion, which is taking root and beginning to blossom more with every passing day. Her “miraculous story,” as Anne herself phrases it, both intrigued me and inspired me. She is a mom who loves her son with intellectual disabilities (ID) so deeply that she developed the means, not only to help him thrive, but, she hopes, to help other individuals with ID in the community thrive too.

When Anne couldn’t find the right program for her 23-year-old son Kevin, who has autism, long story short, she took a leap of faith and leased the former St. Margaret Mary school, rectory and convent from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and created “Emmaus Home.” The former rectory serves as a residence for Kevin and one other man who lives there part-time, along with Anne’s other son, Michael, who is currently serving as live-in staff. There is room for eight residents and three live-in house parents, eventually, but Kevin and his housemate are the inaugural residents. (Read more.)

Much has changed since then and the purpose of this new blog is to keep everyone updated. Here is a recent interview at EWTN.