Summer 2000

Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors Logo

A publication of Pathways Awareness Foundation in partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago
Discover in this issue:
  • Preparing for October 15 – Inclusion Sunday 2000
  • Announcing the 2000 Junior Open Hearts Award winners!
Letter from Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Many of you have participated in an important movement inspired by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin: the inclusion of people with disabilities in Liturgy and church life. The movement called "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" continues today.

On Sunday, October 15, 2000, parishes in our Archdiocese will again observe Inclusion Sunday, a celebration of inclusion in the areas of personal affirmation, communication and accessibility.  I encourage you to make this welcoming spirit a part of all parish activities.

While our to role is to make all people welcome in worship every day, Inclusion Sunday reminds us about how much we all can grow and learn when people with different abilities are able to bring their gifts to the altar.

Providing people with disabilities the opportunity to serve others is a demonstration of our open hearts. We open our minds when we communicate in ways that demonstrate caring, such as the use of large print and language that emphasizes the person rather than the disability. We open our doors when we make worship physically accessible to everyone.

Please join me in opening our worship to all our people, not only on Inclusion Sunday, but also on every day of the year.  Thank you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago

Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors Logo

A publication of Pathways Awareness Foundation in partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago
Summer 2000 Page 2
Inclusion Sunday 2000

For a FREE packet of lesson plans about inclusion to use in your religious education classes, call 1-800-955-2445
October 15 is Inclusion Sunday 2000, a day to celebrate the may gifts that people with disabilities bring to Liturgy and parish life, and to kick off a wonderful effort that the Cardinal has endorsed, to achieve total inclusion in the Archdiocese of Chicago within the next five years! Pathways Awareness Foundation is co-sponsoring this special day in partnership with the Archdiocese of Chicago. We hope your parish will participate in this event.  Pathways Awareness is also offering free, hands-on support. We would welcome the opportunity to visit your parish to answer questions, review materials, present the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors video and, if needed, help conduct class sessions in preparation for Inclusion Sunday.

For more information, call Pathways at 1-800-955-2445. or visit www.pathwaysawareness.org.
St. Albert the Great sweeps the Junior Open Hearts awards!

** Call 1-800-955-2445 for more information about the

"Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" program.

 
Congratulations to Father Robert Stepek and St. Albert the Great Junior High School in Burbank, Illinois, winner of the Junior Open Hearts Awards for its leadership in raising awareness about inclusion and including people with disabilities into youth communities.

The school will receive $3,000.The junior high school students created a variety of stories, drawings, essays and poems that depicted wonderfully how their school celebrates inclusion in the categories of affirmation, communication and accessibility.

"Through the Junior Open Hearts Award, we hope to make children and young adults aware of why

it is so important to include persons with disabilities," said Maggie Daley, president of Pathways Awareness Foundation. "The students’ entries demonstrated their understanding of every person’s abilities and how sharing those abilities strengthens the parish community and enriches worship for all involved."

Congratulations to our winners!

Coming Next Issue! Stay tuned — In the Fall issue of the Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors newsletter, we will announce winners of the Open Hearts Awards in all three categories — Affirmation, Communication and Accessibility!
About Pathways Awareness
Foundation		 Pathways Awareness Foundation was established in 1988 to raise awareness about early intervention and inclusion of children and youth with physical challenges.
123 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606 • 1-800-955-2445 • www.pathwaysawareness.org