Welcoming all persons into the heart of the Church

A pamphlet with guidelines for celebrating the Sacraments with persons with disabilities is seen during a recent ministry conference in Houston. (Photo by James Ramos/Herald)HOUSTON — When families with children or adults with disabilities encounter barriers to experiencing a true sense of belonging in the Church, ministries grounded in Christ’s love and compassion respond with open hearts and faithful support. The Ministry for Persons with Disabilities is one such witness to that love, working to ensure every person is seen, valued and fully embraced as a member of the body of Christ. 

Melissa Alvarez, associate director of the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities, said the ministry’s mission aligns closely with that of the Archdiocese. By helping individuals with disabilities and their families fully participate in the Church, the ministry reflects a shared commitment to dignity, justice and unity in Christ. 

“Many times, families are not aware of the opportunity for inclusion, so having that advocate or person of support in each of our parishes is eye-opening for them,” Alvarez said. “They are happy to know they are included and discover all the different areas where they can share their gifts and talents and be part of the body of the Church.” 

Alvarez said the ministry equips parish staff and volunteers to become these advocates through training, resources and consultations, efforts that support lifelong faith formation and help ensure full participation in parish life, including the Sacraments. 

“A lot of times there’s a need for advocacy in each of our different parishes,” Alvarez said. “That’s where our ministry comes in and helps support those parish teams and staff to be able to advocate and find ways to support all individuals in the parishes.” 

Volunteers serve as the lifeline of the ministry, forming intentional parish teams, known as advocates, who accompany families through catechesis, sacramental preparation and daily parish life. 

“Without volunteers, without support for this ministry, we wouldn’t be able to have representation or be able to be the face of Jesus,” Alvarez said. “Just as Jesus went out of His way to include and help the deaf and the mute, we are also called to do the same.” 

One of those volunteers is Diana Sanchez, who came to the ministry five years ago as a mother looking for help for her son, Alberto, who has a developmental disability. 

“At the beginning, I felt my son wasn’t welcomed by the Church,” Sanchez said. “That was very sad for me. I thought, ‘Why is there no place for my son?’” 

When Sanchez’s parish wasn’t prepared to help Alberto receive the Sacraments, she drew on her experience as a catechist and stepped forward to lead. The Ministry for Persons with Disabilities supported her by providing adaptive resources and connecting Alberto to a preparation class, which opened the door to her deeper involvement in the ministry. 

Today, Sanchez serves on the ministry’s advisory committee, walking with other families as a volunteer advocate and guide on their journey toward full participation in the Church. She approaches each family with care, understanding that true accompaniment must extend beyond the individual to embrace the needs of the whole family. 

“I want to help all those families feel confident coming forward and knowing they are part of our community,” Sanchez said. “They are part of the body of Christ.” 

In this role, she provides spiritual, emotional and practical help, from referrals to resources and schools to simply being a listening ear. Over the years, she has walked with many families through powerful moments of faith and healing. 

“Some of the parents cry when we receive the kids, and I tell them, ‘Yes, your child can receive the Sacraments. You are welcome in this Church,’” Sanchez said. “Some cry when they see their child receiving the Sacraments and becoming part of the community. It’s very moving.” 

Sanchez encourages other interested volunteers to serve in the ministry, even if they feel hesitant or unsure. She believes that responding to the call is less about being ready and more about being willing to let God lead. 

“You just need to follow the call of the Holy Spirit,” Sanchez said. “Allow yourself to see through the eyes of these kids. It’s going to change the way you think, and it’s going to change your faith in God.” 

One of the families Sanchez has accompanied the most closely is her son, Alberto. When he found his place in the Church, his journey of faith became a testimony to the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities’ impact from both sides, parent and child. Through the ministry’s support, Alberto has learned how to work through difficulties, take responsibility for his actions and grow in confidence. 

Alberto also shared that the ministry helped him live in a way that reflects his faith and love for God. He said the experience strengthened his confidence and deepened his awareness of God’s presence in his life. 

“People have helped me learn how to pray and to think about God,” Alberto said. “At my Confirmation, I learned how to know that God is a friend, a guide, a teacher. He is the Holy Spirit.” 

During his time with the ministry, Alberto has formed friendships and helped others with disabilities learn how to live their faith more fully. He now hopes to give back as others have helped him. 

“Thank you for all the support and everything that you have done to help me do great things,” Alberto said. 

For Alvarez, moments of transformation and belonging, like those experienced by the Sanchez family, reflect the heart of the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities’ mission. She said it is made possible through Christ’s love, the support of the faithful, and the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), which together equip parishes to welcome every family. 

One example of this outreach is the ministry’s upcoming “In God’s Image Disability Conference,” set for Nov. 8 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. The event will feature sessions on mental health, early childhood, youth and serving persons with disabilities across all ages. Alvarez said it will be a day of learning, fellowship and encouragement for all who share a commitment to inclusion in the life of the Church. 

To learn more about the Ministry for Persons with Disabilities, visit archgh.org/disabilityministry. To give to the DSF, which supports over 60 ministries in the Archdiocese, visit archgh.org/dsf. ​