Families and Friends of Persons with Disabilities (FFPD)
Mission Statement
To accept, include, and support all persons with disabilities and their families by working towards their full inclusion and participation in all aspects of spiritual formation and development; including but not limited to,
- the preparation of the Mass,
- Sacraments,
- and all other church/parish community activities.
Meeting Schedule
7-9 p.m. every 3rd Tuesday of the month
Community Center St. Luke Room
Goals / Objectives
- Monthly information and resource sharing
- Parent to parent outreach and support
- Increase parish community awareness
- Distribute educational literature and materials
- Provide workshops and educational opportunities
- Provide guest speakers
- Serve as a liaison between parish and families
- Provide accessible and welcoming environment
Contacts
For more information call:
- Emma Guanlao (323) 472-0877
- Sandy Riancho (323) 633-1262
- Annette Manning (323) 219-3613
Bl. Margaret of Castello
Patron of children with disabilities
Margaret was born in Florence, Italy, in 1287. She was a great disappointment to her wealthy parents. She was born blind and with very serious spine and leg problems. Her
parents were ashamed of her and told people that she had died at birth. They kept her hidden away. Only her parish priest was allowed to visit her. He taught her about God’s love and the Catholic faith. He brought her Holy Communion. Receiving Jesus’ Body and Blood took away her loneliness because she knew Jesus was always with her.
When she was a teenager, her parents took her to a Franciscan shrine in Castello. They prayed that Margaret would be healed during their pilgrimage. When she was not, they abandoned her, leaving her alone in the strange city. The people of Castello reached out to Margaret. Homeless people taught her to beg. Even though she slept in doorways or empty buildings, she never complained. In time she met men and women who were lay members of the Dominican Order. They prayed together and performed good works for people in need. They invited Margaret to join them in their ministry.
In spite of her physical difficulties, Margaret visited prisoners, helped the sick, and comforted people who were suffering. Soon everyone in the city of Castello knew about Margaret and admired her. It is said that after her death, the entire city attended her funeral and that a crippled young girl was healed during the Mass.
She died at the age of 33. Margaret was declared “Blessed” by the Church in 1609. She is the patron of children with disabilities.
Recognition of the person with disabilities as a bearer of the Christian message of the relationships with God is the essential point of departure for a relation of parity between persons.
Preparation for the Jubilee Day of Persons with Disabilities, July 2000.