Special Needs

“Persons with disabilities are not looking for pity.
They seek to serve the community and to enjoy their full baptismal rights as members of the Church. Our interaction should be an affirmation of our faith.
There can be no separate Church for persons with disabilities.
We are one flock that follows a single shepherd.”
-US Conference of Catholic Bishops

The St. Margaret Mary Special Needs Ministry group is for parents or other caregivers who are caring for a family member(s) with special needs to include all medical and mental illness including, but not limited to developmental delays, mental health issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus or other disabilities.

This group’s purpose is to provide prayer, encouragement, friendship and resources for parents or caregivers facing the daily challenges of living with someone with special needs. The informal nature of the group allows for sharing of concerns in a caring and empathetic environment. Although each situation is uniquely different, problems faced by parents/caregivers are often similar, and those who have successfully overcome such obstacles are able to share their positive experiences and resources with those just beginning the journey.

Please call for information on the next meeting date/time/location. Contact: Lori Reinneck, 407-645-0284

As a parent of a person with special needs, please know that you are not alone. There is comfort in the journey when it is shared with others. Please feel free to share this information with your family or friends as the invitation is extended to all.

Many thanks to the Larry Kiley of the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA for permission to use resources from their booklet: Welcoming people with disabilities so all may encounter Christ.

Dear Ms. Awareness...

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Dear Ms. Awareness, I am wondering if you could help me with a concern that I have had for a while now. While I am at church I have noticed…
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Dear Ms. Awareness, I was wondering if you could help me? I attend mass regularly and usually sit in the same area every week. I am often seated behind a…
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Dear Ms. Awareness, When I see a person with special needs I often do not know what to say or do. Could you help me with this problem? Signed, A…

Magnify is a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Orlando.

Its mission is to magnify the God‑given gifts of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Central Florida so as to help them live full, meaningful lives.

Magnify provides a range of practical, life-support services, including: