Wrapping up Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, let’s leave the last word to the bishops:
These guidelines are presented to all who are involved in liturgical, pastoral, and catechetical ministry. All persons with disabilities have gifts to contribute to the whole Church. When persons with disabilities are embraced and welcomed, and invited to participate fully in all aspects of parish community life, the Body of Christ is more complete. “The Church owes persons with disabilities her best efforts in order to ensure that they are able to hear the Gospel of Christ, receive the sacraments, and grow in their faith in the fullest and richest manner possible.” (National Directory for Catechesis 49)
Perhaps these notions should go without saying, but here they are. Welcoming all people makes the faith community more complete. Our parishes and their ministries and services are incomplete without the inclusion of people outside the mainstream. Liturgy and sacraments are part of that expression of the Church. The NDC would ask: are we really giving our best effort?
Catholic Sensibility 