People with intellectual disability with their volunteers and family at the Christmas adapted Liturgy Mass last year. Photo: Supplied
Personal Advocacy Service (PAS) seeks to enrich the lives of people with an intellectual disability. Established in 1989, the agency has worked tirelessly over the years to raise spiritual awareness and foster a sense of wellbeing for people with disability.
Staying true to its mission to provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to be included in community life, by pairing them with a catechist volunteer or ‘advocate’ with whom they can develop a meaningful friendship, PAS also promotes spiritual development for those with intellectual disabilities and their integration into parish communities.
Operating in 13 parishes of the Archdiocese of Perth, and with a network of 125 volunteers, the groups meet fortnightly to help each other, with some of these friendships lasting for some 20 years.
PAS Director Ray Ryan said that the uniqueness of PAS is that it focuses on the development of the ‘whole person’ over a period of time, rather than on particular issues.
“PAS provides a unique type of advocacy that is based on one-to-one relationships between people with intellectual disabilities and volunteers from the local community.
“Through PAS, we have been able to raise awareness in local parishes that people with an intellectual disability have a right to express their spirituality through friendship and relationships, and contribute to the life of their Church community.
“We want to foster a sense of belonging for them and encourage parishes to welcome and integrate people with an intellectual disability into their parish community life,” he explained.
Mr Ryan added that, through the years, PAS has developed a network of small, supportive groups to promote the dignity and value of these individuals, including celebrations such as an adapted Liturgy Mass, the Annual Community Celebrations and the Volunteer Appreciation event.
“Our Annual Community Celebration in July saw more than 170 friends, volunteer advocates and family for a fun afternoon with companionship, singing, dancing and afternoon tea. This event was a great success and enjoyed by everyone.
“PAS also held a Volunteers Appreciation event which took place during National Volunteers Week to support the advocate catechists,” he said.
Mr Ryan added that, this year, PAS is also looking at other ways to encourage and assist parishes to actively engage people with intellectual disability in the Mass and parish community generally.
“This may mean some coaching of congregations in ways of actively welcoming and getting people with intellectual disabilities involved in the liturgy in roles such as greeters, collectors, readers and the like. We want all Catholics with disability to feel a real welcome when they attend their local parish Mass.
“We are in the planning stage of this new program and our aim is that it will roll out across the Archdiocese as we support and collaborate with parish priests and parish councils. This new initiative will be the main focus of our efforts over the near future,” he concluded.
To know more about PAS, visit:
Personal Advocacy Service
28 Holdhurst Way, Morley
Tel: (08) 9275 5388
Email: admin@paswa.org.au
From page 17 of Issue 10: ‘Social Outreach’ of The Record Magazine