As the Church marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3, two Catholic women are inviting the faithful to reflect more deeply on inclusion, belonging, and the gifts persons with disabilities bring to the Body of Christ.
During a recent panel hosted by the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Catholic speakers Sue Do and Kathleen Davis offered personal witness about how faith and community shape their lives. According to Catholic News Agency, their insights highlighted both the challenges and the grace-made possibilities that emerge when parishes strive to welcome everyone.
Do, a graduate student in pastoral ministries and a four-time published author, described how proclaiming Scripture became a moment of vocation. “I really enjoy lecturing because it actually helped with my self-confidence and it improved my public speaking skills,” she said, according to CNA. “Just the thought of being there in front of people, proclaiming God’s word, it gave me a sense of purpose.”
Her journey into disability ministry began unexpectedly after she faced exclusion at her parish. Do explained that her pastor told her she could not continue lecturing due to “safety and liability issues,” as she sometimes uses a wheelchair. According to CNA, she responded by educating parish leadership using resources from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability. “As a result of that, they reversed the decision and I was able to go back to lecture,” she said. “I just kept speaking up and realized this is what I’m meant to do.”
For Do, this advocacy is part of her discipleship. “It solidified even more the calling for me to go into this type of disability ministry,” she said, according to CNA, adding that her goal is to “make Catholics with disabilities feel included.”
Davis shared how a young adult group at St. Brigid’s Parish in Georgia transformed her spiritual life by offering genuine welcome and support. “When you first arrive, you’re greeted with warm smiles,” she said, according to CNA. She described a “buddy” system that ensures every participant has assistance when needed. “This sense of belonging and support has been tremendous and uplifting in my life,” she added. “What makes it special is this buddy system. You’re not alone.”
She emphasized how the ministry reshaped her identity in Christ. “Since joining the group, I have gained a sense of belonging, support, and growth in my self-worth,” Davis said, according to CNA.
Both women also offered pastoral insight for Catholics seeking to support others more effectively. Do noted that many people assume she needs help simply because she has a disability. “I don’t need help unless I specifically ask for help,” she said. She also encouraged people to speak directly with a person with disabilities rather than addressing family members on their behalf.
The call to inclusion, she stressed, belongs to every Catholic. “We are not just called to a greater purpose, but we are also called to always ask ourselves: ‘How can I make it more welcoming, inclusive?’ It’s not just about going to Mass and participating. It’s about the model of inclusion and how people model the Gospel,” she said, according to CNA.
Davis encouraged adults with disabilities to seek out communities that can nurture their faith. “Don’t limit yourself to your parish,” she said, noting that different parishes often offer different ministries. “There are accommodations, there is a group, there are people that care about you, and you’re not alone.”
She added that such ministries are not merely helpful—they are essential. “Those groups are lifesaving… We’re part of a mystical body of Christ and that means we need to be connected with others who are part of the Catholic Church,” she said, according to CNA.
As the Church observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, their testimonies echo a consistent theme: when Catholics create spaces of authentic welcome, the entire Body of Christ is strengthened.
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