All are welcome at the table of the Lord
Word on Fire is proud to present a new book for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to deepen their prayer lives. Will you make a donation so we can gift this book to those who need it most?
Let Us Pray: Catholic Prayers for All Abilities is a simple guide to prayer, one showing readers how to talk with God and grow in love through gratitude, adoration, forgiveness, and compassion. The book was specially designed for adults with an intellectual disability and uses a custom typeface for dyslexic readers.
If you are an individual or represent a parish, diocese, or non-profit organization within the United States that could benefit from a copy of this book, please reach out to us at [email protected].
We may not be able to accommodate all requests. We are unable to ship the book internationally.
The Fellowship for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Studies suggest that in the US, around 74% of expectant parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome choose to abort their child. As the Fellow for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Mark Bradford serves as a public advocate for this community in the broader culture through asserting the Church’s pro-life teachings on human life and dignity.
The Fellowship bears witness to the Church and culture about the necessity of integrating people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as valued and participating members in society and especially in the Church’s apostolic work and mission.
A central task of this Fellowship is to create and develop evangelization and catechetical resources, materials, and opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to establish a community of support for families whose loved ones are living with an intellectual or developmental disability within the broader Word on Fire community.
The Fellow’s first task is to utilize his or her requisite knowledge and experience to assist Word on Fire in its efforts to hire a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability to serve as a second Fellow.
The two Fellows will work together on developing evangelization and catechetical materials that are age appropriate, beautifully designed, helpful, and relevant, as well as evangelically and catechetically rich.
In this role, Bradford’s mission is raising awareness about the indispensability of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Church and in the culture. Bradford advocates and models the pro-life teachings of the Church, especially as they concern people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“As our culture grows further away from understanding the true source of human life and dignity, it is incumbent upon the Church to stand boldly for those that society views as the least among us,” Bradford said. “There is no better platform for this advocacy than Word on Fire. I’m honored to be a part of this incredible ministry.”
Throughout his career, Bradford has excelled at facilitating conversations in the areas of education, disability, medical research, bioethics, the arts, and advocacy. Prior to joining the Word on Fire Institute, he was the executive director at the Regina Academies, and he previously served as the founding president of the American branch of the Jerome Lejeune Foundation, which is based in Paris.