God steered her to new role

Cathy Lavender compares her employment changes during the past few years to those of a friend who was once a coroner, decided to enter the seminary, and ended up doing hospital work.

"I've always had an interest in children with emotional disturbances," said Ms. Lavender, who recently joined the staff of the diocesan Office of Religious Education as associate director of faith formation for persons with developmental disabilities. "When I went to [study at] the seminary, I had no idea I would still be in the field of special education. I was going into the field of ministry."

Ms. Lavender was a special education teacher in Lexington, Kentucky, when she felt called to work for the Church. She became a pastoral associate and parish music director, and eventually pursued a master's degree in theology from St. Meinrad University in Indiana.

Steered by God

"God seemed to steer me," said the outgoing, enthusiastic newcomer, looking back on her journey.

After she received her degree, she was beginning to look for ministry work that would utilize her talents in liturgy and parish life. When she heard that a replacement was needed in the Albany Diocese for Sister Anne Ryan, PBVM, as catechesis director for those with disabilities, it seemed as if God was once more taking a hand -- this time, to combine her former career with her latter one.

"I was born in Middletown, New York," Ms. Lavender added, her southern accent giving no hint of that fact. "I loved Kentucky and our diocese, and didn't want to leave, but coming here had a `coming-home' feeling."

Image of Jesus

The new director sees ministry to Catholics with disabilities as "a very important and sometimes forgotten ministry.

"I keep having a visual image in my mind of Jesus hugging someone that is different," she explained. "We're not ministering to folks with disabilities; we're ministering with them. The developmentally disabled have a particularly pure, Christ-like love. We can learn from them."

Excited about her new ministry, she believes the Albany Diocese offers a great deal of support to parishes and ministries who reach out to persons with disabilities -- "and it's a fun place to work. They have wonderful southern hospitality!"

Advocacy

She sees her predecessors, Sister Anne Ryan and Sister Rose Ann Ferrara, SNJM, as setting the stage for parishes to meet the needs of their disabled parishioners.

A parish advocacy training program was set up by the ORE last year. Among Ms. Lavender's aims is to "give that a jump start. I'd like to see the advocacy program solidly operating, where we would have at least one advocate for the disabled in every parish." Ministry to those in group homes will be another target area for parishes.

Many of the new director's efforts will be "consciousness-raising." For example, she hopes to educate people about the proper vocabulary that comes along with ministry to persons with disabilities.

"When people hear the word `disabled,' that can mean many, many things," she stated. "I'd rather use the word `different.' If you look at a person and say they're disabled, they may be very able. Maybe it's the situation and not them that's disabled."

Background

Ms. Lavender brings many talents to her work for the Diocese, including a love for liturgy that has already led her to help out with events like the ORE's recent "Becoming a Minister of Faith Formation" session. Ms. Lavender used her musical talents -- she plays the guitar, mandolin and piano, and sings -- for the session.

She plans to continue previous efforts by her office, including the "Kids on the Block" program, which uses puppets to teach schoolchildren about disabilities; and the annual diocesan Retreats for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Eventually, she would like to sponsor more retreats.

For now, she will spend her time getting acquainted with the parishes, programs and communities of the Albany Diocese. "I'm trying to assimilate what is here," she stated. "There are wonderful things already happening."

(High school and college students are invited to become puppeteers for the "Kids on the Block program." A training session will be held on Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. in the Diocesan Pastoral Center. For information, call the ORE at 453-6630.)

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