CONTACT:  Kelcey Brubaker
Communications Intern
419-244-6711 x 149
kbrubaker@toledodiocese.org
www.toledodiocese.org

DIOCESE EMPLOYEE RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR
 DISABILITY AWARENESS MINISTRY

June 15, 2010—Toledo, OH–The Diocese of Toledo announced that Marsha Rivas of thediocesan Equal Access Ministry office was one of three people recently honored with a memberappreciation award from the National Apostolate for Inclusion Ministry (NAFIM).  She was nominated forthe award by Kitty Kruse of Toledo and Ray Daull of Cleveland.

 Rivas has been serving as head of the Equal Access Ministry for the past eight years. “I havebeen impressed with Mrs. Rivas’s creativity and ability serving persons with a variety of disabilities. Hercommitment to her ministry inspires others, both individuals and parishes to get involved,” said SisterJoyce Lehman, Secretariat Leader for Pastoral Leadership. Sister Lehman added that Mrs.Rivas haseffectively managed the diocesan office by providing pastoral services, catechetical resources and spiritualdevelopment opportunities for persons with IDD, educational services, activities and advocacy for allpeople with disabilities.

 “This is very humbling and means a lot to be honored by this organization because of whothey are and what they represent,” said Rivas. This year she is planning an annual overnight retreat forfamilies and individuals with IDD. Rivas also serves on the NAFIM e-journal editorial board and was acommittee planner for the 2008 NAFIM Conference at Saw Mill Creek.  

 NAFIM, a national Apostolate seeks to evangelize people with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families who are not sharing in the life of their parish or congregational communities.NAFIM provides networking opportunities, workshops, conferences, publications, website, e-journal and blog. NAFIM also offers information and referrals regarding faith formation, faith sharing and parental concerns.

For more information on Equal Access Ministry in the diocese, contact Marsha Rivas at 419-244-6711.

The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving 321,516 Catholics in 128 parishes. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, and Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.