Story by Mary Stadnyk | Associate Editor

Phyllis Bell clearly remembers the day, about 20 years ago,  when she and a family member with a disability were walking in a park. As they passed another walker, Phyllis and greeted him and “he said ‘hello’ back.” Moments later, the family member said, “Do you see what happened there? Do you see how he said hello to you? That doesn’t happen to me. They would not have said hello to me.”

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Stunned by that observation, Bell admitted knowing that her family member was “treated differently by others, but I did not know that he saw the world as not so friendly a place; that he felt misunderstood; even invisible…It made me feel so sad and I wanted to be a champion for him and for many others that have a disability. I knew without question that I wanted to serve others with disabilities. I wanted to make their journey a little easier. So often society defines an individual by their disability. A disability is only a part of a whole person.”

Bell was but one person to share a story about experiences in reaching out to persons with disabilities during Visitation Home’s annual Faithful Friends Gala held April 22 in the Stone Terrace, Hamilton.

Based in Yardville, a stone’s throw from St. Vincent de Paul Parish and the Mercer County CYO, Visitation Home is a Catholic home for persons with developmental disabilities.

Comprised of three houses on Yardville-Allentown Rd., Visitation Home provides safe, affordable housing in a loving home environment to 15 residents and six live-in assistants. To be eligible for housing, male and female residents must be 18 years of age or older, have a mental disability, receive low to moderate income and be enrolled in a day program.

Most of the residents attend the day program that Visitation Home began in 2006 in which classes are held in the religious education office of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

This year’s Faithful Friends Gala, according to Denise Reil, executive director, brought together Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., who was acknowledged for “the kindness he has shown us” over the years along with some 439 staff, volunteers and supporters who feted the ministry that was incorporated in 2000.

In brief remarks, a truly humbled Bishop O’Connell shared about his recent visit to Rome as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage and the Holy Father’s talk on the Year of Mercy, saying that “Visitation Home embodies the best of family, mercy, love and compassion.”

As a thank you to the Bishop, the Visitation Home community presented him with a spiritual bouquet.

Keeping the Bishop’s intentions in mind and heart, from Jan. 1 through April 22, the day of the gala, the residents and staff had prayed: 1,160 Rosaries; 2,400 Morning Prayers; 2,240 Evening Prayers; 140 Divine Mercy Chaplets; 25 Stations of the Cross; walked through 110 Holy Doors of Mercy; received the Eucharist 1,650 times, and attended 192 Holy Hours.

In her remarks, Bell recounted how the walk in the park motivated her to want to provide outreach to persons with developmental disabilities.

It’s a “privilege,” she said to now be able to “with many friends at the Visitation Day Program.”

“Each is treated with dignity, love and respect. We honor their God-given gifts, talents and abilities, and work with them to further develop skills, friendships and confidence,” said Bell. “We serve them with love.”

In addition to the sharing of stories from staff and volunteers on how the Visitation Home ministry has touched the lives of many people ever since it was founded, the evening included entertainment by the residents who sang a song for the audience, dinner and dancing.

“Each individual has so much to offer,” said Adriana Fezza, a member of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish and Visitation Home volunteer for almost five years.

Noting that she assists the residents with making crafts, singing and music, Fezza remarked on how her volunteering has helped her to “appreciate life itself.”

“They have big hearts and they’re beautiful,” she said.

Alex Buzgo, a member of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, and participant in the day program, attended the gala with his parents, Alexander and Gina Buzgo. As Alex and his mother reflected on the family-like environment that Visitation Home staff provides, Alex made special mention of how much he appreciated the comfort he received from his peers the afternoon of April 19 upon learning of the sudden death of Robbinsville superintendent Dr. Steve Mayer.

“It was sad to hear,” Alex said,

“But I went to Visitation Home and I was able to talk about Dr. Mayer,” he said, and even under the circumstances, his friends always manage “to get me in a good mood. They make me smile.”