Bishop celebrates sensory-friendly Mass for those with special needs
December 20, 2024 at 2:03 p.m.
UPDATED Dec. 20, 2024
Persons with autism and other sensory needs and their families were invited to attend a sensory-friendly Mass Dec. 15 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sensory-Friendly Mass with Bishop O'Connell
Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass, which was planned by the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, the Department of Catechesis and the Holy Innocents Society – a ministry that supports the spirituality of Catholics with special needs in the Diocese.
“A sensory friendly Mass uses less stimuli; for example, there is lower lighting and a sense of quiet,” explained Linda Dix, Holy Innocents Society chair. “The Mass is shorter in length and the homily is also brief. Usually there is no music, but if music is played it is soft and mellow. There is also an acceptance of varied behaviors.”
After speaking with several attendees about the Mass, Denise Contino, Department of Catechesis director, shared that families “were happy to have a place where they are seen, and they had a sense of belonging to the Church,” said “They were overjoyed to have the Bishop celebrate Mass and be with other families.”
A Christmas party was hosted in the Dentici Hall following Mass, complete with games, crafts and refreshments donated by Knights of Columbus Council 1672, catechists of the Northern Monmouth HIS Chapter, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, and No Limits Café – a nonprofit business that hires and trains people with disabilities in Middletown. Santa Claus also came with gifts for guests – both provided by the generosity of the Knights of Columbus Lombardi Council, Middletown.
Contino noted that attendees included people with disabilities from age 2 to in the 90s. About 200 people attended; several persons with disabilities helped to present the gifts of bread and wine to Bishop O’Connell during Mass.
As he made his way down the aisle during the recessional, Bishop O’Connell greeted participants and stopped to have photos taken with them. The Bishop and one Mass attendee enjoyed spending time together viewing the Nativity scene that’s set up in the Co-Cathedral’s gathering space.
“It was truly a humbling experience to be among this group,” Contino said.
Dix expressed gratitude for the Bishop’s presence, as well as that of concelebrating priests Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, episcopal vicar of Monmouth County and longtime spiritual advisor to HIS; and Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Co-Cathedral rector.
“The Holy Innocents Society is most grateful to Bishop O’Connell,” added Dix. “We are continually blessed by his spiritual leadership and support throughout the years. His witness of faith inspires all of us to continue to reach out in collaboration with parishes throughout the Diocese.”
More information about outreach to persons with special needs that's offered by the Diocese may be found at: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/holy-innocents-society.
Bishop O'Connell and a young Mass participant check out the Nativity scene displayed in the narthex of the Co-Cathedral. Courtesy photo
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UPDATED Dec. 20, 2024
Persons with autism and other sensory needs and their families were invited to attend a sensory-friendly Mass Dec. 15 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sensory-Friendly Mass with Bishop O'Connell
Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., was principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass, which was planned by the diocesan Office of Catholic Social Services, the Department of Catechesis and the Holy Innocents Society – a ministry that supports the spirituality of Catholics with special needs in the Diocese.
“A sensory friendly Mass uses less stimuli; for example, there is lower lighting and a sense of quiet,” explained Linda Dix, Holy Innocents Society chair. “The Mass is shorter in length and the homily is also brief. Usually there is no music, but if music is played it is soft and mellow. There is also an acceptance of varied behaviors.”
After speaking with several attendees about the Mass, Denise Contino, Department of Catechesis director, shared that families “were happy to have a place where they are seen, and they had a sense of belonging to the Church,” said “They were overjoyed to have the Bishop celebrate Mass and be with other families.”
A Christmas party was hosted in the Dentici Hall following Mass, complete with games, crafts and refreshments donated by Knights of Columbus Council 1672, catechists of the Northern Monmouth HIS Chapter, St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, and No Limits Café – a nonprofit business that hires and trains people with disabilities in Middletown. Santa Claus also came with gifts for guests – both provided by the generosity of the Knights of Columbus Lombardi Council, Middletown.
Contino noted that attendees included people with disabilities from age 2 to in the 90s. About 200 people attended; several persons with disabilities helped to present the gifts of bread and wine to Bishop O’Connell during Mass.
As he made his way down the aisle during the recessional, Bishop O’Connell greeted participants and stopped to have photos taken with them. The Bishop and one Mass attendee enjoyed spending time together viewing the Nativity scene that’s set up in the Co-Cathedral’s gathering space.
“It was truly a humbling experience to be among this group,” Contino said.
Dix expressed gratitude for the Bishop’s presence, as well as that of concelebrating priests Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, episcopal vicar of Monmouth County and longtime spiritual advisor to HIS; and Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Co-Cathedral rector.
“The Holy Innocents Society is most grateful to Bishop O’Connell,” added Dix. “We are continually blessed by his spiritual leadership and support throughout the years. His witness of faith inspires all of us to continue to reach out in collaboration with parishes throughout the Diocese.”
More information about outreach to persons with special needs that's offered by the Diocese may be found at: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/holy-innocents-society.
Bishop O'Connell and a young Mass participant check out the Nativity scene displayed in the narthex of the Co-Cathedral. Courtesy photo