St. Bonaventure welcomes sensory-sensitive people to Oct. 19 Mass; Our Lady of Sorrows Parish to host Oct. 24 adoration
DETROIT — Whether it’s the use of incense and bells or the music of the organ and the choir, Mass can have an abundance of sights, smells and sounds.
But for sensory-sensitive people, it can all be a little overwhelming.
In the coming days, a pair of local ministries will host sensory-friendly worship opportunities designed to help those with different needs experience Christ in a more welcoming environment.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, the Capuchin friars at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit will host a sensory-friendly Mass at the Solanus Casey Center. The noon Mass is especially geared toward people on the autism spectrum who have sensory sensitivity, said Fr. Fred Cabras, OFM Cap.
“A sensory-friendly Mass is basically a Mass that has been created to decrease some of the sensory items that happen during a traditional Mass that could be challenging for folks who are on the autism spectrum or who have challenges with various different sensory sensitivities,” Fr. Cabras told Detroit Catholic.
The lights in the chapel will be dimmed for Mass, the organ will not be played, and Fr. Cabras will not use incense when celebrating Mass. The simpler Mass settings are meant to limit the distractions a person might experience that draw them away from the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Mass will also feature low-gluten hosts and have an American Sign Language interpreter.
“We will have items available on site, like headphones for people who are being overwhelmed by the multitude of senses they are experiencing when they are hearing music and people talking,” Fr. Cabras said. “We’ll also have those fidget spinners or fidget toys; sometimes just having a tactile thing to be able to use if they are getting overstimulated helps them calm down.”
Fr. Cabras is a member of the board for the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, an organization that partners with dioceses, parishes and schools in creating more welcoming worship environments for people with various disabilities.
“The Church has not always been as welcoming, as adaptive to people with disabilities, but it’s getting better,” Fr. Cabras said. “Priests are getting better at finding creative ways to support families with disabilities; oftentimes, it’s very challenging for folks with children with disabilities to go to Mass.”
Fr. Cabras said St. Bonaventure is considering hosting sensory-friendly Masses monthly or bimonthly, depending on the turnout this weekend.
Beyond sensory-friendly Masses, Fr. Cabras said he's seen parishes begin to be more accommodating to parishioners and guests with disabilities, such as creating wheelchair-accessible spaces throughout the pews and other accommodations.
“Back in my day, when I was younger, our parishes would have a handicapped section for anyone with a wheelchair, and that’s where they went,” Fr. Cabras said. “But without any ill will, it created this section where everyone with a disability was sectioned off from the rest of the church.
“It gives people a little bit more space and autonomy to be able to choose where they want to sit versus just kind of having to be in one section,” Fr. Cabras said. “It just gives that autonomy, that ability to be creative in your worship and feel welcomed as well.”
Family-friendly adoration at Our Lady of Sorrows
On Friday, Oct. 24, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington will host a sensory-friendly adoration and family night.
From 6 to 6:30 p.m., the parish will host Eucharistic adoration accompanied by dimmer lighting, softer music and no incense, with the intention of welcoming families who might feel out of place during livelier praise and worship opportunities.
“This was an idea we had to do something for our families who have children who are younger and maybe not used to sitting still in silence,” said Bridgid Halloway, director of Christian services at Our Lady of Sorrows. “When my children were younger, I was never really comfortable taking them to adoration, because I was worried about them being silent the entire time. This is an adoration where we want everyone to feel comfortable.”
The parish will host a pizza and game night in the social hall following adoration, making it a full night of prayer and fellowship for families.
“We really want to stress that everyone is welcome,” Halloway said. “It doesn’t even have to be a couple with kids; it could be singles, couples — anybody is welcome to come.”
Whether a sensory-friendly Mass or toned-down opportunities for adoration, Halloway said it's all about creating space for those with different needs and circumstances.
“Creating a welcoming environment starts with each of us being kind and understanding, knowing that kids aren’t always going to sit still, they aren’t always going to be quiet,” Halloway said. “There is a lot going on at Mass. But having an environment where we make people more comfortable going to Mass and adoration makes us a better community of faith.”
