OCEAN CITY – Faithful from across the Diocese filled the pews inside Saint Frances Cabrini Church, Saint Damien Parish, on April 26 in celebration of faith and inclusivity.
The Mass of Welcome and Inclusion is celebrated every April, which is Autism Acceptance Month. Planned with accessibility in mind, the liturgy incorporates softer lighting, omits incense, features a briefer homily and includes gentle music. Attendees are invited to engage in ways that suit their needs, including using items such as headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys or stepping out as needed.
“Attending our annual Masses of Inclusion each year is an honor and blessing for me, as they serve to bear witness to building bridges, instead of barriers, amongst all our parish communities and ensuring that all are able to partake and utilize their God-given gifts in full participation of the sacred Mass,” said Nicole Keefer, executive director of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden, which co-sponsored the Mass and following reception.
The Mass was the second celebrated in the Diocese in the month of April. The first was April 19 at Holy Saviour Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Collingswood. At the reception held after this Mass, VITALity also recognized two of the four American Sign Language interpreters contracted to provide weekly sign language interpretation at this parish.
In Ocean City, about 20 visiting families joined parishioners for the Mass, which was celebrated by Father Thomas Newton, pastor of Saint Damien Parish, and concelebrated by Father Hugh Bradley, director of VITALity’s Ministry With the Deaf and Persons With Disabilities.
In his homily, Father Newton told the story of a child with a slower walking pace disrupting the procession line to receive the Sacrament of Communion. He said it initially caused frustration and impatience among the faithful. But over time, the community adapted to the child’s pace.
He explained that it mirrored the Good Shepherd’s unwavering presence and attentiveness to those who need extra care, as evidenced in the day’s Gospel reading.
“In a special way, we recognize that many families who are here today already know something very, very deep about what it means to move at a different pace. You know what it means to be patient in ways that other people may not even see or experience,” Father Newton said.
“Sometimes the world doesn’t get it. Sometimes the world moves too fast. Sometimes the world forgets how to wait,” he continued. “But here’s the truth of the Gospel in the eyes of the Good Shepherd: The slower, patient, attentive way of loving is strength. It is something very, very sacred to God.”
Parishioner Marya Parral said she related deeply with the homily’s message. She has two sons with autism – Joey and Ian. At the Mass, Ian and Parral led the Prayer of the Faithful.
Parral said the day’s inclusivity was especially meaningful to her family, noting that attending a Sunday Mass can be challenging due to Ian’s significant auditory sensitivities, where sudden noises can become overwhelming and trigger distress. She added that Joey is generally more easygoing, though he can be loud at times.
“[Father Newton] seemed to recognize that in the Gospel teachings, it was families like ours who were part of those teachings, too. You don’t hear that message very often,” Parral said. “He seemed to refer to people like my sons as teachers in this world. I definitely feel like I have been taught by my sons about being a more loving or patient person.”
For Catherine Gonzalez and her family, parishioners of Saint Katharine Drexel in Egg Harbor Township, the annual liturgy also carries deep meaning, especially after years in which attending Sunday Masses proved challenging and often caused anxiety for her family.
Those feelings went away when she met Chris Devaney more than 20 years ago. Devaney, a parishioner at Saint Damien Parish, previously worked for the State of New Jersey to assist those with developmental challenges. After retiring, he pivoted to help Catholics of all ages with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs to receive their sacraments.
Devaney worked with Gonzalez’s sons, Gabriel and Jory, to prepare for the sacraments with a tailored, supportive approach. Both in their 20s, Gabriel and Jory received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion last May.
Gonzalez said the experience helped remove much of the anxiety her family once associated with Mass attendance. She added that those involved “understood what severe autism and disabilities look like” and created a welcoming environment.
She noted that the program included hands-on preparation, in-home support and gradual exposure to the Mass through practice services designed to help her sons become comfortable with the routine.
Eventually, Gonzalez said, her sons began to recognize and engage with the Church in their own ways. Her sons started showing excitement about attending services and helped bring the family back into regular participation.
“We’re not perfect, but we know we’re on the right path,” she said.
Gonzalez added that the experience restored a sense of connection and peace after years of isolation following her sons’ diagnoses. She credits faith and community support as central to her family’s journey.
