GARY – At the annual Mass for the Other Abled at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels, clergy and religious, advocates for those with disabilities, and people with special needs gathered in the spirit of openness to “surprises” and the blessings of “something new” that God may have in store.
On March 3, dozens of other-abled individuals joined their families and caretakers at the liturgy and reception that followed in the cathedral narthex.
Special needs youth and young adults took a leadership role from the first notes of the opening hymn, as a contingent served as candle and cross bearers in the opening procession and assisted near the sanctuary and altar.
They didn’t miss a beat; each server performed their duties, keeping pace and offering a unique flair. Brother and sister George and Caitlin Perosky kept their hands folded in formal fashion throughout the Mass. Seasoned server Andrew Birlson helped lead the group in military-like precision.
Another server, Chris Neff, remained watchful, occasionally scanning the sanctuary and nave of the church to ensure all were well. In his first service role at the cathedral, Zack Campbell smiled as he held the candle in procession.
Presider Bishop Robert J. McClory greeted the congregation and delivered a synopsis of the readings that would follow the opening prayers: “See I am doing something new.”
During his sermon, Bishop McClory spoke of some ways that he has been surprised in his life.
“Somebody threw me a surprise birthday party when I was 30; I was totally shocked when I pulled up,” the bishop recalled. “I should have realized because there were more cars at my friend’s house than there should have been.”
The bishop said when he entered the residence everyone jumped out and said, “Surprise!”
“It was a great joy … to experience in a new way, the love the people around me had for me,” he said.
The bishop quoted the day’s first reading from Isaiah 43: “See I am doing something new … now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?”
“Some people don’t perceive the gifts they have received … they can go about their lives with blinders on,” Bishop McClory said. “Our ministry and love for one another … can be an (opportunity) to see God doing something new.”
The bishop was particularly animated, showing surprise reactions matching the content of his preaching. Many Villagers, or residents of Sharing Meadows in Rolling Prairie, attentively followed his movements during his homily.
Among Franciscan and Dominican Sisters who were chaperoning special needs Villagers, were several women who are natives of Africa.
Benedictine Sister Norbertha Mlowe, who was born and raised and took her final vows in 2013 in Tanzania, received her college education and early ministerial assignments in the United States. Going into her third month of serving the other-abled at Sharing Meadows, she believes that the Lord has led her to her true calling.
“I am so grateful to God because I didn’t have a dream before that I would be able to travel from Tanzania to the U.S.,” Sister Mlowe explained. “I believe that this is the way for me to do my mission and my service for the people wherever I meet them … I am so grateful for the gift of life and the gift of my vocation.”
Father Dennis Blaney, senior priest, introduced some of the special guests when they gathered at tables set for lunch in the narthex. Blaney founded the SHARE Foundation for people with disabilities more than 20 years ago.
“I feel good,” Father Blaney said about spending time with the Villagers, “I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
Juan Martinez and Blanca Aquirre enjoyed lunch with their children Emanuel, 16, Juan, 15, Julian, 12 and Abraham, 6. The St. Mary, East Chicago, parishioners connected with others and Juan and Julian, who are special needs youth, brought smiles to their parents' faces as they excitedly pointed out details of the church’s features.
“They like to be here at the big church,” said Aquirre, attending her second Other Abled Mass.
Martinez said as a father he prays everyday. And his youngest and eldest children often act as answers to those prayers.
“They learn everything about their brothers’ (disabilities,) they pray for them, they help them wake up every morning and they teach them,” explained Martinez.
Taking the lead with special needs programming in the diocese about five years ago, Emily Hackett said she also initiated religious education classes for youth on the autism spectrum or with physical disabilities at St. Thomas More in Munster, where she is director of religious education.
“I want to help the special needs people to live their faith and be fully integrated into the Church,” said Hackett, with Erica Jimenez, director of Intercultural & Other Abled Ministries, organizing lunch meals for the guests nearby. “Catholic (means) universal and that means everyone should be included.”
Deacon Michael Halas, of St. James the Less in Highland, was master of ceremonies for the day’s Mass. “There’s nothing like being with the treasures of the Church,” he said.
“These people are like those St. Lawrence presented to the emperor, who asked for treasures and thought he would be receiving relics and other things,” Deacon Halas said. “Lawrence came back a couple days later and (brought with him) the sick, the lame, the dumb and the deaf.”
Halas explained that Lawrence was then, in short order, martyred.
Deacon Kenneth Klawitter said it has been a joy to assist at the annual Mass ever since he was invited by former Intercultural & Other Abled Ministries director Adeline Torres. For the St. Paul, Valparaiso, clergyman, the gathering brings to mind how he eventually learned as a youngster to not be afraid of two cousins who were severely disabled. "I don’t know how many people realize that these are people too,” he said.
“It is very important that I’m here,” Deacon Klawitter concluded.