MUNSTER – Building or remodeling a house often involves consideration of amenities and approaching improvements from a different angle. In ministerial terms, the Ability Inclusion Ministry, or AIM, is making moves to build a more welcoming home for disabled members of the faithful throughout the diocese.
AIM was publicly launched in March 2023 at a Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels with a focus on engaging individuals with special needs with the worship and fellowship of the Church. “Advocating disability inclusion in the Catholic community” is the tweaked principles tagline for the group.
Ministry members, under the coordination of Emily Hackett, who is also director of religious education at St. Thomas More in Munster, have rolled out new ideas and have kept watch to use the most respectful descriptive terms for people who have intellectual or physical disabilities.
“We have narrowed our focus to getting individuals with disabilities included in the various ministries at Mass, such as server, usher or greeter,” said Hackett. “I think our main goal is just to help more individuals with disabilities be included in their parishes through involvement in a ministry.”
The approach was manifest in the June 23 Mass of Inclusion hosted at St. Thomas More in Munster. Among the faithful who filed in for noon Mass were families with children, teens and young adults with special needs. Those gathered saw altar servers such as Zach Campbell and Chris Neff joyfully carry the processional cross and candle along with those servers scheduled from the parish.
“It was pretty good, nothing made me nervous,” said Neff of his service. “I just get into my robes on time.”
Usher John Kennedy trailed Tim Veden as he pointed out to the young disabled man the route to carry the collection basket to parishioners who pitched in their contribution envelopes. Veden described his experience with the Sunday collection in few words, but with a beaming smile.
Katherine Tolnai, St. Thomas More junior high theology teacher and dean of student culture, assisted the servers up and down the marble sanctuary steps. Zach spoke in appreciation of her support noting, “I’ve got bad knees.”
Neff noticed Tolnai at the reception that followed Mass and said, “She helped me out.”
But he wasn’t done describing his very active Sunday: “What we did here, we’re going to do at the other place,” Neff noted about his commitment to also serve at the evening Mass at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville.
Sharon Staley, a friend of the special servers who provided them with transportation, asked, “How was my driving,” to which they each answered, “Okay.”
Staley also worked with St. Thomas More volunteers including those who helped ensure the altar servers had robes that were hemmed a little higher to prevent tripping.
Referencing the day’s second reading, a Pauline Epistle, Father Mike Yadron, pastor of St. Thomas More, sermonized about how the former persecutor of Christians saw himself as a new creation. “The love St. Paul had for Jesus was so strong, that he would spread the faith to as many people as possible, knowing that they were going to arrest him.
“That’s something we need to learn in our own lives,” continued Father Yadron. “So many times we judge people by worldly standards – we say, ‘some people count and some don’t.’ … We forget that all of us who were baptized were baptized into the family of God.”
Parent Ofelia Garcia said the intentional outreach is something that she and her husband Federico Garcia and 30-year-old daughter Nataly Garcia, an individual with special needs, can appreciate.
“It means a lot to us because we are making a difference; we are showing that everyone is valuable,” Ofelia said, adding that her daughter is a happy person, known to accept people and situations at face value. An advocate for inclusion, AIM team member Jason Smola was heartened to see the participation of the members with disabilities at a parish church before a large congregation. He said the goal is one where he wants special individuals to be noticed, but then again, not necessarily stand out as the exception.
“Honestly, the goal is that 5, 10 or 15 years down the road, we don’t need a Mass of Inclusion, because (everyone) is included. But you’ve got to start somewhere,” Smola explained.
Parishioners Ronald and Kandice Mack attended the Mass where their children took an active role in the celebration. They stayed after for snacks and refreshments offered in the parish school’s cafeteria by Knights of Columbus Msgr. Weis Council 10596 members.
During the Offertory, twins Oliver and Owen Mack, 9, and their sister Olivia Mack, 13, carried the gifts behind the special-needs servers. Later, over cosmic brownies, the siblings spoke about their unique bond.
“I honestly think they’re the best brothers that I could have,” said Olivia, who recently graduated from St. Thomas More School. “It’s a strong connection that I feel is communicated by things we do at church, but at home as well.”
Not identical, though similar in appearance, the Mack boys interact in fun-loving ways – singing and sometimes horsing around. In the future, Owen hopes to offer a guiding hand to his brother Oliver, who is autistic, while he endeavors to serve at the altar during Mass.
As for their parents, they had nothing but praise for the family’s beneficial relationship with the parish school, Boy Scouts Pack 542 and the new AIM ministry, all of which engage and support Oliver.
“The kids have been fabulous about including Oliver,” said Kandice, as Oliver sang a Beatles tune. “I think it’s great for them to learn how to accept everybody and to learn how to deal with things that present themselves.”
Additional dates, including at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso on Oct. 20, are planned for the liturgies where the disabled are encouraged to participate in service and hospitality.
For more information about AIM, email AIM4inclusion@gmail.com.
Caption: Altar servers Zach Campbell (front, left) and Chris Neff carry the processional cross and candles during the Mass of Inclusion at St. Thomas More in Munster on June 23. AIM was publicly launched in March 2023 with a focus on engaging those with special needs with the worship and fellowship of the Church. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)