Bethesda Community founder calls on more parishes to have sensory-friendly Masses

By Lara Pickford-Gordon

snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org

Twenty Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and their families attended the Holy Innocents Mass at Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Curepe, on January 11.

It was the first sensory-friendly Mass hosted by the parish and came about after discussions which began last year.

Saira La Foucade, founder of Bethesda, is very happy with this development and hopes that all parishes could have sensory-friendly Masses and activities.

La Foucade said the homily given by parish priest, Fr Brent Alexis O Carm, resonated, “It was really nice. The reading included the aspect of God having no favourites and Father did his homily on that, the aspect of God having no favourites and the idea of inclusion. And having the faith that every baptised member of our Church is important and welcomed and there is a space.” The children’s Christmas gifts were blessed at the Mass.

Three other parishes have incorporated sensory-friendly Masses: Holy Trinity, Arouca (second Sunday of the month); St Paul’s, Couva (third Sunday) and St Francis of Assisi, Belmont (fourth Sunday). “It should not just be a couple places with the opportunity, but more parishes should have it,” La Foucade said.

Bethesda has promoted inclusivity for PWDs to access the sacraments of the Church. It has conducted training for volunteers and catechists which has enabled PWDs to receive First Communion and be confirmed.

She stated that Bethesda’s recommendation during the Synod was for all parishes to have sensory-friendly Masses, “to allow for easier access to Mass to catechetical programmes and just the opportunity for inclusion as well. When PWDs are seen, their needs will be greater understood and in so doing they will be accepted.”

She added that until PWDs are physically present, it is “out of sight and out of mind”.

She said transport is a big issue for families of PWDs who must go to other parishes for Masses. The sensory-friendly Mass at Our Lady of Fatima catered for PWDs with the shorter format of liturgy. No microphones were used by the music ministry and limited movements, “no stand up, sit down, kneel down”.  Attendees were advised to refrain from using perfume.

La Foucade said catechists in the parish and volunteers will receive training.  “The intention is to be able to introduce Bethesda to the parish and for them to start doing activities for PWDs within their regular schedule be it a regular Mass and or within their catechetical programme,” she explained. Sensory-friendly Masses will be scheduled on the first Sunday of the month.

La Foucade said: “They are going to coordinate it. It’s not going to be a Bethesda Mass. It is going to be part of their parish roster. And they’re going to call it a sensory-friendly Mass for persons with disabilities and elderly persons have the option to join in, and I can also see families with young children who might prefer having this shorter Mass, separate space, might work out well for them.”

The first sensory-friendly Mass was held at the Archbishop’s chapel June 2015.  Increasing numbers led to the Masses being shifted to Holy Trinity, Arouca, the first parish to host a sensory-friendly Mass in October that year.