Masses recognize gifts of persons with disabilities

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Oct. 25, 2007

Five special Masses were recently held in various locations of the Diocese of Sioux City to raise awareness about the gifts and talents of persons with disabilities.

Sponsored by the Coalition for Ministry with Persons having Disabilities, the Masses were held at Holy Spirit Church in Carroll on Oct. 13, Immaculate Conception Church in Moville on Oct. 13, Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge on Oct. 14, Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City on Oct. 14 and St. Mary Church in Remsen on Oct. 18.

During the Masses, persons with disabilities were encouraged to participate in a variety of ways - as greeters, gift bearers and lectors.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless presided at the Mass held at Cathedral. The bishop based his homily off of the Scripture readings to tie in the theme of "in all circumstances, give thanks."

"Everything we have and are comes from God," he said.

The Gospel centered on the healing of lepers after they asked Jesus to help them, but just one came back to thank him.

As a boy, the bishop said his parents taught him to say please and thank you, which are important lessons for all to remember today.

He acknowledged that people do not always have control over what happens to them, but they do have control over how they react to what happens to them.

"Sometimes our illness, our pain, our disabilities cannot only strengthen our faith but also bring us closer to God," said Bishop Nickless.

He pointed out that some at Mass deal with physical or mental disabilities on a daily basis and thanked them for their personal witness of faith. Because of sin and failings, the bishop added that all people were disabled before God.

"But in a sense we can still give thanks to God, because no matter what he cares for us. He died for us. He loves us," said the bishop. "And we can say those special words - thank you Lord and we can continue to say please be with us. We can be assured that God is with us and will never leave us alone."

Connie Barrett, a member of the coalition, signed during the Mass at Cathedral as well as at the Mass in Moville.

"We need to keep sending the message that people are people and it doesn't matter whether they walk with perfection. We all just want to be part of the parish," said Barrett, who became involved in the coalition because of her personal experience in having two deaf sons.

Through these Masses, she said it helps raise awareness that persons with disabilities can play active roles in the liturgy.

Vera Ludwig, diocesan coordinator of family programs and liaison to the coalition pointed out that for the first time since these Disability Masses began in the year 2000, a Catholic school helped to organize one of the liturgies.

Father Bill McCarthy celebrated the Mass at St. Mary's with Father Jim Tigges of Le Mars and Father Dennis Meinen concelebrating. As the liturgy began, the procession included persons from all walks of life - pregnant mothers, infants, elderly and developmentally disabled.

During the homily, Father Meinen mentioned that they celebrated the liturgy on the Feast day of St. Luke - who is described as a beloved physician.

"St. Luke is the author of two books in the Bible - the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles," explained the priest. "Although Luke didn't know Jesus while he was here on earth, he wanted to write about him and he wrote many things for our new converts. Luke talked to many people who knew Jesus."

The saint spoke with Mary among others and included stories about the annunciation, birth of Jesus and more.

"Luke's Gospel also speaks about mercy - mercy to people who have sinned," said Father Meinen. "Sometimes we become afraid of God because of our sins and our mistakes. We can ask St. Luke to show us how we can truly receive the mercy of God."

The priest said that Luke had a special place in his heart for all people who were excluded - public sinners, lepers, the deformed and disabled.

"Have you ever felt excluded? Have you ever felt that people were kicking you out of places?" asked Father Meinen. "Have you ever felt like you needed a ramp to help you climb steps or a scooter to help you go places?"

He assured people that there are always others to help them get to the places they need to go.

"Luke wants us to know that Jesus came to bring salvation to all peoples," said Father Meinen, who asked the faithful to think about if they ever excluded anyone.

Students from St. Mary's joined the Sign Choir from New Hope Village in Carroll to lead the songs during the Mass.

Following Communion, students gave roses to several residents of the Happy Siesta Retirement Home from Remsen, other senior members of the congregation and persons with disabilities from Remsen, Le Mars and Sioux City who were on hand for the celebration.

Mary Arens, spiritual life director at St. Mary's Schools, is a member of the coalition and she suggested that St. Mary's host one of the Masses for persons with disabilities. She planned the liturgy along with members of the school's Christian Leadership Team - prayer and liturgy team.

"We are so big on respect life, it's just our passion," she said. "All of our students are 100 percent pro-life and we felt it would be wonderful to invite persons with disabilities to participate in the Mass. We have always stressed that respect life includes the elderly, disabled, the sick - but our students have not really been exposed to the developmentally disabled."

Arens was pleased with the student participation and the joy they showed as they were side by side with persons with disabilities.

"I believe we were all one today," she said.

The Sign Choir from Carroll also participated in the Mass held at Holy Spirit. Father Jim McCormick celebrated the Mass in Carroll. In Moville, Father Dennis Meinen celebrated the Mass with Father Mark Stoll as concelebrant and in Fort Dodge Father Lynn Bruch celebrated the liturgy and Father Tim Fitzgerald concelebrated and offered comments about the coalition.

Ultimately, the coalition would like the giftedness of all people to be celebrated at every liturgy.