The Knights of Columbus Council 16376 at St. Bernadette Parish in Westlake hosted a Mass for those with special needs on Aug. 28.
Those with mobility challenges, developmental disabilities, hearing and vision limitations and other special needs attended and participated in the liturgy. Celebrant was Father Philip Racco, St. Bernadette pastor.
(See photo gallery above.)
Terry Hogan, who coordinates the Beatitudes program at St. Augustine Parish in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, said the Knights reached out to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland for help in spreading the word about the Mass. Beatitudes is a religious education and sacramental preparation program for people with special needs. Families and caregivers are included in the program. St. Augustine Parish has a robust ministry for those with special needs, including the deaf and those with hearing challenges.
Megan Bonilla, who works with the Deaf Choir at St. Augustine, signed at the Aug 28 liturgy.
“I have a brother who is profoundly deaf,” Bonilla said, which prompted her involvement in the choir and as a signer.
Father Racco told the congregation he enjoys the song “Your Love has Lifted me Higher,” something that applied to this special liturgy.
“God realizes that each of us needs to be loved in a special way and we love others in a special way,” Father Racco said. “Each of us has our own history and our own special needs.”
He said God is there in Jesus. We never would have known God unless he came to us as Jesus. Humanity has a special need to be close to God, Father Racco said.
“We don’t have to be the most important. We just have to know that God loves all of us and invites all of us to love,” he added.
Some of the special needs community participated in the Mass as an altar server and gift bearer at the offertory.
After Mass, the Knights invited all to a reception in the church’s gathering area.
The Council, organized in December 2015, is involved in charitable activities in the parish and community. The St. Bernadette Council is part of the world’s largest charitable organization with more than 2 million members in 16,000-plus councils worldwide.
Locally, the Knights are involved in seminarian scholarship support, spiritual reflection, holy hours, rosaries, school support, outreach to the needy, the March for Life, supporting the purchase of ultrasound machines for pregnancy centers, Christian refugee relief, Novena for Life and the Mass for people with special needs. They hope to make the liturgy an annual event.
For more information on the Knights Council 16376, click here. General information on the Knights of Columbus is available here.