Despite the cold, snowy weather, the Adult Adaptive Faith Formation Group from St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville gathered for its second annual Sensory Friendly Mass on Nov. 10. Father Greg Olszewski, parochial vicar, celebrated the liturgy, with Deacon Paul Kutolowski and Joe Rohan, seminarian pastoral intern, assisting.
The group, whose members are adults with disabilities, meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of each month. Linda Zvoncheck, director of faith formation for the past 12 years, said the group has existed for more than 30 years. Volunteer facilitators/catechists work with the adults to meet their faith formation needs.
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Zvoncheck said group members have a variety of disabilities but enjoy the opportunity to gather together. The Sensory Friendly Mass featured dimmed lights, soft music, a short homily and a welcoming setting for people with developmental disabilities. All were invited to attend.
A sensory box was available in the church’s gathering area containing items that those with sensory issues might find comforting to have during Mass.
In his homily, Deacon Kutolowski told the congregation that in the Gospel, the apostles wanted Jesus to help them deepen their faith. “But it’s not like going to McDonald’s. You don’t just order more faith,” the deacon explained. He said a deeper faith life involves giving your life to Jesus and accepting him.
He described a deeper faith life as living a good life and having a “special camera” that allows us to see people as Jesus sees them, as members of a family. “Sometimes, life is hard and we need help. Faith in Jesus is that help … No matter how hard life gets, we are never alone. Jesus is always with us to guide us through this life,” Deacon Kutolowski said.
Zvoncheck said the group has learned about newly canonized St. Carlo Acutis in recent months. They looked at displays and reports produced by students at SS. Joseph and John School.
Some group members come from as far away as Lakewood, Zvoncheck said.
St. Joseph also offers an adaptive faith formation program for children as part of the Parish School of Religion program. She said one second grader in the program will receive first Communion this year and an eighth grader in the program will be confirmed.
She credited the Strongsville Knights of Columbus, St. Francis of Assisi Council No. 10792 for their assistance. The Knights presented her with a $2,719.20 check to be used for the program’s meeds. The funds were raised during the Knights’ annual “Measure Up” Campaign conducted by at both St. Joseph and St. John Neumann parishes in Strongsville. They are used for a variety of things including the faith formation program, music and the Sensory Friendly Mass.
A reception followed the liturgy.