All are welcome

March 1, 2023

The Diocese of Des Moines is assisting parishes to invite and welcome people with special needs into their faith communities through the diocesan Disability Ministry.

“At the heart of this ministry is the gospel truth of the dignity of every human being made in the image and likeness of God,” said Bishop William Joensen.

One example and model for inviting is a sensory Mass. Last May, one was held at St. Ambrose Cathedral, and last October one was held at Sacred Heart Church in Chariton.

At the Mass, which was open to all people including those with special needs, tools were provided such as picture missals, silicone rosaries that could be used for dual purposes of prayer and fidgeting, and noise-cancelling headphones. 
All parishes are invited to adapt a sensory friendly Mass  on one of the normal weekend Masses on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Another example of the diocesan effort to help families feel welcome is the upcoming presentation by Kelly Mantoan, a Catholic author, wife and mother of five children, two with profound disabilities. Mantoan will be at Sacred Heart Parish in West Des Moines on March 9. A free dinner will be at 5 p.m. and presentation at 6 p.m. with free childcare during the presentation. 
Register by March 7 for the meal and childcare by emailing ssimmer@dmdio cese.org or calling 515-237-5058.

Mantoan penned Better Than Ok – Finding Joy as a Special Needs Parent. She’ll talk about finding support and joy with special needs children. 

The Annual Diocesan Appeal supports this effort through the work of Patty Origer, coordinator for Persons with Disability Ministry. She helps parishes bring a perspective of disability to their faith communities and collaborate to find better ways of welcoming and belonging. One in four adults in the United States has some type of disability, she said.

Persons with disabilities “want to belong. They want to become part of the faith. They want to share their gifts,” Origer said. “It’s essential that they are able to fully and actively participate in our faith communities. We are truly one body in Christ.”