Sensory Friendly Mass

The Second Sunday of Advent brought about a great sense of welcome at St. Justin Martyr when a small group gathered to celebrate the Eucharist at noon, just after the 10:30 Sunday Mass crowd left.  This Eucharist was centered on making neurodiverse individuals feel welcome.  Many people who experience sensory processing challenges often feel they cannot participate in an average Sunday liturgy because the sounds and sights might be too much to process.  For those with sensory needs, the lights must be dimmed, and the sound must be turned down.  Creating a welcoming environment makes families feel like they can share their faith without judgment.
After learning this, I wanted to begin a new ministry at St. Justin Martyr with our Worship Commission.  Those who experience sensory needs are most welcome to attend any liturgy on Sunday, but they may feel more inclined to come if they have a space to begin.  This is where the idea of having a Sensory Friendly Mass came from.  I hope it positively impacts the faith lives of children and adults alike.
From our first experience, we learned what to do and what not to do. One of the younger attendees was attending church for the first time! Seeing him dressed so formally and ready to come to the Lord was cool.
I am very proud of those who assisted with preparing this mass, and I was happy that those in Confirmation Preparation could join us. The next Sensory Friendly Mass will be at noon on Sunday, January 12th. We hope that more can attend!