Sensory-Friendly Mass
In an effort to embrace and welcome the members of our church with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has begun hosting Sensory-Friendly Liturgies. These Masses include lower lights, softer music, scripture from the Children’s Lectionary, and shorter more literal homilies; however, the biggest difference is that we try to create an environment free of stigma. We encourage families and individuals to get up and move if needed, to bring alternative seating, fidgets or noise cancelling headphones, and to participate in the liturgy just as they are.
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Missionary Thought- Amy O’Connell’s Blog
How to host a Sensory-Friendly Mass
In order to host a Sensory-Friendly Mass, there are two steps: Awareness & Accommodation.
AWARENESS
This first step is essential to help the average person in the pew understand the struggle of persons with disabilities. We have put together a number of RESOURCES that will assist you in creating awareness through:
- Bulletin Inserts & Announcements
- Sample Pulpit Announcements
- A brochure for parishioners (especially liturgical ministers)
- Videos of various lengths to raise awareness and start conversations
- References for a better understanding of persons with disabilities for Homilies
If the parishioners can understand the need for a Sensory-Friendly Mass and what that Mass will look like, they are more likely to support it. We recommend spending at least a month (every parish will be different) focusing on awareness and understanding before hosting a Sensory-Friendly Mass.
ACCOMMODATION
The second step is simple- prepare and host the liturgy. We realize that not every parish is going to be able to meet all of the criteria for an ideal Sensory-Friendly Mass. The most important aspect of the liturgy for persons with sensory issues is to be welcoming and inviting. Advertise for the Mass and extend an invitation to persons with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or even persons with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia in your area. A Sensory-Friendly Mass requires a few small adjustments, but they are not tedious or burdensome. Check out our RESOURCES section for more information on appropriate accommodations, homily helps to make your homily more literal, and a toolkit of adaptive materials for families.
Resources for Parishes
Homily Helps & Suggestions
Persons with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities understand content in a more literal way. For each week of our liturgical cycle, we have provided a few very basic suggestions for how to tailor your homily to make it more literal for many of the people who would choose to attend a Sensory-Friendly Mass and also for families with children. These suggestions are just a jumping off point and personal stories, visual aids, and interactive questions could be a great way to build an effective Homily that meets the needs of a neurodiverse community. At the top of each week, there is a link to a digital and printable Children’s Lectionary provided by Pflaum. Another great resource for developmentally appropriate reflections on the weekly readings can be found on the Loyola Press Website.
Toolkit for Families
This free printable resource, created by the Archdiocese of Newark, offers a concrete explanation of the liturgy with picture icons to indicate when to sit, stand, or kneel. This missal also includes all of the prayers and responses.
This free printable resource, created by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, offers simple language and concrete explanations of the liturgy with picture illustrations. It also discusses expectations for behavior during different parts of the Mass.
This free printable resource, created by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, offers simple language and picture illustrations. This is an incredibly convenient resource that includes the essential parts of the Mass on a single page.
These picture oriented flip books, created by Loyola Press, walk children through the parts of the Mass and provides interactive cues for actions and gestures. They are available for purchase and also offered in SPANISH.
The St. Joseph Picture Books Series is intended to help teach the basics of the Catholic Faith to children in an enjoyable manner. My Picture Missal is a simple introduction to the Mass for children. It is illustrated in full color and available for purchase.
For parishes preparing for Sensory-Friendly Liturgies, a Children’s Lectionary can offer a more literal interpretation of the Sunday readings.
Pflaum Publishing Group offers a downloadable copy of the First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, and Gospel for Children’s Liturgy of the Word in both English and Spanish. All you need is to log in with your email address and access is free. The books are also available for purchase.
Approved for use in the Dioceses of the United States of America by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, confirmed by the Apostolic See, and prepared by the Committee on the Liturgy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Lectionary for Masses with Children is a liturgical book containing readings for Masses with children on Sundays and weekdays.
Social Stories are an important way to prepare persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities for events or occurances. It is important to explain the purpose, what will take place, and articulate clear expectation. Below are some great Social Stories that are printable for reuse.
This Social Story, created by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, discusses the COVID Pandemic, the changes that people might see at church to keep us safe, and what Mass will be like when we return.
This Social Story, created by the Archdiocese of Newark, tells the story of going to Mass in simple language with accompanying photos.
This Social Story, created by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is a single page that discusses why we go to Mass, who goes to Mass, what we see at Mass, and expected behaviors.
This Social Story, created by Creative Learning 4 Kidz, is downloadable for purchase. It addresses things you might do at Mass and how to behave during Mass. This book also comes with a set of 12 Picture Icons. These are a great visual aid for children.
Manipulatives are tactile items that can be used as a tangible focus. Below is a list of some Catholic learning manipulatives that are interactive yet still focus on the faith.
A set of five plush manipulatives, each depicting an item from Catholic liturgy or devotion. Toys are illustrated on both sides. Set includes monstrance, host, chalice, Lectionary/Roman Missal, and rosary. Items match illustrations from Plush Mass Book, also for sale.
Children’s Mass Kit: Children will learn, celebrate, and remember how Jesus celebrated the first Mass at the Last Supper with this colorful pop-out Mass kit.
My Little Church Magnet Playset: My Little Church features fully illustrated magnets that can be arranged on the trifold magnet book. An engaging activity that forms little hearts and minds in the Catholic faith.
My Pop-Out Mass Activity Set: Unfold, assemble and learn by interacting with the pieces on the Mass table. Colorful pieces include the chalice, Eucharist Bread, incense jar, pillar candles to name a few.
My Mass Kit: 12-piece set includes plush replicas of items used by the celebrant: Crucifix, Chalice, Thurible, Finger Bowl, 2 Cruets, 2 Candles, Paten (cotton/ polyester blend), Corporal & Purificator (cotton cloth) and play Hosts (foam). This child version of the celebration of Mass comes complete with a colorful 24-page illustrated spiral booklet and carrying case with shoulder strap and name tag.
Silicon Rosaries: Cotton string and food-grade silicone are used to create a rosary that is strong and durable – the perfect combination for a rosary that your child will want to take with them everywhere they go.
The Mass Window Chart: The Mass Window Chart helps children grow in their Catholic faith as they move through easy-to-read charts, closing each window as they learn.
Forgiveness Board: This Forgiveness Board helps children learn to ask for forgiveness and to give forgiveness. This wipe-off board allows kids to actively work on forgiveness. Includes dry-erase pen.
Chews Life is a mama owned and run business that creates beautiful, practical rosaries and other devotional aids that foster a love for Our Lord and His Mother. It is our mission to equip all Catholics with rosaries for life because we believe that a community of faithful Catholics united in praying the Rosary will change the world!
Shining Light Dolls’ award-winning Catholic books, toys and more are the fun and easy way to grow a strong, lifelong relationship with Jesus and His Saints. There are plush items as well as smaller vinyl saint dolls that are nearly unbreakable.
Engage children in the Mass and inspire them to love the Holy Eucharist. Beautiful artwork and hands-on activities like wheels, flaps, and tracing invite children into the beauty of the Mass. Simple explanations and prayers of the Mass provide a deeper understanding for little ones.
SENSORY FRIENDLY MASSES:
St. Maximilian Kolbe-Liberty Twp. Sundays at 11:00 AM
St. Ignatius of Loyola- Cincinnati Sundays at 6:30 AM
St. Christopher-Vandalia 3rd Saturday each month at 5:00 PM
