Judie Kuhlman, Youth Minister at St. Leo the Great in Cincinnati, listened to her families and has opened a Sensory Friendly Room that is warm and inviting. The room is located at the back of the church and is used by families who have children and adults with sensory processing issues.
The Sensory Friendly Room offers a quiet space, visual schedule, fidgets, puzzles, and more. Every parish has children and adults who need space to participate fully in the Mass whether it is in main worship area or sensory friendly room. Sensory Friendly Rooms can be in your Main Worship area, a parish school, parish center, or undercroft with televised service and someone who can distribute the Eucharist. Creating a space for everyone to attend Mass is creating an atmosphere of Belonging. Jesus invited everyone to the table and as a parish community it is our responsibility to serve our friends who need their own space.
What happens when we don’t feel welcome at our parish? We stop trying to fit into the norm and leave the church. The pews are shrinking so let’s try a little harder to provide a space for everyone.
Questions: Email Lisa Averion [email protected]
