‘Inclusion Awareness Day’ celebrated at Ascension Church

Bangalore, November 24, 2019: “God has special place in heart for disabled people; the Church cannot be blind, deaf to people with special needs” -Pope Francis

The Commission for Differently Abled in association with the Clergy and Parishioners of Ascension Church celebrated a special mass at 9:00 AM to create awareness about the differently abled and promote an inclusive church. This is the first time an “Inclusion Awareness Day” was commemorated at any parish in the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

The holy Mass in English was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. John Rose, the Parish priest, Rev. Fr. Vincent Kiran, the Assistant Parish priest, Rev. Fr. George Kannanthanam Secretary - Archdiocesan Commission for the Differently Abled and Fr. Oscar Nazareth, a Dominican Priest from Archdiocese of Mumbai. Fr. John Rose in his introduction, quoted from the gospel of St. Mathew 18: 10 – “See that you do not despise any of these little ones, for I tell you: their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father”.

The hymns were sung by the choir of visually challenged children, trained by the Jyothi Seva Society sisters. The first reading was read in Braille by Rani Sadhu. The keyboard was played by John Paul, a visually challenged youngster. After the mass there was a get-together where the priests, the differently abled children, their parents and the care-takers, LFLC committee members of the Parish and the members of the Archdiocesan commission for Differently Abled freely interacted over refreshments.

Rev. Fr. George in his homily reminded the congregation the need to open our hearts, minds and doors to parishioners of all abilities, not only on such occasions, but every day of the year. “Together we can ensure that parishioners with differing abilities and their families can share their gifts, enjoy their full Baptismal rights and build up the Kingdom as co-workers in our parishes.”, he said. The next ‘Inclusion Awareness day’ will be held at St. Vincent Pallotti Church, Banasawadi with a Mass in English at 8:00 am on Sunday, November 24, 2019. There is also regular sign language mass every second Sunday of each month at St. Patrick Church, Bangalore at 3:00 PM.

Those interested to know more about the activities of the Commission for Differently Abled, Archdiocese of Bangalore may reach out to Ms. Estelle D’Souza, Commission Member. Email- estelle.souza@gmail.com, Mob:+916364678629