On the occasion of the National Awareness Day for Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on September 21, some experiences in Curitiba demonstrate how acceptance, respect for differences, and participation are part of the life of a faith community.
The inclusion of people with disabilities is also built through coexistence, acceptance, and the opportunity for each person to participate in community life, respecting their unique characteristics. In the Church, this experience manifests itself in various contexts: in the child who participates in catechism, in the altar server who serves at the altar, in the family who finds a welcoming environment in which to live their faith, and in the deaf person who participates in celebrations.
At the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Curitiba (PR), this welcoming spirit is present in various areas of pastoral life. People with autism participate in catechesis and the pastoral ministry of altar servers and acolytes; atypical families can count on a celebration and meetings for reflection and sharing; deaf people participate in celebrations and training initiatives in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras); and this presence is beginning to extend to the Pastoral Ministry of Reception, which is preparing to welcome an adolescent with autism among its members.
For Redemptorist missionary Father Joaquim Parron, this dimension of hospitality is part of the Sanctuary’s mission and is expressed through people’s participation in community life.
The Shrine of Perpetual Help strives to be a welcoming home, where each person can find their own space and live their faith in community. This approach is also present in the welcome we give to people with disabilities and their families, respecting each person’s unique characteristics and valuing the gifts they can offer. It is a journey we build together, through catechesis, pastoral activities, celebrations, and the various aspects of community life.
A welcoming space for families
On the last Sunday of every month, at 5:00 PM, the Sanctuary celebrates Mass with a special blessing for families with autistic children. The celebration aims to provide a welcoming environment for families to experience this moment of faith together, respecting the unique characteristics of each individual.
In addition to Mass, families participate in the Atypical Families Meeting, held on scheduled Saturday afternoons at the Santo Afonso Center. The meeting offers moments of reflection, sharing, and exchanging experiences, contributing to the building of a network of welcome and support among families.
From catechesis to community service
Autistic people are also involved in catechism. The work takes into account the unique characteristics of each child and seeks ways to enable them to follow the training, interact with the group, and live their own journey of faith.
This presence continues in the Pastoral Care of Altar Servers and Acolytes, where autistic children and adolescents participate in formation and altar service together with the other members.
This participation is also beginning to find a new place in the Pastoral Care of Reception. An autistic teenager will join the team responsible for welcoming and orienting the faithful who come to the Shrine.
The experience expands an important dimension of this journey: people with disabilities aren’t just among those welcomed. They can also welcome, participate in the community’s mission, and put their gifts at the service of others.
A welcome that also passes through communication
Another initiative is aimed at deaf people. On Saturdays at 3:00 PM, the Perpétuo Socorro Sanctuary will be hosting the celebration, encouraging deaf people to participate in this moment of faith.
The Sanctuary also promotes a course in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), expanding the possibilities for communication, coexistence, and participation in community life.
The initiatives take place in different pastoral settings and at different times, but they reveal a single path: getting to know each person, understanding their unique characteristics, and creating opportunities for them to participate in community life and put their gifts to the service of others.
Celebrated on September 21st, the National Day of Action for Persons with Disabilities is an opportunity to deepen our reflection on the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society. In faith communities, this reflection also takes shape in daily coexistence and in welcoming each person in their uniqueness.
Source: Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Curitiba
