The 1pm Mass, designed to accommodate neurodiverse Catholics, featured dimmed lighting, quiet hymns and a range of sensory tools to assist attendees. Volunteers in gray T-shirts greeted Mass-goers, offering special arrangements and access to interactive Mass binders and tactile self-regulation aids.

At the beginning of the Mass Fr Bob Cilinski, Nativity's pastor, highlighted inclusivity.

"We gather as God's children, all of us."

The liturgy included minor modifications such as recited rather than sung responses and a visually-aided homily.

The initiative aims to address the challenges faced by individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly those with sensory-processing issues.

Studies have shown that autistic children are nearly twice as likely never to attend church services compared to children without chronic health conditions.

Tracey Hulen, a parishioner and education consultant, organised the sensory liturgy alongside Joyce Kelly and Alison Fram, directors of the parish's Special Religious Development programme and young adult ministries respectively.

In preparation for the Mass, the team provided sensory systems training to the parish priests.

Jeannine Brown attended with her 15-year-old son who has multiple neurodevelopmental diagnoses. She expressed appreciation for the arrangements that were made.

"He said 'Well, sign me up'" Brown reported of her son's enthusiasm for future sensory Masses.

Charleen Katra, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, noted that sensory-friendly Masses have grown in popularity since the late '90s.

The organisation currently offers an online course about starting a sensory Mass.

Fr Matthew Schneider, an autistic priest, maintains a directory of regular sensory Masses across the US and Canada.

He advocates for at least one sensory Mass in every city to improve accessibility and foster community among autistic Catholics.

Source

• The Pillar

Through my work with FreedHearts, an LGBTQ-affirming nonprofit that aims to spread a "message of love, inclusion [and] belonging" between LGBTQ people and Christian churches, I have met many families who left their churches because they had to choose between upholding their LGBTQ child's right-to-life and remaining in their parish.

I am a pediatric therapist and the Catholic parent of adult, neurodiverse children, two of whom identify as LGBTQ.

As a professional, I define "neurodiverse" as describing anyone who falls on a behavioural spectrum that doesn't fit the majority of the general population. For example, approximately one per cent of the world population falls on the autism spectrum.

Interestingly, a 2021 study from the University of Cambridge also found that people on the autism spectrum are more likely to identify as LGBTQ.

And through my work with FreedHearts, a large ecumenical group, I lead a ministry to Catholic families with LGBTQ members to help them survive rejection and come to accept their LGBTQ children.

There is an overlap between the disability world and the LGBTQ community.

The transgender experience, for example, is anywhere from three to nine times more prevalent in families with neurodiverse or autistic children, such as in my family.

According to The Trevor Project, "the prevalence of autism among individuals with gender dysphoria is estimated" as somewhere between six and 25 per cent.

The consensus in the medical community is that the suicide rate for LBGTQ youth is notably higher in certain religious communities than it is in more affirming Christian or secular environments.

I now understand this truth after working with these families and living the LBGTQ experience as a parent.

In my work, I have seen some of these families ripped apart by tragedy.

LGBTQ teens, young adults (and even their parents) are taking their own lives by suicide after being shamed by others and forced to leave their faith communities.

In some cases, they feel forced to leave their home state.

I have worked with neurodiverse children in the disability community for many years.

Because of that work, just as I understand that there are variances in neurology, psychology and biology in a certain percentage of the population, I now understand that there are variances in gender and sexuality for certain people.

The LGBTQ identity spectrum is not a disability spectrum but rather a true spectrum of psychology; it is not a "gay agenda" or a "personal choice, " as some people claim despite professional medical consensus.

According to a 2019 study, when one parent fully supports their LGBTQ child, the rate of suicide attempts drop dramatically by 40 per cent. Continue reading

• Julie Nichols is a pediatric academic language therapist serving children with developmental and cognitive disabilities. She is also a licensed dyslexia therapist and a certified autism specialist.

Where to get help

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

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