The Archdiocese of Portland has had an office to serve people with disabilities for more than 20 years. One of the services offered is an Adapted Liturgy for people with disabilities, especially developmental disabilities. This liturgy began when the Church realized there were some families who stopped going to Mass because it was too difficult for their children to understand. Some parents went to Mass without their children and other families just stopped attending all together. The Adapted Liturgy was created after talking with several families and finding out what would make it possible for their whole family to attend.

Adapted Liturgy

The Archdiocese worked with the families to design a unique Mass to meet their needs. The adapted Liturgy would be shorter than a full-length Mass and would use plain language so as to be understood by as many people as possible. The families also indicated parishioners should be advised that some attendees at the Mass might make loud vocalizations or move a lot during the ceremony.

In addition to these changes, the gospel, which is usually read, is acted out by the members present with costumes and different props to help attendees better understand what is being read. Songs with verses that repeat are played so it is easier for everyone to learn and sing along. Everyone participates at these Masses. When families arrive, they get a bell to ring along with songs being sung. This allows the children who have speaking impairments or other difficulties to participate in Mass.

En Español

In July 2004 the church performed the first Adapted Liturgy in Spanish at St. Alexander Parish in Cornelius, Oregon. The Pastor, Fr. David Schiferl, is very supportive of these liturgies and has, from the beginning, encouraged outreach and support to people in his parish who have disabilities. The Pastor has extended an invitation to other neighboring parishes that have a Latino community to invite their families to attend. The Masses now regularly occur the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm. The ceremony lasts for approximately 45 minutes.

After each Mass, the families get together and share refreshments. This allows them to meet other families that share their same needs. Seven families attended the first adapted Liturgy Mass. Word of the adapted Liturgies spread and by October 2004 there were 15 families in attendance. A month later the number jumped to 26.   Last November the families organized a Thanksgiving potluck dinner to share after the Mass. As time goes on the attendance of Latino families is greater. The Church welcomes anyone who would like to attend with or without disabilities.

The Office for People with Disabilities is hoping to expand the adapted Liturgy for Latinos to other parishes in Oregon, especially to Portland and Gresham where there are large Latino populations. They hope that by expanding, more children with disabilities and their families will continue to participate in church and stay close to their religious faith.

Forming a Community

The Church in Cornelius is planning Quinceañera parties for two families who have daughters who will be 15 soon. They want these girls, who have severe disabilities, to know they are an important part of their community. The church will recognize them as they do for the other girls their age.

The adapted Liturgy has helped form a community among Latinos with disabilities and their families in Oregon. Not only do these Masses allow individuals to participate in their religion in their preferred language, it also allows them to meet others who might share similar experiences, reducing isolation. Through the Church, Latinos with disabilities are forming communities, networking and learning about new opportunities, resources and services available to them.

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