Celebrating the 11th annual White Mass on Oct. 18, 2020 at St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church in Landover Hills, Maryland, Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory highlighted the inclusivity of Jesus, urging Catholics to “never forget nor neglect to welcome” all of God’s children.
“Jesus is always inclusive in His approach with people, always finding ways to include all people into discipleship,” Archbishop Gregory said in his homily at the Mass.
The White Mass, which is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Washington's Department of Special Needs Ministries, provides an opportunity for a renewal of Baptismal promises and a special recognition of the gifts of persons with special needs. The Mass holds the designation “white” because of the color’s connection to the Baptismal promises of Christians. Traditionally, participants at the Mass wear white to call to mind the unity within the bond of Baptism. Due to coronavirus restrictions, a limited audience attended the Mass in person and the Mass was live streamed online.
Archbishop Gregory spoke about how Christ taught people to love one another – no matter what their differences are.
“(Jesus) taught (his disciples) that everyone was welcomed into his companionship,” the archbishop said. “He chose to eat with sinners and social outcasts. He chose to spend time with children and the elderly… He picked disciples who were not perfect and sometimes not too courageous.
“He liked to make sure that everyone could approach him and find in Him a source of welcome and blessing.”
In the same way today, Archbishop Gregory said, Christ calls for inclusivity.
“That inclusivity is what draws the Archdiocese of Washington to celebrate this annual White Mass that publicly and gratefully acknowledges the presence and the gifts of our brothers and sisters with special needs and or disabilities,” the archbishop said, adding, “We admit we are simply incomplete without you. Your dignity as God’s children is a proud legacy that the Church must never forget nor neglect to welcome. Jesus is always inclusive in His love and in His welcome. What is more important for us today is that He continues to insist that those who follow Him must also be the same.”
Several members of the local community participated in the Mass. Eddie Poindexter, a blind man who is a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Washington, gave a memorized recitation of the first reading; Charleen Katra, the executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, read the responsorial Psalm; Hector Reynoso, who is Deaf and attends St. Francis Deaf Catholic Church, signed the second reading in American Sign Language; and the prayers of the faithful were read by Felipe Hall, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Beltsville who is the parent of a child with multiple disabilities.
Following the White Mass, the Department of Special Needs Ministries hosted a virtual community gathering on Zoom to watch a recorded question and answer session with five members of the Deaf and the disability communities and Archbishop Gregory.
Led by Mary O’Meara, executive director of the Department of Special Needs Ministry, the group discussed the Mass and the message from the archbishop. “We are together as one Body of Christ and able to celebrate our faith together,” O’Meara told the Zoom participants. “What a joy it is to do so.”
“It is very important that you know how grateful we are for the gifts you bring to the Church of the Archdiocese of Washington,” Archbishop Gregory said in the opening of the question and answer session. “All persons are made in the image and likeness of God. We are interdependent. Our Church is not complete without all the members being welcomed, celebrated and empowered, to share their gifts and talents as disciples of Jesus Christ. We as a Church need you.”
Margaret Briehan, a member of St. Camillus Parish in Silver Spring, is currently studying for a master's degree at The Catholic University of America. In her question to the archbishop, she noted, “We are closest to God when we are fully included and embraced by the Church. I know personally for myself, my faith blossoms with outreach to those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. My faith is what inspired me to pursue a career in social work. My question to you is, what can the archdiocese do to increase service opportunities for people with disabilities so we are not only served by the Church but have the opportunity to grow in faith and serve others?”
Archbishop Gregory responded to her question by calling upon priests and lay ministers to “ensure there is access and invitation for people with disabilities to serve others.”
“Margaret, your desire to serve should inspire us all to seek the fullness of our faith in serving others,” Archbishop Gregory said. “There are indeed so many opportunities to serve others across this archdiocese, but I would say we must open our own eyes, hearts and minds to welcome the gifts of people with disabilities as ministers not only to be ministered to.”
In a particular way this year, O’Meara said in an interview with the Catholic Standard, many people have “had a little taste during COVID-19” of the isolation that many who are Deaf or living with a disability face throughout their lifetime.
“May we look to them as a way to end all forms of isolation,” she said. “To ensure that no one feels isolated or in the margins.”
