DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Holy Trinity Church provides important service, hosts mass for special needs children

Holy Trinity Church provides important service, hosts mass for special needs children

BY Nicholas Hirshon
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Tuesday, January 4th 2011, 7:55 PM

Patino for News
Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone, Queens, hosts a mass for special needs kids - the only one of its kind in the Brooklyn Diocese.

Sitting in a pew with her family at a recent Mass, little Mary Robertson spontaneously started reciting lines from "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
Parishioners turned their heads toward the 9-year-old who had broken the silence.
"That's when it gets a little uncomfortable," said Mary's father, Randy, recalling the Mass at Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone. "You're kind of like, 'There's really nothing I can do. Sorry'."
Mary, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, says almost everything that pops into mind - regardless of the setting. Parents with mentally disabled children often decline to go to church, fearing displays like Mary's.
So in October, Holy Trinity hosted a unique Mass for the disabled, offering an opportunity to attend church without having to fret about disrupting services or being judged.
Attendance for the monthly Mass - the only of its kind in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens - has swelled so much that the parish has planned them through at least June.
"We have people coming from all across Queens for that sense of community," said the parish's faith formation coordinator, Donna Spoto. "Not one person has shushed or looked at anyone the wrong way."
The first service in October drew about 35 people to the small church along the Whitestone Expressway service road near 14th Ave. Another 67 came in November, followed by 75 in December.
The church's pastor, the Rev. Joseph Gibino, said he didn't mind the kids running around or talking through his homily.
"I love chaos, so for me curveballs are part of the adventure," Gibino said. "I spent many years as a high school teacher and I say if you can teach high school, you can teach anything."
Organizers said that families trekked from across Queens and Brooklyn to pray to St. Dymphna, the patron saint of those with mental and nervous disorders.
Only one other church in the diocese holds a Mass for kids with special needs - Regina Pacis in Bensonhurst - but it's not held regularly, said diocese spokesman the Rev. Kieran Harrington.
Gibino hopes to expand the Mass to twice a month and add an activity, such as arts and crafts, afterward. He also wants to create a support group for parents.
Holy Trinity's upcoming special needs Masses are slated for Jan. 23, Feb. 20 and March 20 at 12:30 p.m.

via nydailynews.com