Kolar: On February 28th, 2021, Our Lady of Victories Church, Champion Reefs celebrated the Inclusion Awareness Sunday, for the entire KGF deanery. It was the first time the Archdiocesan Commission for the differently Abled had organised an Inclusion Awareness Day under one deanery and also outside Bangalore. Around 160 People with Disabilities (PWD) were present for the Holy Mass at 9:00am. The Society of Vincent De Paul members took on the responsibility of bringing the children to the church from their respected parishes.
The Holy mass began by an introduction by Sr. Madhuja, Principal, Sophia Opportunity School in English and Rev Fr. Susairaj, Dean of KGF Deanery and the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories Church, in Tamil. “God makes no mistake in creating us. We are all precious and unique in the eyes of God. Let us all acknowledge that we have a long way to go in accepting the dignity of our brethren who are amongst us today and let us pray for God’s grace during this Holy Eucharistic celebration”, Sr. Madhuja said.
Before the Mass, the Archbishop Most People with Disabilities and the differently abled people lighted a lamp. The Holy Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop and was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Gabriel Christy, Coordinator for the Commissions of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Roys, Parish Priest, St. Sebastian Church, Coromandel, Rev. Fr. Gnana Xavier, Parish Priest, Mother of Mines Church, Oorugam and Rev. Fr. Susai Raj, the Parish Priest and Rev. Fr. Shibu Joseph, the Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories Church, Champion Reefs, KGF.
The differently abled children actively participated in the liturgy. Maria Rani, Sangeetha and Crescenta did the readings. Margaret did the prayers of the faithful in braille. The children from the Infant Jesus Home conducted the beautiful choir.
The archbishop in his homily informed the congregation that the differently abled people and their parents are carrying the crosses in their daily life. “Some mothers had the choice of abortion but they chose to save life in spite of knowing the hardships they will face ahead. They took the risk to go through difficult moments in their lives and be true to the teachings of the Church that life in every form is precious.” He said. He went on to urge the congregation to use their resources to transform the lives of differently abled people into something meaningful. He concluded his Homily by reminding the faithful to see the face of Jesus in the least of their brothers and sisters just as many parents of the differently abled do and take care of their children with love.
Ms. Estelle D’Souza, Joint Secretary, Archdiocesan Commission for the Differently Abled thanked the Archbishop, the clergy, the sisters and the lay faithful who helped to make the Holy Mass a truly special one. After the Holy Mass, Rohit Terrence, a special abled boy celebrated his 25th Birthday, in the presence of the Archbishop and the congregation. The programme ended with a get-together and an informal interaction among the differently abled, the Archbishop, priests, commission members and the lay faithful.