Sensory chapel is offered during the Sunday 5:00pm Mass, with the Mass being live streamed in the chapel.
It is a calming space for parishioners of all ages. Items have been added to support individuals with a variety of sensory needs. The goal is to help individuals meet sensory needs in a calm environment so all can participate in Mass.
Sensory-seeking materials can help get the wiggles out, and include quiet fidgets, rocking chairs, sensory floor and wall tiles, silicone rosaries, and tracing tiles.
Sensory-avoiding items help block out distractions, such as noise-canceling headphones, CD player with Christian music, and light filters over the fluorescent lights.
Organizational tools have been added to help children understand what is next in the Mass, as well as visual missals to see how much time is left in Mass.
Supportive Worshipers are available for encouragement. Parishioners of all ages with and without disabilities are invited to join this worship space to model mass behaviors and to offer encouragement. Just come in and join us!
Saint Francis Xavier is pleased to host a sensory chapel during Sunday evening Masses to offer children and adults with sensory needs a place to worship in a smaller, low sensory setting. During sensory chapel, the Mass is live streamed and the setting is designed to support those with sensory needs. We offer lower lights, fewer people, and sensory-friendly items to create an environment supportive of those with special needs, such as autism, as well as their families. All are welcome in the main sanctuary for Mass at any time. However, if families would feel more comfortable using the sensory chapel for some or all of the liturgy, they are welcome here as well. While the space is not a “cry room”, people with and without disabilities are free to use the space. It is our hope that some people who may have not been able to attend Mass previously will come worship through sensory chapel. With practice attending liturgy in sensory chapel, some may be better able to attend Mass in the church in the future. For questions or to volunteer please contact Dr. Mary-Kate Carey mkcarey@glenwood.org; Jenny Tudisco jennytrotter121@gmail.com; or Sarah Houser (Nazareth House) sawisely@gmail.com.
