HADDON TOWNSHIP – Since 2015, the Ingenito family of Sewell has been attending the monthly Mass of Welcome and Inclusion sponsored by the Diocese.
Karen and Pat Ingenito’s 21-year-old son, Patrick, has a nonverbal form of autism, and they say they have found faith and support at the Mass, which is celebrated in Holy Saviour Church, a worship site of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish.
“We’re grateful,” Karen Ingenito says of the Mass and Father Hugh Bradley, part-time director of the Ministry With the Deaf and Persons With Disabilities, which falls under VITALity Catholic HealthCare Services.
The Ingenitos say the low-sensory liturgy, which eliminates bright lighting, music and loud noises, is “a good fit” for their son.
“This Mass works better for his needs, allowing him to receive the Eucharist in a low-stress environment,” Pat Ingenito says.
April is Autism Awareness Month, and in addition to the monthly special-needs Masses, VITALity Catholic HealthCare Services of the Diocese of Camden is sponsoring two diocesan Masses of Welcome and Inclusion. These two liturgies, April 3 in Haddon Township and April 24 in Ocean City, will help “people be aware of autism, that it is around us and a part of our Catholic families’ lives,” Father Bradley says. “We need to make these families feel welcome.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in 44 children in the United States are affected by autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a broad range of conditions defined by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
Laura and Anthony Bongiovanni and their children Anthony, 13, and Angelina, 15, often join the Ingenito family in the pews. Angelina has a high-functioning form of autism.
Before finding the special-needs Mass eight years ago, “Angelina couldn’t sit still [during Mass],” Laura Bongiovanni says. “Now, she’s in an environment where she feels calmer, less distracted and more accepted.”
Adding to the feeling of belonging, both the Bongiovanni children take an active role in the Church. During the recent monthly Mass on March 27, Angelina and her brother brought up the bread and wine during the offertory.
Seeing familiar friends every week who have become family “makes us feel good,” says Anthony Bongiovanni, acknowledging that their similar stories “help and support each other.”
Adds Pat Ingenito, “We all have common life experiences, and this fellowship has been so helpful.”
That bond has also strengthened through after-Mass fellowship and milestone celebrations, such as Father Bradley being present for Angelina’s Confirmation. He has also been supportive in times of difficulty, celebrating funeral Masses for Karen Ingenito’s father and Anthony Bongiovanni’s mother.
“It’s wonderful to have a priest so dedicated,” Laura Bongiovanni says.
VITALity Catholic HealthCare Services will celebrate two diocesan Masses of Welcome and Inclusion during Autism Awareness Month. A Mass will be celebrated April 3 at 11 a.m. in Holy Saviour Church, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 50 Emerald Ave., Haddon Township. (Refreshments will follow in McDaid Hall.) On April 24, Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Saint Augustine Church, Saint Damen Parish, 13th Street & Wesley Avenue, Ocean City. (Refreshments will follow at the Parish Center, 1337 Asbury Ave., Ocean City).
To R.S.V.P. or to volunteer at any of these liturgies, contact Gloria Sanders, executive assistant for VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, at (856) 583-6123 or email Gloria.Sanders@camdendiocese.org.
For more information on Autism Awareness, visit www.ncpd.org.
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