Talk story
Our faith is grounded in the Paschal Mystery, recently culminated in the celebration of Easter Sunday. It is hoped that the essence and images of Holy Week continue to nourish us throughout the year. It is in that spirit that we share images from the Ohana Mass for persons with disabilities on Easter Sunday morning at St. Stephen Diocesan Center.
Families began arriving at 8:30 a.m., an hour before the start of Mass, greeting one another in the Komo Mai room with “Happy Easter” hugs.
Lydia Lau, one of our ohana kupuna 91 years young, and her daughter Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Brenda Lau, went straight to the chapel to carefully clear access for walkers and wheelchairs.
Marylou and Matt brought two friends, a teenager who attends the Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind and his foster mother. They were joyfully communicating through their gift of sign language and amazing smiles. Soon the room was full of more than 50 folks whose Easter embraces made all feel welcome.
When Ava arrived all made room for her special presence. Ava lives with spinal muscular atrophy and the most amazing muscle in her entire body are her eyes. When asked a question, Ava’s beautiful eyes look up and down answering “Yes” or “No.”
Since she was a baby, Ava has the gift to draw people together — friends, family and strangers alike. Because of her fragile health, she has a keen ability to bring many of us to our knees praying for the health and wellness of all the vulnerable. This Easter, Ava rallied her entire household getting everyone out of bed early for the ride from Ewa Beach to Kaneohe.
Grandma and Grandpa in Kapolei found out where she was headed and invited themselves along. Ava’s Catholic nurse was thrilled because, although she was “on the job,” she was able to enjoy Mass with our Ohana. Without uttering a word, Ava brought her family to Mass, and later engaged them in our Easter egg hunt helping them find seven eggs!
Ava and her father also led the procession at the start of Mass along with our very capable altar server and cross bearer, Lisa Yamasaki, as the congregation sang and signed “Jesus Christ is Risen Today.”
The readings and sermon underscored the Easter message that God so loved us that he created us in his image, including our vulnerability, and sent his Son to live fully our humanity and transform our challenges, even death, into new life.
This Sunday, in lieu of a Gospel dramatization, we were all taught the sign language for “Christ is Risen, Alleluia!”
Debbie was accompanied by five members of her ohana visiting from Seattle. Because of her visual impairment, her nephew beside her helped guide Debbie’s hands just as Theresa’s mom held and moved her signing hands. Ava’s mom and dad did the same.
One hand, one heart, one Body of Christ who is truly risen, Alleluia!
We all joyfully left Easter Sunday full of hope and grateful for the Paschal Mystery of our merciful God revealed through our experience with the vulnerable around and within us. Mahalo!
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
