Celebration of Life Mass

Everyone has something wonderful to contribute to the faith community! When we value and include everyone's unique gifts in our worship and in our everyday lives, our parish communities can see the Living Presence of the Lord in one another.

Celebrate an inclusive Mass to recognize, honor, and affirm the giftedness and dignity of all people, especially all parishioners with physical and intellectual disabilities and those who support and empower them in your parish/cluster! Following are some ideas for planning this special event:

• Host an annual Celebration of Life Mass in your parish/cluster during the month of October to coincide with Right to Life Month (or any time during the year!).
• Actively involve persons with disabilities and their families in planning the event.
• Invite persons with disabilities and their families to participate in liturgical ministries as lectors, offertory gift bearers, altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers, greeters, ushers, etc.
• Incorporate special intercessions, songs, and prayers.
• Consider special accessibility needs such as additional parking, elevator and ramp access, access to restrooms, additional space for wheelchairs, walkers, or other accessibility needs, etc.
• Consider inviting a sign-language interpreter. 
• Host a reception following the Mass to provide an opportunity for awareness, fellowship, and a reminder of the beauty, importance, and gifts of EVERY person in the parish community!

• Ideas to aid in Planning for a Celebration of Life Mass
• Bulletin announcement for Celebration of Life Mass
• Worship Aid Template
• Litany of Welcome/Introduction
• Prayers of the Faithful
• Closing Reflection
• Prayer of St. Francis for Disabilities

  For additional ideas, contact Lynne Chapman at L.Chapman@dbqarch.org.