A screengrab from Pope Francis’ video message released Nov. 28, 2023, shows two women smiling as part of his prayer intention for the month of December: “for people with disabilities.” (CNS screengrab/Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Above all else, big hearts are needed who want to accompany. It means changing our mentality a little and opening ourselves to the abilities and talents of people who are differently abled both in society and in the life of the church. It assumes that we stop talking about ‘them’ and start talking about ‘us.’” (Pope Francis, prayer intention, December 2023)
As we immerse ourselves in the enchanting story of Christmas, we find ourselves drawn to the Nativity scene — a poignant portrayal of a young houseless migrant couple, Mary and Joseph, seeking refuge for their newborn son, Jesus. This sacred imagery serves as a powerful lens to help us focus our hearts and our attention on the vulnerable among us. From families displaced by war in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa, to those fleeing the wrath of wildfires from the Amazon to Maui, the world is full of compelling stories that cry out for our prayers and acts of kindness.
In his monthly prayer intention for December, Pope Francis directs our collective gaze with warmth and compassion toward a group often overlooked — persons with disabilities. In a heartfelt two-minute video for the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, www.popesprayer.va, our Holy Father calls on us to see those with different abilities with a new set of eyes and hearts. “People with disabilities are among the most fragile among us. Some of them suffer rejection rooted in ignorance or prejudice which then marginalizes them.”
Pope Francis asks us to shift our mindset to one of inclusivity so that people with different abilities can be seen, valued and celebrated for the unique brilliance they bring. “Civil institutions need to support their projects through access to education, employment and places where they can express their creativity. Programs and initiatives are needed that promote their inclusion. Let us pray that people with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society and that institutions offer inclusion programs that enhance their active participation.”
On Dec. 3, the International Day of People with Disabilities, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network showcased uplifting visual examples of inspiring individuals with disabilities fully engaged in society — working in restaurants, celebrating Mass, and training for paralympic competitions. Cardinal Michael Czerny, the head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said the pope’s December prayer intention is a celebration of diverse gifts and talents around us, helping us recognize “the mystery each person is … Just as Jesus saw the beauty and promise of each person, including those with various forms of fragility, so the church recognizes the presence of God in everyone.”
Here in Hawaii, the spirit of inclusivity shines brightly throughout the holiday season as vulnerable persons in our midst are not only contributing their gifts to society but are also drawing out the best in others. For example, the monthly Ohana Mass celebrated every fourth Saturday incorporates “specially gifted persons,” and the Christmas Keiki Day at the Women’s Community Correction Center on Oahu provides incarcerated moms an opportunity to reunite with their keiki and caregivers for a holiday celebration organized by compassionate Christian community volunteers.
In the face of challenges posed by the Maui wildfires, the aloha spirit prevails in recovery efforts as many continue to show generosity through the Sacred Hearts School Lahaina Tuition Assistance Fund, hicathcomfdn.org/SHSTuition; the Catholic Community Foundations Maui Wildfires 2023 Relief, Recovery and Rebuild Fund, www.hawaiicatholiccommunityfoundation.org; and Catholic Charities Hawaii Maui Relief Fund, www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org.
On the Big Island, the community has come together in Pahoa to provide formerly houseless kupuna their first Christmas in the new permanent affordable rental housing which HOPE Services Hawaii just opened in time for the holidays, www.hopeserviceshawaii.org.
Dozens of parish food pantries and social ministries throughout the diocese also continue to accompany, serve, and celebrate with vulnerable persons, which indeed is the heart of the Nativity scene and Christmas holidays.
For more information on social ministry opportunities, please visit www.officeforsocialministries.org. This holiday season, let us pray and act so that our hearts and minds will be open to see the awesome abilities and talents of folks who are differently abled. May we include all our brothers and sisters this Christmas in our celebration of the Nativity, of Emmanuel — “God with us” — so we can indeed all experience the dignity of vulnerable persons not as “them” but as “us.”
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry