ORLANDO | Parents gently brushed tears from their cheeks as Father Martin Nguyen shared his homily at the Special Needs Mass, Feb. 9.
“On behalf of Mother Church, thank you for loving your children into being because you share that love from God and make it all the more special,” he said.
Father Nguyen began the annual Mass tradition two years ago at Holy Family Parish. This year it was moved to an outdoor pavilion at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando to make it more accessible to families and supporters of the community.
He shared how recently he was telling his middle schoolers that he was a difficult teenager. They asked for an example, and he told them about his youngest aunt with special needs. “Perhaps one of the most shameful memories of my teenage years is that, like most teenagers, I was cranky, angry, annoyed at the world and not very kind to my aunt. I lost patience with her a lot,” he said. Looking back, he said it is still embarrassing.
“Thankfully the good Lord changed my heart for the better and I was able to redeem myself. Now I have become the favorite nephew,” he said smiling broadly.
After ordination, he had a chance to teach and serve several students with special needs and developed an even greater appreciation. As the fruit of this affection, he wanted to bring greater awareness about those with special needs. “These children love very purely,” he said. “And when they love, they truly love. I think our students at Morning Star can teach the world today a lot about kindness, real inclusion, and love. Those things are what make the world a better place.”
The young priest was grateful to the families and caretakers “who love these children enough to give them a chance for life,” he told them. “You are the most beautiful testimony about what the Church believes about the sanctity of human life because you don’t look at children in terms of what they can achieve and how much money they can make in the future.”
Bishop John Noonan who presided also shared stories from his childhood. His best friend, Peter, had a special needs sister. “As a little boy growing up, I didn’t always understand,” he explained. “I asked questions. My mother told me this little girl was very special and Peter and I had to make sure we protected her, included her, and were always there for her. She was part of most things we would do.”
Because of this experience, when he became bishop of the Diocese of Orlando, he wanted to make sure all special needs individuals were able to participate in the Mass and received the Sacraments. “It is beautiful and something very important that we share,” he said.
He noted the annual Mass is more about “their sharing their gifts with us.” He touted Bishop Moore’s “Best Buddies” system for accompanying Morning Star students in their daily life.
Former Morning Star students proclaimed the readings and took part as altar servers. Courtney, a 2008 Morning Star graduate who assisted Bishop Noonan said the experience was “awesome”. “It was a big honor to be with all of the Fathers and the bishop who is head of the church for the Diocese of Orlando,” she said.
Long time supporters Winnie Muszynski and Ann Polasek participated and spoke of their efforts as founders of the Women’s Auxiliary, the primary supporter of Morning Star Catholic School and how they initiated the Fashion Show, which recently celebrated it 62nd show. At ages 94 and 103 respectively, the two women continue to be beacons of hope for individuals with special needs.
Lizette Roman is the assistant principal at St. Andrew Catholic School. She made a point of thanking them. Her 10-year-old son attends Morning Star. After years of looking for the right school and instruction for him, she said he walked onto the Morning Star campus and said, “Mom, I love it here.” This was not customary for him. She described Morning Star as, “a nurturing environment, a peaceful environment where God is present and takes away all the anxieties.”
She shared with the women what she has learned: “Love is the most important thing, having a village behind you, and that he knows God.”
Click here to watch a video from the Mass.
By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, February 12, 2025