Hamera, the coordinator of the To Our Unique Catholic Handicapped, called TOUCH, said she never knows quite what to expect when the disabled group members serve in the ministries of the Mass. The altar servers may wave to the congregation during Mass, and members may walk all through the church giving hugs at the Sign of Peace.

"There's no self-consciousness," said Hamera. "They still have that innocence that makes them seem closer to God."

Twice each month, the group of 16 meets and celebrates Mass, followed by dinner and bingo.

On the second Saturday of the month, Mass is celebrated at St. Francis Xavier, and the eight other parishes of Deanery XII take turns hosting the group on the fourth Saturday. At each Mass, TOUCH members serve as readers, altar servers, gift bearers, greeters and ushers.

"They're just the nicest bunch of people. They never think of themselves," said Hamera. "It's a humbling experience. They have handicaps but they're willing to serve other people."

Following the Mass, the group spends some time discussing the Gospel and praying for individual intentions. The host parishes provide a meal, and Hamera noted that confirmation students have served the meals at several parishes. "It's really neat that the confirmation candidates can interact with the disabled," she said. Each December, St. Patrick parishioners purchase gifts for TOUCH members and host a Christmas party.

The group's history dates to the 1970s, when the late Victor Gach, a deacon at St. Patrick, began a religious education program for disabled Catholics. The current group is a ministry of Catholic Charities, and receives much of its funding from the annual Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive. Their youngest member is a high school freshman, and their oldest member is over 70.

After one Mass recently when TOUCH members served, a man offered the group $100, and one woman was so touched at a recent Mass that she volunteered to help each month.

Mildred Dillon has been working with the group for almost 19 years, and said more volunteers are needed. The volunteers provide transportation to the parishes, and help at the dinner and bingo. "It's been very rewarding. I enjoy working with them," Dillon said.

The group continues to touch her life, too, Hamera said. Seeing the group take up the offertory at her parish, St. Joseph in Easton, convinced her to begin working with TOUCH three years ago.

"They came forward so eagerly. They were proud to do their part," she said. "They gave all they had to give."