(Did we mention this is a virtual CAT café?)
Read more: Neurodivergent Hospitality is Not a Contradiction
Welcome to Saint Thorlak's Virtual Café: a place to pause, rest, and refresh. Neurodivergent life is challenging enough by itself, and we want you to know that we're on the journey with you.
Maybe you just need a moment to sit in silence and enjoy a brief respite from the demands of the day. Maybe there is a situation on your mind that could benefit from our praying together, or maybe we have an insight or bit of direction which might be helpful. Funny story? Special interest? Popcorn thoughts? All welcome here! Type your thoughts into the form alongside the barista banter to muse, blurt out, unburden or just be who you are. You can even "bring" your own pets to visit by emailing a barista their photos. All species coexist safely here!
Think of this as a small way we can offer hospitality within our means as autistic individuals who thrive on both interacting with our community and the extra processing space allowed by typewritten communication. We believe it is possible to experience meaningful connection even in non-traditional ways, and this "café" page is our way of demonstrating that.
Enjoy your time here!
Barista Banter
This space is up for grabs*! Comments? Musings?
Special interests? Start the conversation!
* Visitor submissions are moderated and may be summarized or edited at baristas' discretion.
A recent visitor to St. Thorlak’s Virtual Café says:
Being an autistic with a comorbidity-chronic disease that can make me quite sick is another cross to bear. What makes it more difficult is the ceaseless hounding by priests to volunteer time and effort for ministry! They don’t recognize that people can get sick. Are these priests that are preaching or are they just salespeople at this point? I can see all the sales tactics.
From Earlier Conversations...
There's a study recently out that finds that screening of seminary candidates and support for seminarians, including "special needs" seminarians, both need to be improved. Unfortunately it also says that some of the issues to be addressed in autistic seminarians are "reduced empathy" and "cognitive and emotional rigidity." When will the stereotyping end? Please pray for our autistic priests and seminarians! 🙏🏻
