The Kinnor is a singing community: in it, people with intellectual disabilities and those without come together to take up a challenge—to offer liturgical praise.
The Kinnor devotes itself to animating Sunday celebrations. It comprises 45 singers, one-third of whom have a handicap. Yet whether children, young people, or adults, each one carries out the same role, offers the same service, and discovers the universality of the Church by welcoming one another in their diversity.
Everyone, but especially people with disabilities, receives training in singing and basic music literacy—learning to read a score and listen carefully to sound. Integration happens through this formation, which fosters a spirit of emulation and greatly supports inclusion.
People with and without disabilities sing together during celebrations. The choir uses instruments, and sometimes people with disabilities play the flute and percussion. The same happens with solo vocal parts: a person may begin singing a solo line with someone accompanying them; then comes the moment when there is enough confidence to sing a verse alone, without help.
The Kinnor also offers vacation stays for people with disabilities. On these occasions too, the educators and those welcomed ensure the various celebrations are led. Even the readings of Scripture are never done only by an adult who reads well: that person is accompanied by someone with a disability. One reads the Word of God with the other. In this way the Church lives out the principle of "never one without the other."
Sung liturgy, proclaimed liturgy, but also gesture and movement: sometimes it will be mime, or dance, or another form of expression. In this singing, our brothers and sisters with disabilities help us shed false modesty and invite us to express the Glory of God with our whole selves.
Those interested in learning about the teaching methods for different learning levels developed by the Kinnor can contact: "Le Kinnor"—48, rue Davjj—75017 Paris
Editorial, 2002