Catholics Can Mass will honor parishioners with disabilities and those who support them

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Kelly McCarthy, a parishioner of Holy Spirit Mission in Duchesne, is the recipient of the 2024 Catholics Can Award.

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Catholics Can Mass will be hosted by St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish on Oct. 6 this year.

The purpose of this Mass, which has been celebrated annually since 2011, is “to celebrate people with disabilities in our Church and to raise awareness and to show appreciation for those people with disabilities that are active members within our community, and also to help communities that maybe don’t have an active group of people with disabilities to question why those people aren’t there,” said Deacon Greg Allen, chairman of the diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities, which sponsors the event.

It is important that people with disabilities actively participate in their parishes and for the diocese and parishes to do whatever they can to accommodate that, Deacon Allen said.

“Each of us is part of the Body of Christ, and we all have special gifts and talents, regardless of whether we’re a person with disabilities or not,” he said. “In fact, someone might argue that every one of us has a disability at some point in our lives. So we want to make sure that people are allowed to share their gifts and talents, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, and to encourage parishes to welcome people with disabilities and use their talents and gifts.”

Bishop Oscar A. Solis will celebrate the Mass, during which Kelly McCarthy, a Holy Spirit Mission (Duchesne) /St. Helen parishioner, will be presented with the Catholics Can Award. Over the past 20 years McCarthy has served in many capacities at the mission, including as an altar boy, lector, church greeter, mower of lawns and maintenance man.

St. Olaf Parish in Bountiful also will receive the award because of recent renovations to its buildings that have made them more accessible for people with physical limitations. Those improvements include accessible bathrooms stalls with ADA-compliant lever handles, increased disability parking, accessible sinks in the gym, a new accessible school entrance and accessible bathrooms. The award will be presented to Father Andrzej Skrzypiec, pastor, and parishioners at a later date at their parish.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Commission for People with Disabilities welcomes new members. For information, contact Dolores Lopez, dolores.lopez@dioslc.org or 801-328-8641.

WHAT: Catholics Can Mass

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m.

WHERE: St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church,  624 W. Lennox St., Midvale

A reception will follow the Mass. All are welcome. For information or to request accommodations, contact Dolores Lopez, 801-328-8641 ext. 333 or Carol Ruddell, 801-440-8729.