Diocesan Disabilities Commission recognizes Catholics who do, Catholics who can

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester presents Patricia McArthur (second from right) with the first Catholics Do Award. The bishop and Carol Ruddell (left) also presented Sandy Foley (second from left) with the Catholics Can Award. IC photos/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Patricia McArthur, a quadriplegic, received the first Catholics Do Award; and Sandy Foley, Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish director of religious education in Park City received the 2013 Catholics Can Award from the Diocese of Salt Lake City Commission for People with Disabilities at the Catholics Can Mass at Saint Ambrose Parish Oct. 12.

"The Catholics Do Award is for a person who is disabled, yet believes and serves within his or her faith," said Kathryn Larson, a commission member. "The Catholics Can Award recognizes individuals, organizations or parishes who invite and serve all individuals."

The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, concelebrated the Mass with Father Andrzej Skrzypiec and Father Adrian Komar, pastor and associate pastor, respectively, of St. Ambrose Parish; Father Stan Herba, Saint Mary of the Assumption pastor; and Dominican Fathers Carl Schlichte and Peter Do, pastor and associate pastor, respectively, of Saint Catherine of Siena Newman Center.

In his homily, Bishop Wester said that those with disabilities have to carry a cross. It may be something that affected one of the five senses, their mobility or mental capacity, but "all of us have to bear a cross of one sort or another," he said, adding, "What’s more, you inspire us to embrace our crosses."

Among those attending the Mass was McArthur, a member of Saint Marguerite Parish in Tooele. She was born with a malignant brain tumor and has been battling disability issues ever since.

"She has endured the unspeakable, but has never complained," said her mother, Diane McArthur. "She has always had an uplifting, bright personality and people are drawn to her aura of peace and happiness."

Patricia’s tumor was removed when she was 5 months old. At the time, doctors didn’t expect her to live and expected the cancer to spread to her spine, said Diane. "That didn’t happen and she was able to attend pre-school through some college. As she grew older, she became a lector and volunteered at parish functions. She always attends Mass. … Her faith is unique. She said her suffering is a great gift from God and she joins it to Jesus’ suffering for the sins of the world."

At school Patricia always befriended other kids with disabilities and made them feel their own self-worth, said Diane.

In 2008, Patricia suffered a setback that left her a quadriplegic. She has since lived in a nursing facility, but she "still maintains an incredible grace about her and cares for everyone but herself," said Diane. "When people visit her, they respond how uplifting she makes them feel."

Earlier this month, Patricia turned 30, which was a goal for her.

"We surprised her with a party," said Paul Ogilvie, Rocky Mountain Care administrator. "It was a joyous occasion; she is an angel and a gift to us all."

Patricia is an inspiration to the young residents at the nursing facility who come for recovery "and think their life is over," said Kriss Reed, a resident advocate. "Patricia gives them encouragement and support by example to be independent."

Sandy Foley received the Catholics Can award because she "finds a way for every child to participate in religious education," said Carol Ruddell, past president of the Diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities. "She provides the leadership that inspires her catechists to be creative."

For example, Foley found an interpreter and arranged to pay a stipend for her travel to and from Salt Lake City when a parent of a Deaf child sought religious education for her daughter, said Ruddell.

Another parent reported her Deaf child was accepted without conditions in Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish and "her daughter made friends and was welcomed at church," Ruddell added.

Foley said serving as the director of religious education is one way she can contribute to the parish community.

"It feeds my faith," Foley said. "We’ve had some amazing volunteers step forward to assist the children that are hearing impaired, have Down syndrome, severe autism or are in a wheelchair. I find volunteers that have experience working with these children according to their disabilities. The volunteers are critical to the program and work closely with these children; the parish has been supportive in providing the volunteers with the needed materials to catechize the children.

"I really feel I am receiving this award on behalf of St. Mary Parish and the volunteers," said Foley.

Foley moved to Utah from Florida in 1995 with her husband, and immediately became a St. Mary catechist. She became the religious education coordinator in 1999 and the DRE in 2004. She completed the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Formation Program in 2010 and is currently working on a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

"Receiving additional education helps me further the knowledge of the volunteers in our program," said Foley. "It is also a very fulfilling experience to watch the children from the time they receive their first Eucharist and continue in religious education through their confirmation, and to experience, with them, their faith journey and help them come to know God in their life."