Gifts are celebrated during the Catholics Can Mass

Intermountain Catholic

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Mindi Allen interprets the Catholics Can Mass for the Deaf and hard of hearing; the Mass, with Bishop John C. Wester presiding, was a celebration of the many skills and talents of everyone. See photo album on Facebook.  IC photo/Christine Young

OREM — Carol Ruddell, Commission for People with Disabilities past chairwoman, was honored with the Catholics Can Award during the Catholics Can Mass at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orem Sept. 29.

St. Francis of Assisi Church also was recognized for being fully accessible.

The Mass was concelebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City; Father David Bittmenn, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish; and Father Peter Do, associate pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center.

"God loves us so much that he is beside himself trying to figure out ways to communicate that love to us," said Bishop Wester in his homily. "God is closer to us than we are to ourselves."

The bishop went on to say, "we all have one sort of disability or another; a limitation or weakness. It’s true, some of us have disabilities that are more noticeable than others; some cause great pain and some of us suffer very deeply. The point is these disabilities do not define us. In the eyes of God there is no such thing as a disabled human being; only a child of God. And what is asked of us is to love one another as God loves each one of us."

Following communion, Kathryn Larson, a commission member, presented the Catholics Can awards.

"Today we are celebrating the many skills and talents of people with disabilities within our diocese and churches that create opportunities for Catholics with disabilities to fully participate and be active members of their parishes," said Larson.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish was recognized for the ramp that makes the altar accessible, its listening devices and pews that are wide enough to store walkers.

"The church has no steps and is completely roll-in," said Larson.

Ruddell was given the commission’s second annual award for her service in the diocese and the commission for over 20 years.

"She has devoted her time both professionally and as a volunteer to those with disabilities and made it possible to have live captioning on a screen, American Sign Language interpreters for individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing and low-gluten hosts for individuals who are gluten intolerant," said Larson. "Carol interprets at St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thomas More and St. Mary of the Assumption parishes and for various diocesan events. This ministry is her passion and she has great enthusiasm for it."

This past year, Ruddell traveled to Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish to assist Nadia Suarez, who is 10, so she could receive her First Holy Communion. Ruddell attended Suarez’s religious education classes with her.

"I was excited to get my First Communion; I was jumping up and down inside," said Suarez, through interpreter Mindi Allen, a St. Vincent de Paul parishioner. "My mom and dad, my godmother, and all my family were very proud of me."

Suarez became Deaf when she was 2 years old. She was born at 23 weeks and weighed 1 pound. The medication she was given to keep her alive affected her hearing.

Griselda Suarez, Nadia’s mother, learned about Ruddell through her daughter’s school and contacted her. "We are grateful for Carol," she said. This was the first time I’ve attended this Mass and it was beautiful."

Arthur Valdez, who is Deaf and a St. Catherine of Siena/Newman Center parishioner, agreed the Mass was beautiful. "Walking into St. Francis of Assisi Church made me feel like I was at home in New Mexico with my family," he said through Allen. "It’s inspiring to see so many people and different friends."