Mass will honor contributions by Catholics with disabilities in the Diocese of Salt Lake City

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Cindi Vega uses Braille material to serve as a minister of the Word, and Carol Ruddell translates into American Sign Language, during the 2015 Diocese of Salt Lake City Catholics CAN Mass.

PARK CITY — “Catholics can serve each other, Catholics can share their gifts, Catholics just can” – is the theme of the annual Diocesan Catholics CAN Mass, which this year will be held on Oct. 7.  

The Catholics Can Mass “celebrates the many gifts and contributions made by people with disabilities in our diocese,” said Carol Ruddell, past president of the diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities.

The commission works to educate people about the  rights and needs of people with disabilities, and promotes the rights of accessibility and participation of all people in liturgical celebrations and catechetical programs. Among the resources they offer are a lending library of materials related to their ministry.

Six years ago, the commission began recognizing individuals, parishes and organizations that seek to include everyone, including people with disabilities, in active parish life.  

Individuals with disabilities who are strong witnesses to their faith also are eligible for the award. This year’s honorees will bring the number of those recognized to 15,” Ruddell said.

All Catholics, young and old, are invited to attend the Mass, during which individuals with disabilities will serve as ministers.

Those recognized at the Mass will be David De Leon, a St. Therese of the Child Jesus parishioner, and Steven Rachele, a St. Catherine of Siena parishioner.

Rachele, who has lived with mental illness for many years, is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, shares his gift of hospitality at his parish and is involved with several community activities.

De Leon uses Braille material to proclaim the Word when he serves as a lector at his parish. In addition, each month he helps to pack 300 sack lunches for the Road Home’s Midvale Shelter.

Bishop Oscar A. Solis will preside at the Oct. 7 Mass. The celebration will be important, he said, because “the presentation of the Catholics Can Award recognizes individuals or organizations that ensure meaningful participation by people with disabilities in parish life, as well as individuals with disabilities who themselves are strong witnesses of their Catholic faith.”

According to the USCCB Pastoral Statement on Persons with Disabilities “By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling. Catholics with disabilities have a right to participate in the sacraments as fully functioning members of the local ecclesiastical community.”

Catholic CAN Award Recipients

2011 — Holy Family Parish, Ogden

2012 — Carol Ruddell, St. Thomas More Parish

2013 — Sandy Foley, St. Mary Assumption Parish

2013 — Patricia McArthur, St. Marguerite Parish

2014 — Bibian Rendon (deceased) St. Vincent de Paul Parish

2014 — The Most Rev. John C. Wester, ninth Bishop of Salt Lake City

2014 — Mickey Adelhardt, St. Catherine of Siena Parish

2014 — Danny Marjis, St. Helen Parish

2015 — Delfina Cook, St. Rose of Lima Parish

2015 — Cheryl Heyborne, Christ the King Parish

2015 — Msgr. Michael Winterer, retired priest

2016— Sheila Landry, St. Helen Parish

2016—Francisco Hernandez, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

2017 – Steven Rachele, St. Catherine of Siena Parish

2017 – David De Leon, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish

WHAT: Catholics CAN Mass

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m.

WHERE: St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1505 White Pine Canyon Road, Park City

All are welcome. For information or to request accommodations for the Mass, contact Dolores Lopez, 801-328-8641, or Carol Ruddell, 801-440-8729.