St. Vincent de Paul Parish presented with Catholics Can Award for inclusive atmosphere

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Bishop Oscar A. Solis presents the 2019 Catholics Can Award to Fr. John Norman, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, in recognition of the welcome the parish gives to people with disabilities and the accommodations made for them. The award was presented following a Mass on Oct. 20, at which the bishop presided.

SALT LAKE CITY — The efforts St. Vincent de Paul Parish makes to include people with disabilities were readily apparent during the Oct. 20 Mass at which the parish was recognized for exactly those endeavors. The lectors for the Mass were Jason White, who uses a wheelchair; and Cindi Vega, who is blind. White was able to join the other ministers of the Mass in the sanctuary because of a ramp installed alongside the dais; an American Sign Language interpreter stood near one of the front pews.   

“As you noticed, the lectors are people who have certain kinds of physical disabilities, but yet what is inspiring and beautiful about it is that nothing stops them from performing their beautiful ministry to the Church and to the people of God,” Bishop Oscar A. Solis said in his homily.

“We are blessed by their presence,” he added. “They are inspiring – nothing should impede or hinder us from using the gifts we have. In spite of our limitations … we are able to give honor and praise and service to our loving God and to his people.”

Bishop Solis was at St. Vincent’s that day to present the 2019 Catholics Can Award to the parish. The award, which is given annually by the diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities, recognizes people with disabilities who contribute to their parish community, as well as individuals, parishes or organizations that ensure meaningful participation by people with disabilities in Catholic parish life.

“For many, many years the community of St. Vincent de Paul has not only welcomed children and adults with disabilities, it has embraced them and made them feel that they belong as an integral part of the parish community,” said Vega, who is chairwoman of the commission, in her remarks before the award was presented.

Making her way to the microphone to give her remarks, Vega was escorted by her guide dog and used a handrail to navigate the steps leading to ambo.

For almost 30 years the parish has offered American Sign Language interpreters for the Deaf, Vega said. In 2016, the parish installed an FM transmitter and antenna “so that (Deaf or hard-of-hearing) parishioners could listen directly to anything spoken or sung into the microphone here in the church.”

The renovation of the church, which was completed late last year, included an automatic door at the entrance, the wheelchair ramp and hand rail leading to the altar, low pile carpeting in the nave that is easier for wheelchair users to navigate, and improved lighting and sound systems “to ensure that everyone can see and hear the Mass,” Vega said.

Also, “one need only ask” and the parish’s catechists work to find ways to make faith formation accessible for all children and adults, she said.   

The parish was recognized “for not only creating a physical environment accessible to people with disabilities, but sustaining a warm community where all feel welcome to participate fully in the parish,” Vega said.

After her remarks, Bishop Solis presented the award to Father John Norman, the parish’s pastor.

Randy Duran of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price is the other recipient of the 2019 Catholics Can Award; his award will be presented at his parish at a later date.