Catholics Can Mass is Oct. 7

Intermountain Catholic

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WEST JORDAN — All of us have limitations, but God expects us to rise above them and to find ways to serve and build up the Church rather than giving in to them, whatever they are. Three local Catholics who have done just that will be honored at the annual Catholics Can Mass, which will be celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Parish on Oct. 7.

Each year the diocese celebrates Catholics Can Mass as a way to recognize those who serve despite physical or emotional challenges, or those who provide a way for their disabled brothers and sisters in Christ to participate as fully as possible in their parish’s spiritual life.

“We are the Body of Christ, but sometimes we tend to forget people,” Carol Ruddell, chairperson of the diocesan Committee for People with Disabilities, said. “We don’t even know who’s missing from Mass. There are people out there with disabilities who can still be active in a parish; can still contribute. The annual Mass celebrates that and reminds us that all are welcome and all service is holy to God.”

This year’s award recipients illustrate Ruddell’s point.

Despite a heart condition, Julie Romero (or Mama J. as she is lovingly known) has been determined to serve those around her. She is always there to lend a helping hand and has been involved in the organization of many funerals and funeral luncheons at St. Marguerite Parish in Tooele. Romero regularly provides people who need them with rides to Mass, the doctor, the grocery store, Bingo and even to hair appointments. She visits the sick both at home and in nursing homes, bringing her homemade tortillas, chili and tamales, and those who visit her never leave without packages of her homemade food. Despite her fixed income, she also gives generously to charities and those in need.

For many years, Mary Chidester of Helper worked as head cook at Notre Dame School in Price. Despite multiple ongoing health problems, several brought on after contracting polio as a child; and multiple surgeries, she helps with fundraising and appreciation dinners and cooks for visiting priests and the bishop. She also has served, and continues to serve, in many capacities in her parish, St. Anthony of Padua, including as lector, Communion minister at communion services, and as a volunteer for many parish events and organizations. For several years she also cared for her husband, Carl, who had Alzheimer’s disease; and for her son, Bart, before they passed away.

Pat Sproul, who is hearing impaired, was one of three parishioners who founded Ye Old Catholic Thrift Shoppe in 1997. She has been the volunteer director since it opened and only recently agreed to accept a small salary. She has served in many leadership positions at Christ the King Parish, including as president of the Catholic Women’s Council. She fulfilled clerical duties in the parish and served in the parish council and finance committee. Sproul was named Citizen of the Year 2016 by the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce for her service in the community.

All three women will be recognized at the end of the Oct. 7 Mass. Sproul will be unable to attend, so Ruddell will visit her parish later this year to honor her.

To accommodate those attending the Mass, an interpreter will be provided, along with CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation), which will be shown on a screen, Ruddell said.

WHAT: Catholics CAN Mass

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m.

WHERE: St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 7405 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan

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