Commission for People with Disabilities seeks new members, nominations for Catholics Can award

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SALT LAKE CITY — Due to recent retirements and other factors, the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Commission for People with Disabilities is seeking at least three new members. Individuals who are concerned about Catholics with disabilities and want to make a difference in their lives and the life of the Catholic Church in Utah are invited to apply.

The commission meets one evening a month and plans occasional workshops at the parish level. In addition, committee members organize the annual diocesan Catholics Can Mass, which highlights the gifts of people with disabilities in the diocese and their many contributions in their parishes.

The commission’s mission statement calls its members to educate Catholics in Utah of the rights and needs of people with disabilities and to promote the rights of accessibility and participation of all persons in diocesan and parish liturgical celebrations and catechetical programs to encourage full spiritual life in the Catholic faith, among other actions.

The commission organized the first Catholics Can Mass in 2008 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The commission also helps parishes provide resources to serve those with disabilities.

Commission members are nominated by their pastors and are appointed to a two-year term of service by Bishop Oscar A. Solis. For information about serving on the committee, contact Dolores Lopez, the diocesan director of human resources, at dolores.lopez@dioslc.org or 801- 328-8641.

The annual Catholics Can award, sponsored by the committee, recognizes people with disabilities who contribute to and participate in their parish community, as well as individuals, parishes or organizations that ensure meaningful participation by people with disabilities in all aspects of Catholic parish life.

Nominations for the 2022 Catholics Can award are being accepted through July 1.  Nomination packets are available from Carol Ruddell, cgruddell@comcast.net or 801-440-8729 or Dolores Lopez, dolores.lopez@dioslc.org or 801-328-8641.