DRAPER — "Wow, this Mass was an awakening of my faith," said Anita Archuleta, who is hearing impaired. The Mass for those with Disabilities was concelebrated by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, and Father Terence Moore, pastor, at Saint John the Baptist Church Oct.17. Deacons Lynn Johnson, Paul Graham, and Jack Clark assisted at the altar. Delores Lopez, director of the Diocesan Office for those with Disabilities said the Mass was in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) statement calling for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the life of the Church. It was also in celebration of October being Disabilities Awareness Month. "It is your abilities that make you who you are," said Bishop Wester. "You never concentrate on your disabilities, only your abilities. Some are greater than others. We have gifts that are important and serve us, such as to see, to hear, and to talk. But there are other gifts which transcend all gifts. These are gifts we cannot buy. The first is the gift God gave us, the gift of his only son, Jesus Christ." Bishop Wester said we were also given the ability to love one another and called to overcome those things that burden us. We all have crosses to bear. We were given the ability to forgive as God has forgiven us, and the ability to affirm another, and given the gift to enhance life as God gives us life. "That is why you are so upbeat, positive, and loving," said Bishop Wester. "As so many people are scurrying around trying to find happiness and peace, you already know what makes you happy. In Christ, each of us has very special gifts. When we come together as a community, as the body of Christ, we are truly gifted." "This Mass was very special to me," said Cindi Vega, who has been blind from birth and is a member of Saint Thomas More Parish. "Sometimes that cross is hard to bear. I was in Mass not too long ago, and the priest said if you think you are suffering, just think of how Jesus suffered. "It is nice to be reminded that we all have wonderful gifts from God and to focus on our abilities and not our disabilities. It was a blessing in itself to be here with the bishop. "I work at the Blind Center teaching computer skills to blind students," said Vega. "It is a gift to go out and live my life and educate people with disabilities." Tammy Willhard, a member of Saint Olaf Parish, said when the bishop talked about focusing on abilities, it helped her remember to focus on her daughter Sarah’s abilities and how happy she makes their family and everyone around her, instead of focusing on those things with which she struggles. Sarah was happy to have this special Mass and strongly encouraged her family to attend. "It is good to be included in something, because there are things we have been excluded from including my son, Scott’s, ability to go to school," said Bill Bonn, whose family is a member of Saint Olaf Parish. "It hurts to be left out. It feels good to be welcomed and to have extra things for you. We are still part of the community, and Scott is one of the best known altar servers in our parish." "The Diocesan Commission for People with Disabilities wanted as many people who have disabilities as possible to participate in this Mass," said Carol Ann Imhoff, a retired rehabilitation nurse. "Those with disabilities are part of the faithful too, and need to be included."
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