No, you’re not witnessing some weird liturgical improvisation in the picture above. It’s part of a remarkable mass that was celebrated in Salt Lake City recently.
People of all abilities attended the “Catholics Can” Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeline Sept. 4.
Wheelchairs lined both sides of the center aisle of the cathedral for the Mass sponsored by the commission for People with Disabilities. Carol Ruddell, a member of the commission, used sign language and Cecilee Wilson, a closed caption stenographer, typed the words of the Mass on a screen for the hearing impaired.
The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of Salt Lake City, celebrated the Mass with the assistance of Monsignor Joseph Mayo, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Father Eleazar Silva, associate pastor of the Cathedral; and Deacon Lynn Johnson. Bishsaid the Mass was called Catholics Can because he and the commission wanted to honor all the achievements of so many who have accomplished so much and who have met very serious challenges in their lives. “These people have succeeded in facing those challenges and have been such wonderful members of our community,” said Bishop Wester in his welcome.
In his homily, Bishop Wester said Jesus speaks to us in our sufferings and our challenges. “Our focus is not on the challenge, our focus is on your success, on all that you’ve accomplished, about the kind of human beings you are because of the way you have grown through your suffering and through your challenges,” he said. “That’s why we are calling the Mass Catholics Can. We want to celebrate with you and we want to share your victory and your joy that you’ve accomplished much.”
Read on. It sounds wonderful.
proclaims the reading to the Corinthians in Braille during the Catholics
Can Mass in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
Photo by Chris Young
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