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By Erika Anderson
Staff Writer
ATLANTA--As he knelt near the altar, Stuart Utterback waited patiently for
Archbishop John F. Donoghue to raise the Host, the cue for Stuart's big
job--the ringing of the bells.
As an altar boy, Stuart has many tasks, but he believes that ringing the
bells is the most important. Today is especially important because he is
serving the archbishop. It's a special day, not only for Stuart, but for many
others with disabilities, as Archbishop Donoghue celebrated the Faith and
Sharing Liturgy for persons with physical, mental or developmental disabilities
Feb. 20 at St. Jude the Apostle Church.
This was the first time the archbishop had celebrated a Faith and Sharing
Liturgy and about 150 people filled St. Jude's Church on the sunny February
day. Though a Mass for persons with disabilities is held once a month at St.
Jude's, the Faith and Sharing Liturgy, which includes a potluck dinner after
the Mass, is held twice a year.
The Mass itself is filled with energy as participants sing, clap and perform
hand motions to the songs. Persons with disabilities, such as Stuart, who has
Down syndrome, serve as altar servers, ushers, greeters, song sheet
distributors, gift bearers and musicians.
In his homily, the archbishop spoke of the Gospel story in which Jesus heals
a crippled man, illustrating the perfection of God and the imperfection of man
in sin.
"And this is our story too--for we all know that the human will and
heart do sin--we know that we are all capable of unkindness, of meanness to one
another, and we all know that we spend too little time thinking of others and
too much of ourselves," he said. "But God has taken pity on the bad
things that we do, because He loves us. He tells us, and one at a time, knowing
us personally, through the Sacrament of Penance, of Confession, of Healing--He
tells us, as He told Isaiah, 'I will wipe away your sins because of Who I Am,
and so, I will forget about your sins.'"
Archbishop Donoghue also spoke of the power of God's love.
"What a great story the Gospel tells, dear friends--a two-fold way of
learning what is really important about our own lives, and about how to fit our
lives into the life of Jesus Christ. For he is the only one who loves us
totally--who loves us, not in spite of, but because of our weaknesses and
imperfections, which he forgives and heals," he said. "Let us spend
the rest of this Mass, thanking God deeply for this way out of our problems,
and this way in to the greatest gift He has given us, the forgiveness and the
healing which comes to us through the Sacraments, and because of the love our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has for us all."
After the Mass, participants headed to the St. Jude School cafeteria, where
they dined on fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and other covered dishes.
Throughout the meal, many participants approached the archbishop and
expressed their gratitude for his presence. He then addressed those in
attendance, saying he was "delighted" to be there.
"I'm very inspired by all of you," he said. "Your devotion,
love and faith show through and I know the Lord will bless you and give you
many graces."
"You are a real example for all of us and your great devotion to Christ
and the church helps all of us to go on day after day," he continued.
Libby Blanton, whose son, Drew, suffered a brain injury as an infant, said
it was "wonderful" to have the archbishop celebrate Mass. Though the
ministry for persons with disabilities is growing in the archdiocese, Blanton
hopes that the archbishop's visit will help even more.
"Even though things start as grass roots and the parishes have to
build, we can't do it without endorsement from the highest official," she
said. "Having the archbishop here can't do anything but help the building
of this ministry."
Toni Miralles, who founded the ministry in 1973 as a way to help Felicia,
her mildly retarded daughter, said the archbishop's visit was special.
"He was so relaxed himself that he made everyone else relaxed,"
she said. "I think it was really important to the parents, to the
families, to have him here. When the archbishop comes, that means the church
cares."
This is especially important for parents such as Blanton, who, for years,
had no support for her son.
"We just kind of took it for granted that there was nothing," she
said. "We just accepted it, because that's just the way it was."
However, after attending a conference for persons with disabilities along
with Miralles, Blanton realized there were people out there who wanted to help.
After years of attending the Faith and Sharing liturgies, Blanton said the
events are still touching.
"I don't know how any human being can come to these liturgies and not
be moved," she said. "I am still moved every time I come."
Frank Murphy is also moved by the liturgies. His daughter, Karen, 23, who
has Down syndrome, often serves as a eucharistic minister at the Masses.
"This ministry is very important to Karen and Karen is very important
to us. It's just been very good for her," he said. "There is always
that little bit of fatherly pride that swells in my eyes when I see her up
there (serving)."
During the potluck dinner, a video was shown promoting the annual
"Re-creation" retreat held over Mother's Day weekend at Camp
Will-A-Way in Winder.
The retreat consists of several activities geared to the spiritual, social
and recreational needs of the special education students ages pre-school
through adult. Activities include games, crafts, music, dance, fishing,
swimming, hiking, softball, volleyball and hiking. Morning and evening prayer
is part of each day and Mass is celebrated before campers return home.
The event often draws 200-300 participants to the camp, which was designed
solely for the needs of those with disabilities. Steep slopes, uneven walks and
narrow doors have been eliminated, allowing campers full access to all
facilities.
Miralles said volunteers are always needed to staff the camp. The goal is to
assign one volunteer to one or two campers, and Miralles said that there are
many people who have volunteered for over a decade.
"I've heard people say when they come home from camp that their lives
will never be the same," she said. "I think they find out what's
real. These are the most honest people in the world and you're going to give of
yourself, but you're going to get so much more."
"For them (the campers), this is so important and so meaningful that
making this happen for them makes volunteers come away feeling they've made a
personal retreat."
The camp will be held May 12, beginning at 5 p.m., through May 14,
concluding at 2 p.m.
Volunteers need no experience, only, Miralles said, an "open mind and
an open heart."
For more information about volunteering at Camp Will-A-Way, call Miralles at
(770) 394-4588.
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