Liturgy, awards celebrate contributions of disabled Catholics |
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Written by MARYLISA BOOSE, Special to the Chronicle
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 19:00 |
LEXINGTON—Honorees, their families and friends gathered at Lexington Resurrection Church Feb. 16 for the annual Open Door Liturgy and Open Arms Awards sponsored by the diocesan Office of Equal Access Ministries. The event honored seven people from the diocese who have turned disabilities into abilities in work for the church and their communities.
Bishop Leonard P. Blair presided at the Mass and presented honorees — Bernadette Cardwell, Margie Kolinski, Marcia Rashly, Colleen Roth, Kathleen Roth and Patrick Steyer — with awards. Father Joseph Weigman, also an award winner, was unable to attend the ceremony.
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| Bishop Leonard P. Blair presents an Open Arms Award to Colleen Roth of
Toledo Good Shepherd Parish at the Open Door Liturgy Feb. 16.
(Chronicle photo by MaryLisa Boose) |
“In a time when so many Catholics are not participating in Sunday Mass every week, it is remarkable to think that these people, not withstanding their disabilities, contribute so much to the church,” Bishop Blair said after the ceremony. “They serve as a real example to people who might be tempted to sit back and not participate.”
During Mass, the bishop said everyone should embrace the faith like the Open Arms Award winners. “We all have limitations of one kind or another, but we should all keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” he said.
Mrs. Cardwell, from Norwalk St. Mary, is a wife and mother of two children. She lives with multiple sclerosis, but remains very active in the parish. A former Catholic elementary school teacher, she chairs the parish adult faith formation committee, coordinates a Talent Show for God, publishes the monthly newsletter for the parish and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology.
Mrs. Kolinski, a long-time member of the local and international Catholic Deaf Association, is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who has been married 56 years. She is a member of Toledo St. Pius X, where she serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion. She has participated in two Christ Renews His Parish women’s retreats, performing a unique clown mime. She retired from Libbey Glass in Toledo after a 40-year career.
Mrs. Rashley, from Swanton St. Richard, is a wife, mother of two children and a former paraprofessional who worked with special needs students. Though she lives with vision loss from macular degeneration, she serves on the parish RCIA presentation team, teaches a pre-school religion class and volunteers daily in the parish after-school program. Mrs. Rashley, who spends one hour each week in eucharistic adoration, was a member of the first women’s Christ Renews His Parish team at St. Richard.
Mrs. Colleen Roth, from Toledo Good Shepherd, is a wife and mother of three daughters with severe disabilities. Blind since birth, she is very active in the National Federation of the Blind, having served on the board of directors and as chapter president. A graduate of St. Ursula Academy, she has a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and currently serves on the advisory board of the United Way Family Information Network. She regularly lectors at parish and diocesan liturgies using materials printed in Braille.
Mrs. Kathleen Roth, a member of Paulding St. Joseph, is a wife, mother of two children and grandmother of six. She is active in the parish despite dealing with lupus vasculitus. She is a registered nurse and one of the original members of the Paulding County Right to Life organization. She has worked with engaged couples and youth groups, and participated in World Youth Day in 1993. Mrs. Roth co-chaired the planning, fundraising and construction of a community prayer garden in the city of Paulding and organizes volunteers for the garden’s upkeep. She schedules weekly eucharistic adoration for the parish and serves as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and a lector.
Mr. Steyer, from New Riegel All Saints, has ministered as an altar server for 11 years. A senior at New Riegel High School, he helps manage the school’s basketball team, as well as All Saints’ CYO teams. Mr. Steyer, who has Downs Syndrome, serves as a greeter for Sunday Mass and volunteers for parish festivals every year. He serves the community by visiting patients at the Alzheimer’s unit at the St. Francis Home in Tiffin.
Fr. Weigman is the chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Oregon and a teacher at Cardinal Stritch High School. Fr. Weigman, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just prior to his ordination in 1991, presides at daily Mass at the Sacred Heart Home and provides the sacramental care for all the residents. Previously, he served as associate pastor at Toledo St. John the Baptist, Bowling Green St. Thomas More and Findlay St. Michael. He was associate director of spiritual formation at St. Meinrad School of Theology and director of deacon formation for the Toledo Diocese.
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Last Updated on Monday, 28 July 2008 08:46 |
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