In a first for the diocese, a single Mass was used to honor both Respect Life Month and Disabilities Awareness Month at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Vienna Oct 7. The merging of the two provided an opportunity for Bishop Michael F. Burbidge to highlight the Catholic Church’s teaching on the sanctity of all life — including those with special needs.
“Sadly, we live in a nation where the poor, the weak, the
elderly, the inmate, the immigrant and persons with disabilities are not always
afforded the dignity that is theirs as children of God; and it is to this world
that we are sent as messengers of the Gospel of Life,” he said in his homily.
Bishop Burbidge also praised the Catholic Charities Office for
the “staggering number of people in need that they help throughout the diocese”
as well as Porto Charities, which was recently honored for its work promoting
“inclusive education” for students with disabilities. Still, he urged that more
be done.
“We have to do a better job in making sure those persons —
including our young people with disabilities — are welcomed and included in all
of our parishes and schools,” he said.
Darcie Girmus, the principal of St. Mark Catholic School — which
has a program for students with special needs — said that events like this Mass are a key to
doing just that, and hopes that Bishop Burbidge can help guide other schools to
promote this kind of integrated education.
“It is awesome to see that he has an interest in this and
hopefully with his guidance other schools will be inspired to take a leap of
faith,” Girmus said, adding that her school had to cap the number of students
with special needs at five to ensure they receive the attention that
they need.
Justin Wilcox, a parishioner at St. Mark’s who came out for the
Mass with his family, said that his parish led the way in providing a program
for children with special needs.
“We came out to really support the community and to bring my
kids, including my son, Seamus, to the Mass,” Wilcox said. “We’re so excited
that the Bishop is supportive of these programs.”
Seamus is 4 years old with Down syndrome and Wilcox hopes that
he will be a student at St. Mark’s one day soon.
St. Mark’s has teachers on staff to work with special needs
students, an initiative that was started
when longtime parishioner Bill Dalgetty approached the founding principal,
Helen Brewer, to request it.
Dalgetty’s daughter, who has Down syndrome, served as a gift
bearer along with Zach Fowler and Mellisa Castellanos. It was Emily’s very
positive experience with the special needs education at Paul VI Catholic High
School in Fairfax that convinced Dalgetty to ask for a special needs program at
the elementary-school level.
As a Porto Charities board member, he is grateful for Bishop
Burbidge’s support all year round.
“We love Bishop Burbidge and the support he gives Porto Charities
at these Masses, but throughout the year, too, in terms of encouraging parishes
and parish schools to begin programs and encouraging the parishes to
participate in the special needs collection.”
During an announcement at the end of Mass, Porto Charities’ Leo
Alonso expressed his gratitude to Bishop Burbidge as well. Alonso’s daughter,
Vivian, was active at the start helping to hand out programs.
As for the altar servers, while two of them were waiting for the
shuttle after reception, they expressed their gratitude for being
able to serve.
“I enjoy doing it,” Richard Devilin said. “I like being close to
God.”
Chris Yorke, who lives at a Gabriel Missions Home
agreed, and stated how they were Fourth Degrees Knights of
Columbus and both serve regularly throughout the diocese.
York’s fiancee, Angela O’Dowd, who is also an altar server and waited with them
for the shuttle, was proud of him.
“He did great,” O’Dowd said.
Another young talent who helped at the Mass is aspiring actor
Matthew Gang, who read the prayers of the faithful.
“I want to read more,” Gang said. “I want people to be happy as
well as to help everyone who comes to Mass.”
Elizabeth Eisenberg read the first reading and Spencer Darling
the second. Frankie Anstett, Elizabeth Brown and Tyler O’Hara also assisted as
altar servers.
Amy Mcinerny and Therese Bermpohl, respect life director and
executive director respectively of the Office for Marriage, Family and Respect
Life, both saw the common thread between the Mass’s two themes, respect life
and disabilities awareness.
“I love that this Mass for persons with disabilities is on
Respect Life Sunday because in our state we are also fighting disrespect for
life at its end. We have a threat of physician-assisted suicide that we’re
trying to get everyone to comment on and resist by the Oct 15 deadline via the
Virginia Catholic Conference’s website,” McInerny said. “Bishop’s message in
his homily today is especially important now in our diocese: Every life is
cherished, chosen and sent.”
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