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Members of the Order of Alhambra, Alamar Caravan #4, prepare for the procession of the gifts during the Mass for Persons with Disabilities Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo\/Mike Melisky)<\/p>\nSCRANTON \u2013 Surrounded by family members and caregivers, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were honored in a special way on Feb. 8, 2026, during the Diocese of Scranton\u2019s annual Mass for Persons with Disabilities at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on Jesus\u2019 call to be the \u201csalt of the earth\u201d and \u201clight of the world\u201d in the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, reminded those gathered that the true value of salt and light is realized only when they are shared.<\/p>\n
Members of the Order of Alhambra, Alamar Caravan #4, prepare for the procession of the gifts during the Mass for Persons with Disabilities Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo\/Mike Melisky)<\/p>\n
\u201cSalt and light, of themselves, are not good for very much,\u201d Bishop Bambera said. \u201cTheir value is realized only when they interact with other things.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the same way, the Bishop explained, disciples of Christ are called to live with humility and generosity \u2013 drawing out goodness in others and illuminating the presence of God in the world.<\/p>\n
Bishop Bambera noted that those living with disabilities often offer a powerful witness to that message.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than you realize, my good friends, you teach us what it means to be \u2018salt and light\u2019 for our world,\u201d Bishop Bambera stated. \u201cYou illuminate our world and our hearts in such ways that even the most cynical among us can see the presence of God in the simplest gestures and in the most unexpected places. Often with few words and with your infectious smiles, you teach us lessons of gratitude for the simplest of blessings.\u201d<\/p>\n
The liturgy itself reflected the spirit of inclusion the Mass seeks to foster each year.<\/p>\n
Sister Mary Alice Jacquinot, IHM, President and CEO of Saint Joseph\u2019s Center, served as one of the lectors. She was joined by Gerard Wazeter of Saint Frances X. Cabrini Parish in Carverton, who has been privileged to proclaim the Word of God at the annual Mass for several years. <\/p>\n
Members of the Order of Alhambra, Alamar Caravan #4, served as gift bearers.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor so many years, the Bishop has offered this liturgy to highlight the idea of inclusion \u2013 involving people in their community \u2013 to be able to celebrate and honor people with disabilities and to recognize their unique gifts,\u201d Sister Mary Alice said following the Mass. \u201cWe\u2019re creating a welcoming community.\u201d<\/p>\n
She noted that the residents living and served through Saint Joseph\u2019s Center demonstrate inspiring values each day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey teach us courage, perseverance, acceptance, trust,\u201d she said. \u201cBut also, they bring a great spirit of gratitude, humility, and unconditional love. I think those are all values that we can embrace and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ada Magni, Supreme Director of Region II of the Order of the Alhambra, said her organization is grateful to participate in the annual celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a real opportunity to spotlight the unique gifts that God has given to them,\u201d Magni said. \u201cWe can always learn from them. They\u2019re just cherished.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Order of the Alhambra, founded in 1904, is dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities. Alamar Caravan #4, established locally in 1906, will celebrate its 120th anniversary in June and is the oldest caravan in the nation.<\/p>\n
Throughout the year, members host events like dinner dances, hockey outings, and an annual festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to continue to do God\u2019s work, to help those with intellectual disabilities and provide events for them,\u201d Magni added. <\/p>\n
Both Magni and Sister Mary Alice emphasized that inclusion within the Church \u2013 and in society \u2013 requires continued effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe establish belonging when we welcome the varied gifts of all people,\u201d Sister Mary Alice said. \u201cWe\u2019re really able to broaden our understanding of God\u2019s love for us by getting to know people with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he concluded his homily, Bishop Bambera also echoed that same message of gratitude and learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for serving us through your lives,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd for teaching us how to believe, to trust, and to love with the generous, selfless spirit of Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SCRANTON \u2013 Surrounded by family members and caregivers, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were honored in a…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":118140,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[178,180,179],"class_list":{"0":"post-118139","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-scranton","8":"tag-scranton","9":"tag-scranton-headlines","10":"tag-scranton-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}