Posted May 8, 2018

As they do every month, parishioners of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford, Delaware County welcomed persons with disabilities and their caregivers to Sunday Mass on May 6. Father Ed Hallinan, pastor, led the parish’s recognition of Jessica Clark, a woman with Down syndrome who has been serving at the altar for 25 years. See scenes from the Mass below, and read the full story here. (Photos by D’Mont Reese)

  • Jessica Clark carries the cross in the entrance procession for Mass on Sunday, May 6 at her parish, St. John Chrysostom in Wallingford, which hosts a monthly Mass with people with disabilities. (Photo by D’Mont Reese)

  • Jessica Clark holds the book as Father Edward Hallinan, pastor of St. John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford, prays the opening prayer at Mass on Sunday, May 6. “DMont Reese)

  • Sarah Cardie Leopold translates the prayers, readings and hymns of the Mass into American Sign Language.

  • Father Edward Hallinan, pastor of St. John’s, preaches the homily.

  • Altar servers including Jessica Clark, right, participate in the Mass.

  • Father Edward Hallinan recognizes the service to St. John Chrysostom Parish for 25 years of altar server Jessica Clark, and her mother Joann.

  • The Clarks receive gifts and the applause of their grateful parishioners and pastor.

  • St. John’s hosts a monthly Mass for persons with disabilities and their caregivers, and includes them in roles of service at the Mass, which also features translation of all spoken elements into American Sign Language.