Jackie Tapoof will be honored with the Catholics Can Award during the annual Catholics Can Mass. The award was scheduled to be presented by Bishop Solis at a Mass held at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in West Valley City.
The Catholics Can Award has been presented for 14 years by the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Commission for People with Disabilities. The recognition honors individuals who work to ensure everyone can participate fully in parish life, as well as individuals with disabilities who serve as witnesses to the Catholic faith.
Tapoof has served as a parishioner and volunteer at St. Helen Parish in Roosevelt and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Mission in Fort Duchesne. Her involvement includes roles as a member of the parish council, a lector, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and a catechist, alongside her work with the Council of Catholic Women.
A member of the Ute Tribe, Tapoof has shared her Native spirituality and Catholic faith with others. Carol Ruddell, a member of the Commission for People with Disabilities, noted that Tapoof has been able to intertwine her Native spirituality with her Catholic faith.
According to her nomination, Tapoof has helped build relationships between the pastor and the community. When Father Joven Opalda was newly assigned to the Roosevelt area, Tapoof assisted in introducing him to the community and connecting him with members of the Ute Tribe.
Despite facing challenges from a serious car accident that resulted in a hip replacement and ongoing arthritis, Tapoof remains an active participant in parish life. Her nomination stated that her perseverance serves as an example of courage, determination, and trust in God.
The Catholics Can Mass was scheduled for Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, located at 3560 West 3650 South, West Valley City.
