Message from Governor Moore 

The First Lady and I are heartbroken to hear of Meghan Jones's passing.
As Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council's Vice Chair, Meghan played an important role in advocating for Maryland's disability community. She lived by the motto: “Nothing about us, without us” because she didn't believe in only pointing out problems. She believed in being an active part of the solution. Her kindness, her tireless dedication, and her friendship will be missed by so many throughout this state.
We are keeping Meghan, her family and friends, and the Council in our prayers.

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Tribute from Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council: 
​The Council's story is one of advocacy and creating change for the DD community. As our vice chair, Meghan Jones played a big role in this mission. She was an incredible advocate not just for herself, but for all Marylanders with disabilities. We mourn the loss of this dynamic advocate and leader and incredible person.
Meghan's journey with the Council began in 2017 when she joined us as a passionate advocate. She was elected vice chair in 2022. Her voice echoed in Annapolis, where she testified multiple times, including on a bill just last year that removed harmful, outdated language from our state laws. Meghan’s story of leadership was also recognized in July when she was inducted into the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Self-Advocate Leadership Circle—an honor reflecting the impact of her tireless work.
Governor Moore also acknowledged Meghan with deep respect during an executive order signing last summer, saying: “When the story of this state is written, [Meghan’s] name will be in lights.” We couldn't agree more.
Meghan’s laughter, kindness, leadership, and dedication to self-advocacy will be missed. We will continue the story of advocacy and change through our work. Her memory will guide and motivate us as we move forward. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those who loved her.

Updates from the Jones family
*Celebration of Life Saturday July 12th at 11:00am. St. Francis of Assisi Church 
6701 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood MD. 
*Remembering Meghan: A Conversation and Celebration of Life and Light.
Community sharing session facilitated by Mama Peace.
Feb. 17 6:00pm Lebanese Taverna.
*The Montgomery County Council will recognize Meghan's service to our community with a Proclamation on March 4th at 9am. All invited to County Council hearing room at 100 Maryland Avenue. 
*Thank you for the outpouring of love from our UCR family and community members.  
*Please do not send more flowers or food to the Jones family.
*In lieu of these typical comfort gifts, please feel free to make a donation to UCR in Meghan's honor. Please use the donate button on front page or below.

Meghan Jones was a strong, independent woman who happens to have Down Syndrome.  She works two jobs, serves as a lecturer, usher and altar server in her church and a member of leadership council for the Church Youth Group. She was a founding board member for Upcounty Community Resources and helped to coordinate social events.  Meghan attended Magruder High School, was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Corps earning the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Presidential Award for community Service through volunteering over 500 hours. She graduated from the Transition Training for Independence Program at Montgomery College.  Meghan completed  internships with Project Search at the National Institute of Health as well as an internship at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. This fierce advocate was fluent in American Sign Language and testified before Maryland legislators, the US Dept. of Labor Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Competitive Integrated Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and has been a presenter at the Techniques for Success Conference.

Tribute from Meghan's life-long pastor Fr. John at St. Francis of Assisi Church.

January 16, 2025
Dear Friends in Christ,
Like many of you, I have been deeply affected by the passing of one of our parish’s most vibrant young people, Meghan Jones, who died January 8 after a brief respiratory illness. A ubiquitous presence in the life of our faith community, Meghan could be seen serving at the altar, contributing at youth group leadership meetings, shooting baskets at the Hoops for Haiti basketball event, and passing the collection basket at Mass. Born with Down Syndrome, she achieved extraordinary things in her 35 years on this Earth and did them with optimism, perseverance, and a belief in herself that I truly admired.
 
Meghan was trained as an altar server some 25 years ago and had the distinction of being our parish’s longest serving server. In high school, she became a lector and was invited in 2015 to read the Second Reading at the Canonization Mass for Blessed Junipero Serra that Pope Francis celebrated on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In 2023, she completed an American Sign Language certificate program at Montgomery College, enabling her to interpret readings, homilies and hymns during our Masses for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Several people have told me how blessed they felt to have watched her sign “Silent Night” at the 10:30 pm Christmas Mass last month, a testament to her passion and work ethic.
As Christians, we are called to advocate for policies and laws impacting Catholic social teaching, which encapsulate the importance of building a just society amid the challenges of modern society. The central teaching -- protecting the life and dignity of the human person -- is one to which Meghan dedicated herself as a leader in the disability community. She served as vice chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, testifying numerous times on state legislation that impacts people with special needs. She served on the board of Upcounty Community Resources, an organization bringing people with developmental and intellectual differences into all areas of community life. She modeled for her peers how one fully lives life, be that cooking for oneself at home or enjoying a night out with friends.
So much in Meghan’s life is admirable, but two things stick out for me. First, her embrace of her Baptismal call to use her talents in service to the church. Meghan knew the blessings God had given her and shared them in countless ways to build up our body of Christ. Second, her gift as a joyful and enthusiastic evangelizer, stemming from a deeply held faith. Director of Liturgy Joan Treacy tells a story about how Meghan once talked to an airplane seatmate about God and the Church; before they parted ways, the passenger told Meghan he was thinking about returning to church after speaking with her.
By bringing her smile, zest for life, and natural leadership skills to every encounter, Meghan showed us the bountiful gifts any person, but especially people with special needs, have to offer. Her presence on the altar fostered a sense of belonging for people with special needs, showing them they have a home here and teaching us to open our hearts, our ministries, and minds to what members of this community can contribute. It’s a lesson we know and try to live in countless ways here.
Although we mourn Meghan today, we also treasure the example of dedicated service and Christian leadership she practiced. As we pray with the Jones family, may we remember this exceptional young woman and the gifts she bore at our church and in our world. The family does not have any immediate funeral plans for Meghan, but is planning a celebration of her life, likely this summer.
I wish you the peace of Christ and a blessed and wonderful week.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John