About 38 churches and synagogues in Centre County will participate in Sabboth/Sunday Mental Retardation Awareness Weekend this weekend.

March is designated mental retardation month across the U.S. and is a time for churches and synagogues to focus on the needs and abilities of people with mental retardation, said Jane Schwab, administrative assistant for Centre County's Association for Retarded citizens.

Schwab said local churches and synagogues will participate by enclosing informative inserts in their weekly bulletins.

The inserts briefly explain the nature of mental retardation while emphasizing the fact that mentally handicapped people can be qualified employees, valuable friends and contributing citizens to their community, she said.

The program aims to educate people about mental retardation as well as teaching others how to make retarded citizens and family members feel more accepted in the church and community, Schwab said.