Detroit Catholic Deaf Ministry Celebrates 100 Years

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1 The National Catholic Office for the Deaf Winter 2015 Page 3 Detroit Catholic Deaf Ministry Celebrates 100 Years Page 5 Page 6 Deaf Cursillo Reunion World Meeting of Families 2015 Page 7 Page 8 Pumping Up With Prayer Dr. Scott Hahn s Hail, Holy Queen Page 10 St. Francis de Sales: Patron of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Page 11 Learning Our Faith Page 13 My Journey to God s Choice: A Vocation Story Page 20 Join NCOD Volume 34/Number 1 Detroit Catholic Deaf Ministry Celebrates 100 Years -Fr. Michael Depcik WARREN, Michigan On October 11, 2014, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving with the Catholic Deaf Community at Sacred Heart Major Seminary on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Deaf Ministry in the archdiocese. Two hundred people attended the Mass and reception that followed. This article will summarize their history and discuss their current challenges. In 1913, Father Henry Kaufmann, a diocesan priest and pastor of St. Joseph Church on Jay Street near the famous Eastern Market, became aware of baptized Deaf Catholics who had no priest. He wrote to Bishop Foley, the ordinary of Detroit, saying that the Catholic Deaf community there was a flock without a shepherd. He asked permission to establish a Deaf ministry. It is interesting to note that Father Kaufmann s family owned a grocery store and, during his childhood, often met Deaf customers there. Later, while in the seminary in Milwaukee, he was exposed to Deaf pupils at St. John School for the Deaf, which was located behind the seminary. After learning American Sign Language (ASL), Father Kaufmann offered the first Mass for the Catholic Deaf community at St. Joseph Church on October 11, Records indicate that 37 Deaf Catholics were present. After the first Mass, they formed the St. Joseph Ephpheta Society. For the next 60 years, Deaf Catholics congregated at various churches -- wherever the Deaf chaplain was assigned. Finally in 1974 they found a permanent home at St. John s Deaf Center in Warren. In 1985, Cardinal Szoka established another Deaf Center at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Redford for people living on the westside. From 1984 to the present, three Oblates have been ministering to the Catholic Deaf community. Continued page 3 A Pastoral Service for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

2 With Advent, we started a new liturgical year. At Christmas, we experienced anew the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. On January 1, we celebrated the beginning of a new calendar year as we honored Mary, Mother of God. And what would this time of year be without a few New Year Resolutions? All this talk of new causes us to take a moment to consider how we have been blessed by God and how we can use this opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ as we embark on Healthy lifestyle, financial discipline, time management, and reducing stress are among the top promises we make to ourselves as we strive for self-improvement. But what about our spiritual improvement? What steps can we take to grow in our relationship with God and to share that relationship with others so they, too, can experience the saving power of His mercy and love? Many are surprised that as the spiritual life is improved so are many other domains including the ones listed above. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect. This includes proper nutrition and exercise. We take our worries and anxieties to our loving Father and witness how He helps us keep them in perspective of the greater good. God gives us every day as a gift of time on earth and we should give God our time in return time in prayer, adoration, and acts of charity. It is hoped that this edition of Vision will inspire you to consider making a retreat; commit to spending time in Eucharistic adoration with our Lord; become actively involved with a charity to serve the homeless, abused, or poor; or take advantage of unseen times where you can pray without ceasing : commuting to/from work, during exercise, waiting for an appointment are a few examples. One of the best predictors of keeping a resolution is inviting someone to join you. It adds accountability and friendship into the picture. It is also a great way to evangelize through our actions. Be courageous in bringing people to Christ. Pray for religious vocations! NCOD Board of Directors The Official Publication of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf Published quarterly by NCOD Home Office 7202 Buchanan Street Landover Hills, MD info@ncod.org Please your articles, pictures, or announcements for consideration in future issues to info@ncod.org or mail them to the address below prior to the first of February, May, August, and November. NCOD Board of Directors Episcopal Moderator Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend Fort Wayne, IN Region I The West Fr. Paul Zirimenya San Francisco, CA NCODWest1@gmail.com Region II The South Secretary Arthine Vicks Powers New Orleans, LA NCODSouth2@gmail.com Region III The Midwest President Pat Richey Olathe, KS NCODMidwest3@gmail.com Region IV Great Lakes Sue Gudenkauf Madison, WI NCODGreatLakes4@gmail.com Region V The Northeast Vice-President Deacon Patrick Graybill Rochester, NY NCODNortheast5@gmail.com Region VI Southeast Atlantic Frania Franch Marietta, GA NCODSEAtlantic6@gmail.com Region VII-Mid Atlantic Laureen Lynch-Ryan Landover Hills, MD NCODMidAtlantic7@gmail.com Deaf Pastoral Workers Representative Fr. Shawn Carey Boston, MA frshawn@deafcatholic.org ICDA-US Representative Terri Matenaer Milwaukee, WI tvmatenaer@gmail.com Members at Large Msgr. Glenn Nelson Rockford, IL RockfordHI@aol.com Joan Macy editor joanmacy@hotmail.com 2 R. Gregory Schott Naples, FL rgschott@comcast.net

3 Continued from page 1 People unfamiliar with Deaf people or Deaf ministry may not realize the many complex challenges they face. The first of many is that they do not speak the same language as people in the Church. Because of this they may be inadvertently ignored by Church hierarchy. English is not the Deaf person s first Detroit Catholic Deaf Ministry Celebrates 100 Years interact with other ASL users, marry each other, attend Deaf churches and organize events for their own benefit. Third, under-served Catholic Deaf struggle with the shrinking number of priests who are proficient in ASL. For example, in the state of Ohio there only are two priests who work with the Catholic Deaf. The Archdiocese of Detroit is the only diocese in Michigan that has a signing priest and an office addressed to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Catholic Deaf. Several large dioceses, such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles also have ministries while such services in smaller dioceses basically are non-existent. With the limited number of signing priests, many Deaf people struggle to have access to the sacraments, which hearing people take for granted. Many Deaf Catholics have not had the Sacrament of Reconciliation for years. Archbishop Allen Vignernon with Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: (left to right) Fr. Michael Depcik, OSFS (director of St. John s Deaf Center); Fr. Rich Yost, OSFS (former director of Deaf Ministry from ); and Fr. Ken McKenna, OSFS (former director of St. John s Deaf Center from ). Not surprisingly, Deaf Catholics have been joining other denominations, such as the Jehovah s Witnesses, Mormons and Baptists who seem to have effective Deaf ministry and strong support and commitment from their church leaders. However, studies have shown that 96 percent of Deaf people do not go to church. Continued language, since they did not learn it by hearing. Other disabled groups speak English and make themselves and their needs heard. They also integrate more readily into the liturgy once their needs are met (e.g., installing ramps, accessible doorways, etc.). Second, due to their invisible handicap, the Deaf frequently are overlooked in the Church. When advocates for the Deaf address bishops and priests about their special needs in the Church, they often hear: We don t have any Deaf people in our community. In reality, the U. S. census shows there are approximately 30 million Americans who experience various degrees of hearing loss while 3 million have a profound loss. It is estimated that of this number 300,000 are culturally Deaf. Culturally Deaf use a capital D to identify as users of ASL, Helen Booker, a member of St. John s Deaf Center, was baptized by Fr. Kaufmann the founder of Deaf Ministry in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Pictured with Ms. Booker 3

4 Continued from page 3 With the many challenges, it is laudable there are still Catholic Deaf who remain faithful to the Church. Such is the Catholic Deaf Community in Detroit, now celebrating its 100th anniversary thanks to Father Kaufmann, the founder of Deaf ministry in Detroit and other individuals who recognized and supported their faith. May their perseverance and faithfulness inspire other Catholics, both Deaf and hearing, to do likewise. For more coverage of the 100th Anniversary: The Michigan Catholic detroit-catholic-deaf-ministry-celebrates-100- years-2/ Bondings: The Quarterly Oblate Magazine Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Toledo-Detroit Province Detroit Deaf Ministry 100th Anniversary banquet at Sacred Heart Seminary gymnasium. Most Reverend Allen Vigneron, the Archbishop of Detroit, was the main celebrant for the 100th Anniversary Mass at Sacred Heart Seminary. Fr. Michael Depcik and Helen Booker, a member of the Detroit Catholic Deaf Ministry, visit Detroit s Mount Olivet Cemetary, where Fr. Henry Kaufman and Fr. Raymond N. Ellis both influential in bringing Catholic Deaf Ministry to Detroit are buried. -Photo from The Michigan Catholic Attendees enjoyed a banquet to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Detroit Deaf Ministry. 4

5 The SON Shines on the Cursillo Movement: National Deaf Cursillo Reunion -Chuck Theel KANSAS CITY, Kansas The National Catholic Deaf Cursillo Reunion took place at Savior Pastoral Center (better known as Savior of the World) in Kansas City, Kansas. It was held October 16 to 19, The theme for the reunion was The SON Shines on the Cursillo Movement. Chuck Theel, lay minister, and Pat Richey, Consultant for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas Office of Deaf Ministry, were co-chairs in hosting this event. It took two years to prepare for this reunion. The deaf people of the Ephpheta Society of the Deaf from St. Paul Catholic Parish, Olathe (KS) took part in helping to make the Deaf Cursillo Reunion a successful event. The participants were from all over the United States Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, New York, and Minnesota. On Thursday, it was a welcome back gathering for those who made Cursillo in the past. Two former Cursillistas (the name for people who have participated in a Cursillo retreat), LuLu Oman Lee from Iron Mountain, Michigan and Susan Murphy from Chicago, Illinois led the Cursillo Reunion for the weekend. The Masses were celebrated by Fr. Bill Key of Waukesha, Wisconsin, with Deacons Ralph Hinch of Hinsdale, Illinois, and Patrick Graybill of Rochester, New York, assisting during the Cursillo Reunion. On Friday, October 17th, the morning themes were Sunshine Strengthen Us, Christ Jesus and Refine Me. There were four simple questions for Refine Me: 1) Where have I been?, 2) What am I being called to develop?, 3) How was I and the way I lived a bit different 10 years ago from how I am now?, and 4) Who am I? In the afternoon, the two themes were Exercise with Faith/Walk with God and Doing vs Being. What does Being Christian mean? The Cursillistas had some fun in explaining the two themes for the afternoon. In the evening, there were two games for the Cursillistas to be involved in. They were Handshape Games and 01F5A ASL Challenge. The night was filled with fun and laughs. Saturday s theme was Blossoming Increase Our Knowledge of the Movement. The session included a Witness Speaker. The title was Jonas and the Whale. It was given by Paul Blicharz of St. Louis, Missouri. In the afternoon, the two themes were Growing Live and Share in the World Today. The second theme was called The Ultreya. This was given by Chuck and Julie Theel of Olathe, Kansas. In the evening, Agape was given by the Cursillistas of the St. Louis, Missouri area. The Agape was so beautiful that many of the Cursillistas didn t want it to end. On Sunday, October 19th, the final Mass was celebrated by Fr. Bill Key and Deacons Ralph Hinch and Patrick Graybill. After Mass was celebrated the National Catholic Deaf Cursillo came to an end. Many of the Cursillistas planned to continue on the Cursillo journey at home. If you have never made a Cursillo weekend, keep checking the NCOD calendar of events to see when you can join the experience! Cursillo Reunion 2014 Group: People came from all over the U.S. 5

6 September 22-27, 2015 PHILADELPHIA The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is excited about hosting the World Meeting of Families in September of As you know, while it is not confirmed we anticipate that Pope Francis will attend this meeting in Philadelphia. Keep informed and plan ahead. Visit the site and sign up for notices and updates! Read about all the ways to participate. Great news! The World Meeting of Families has launched its new website. It s the same address, but much more content and still more to come! Please explore at Accessibility: The World Meeting of Families is fully committed to providing a safe and accessible environment for all participants. Facilities and venues will be physically accessible to wheelchair users. Events will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) and Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) will be available. Alternate forms of print material may be requested. Please list the reasonable accommodations needed at the time of registration. Registration is due to open in the Fall of For more information about accessibility at the World Meeting of Families, contact info@worldmeeting2015.org. I and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia welcome you to come to Philly, 2015! Sincerely, Sister Kathleen Schipani, IHM Director, Office for Persons with Disabilities & Deaf Apostolate (215) phone (267) videophone sr.kschipani@archphila.org 6

7 Pumping Up With Prayer Reprinted from St. Anthony Messenger, September, Sr. Karen Zielinski, OSF We pray in church, before our meals and on the eve of surgeries. Some people pray before they play bingo. But what about praying when we exercise? Many people find that praying during exercise is the perfect place to contemplate, meditate and clear their minds. Scripture talks about both spiritual and physical exercise. In 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, we hear, Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future. I ask, why can t we do both? After all, the ideal is to pray always. Integrating Prayer with Exercise Prayer and exercise are a perfect fit. We as Christians want to be good stewards of creation, and our bodies are a major part of that. When we exercise or work out for our physical health, our spirituality can be woven into any routine. Exercise brings a repetition and rhythm that can complement prayer perfectly. My friend Sister Sharon breathes in and out using the Jesus Prayer. She inhales deeply to Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, and exhales praying, have mercy on me, a sinner. She uses it when she walks, and says it can also be shortened to a simple Jesus, mercy. Many people work out on treadmills or weight machines, and pray a simple sentence like Bless me, God, and all my friends. I pray the Taize refrain, Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom, as I do my daily morning stretches. (Am I making a subliminal connection to Good Friday which is associated with this hymn?) 7 Technological Help There is a need to find free time in order to exercise strength and dexterity, endurance, and harmonious movement, so as to attain or guarantee that physical efficiency necessary to man s overall equilibrium. -Pope John Paul II, During the Time of the Jubilee: The Face and Soul of Sports, October 28, 2000 Some people run or power walk, praying short mantras like Jesus, heal me! For those who like to start their exercise with prayer, there is a Pray-As-You-Go, a free daily meditation from Jesuit Media Initiatives. It offers short (10 to 12-minute) meditations on the daily readings, with bells or music, and can be downloaded for music players or played on a computer. The Rosary Workout ranges from beginner to advanced levels, along with different amounts of Rosary prayer. Author Peggy Bowes, a Catholic, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988 and served nine years as an Air Force pilot and health and wellness consultant. Catholic Tradition We have been called for years to exercise. Many of us remember the physical fitness trend that started in the 1960s with President John F. Kennedy. Christians have always been challenged to keep our bodies, our temples of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:19), in good order. Exercise can bring many physical and psychological benefits spiritually. Exercising is just as important as taking our pills and seeing our physicians. It is a healthy call to be faithful stewards. Praying during our workouts can be a powerful blend of motor and faith skills. I chuckle at what the philosopher Michel Montaigne noted, To strengthen the mind, you must harden the muscles. It seems to go with Scripture, Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

8 Deaf Attendants Inspired by Dr. Scott Hahn s Presentation on Mary and Evangelization -Cathy Mies OVERLAND PARK, Kansas The read Dr. Scott Hahn at Church of the Nativity, Overland Park, KS presenting Hail, Holy Queen on August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven, and Joy of the Gospel and Evangelization on Saturday, August 16th...free admittance. Mass will be celebrated prior to each lecture. My mind began to race, The Deaf Apostles of Most Pure Heart of Mary, Topeka have to attend. The group was willing to drive the 1.5 hour commute each way. We knew that we would have to arrive early as I felt that the very large church would be packed and overflowing. It was. There was excitement in the air. What a great opportunity! Carla Gibson said of her experience, Dr. Scott was very interesting and really impressed me about Mary, the Mother of God. Mary is so important to us because she shows God s love for us. This inspired me and I wanted him to talk longer his [two hour] talk was too short. Smile. Jeannine Adkins shared, Dr. Scott Hahn showed us the parallel between Genesis and John. It was very fascinating and truly captivated me. My belief in Mary is stronger now. His presentation was humorous, full of wisdom and full of love. I will be able to share with the Deaf community what I have learned. Aaron Adkins added his perspective, I enjoyed Dr. Scott s story about his talk with his brother-in-law (a non-catholic) about the Assumption of Mary s body and soul. I was moved by the story of how Scott met the old priest who wrote a book about Mary and now Dr. Hahn has much of it in his book on Mary, Hail, Holy Queen. I think that the Holy Spirit sent Dr. Hahn to meet that old priest and receive his last book. Wow! What a story! His lecture on Evangelization impressed the group to work together, first make a friend, be an example, share your faith and be joyful. Leave old resentments behind, you will walk with a lighter step. I feel confident that, if possible, the Deaf Apostles from Topeka will be attending any presentation that Dr. Scott Hahn gives in the Kansas City/Topeka area. We are very grateful to the School of Faith, Kansas City* for providing the two wonderful interpreters for both presentations. *School of Faith ( is a public association of the faithful that provides ongoing adult catechesis throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. As such, it is formally commissioned to teach Catholic doctrine in the name of the Church. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, KS is the chairman of the board of directors and directly oversees its activity. 8

9 The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales Patron of Persons who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Feast Day: January 24 Be at Peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you until now, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and everyday. He will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at Peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination. Prayer for Vocations God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ. We ask that You inspire young people whom you call to priesthood and consecrated life to courageously follow Your will. Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 9

10 St. Francis de Sales, Patron of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing -Archdiocese of Atlanta*, Saint Francis de Sales ( ) was a key figure in the Counter Reformation in France. He was a member of an aristocratic family of Savoy and was trained for the law, but he entered (1593) the priesthood against his father s wishes. His first years in the priesthood were spent in the district of Chablais preaching to its Protestant inhabitants. Credited with many conversions, he was made coadjutor bishop of Geneva in 1599 and bishop in 1602; he resided at Annecy in nearby Savoy. His fame as a preacher spread abroad, and from 1600 until his death he delivered Lent and Advent sermons in many of the great cities of France. In his diocese he set up schools and paid special attention to the poorer parishes. Francis is credited with bringing some 40,000 Protestants back to the Roman Catholic faith following his motto, He who preaches with love, preaches effectively. In 1605, an indigent young man named Martin, a deaf and mute from birth, came almost daily to a house in Roche, France, where Bishop de Sales was staying, to ask for alms. He was a strong young man fit for all kinds of work, and the Bishop s housekeeper often allowed him to help her in payment for the Bishop s generosity. One day a servant introduced Martin to the Bishop. As a result of his handicap, Martin, who was about 25 years old, had never received any kind of education or instruction in the Catholic faith. (It was presumed by all of the educated people of that age [the 17th Century] that a deaf-mute was a mentally handicapped person and that trying to educate or trying to communicate religious truths to such a person would be a waste of time.) At the time of their meeting, St. Francis de Sales was visibly disturbed and touched with pity for the unfortunate Martin. St. Francis realized that the poor man would remain forever ignorant of God and the rich mysteries of the Faith and that his lack of instruction would forever keep him from receiving the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. After considering young Martin s condition for a time, St. Francis determined that he would undertake the instruction of the young man. By using signs that he formed with his hands and fingers, St. Francis personally began to teach Martin about the Catholic faith. Martin, as was soon clear, was highly intelligent and a very good pupil. After a period of time, through his gentle patience and persistence and with the signs and gestures he had invented for the purpose, St. Francis succeeded in instructing Martin about God and His love for all men. All went so well that eventually Martin was able to receive the Holy Eucharist for the first time in Two years later, Martin was confirmed. St. Francis eventually hired Martin as his gardener and brought him along with him when he returned to his episcopal household in Annecy, France. For this reason, St. Francis de Sales became the Patron Saint for Persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Francis de Sales body is entombed at the Cathedral in Annecy. Do not wish to be anything but what you are and try to be that perfectly. -St. Francis de Sales *Special thanks to the National Catholic Office for the Deaf for the basis of this narrative. 10

11 Learning Our Faith: The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church This edition of Catholicism 101 is pulled from Section Two: The Profession of the Christian Faith; Chapter Two: I Believe in Jesus Christ the Only Son of God. Jesus Christ was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary Why did the Son of God become man? ( ) For us men and for our salvation, the Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. He did so to reconcile us sinners with God, to have us learn of God s infinite love, to be our model of holiness and to make us partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) What does the word Incarnation mean? ( ; 483) The Church calls the mystery of the wonderful union of the divine and human natures in the one divine Person of the Word the Incarnation. To bring about our salvation the Son of God was made flesh (John 1:14) and became truly man. Faith in the Incarnation is a distinctive sign of the Christian faith. In what way is Jesus Christ true God and true man? (( ; 469) Jesus in inseparably true God and true man in the unity of his divine Person. As the Son of God, who is begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father, he was made true man, our brother, without ceasing to be God, our Lord. What does the Council of Chalcedon (in the year 451) teach in this regard? (467) The Council of Chalcedon teaches us to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, perfect in his humanity, true God and true man, composed of rational soul and body, consubstantial with the Father by his divinity, and consubstantial with us by his humanity, like us in all things but sin (Hebrews 4:15), begotten from the Father before all ages as to his divinity, and in these last days, for us and for our salvation, born of Mary, the Virgin and Mother of God, as to his humanity. What is the meaning of the expression conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit? ( ) This expression means that the Virgin Mary conceived the eternal Son in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit without the cooperation of a man. The angel told her at the Annunciation that the Holy Spirit will come upon you (Luke 1:35)....Born of the Virgin Mary : Why is Mary truly the Mother of God? (495; 509) Mary is truly the Mother of God because she is the Mother of Jesus (John 2:1; John 19:25). The One who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and became truly her Son is actually the eternal Son of God the Father. He is God himself. What does Immaculate Conception mean? ( ; 508) God freely chose Mary from all eternity to be the Mother of his Son. In order to carry out her mission she herself was conceived immaculate. This means that, thanks to the grace of God and in anticipation of the merits of Jesus Christ, Mary was preserved from original sin from the first instant of her conception. Do you have a question about the Catholic Church or Her teachings? info@ncod.org and you might see your question answered in an upcoming edition of the Vision newsletter. 11

12 -New York State Pastoral Workers for the Deaf Suppose someone were to ask a Deaf person, Why are you Catholic? How would you answer? Sometimes it is difficult to explain our faith beliefs to others. Sometimes it is even difficult for us to understand our Catholic faith. Even though one may have a genuine and deep faith, it may be challenging to find the vocabulary to explain or defend our faith. Yet, John Paul II called all Catholics to a New Evangelization: to live as true disciples of Jesus spreading his gospel message in a real way in today s world. With this in mind, Monsignor Patrick McCahill, pastor of St. Elizabeth s Deaf Church in the Archdiocese of New York brought to life a long-held dream. He came up with the idea of developing a DVD program for Deaf Adults that touches on various aspects of Christ, his life and how we can connect with Christ through prayer and sacrament and imitate him in our moral life. The program can be used either in group instructional settings or for independent study at home. The program addresses a variety of themes using stories, pictures, and Scripture. It is signed by a Deaf woman who is a member of the Deaf Church, using a combination of ASL and Signed English. The program is divided into several different titles, each addressing a particular theme. The central focus of each title is the person of Jesus. Viewers are encouraged to interact with the material. Each title has one to three sections with questions following each section. The questions are designed to help viewers reflect on and integrate the material presented. The production of the DVDs has been a learning process. It is an independent local effort made on site with the assistance of a video consultant. The DVD program has been reviewed and some titles have been tried by the New York State Pastoral Workers with the Deaf. The titles produced thus far are: Sharing the Word: A Local Effort The Most Important Work of Jesus His Death and Resurrection (25 minutes) Jesus Teaches the Kingdom of God (20 minutes) Who is Jesus? His Humanity and His Divinity (22 minutes) Who is the God of Jesus? Jesus Idea of God the Father (18 minutes) The Prayer of Jesus The Our Father (10 minutes) We believe it would be wonderful idea for this program to become the beginning of a national data base at NCOD for sharing Adult Faith Formation and Children s religious education resources developed for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Why not start something new!! If you wish a copy of the DVD that contains all the above titles, we are asking $10.00 for the cost of shipping and handling. Please contact: Msgr. Patrick McCahill 211 East 83 rd Street NY, NY pmccahill@aol.com (212) voice (646) VP 12

13 My Journey to God s Choice Top Ten Things to Promote Vocations - For all Catholics: 1. Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 to beg the master of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard. If we want more priests, sisters and brothers, we all need to ask. 2. Teach young people how to pray. Pope Benedict XVI said that unless we teach our youth how to pray, they will never hear God calling them into a deeper relationship with Him and into the discipleship of the Church. 3. Invite active young adults and teens to consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. A simple, sincere comment should not be underestimated. An easy way to do this can be remembered by four letters: ICNU. John, I see in you (ICNU) the qualities that would make a good priest, and I want to encourage you to pray about it. It is a non-invasive way to encourage openness to a religious vocation. 4. Make it attractive. Show the priesthood for what it truly is a call to be a spiritual father to the whole family of faith. Similarly, the consecrated life for a young woman is a call to be united to Christ in a unique way, and to be a spiritual mother to those she encounters in her life and service. The challenge for priests and religious is to be joyful models of their vocations. 5. Preach it, brother! Vocations must be talked about regularly if a vocation culture is to take root in parishes and homes. This means, first and foremost, the people need to hear about vocations from priests through homilies, prayers of the "IF YOU ARE WHAT YOU SHOULD BE, THEN YOU WILL SET THE WORLD ON FIRE." -ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA faithful, and discussions in the classroom. Vocations kept out of sight are out of mind. For those considering a vocation: 6. Practice the faith. We all need to be reminded that the whole point of our lives is to grow in a deep, intimate and loving relationship with God. This is the first step for any young person desiring to discern any call in life. 7. Enter into the Silence. Silence is key to sanity and wholeness. We can only hear the voice of God if we are quiet. Take out the ear buds of your iphone, ipod, and itunes and listen to God, the great I AM. Young people should try to spend 15 minutes of quiet prayer each day this is where you can begin to receive clear direction in your lives. 8. Be a good disciple. Some bishops say, We do not have a vocation crisis; we have a discipleship crisis. Young people can become true followers of Jesus Christ by serving those around them. By discovering your call to discipleship, you also discover your particular call within the Church. 9. Ask God. Ask God what He wants for your life and know He only wants what is good for you. If, in fact, you are called to the priesthood or consecrated life, it will be the path to great joy and contentment. 10. In the immortal words of a famous sneaker manufacturer: Just do it! If you feel that God is inviting you to try it out, apply to the seminary or religious order. Remember, the seminary or convent is a place of discernment. You will not be ordained or asked to profess vows for many years, providing ample opportunity to explore the possibility of a call to priesthood or religious life. 13

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17 Answer: Pour the second glass into the fifth glass. Resources for Catechesis Liturgical Prayers in American Sign Language Basic Congregational Responses in the Mass (DVD) Strengthened in Faith: Confirmation Sacramental Preparation Program in ASL! (DVD) Now available in Spanish Share your Faith Share Your Faith Help Others Become Friends with Christ Just for Fun! It says on your resume that you were created in God s image. Very impressive! 17

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19 Pastoral Week 2015 San Diego, CA Spring 2015 Vision will have a recap of all the fun, excitement, and inspiration. Don t miss your opportunity to join the fun in New Orleans 2016! Experience the excitement of hosting in 2017 or See what is involved in hosting a conference at 19

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