Have a Blessed Easter!

Archdiocese of Milwaukee Have a Blessed Easter! Dear Friends As I look out the window on this late winter day watching my dog enjoying his walk around the backyard as the snow has finally melted, I saw my first Robin which is a sign that spring is just around the corner! I am looking forward to seeing the flowers and the trees bloom. The grass will grow and turn green which means time to get the mower blades sharpen! Spring also means that the Church celebrates the Lenten season. Since we are half way through Lent, I ask you to join with me as we continue our journey to grow in a strong relationship with God by praying (communicating to God), fasting (improving ourselves) and almsgiving (giving to the poor). During the Lenten season, we need to take some time to look at ourselves and try to be closer to God by communicating with Him through prayers. Fasting is not only means to give up something like food or watch TV less. We need to look inside of ourselves more deeply and try to do spring cleaning and be a better person in which God wants us to. We need to pause from our busy activities and look around us. There are many ways to help others who are in need and not just focusing on ourselves. For God loves us so much, He shows us His mercy. God always has His arms open for you, may you have your arms open to others. As we grow into the new Church year, our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry continue to grow stronger. TERRI S MEMO Our Advisory Commission continues to work together and develop some long term plans for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry. We need your prayers as they meet this weekend for a planning retreat. Archbishop Jerome Listecki was installed on January 4 th and held several Mass, Prayer Services, and Reconciliations throughout the Archdiocese. Some of the members of the Deaf community had a chance to meet him (see more information on Page 5). Please continue to pray for the Deaf students, from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD), who are attending religion classes to learn more about their faith and prepare for their Sacraments. Fr. Mike Depcik came to St. Matthias for Mass in sign language last January. He will have one more Mass in May before he leaves for his new church in Detroit, Michigan. We ask you to pray for Christopher Klusman, our Deaf Seminarian, who will be ordained a Transitional Deacon on April 24 th. We pray to God to bless him on his journey as he moves closer to the priesthood. Hope you and your family have a Blessed Easter! Terri Matenaer, Coordinator Deaf/Hard of Hearing Ministry Archdiocese of Milwaukee 262-321-0464 TTY/Voice 262-672-6823 VP 2010 SPRING ISSUE INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Terri s Memo 1 Delavan Ministry Pictures Delavan Ministry 3 Coming Together 4 Archbishop Listecki Welcome Mass Interpreted Sign Mass for Holy Week and Easter Calendar of Events 6,7 Birthday Wishes 8 St. John s Reunion 9,10 Contact Information 11 Subscription Information 2 5 5 11

Page 2 Lucero Uriostegia, Briana Robertson, and Andy Coppola are in the upper elementary class. This was during Advent. They put on a drama about the first Christmas when Jesus was born. Meet our middle school class: Tom Benish, Daniel Romero, Malia Christenson, Patty Kostechka (teacher), Gunner Hahns, Jed Eldred, and Daniel Orizaba. (Missing from photo are Jon DeRosier and Jose Zepeda-Amador) Our Confirmation students are Travis Waala, Arvilla Rank (teacher), Myra Flynn, and Jose Castillo. Mark Farris faithfully chaperones the bus that transports the students to church from WSD each Wednesday. Here he is smiling with Lance Jacoby and Genna. Meet our freshman/sophomore class First Row: Olivia Percifield, Genna Menting, Veronica Duran, Kayla Waters Second Row: Julian Chairez, Branduan Carter, Terri Matenaer (teacher), Alejandro Evangelista, and Taylor Koss. (Missing from photo Lance Jacoby)

Page 3 What s Happening in Delavan March 2010 We Adore You O Christ And We Praise You, Because By Your Holy Cross You Have Redeemed the World. The Deaf students in Delavan are now on their journey to the cross and finally Easter joy. We began Lent with distribution of ashes and discussed things we could give up during Lent and also things we could do during Lent to help us walk closer with our Lord. We have also gone to Confession. Father Brian Holbus celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation with us in March. Some of our new students have not yet received the sacrament of Reconciliation or made their First Communion. We would like them to be in the program for one year to learn more before they receive these sacraments, so this will happen next year for the new kids. We have 3 juniors who are very close to receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. They are Jose Castillo, Myra Flynn, and Travis Waala. They have made a retreat and completed a service project. They picked a saint s name for their Confirmation, wrote a letter to the Bishop asking to be Confirmed, and have chosen their sponsors. We ask that you hold them in your prayers during this special time in their spiritual growth. We also want to invite you to celebrate with them when they are confirmed. Bishop Sklba will confirm them at St. Andrew s Parish on Wednesday, April 7 th, at 7:00 PM. This will include a Mass which is interpreted. After Mass you are welcomed to join the students in the cafeteria for some cake and drink at a reception for them. It would be a very nice if they could see the Deaf adult community there supporting them. In this issue of Hand in Hand I have included photos of the students in our classes. We thank God for them. We thank the parents for wanting them to learn more about the Catholic faith. We thank God for letting us be His tool to spread His word and His love. As we walk the way to the cross with our Savior our hearts anticipate celebrating a joyful Easter. Alleluia! In His Service, Patty Kostechka They say Ignorance is bliss. But Ignorance is no excuse for not knowing, loving and serving God.

Coming Together: 1,700 women attend Christian Conference Page 4 By GAY GRIESBACH For the Daily News Women converged on the Washington County Fair Park Saturday for spiritual recharge at the second annual Women of Christ Conference. Archbishop Jerome Listecki welcomed the group to the opening of a day filled with speakers and Catholic devotions - prayer, reconciliation, the rosary and Eucharistic adoration. Approximately 1,700 women came to celebrate this year's theme: the unique dignity of women as designed by God, said conference leadership team member Toby Neuberger. "Society says we have to be thin, be this, be that; abortions are OK. It's important for women to know the plan God has for us," Neuberger said. "We are the nurturers, the care givers. Where we go, society goes." Neuberger borrowed the thought from Mother Assumpta, prioress general and one of four founding members of the Dominican Sisters of Mary in Ann Arbor. Dorothy Weyker of Belgium said for her, the event was both a spiritual retreat and renewal. "It's something I need in my life," said Weyker. This was Weyker's second year attending the conference. This year she brought her daughter, Sue Gohlman of DePere. Connie Flores of Hillmar, Calif., was with a group that volunteered to assist team leaders at the conference. Flores works with NET (National Evangelization Teams) Ministries, based in St. Paul. "It's exciting, all the knowledge these strong women in Christ have. It's been very inspiring," said Flores. Flores had the opportunity to listen to Pia de Solenni, an ethicist and moral theologian, and Vicki Thorn, founder of Project Rachel, a ministry for post-abortion healing. Brenda Mbganck of Watertown said de Solenni's talk on the role of women gave her renewed inspiration to take her part in a world created for Christ. A mother of four girls, Mbganck said it renewed her resolve to raise her children as daughters of Christ and help them become women of dignity. Thorn spoke of the wounds inflicted on women by a secular culture. "We hunker down in our pain, we slam the door and hold it closed," said Thorn. Thorn said we live in a time where physical, sexual and mental abuse and the misconception of reproductive freedom breaks the natural bonds of love. Thorn said women were being given an invitation from Jesus to heal their pain by turning control of their lives over to Christ. She challenged women to carry the "hard truth" to others: that all life is precious. The conference wound down with a Eucharist procession and Mass celebrated by Bishop William Callahan. The conference, which was patterned after the Men of Christ Conference, expanded this year to include events in both the Fair Park Pavilion and Ziegler Family Center. The men's conference, which is in its fourth year, has been moved to the Milwaukee Theater due to the growing number of men attending the event. The Men of Christ Conference will be held on Feb. 20 at the Milwaukee Theater.

Welcome Mass with Archbishop Jerome Listecki Page 5 MOUNT PLEASANT - Love is sacrifice. Love is action. God is love, said Archbishop Jerome Listecki to those at a special Mass welcoming the new archbishop. "Jesus offers himself in a demonstration of love," he said. "And we are called to live in the same sacrifice." Listecki, leader of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, held a special Mass on Monday at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., the last of six throughout the archdiocese since he was installed Jan. 4. About 650 people from the Racine and Kenosha area attended the service, according to church staff. "We're happy that we have an archbishop," said Audrey Ragan, 77, of Racine. "We came because we wanted to listen to him and get acquainted with him." Attentive listeners nodded their heads and murmured affirmations during his 20-minute sermon on a passage in the Book of John where Jesus reinstates Peter. After Simon Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion, the resurrected Jesus reappears to Peter and asks him, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" three times to reinstate Peter, according to Listecki. But Jesus is not just talking to Peter, Listecki said: "He's talking to us." The message gave her hope, Ragan said. "That there's healing for the church," she said. "We're all trusting that God is with us." Holy Week Schedule St. Andrew Church, Delavan 714 E. Walworth Avenue Delavan, WI 53115 262-728-5922 Interpreted Mass April 4th --- 9:30am St. Joseph Church, Waukesha 822 North East Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186 262-446-0327 Interpreted Mass April 4 9:30am St. Peter Church, Kenosha 2224 30th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53144 262-551-9004 Interpreted Mass in Church Holy Thursday, April 1 7:00pm Good Friday, April 2 12:30pm Easter Sunday April 4 9:30am And when Peter affirms yes,' three times, Jesus tells him each time to feed and tend his sheep. "Once we get (God's love), we're moved to share it," Listecki said. "We're moved to be like Christ in the world." And like the good shepherd Listecki, with the archbishop's staff in hand, promised he is not afraid and is ready to fight the wolves of the world if it means the souls of his parish members. And he prayed that he would be able to guide them so when the time comes and Jesus asks them, "Do you love me?" they may all answer, "Yes, Lord, you know we do." Listecki began his homily on love, thanking people for coming and ended the night greeting people with hearty handshakes and friendly banter. "He's like one of us," Ragan said. "He doesn't put himself on a pedestal." One beaming woman told the archbishop while clasping his hand, "so glad to have you." To which he responded: "For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer." Photo by: Christine Won The Journal Times St. Matthias Church, Milwaukee 9306 W. Beloit Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53227 414-321-0893 Interpreted Mass in Church Holy Thursday, April 1 7:00pm Good Friday, April 2 7:00pm (Communal Service in small Chapel) Easter Sunday April 4 8:45am & 10:30am St. Paul the Apostle Church, Racine 6400 Spring Street Racine, WI 53406 292-886-0530 Interpreted Mass Holy Thursday, April 1 7:00pm Good Friday, April 2 12:30pm Holy Saturday, April 3 7:00pm Easter Sunday April 4 10:30am

Page 6 Calendar of Events around the Area..... ICDA Midwest Conference In God We Trust April 16-17 at Cleveland, OH www.icda-us.org/mwr2010/ icdaus_midwest_conference_2010.htm Cursillo Reunion August 12-15 at Louisville, KY Donald Shaw, Coordinator NDCreunion@aol.com ASL Weekend April 30-May 2 at Lion s Camp, Rosholt, WI. For more information go to www.aslweekend.org/ 4 Deaf Clubs Picnic August 21 at Darien, WI. www.deafpicnic.com Camp De Sales Center Brooklyn, MI July 4-9 or July 11-16 Families with Hearing Parents July 18-23:Familes with Deaf Parents July 25-30:Catholic Family Week August 1-6:Christian Youth Leadership Week August 11-15:Deaf-Blind Workshop www.desales.org KODA Camp MacKenzie Center, Poynette, WI July 4-16 KODA Camp July 18-30 KODA Camp kodacamp.wordpress.com/ Deaf Awareness Fest September 25 at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Oak Creek, WI. www.wisdeaf.org/daf NCOD Pastoral Week January 2011 at Atlanta, GA. www.ncod.org Walk4Hearing May 16 at the Milwaukee Lakefront Please contact Terri Matenaer at hlaa.convio.net/site/tr fr_id=1670&pg=entry Camp Mark 7 Old Forge, NY June 9-19 Bible Institute August 22-28 ASL Silent Week August 22-28 Elder Camp www.campmark7.org

Page 7 Calendar of Events around the Archdiocese..... Mass of Chrism March 30 7:30pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee, WI. Interpreter will be provided. Please contact Terri Matenaer, Coordinator at to reserve your seats. For more information about this event, go to www.archmil.org/archdioceseevents/ ArchbishopListeckitoPresideatt.htm Lord Have Mercy Conference April 10 All Day St. Jerome Parish, Oconomowoc, WI. Interpreter will be provided. For more information about this event, go to www.rosaryea.org/ Pentecost Mission Cardinal Stritch University 8:00am 11:45am Interpreter will be provided. April 10 A Response in Times of Chaos April 24 Praying the New Mass May 8 The History of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Contact: Terri Matenaer at Bible Study with Deacon David Sommers. Water Tower View Community Room at 11:00am on April 5 and May 3. St. Andrews Church Rectory at 6:30pm on April 12 and May 10. St. Matthias Parish Center at 7:00pm on April 21 and May 19. For more information, contact David at red66sue@wi.rr.com or davidsommers@sprint.blackberry.net The Ministry Formation Program (MFP) is seeking candidates who are interested in serving within the Deaf Catholic community. The goal of the MFP is to train Catholic Deaf adults who wish to serve as active lay ministers. The four-year training program begins in September and concludes in May. Each weekends runs from Friday evening through Sunday noon. The MFP sessions take place in the Chicago area. The instructors are professionals who understand Deaf culture and who possess skills in communication in sign language. The certificate of completion of the fouryear ministry training program will enable candidates to work in any of the following ministries: Bible Study, Prayer Groups, RCIDA, Religious Education, Sacramental Preparation, Youth Ministry, and many more! Request an application, contact Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton, OSU at 866-371-8658 (VP) or mfp1993@insightbb.com For more information, contact Terri Matenaer at St. Thomas University (STU) School of Theology & Ministry offers Masters of Arts in Pastoral Ministries with the Deaf and is seeking candidates who are interested in serving within the Deaf Catholic community. The Graduate program s curriculum is designed for both Deaf and hearing students that work with the Deaf. The program is co-ordinate and taught by STU full-time faculty as well as fully qualified spiritual leaders and scholars that meet the needs of the Deaf culture. This enables Deaf students to be trained by ministers and leaders from the front lines. The School of Theology and Ministry offers this MA program in two intensive sessions each year over the course of four years. Students come to campus for a one-week course in January and again for two weeks during the summer. Students continue their learning online for each course to fully maximize academic studies and personal performance. Request an application, contact Cynthia Rose-McIntyre at crose@stu.edu For more information, contact Terri Matenaer at

Page 8 Happy Birthday to you!!! MARCH APRIL 1 Jeff Eastman 4 Jean Gontscharow 5 Rosemary Lengyel 6 Barbara Robinson 8 David Sommers 10 Marlene Kobleske 13 Mary Lynn Kocovsky 13 Carl Nehls 15 Pauline Sherman 17 Fran Preston 18 Virginia Baumann 20 Rene P. Ambrose 20 Gary Smith 21 Matt Goeb 26 Sr. Martha Ann Czarnyszka 29 Robert Zweber 30 George Kassa 30 Esther Sadowski 1 Jenny Manalli 3 John Heyrman 4 Arvilla Rank 6 Betty Farina 7 Betty Ann Siudzinski 9 Helen Galazewski 14 Ellen Pagel 15 Jamie Connell 15 Melissa Marselle 18 Dora Smith 23 Rose Mary Zeier 24 Dorothy Alderman 25 Albert Bruskiewicz 25 Mary Ann Giuntoli 26 Daniel Kratt 27 Joan M. Schneider 27 Robert Vandenbusch 29 George Gontscharow 30 Viola Jankiewica 30 Pamela Sommers MAY 2 Rosalia Hoffmann 2 John Reske 3 Virginia Mary Keller 5 James Muehlbach 6 Kevin Blazei 7 Travis Waala 10 Katey Collins 15 Brenden LePage 16 Sr. Humbeline Guenther 16 Harold Ledger 18 John Burke 18 Chris Herrick 18 Mike Preston 22 Tim Gall 23 Beth Schaffner 24 Eva Meyer 28 Ramona Arneson

St. John s School For The Deaf Alumni Reunion In Wisconsin August 20 th, 21 st & 22 nd, 2010 * * * * * * * * Friday, August 20 th Gala Event to Meet Old Friend Alioto s Restaurant, 3041 North Mayfair Road Milwaukee, WI 53222 From Hwy 45: Exit Burleigh East to Hwy 100 (Mayfair Road). Turn right (South) on Mayfair, we are the 2nd building on the right. From Hwy 94: Exit Mayfair Road (Hwy 100) and go North approximately 1 mile. You'll find us on the left (West) side of Mayfair Road. From Chicago: Head north on S Morgan St toward W Cermak Rd, Turn right at W Cermak Rd, Slight left at S Canalport Ave, Turn left at S Ruble St, Merge onto I-90 W/I-94 W via the ramp on the left to I-290/Roosevelt Rd/Taylor Street, Continue to follow I-94 W, Partial Toll Road, Entering Wisconsin, Take exit 316 on the left to merge onto I-43 S/I-894 W toward Madison/Fond Du Lac, Continue to follow I-894 W, Continue onto US-45 N, Take exit 43 for Burleigh St, Turn right at W Burleigh st, Turn right at N Mayfair Rd, Destination will be on the right. How to Get Around on the Milwaukee City Bus Check out on www.ridemcts.com 5:00 pm Cash Bar 6:30 pm Dinner Buffet 9:00 pm Join us at meeting 11:00 pm Closing Door Prizes/ Fun ONLY all graduates, ex & former students * Teachers, Priests & Sisters are always welcome -Reservation slip Check or Money Order Payable to James Muehlbach, N30W23013 Pineview Circle, #5, Pewaukee, WI 53072 NAME (S) ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP Adult per person $25 before August 1 st How many Total $ Kid per person $15 before August 1 st (Up to 12 year) How many Total $ Adult per person $30 after August 1 st How many Total $ Kid per person $20 after August 1 st (Up to 12 year) How many Total $

St. John s School For The Deaf Alumni Reunion In Wisconsin August 20 th, 21 st & 22 nd, 2010 * * * * * * * * Saturday, August 21 st 5 th Annual Deaf Picnic Free Admission Everyone Welcome Darien West Side Park, 335 West Madison Street Darien, WI The Village of Darien is located on U.S.Hwy 14 at I-43. We are 15 miles east of the City of Beloit, 20 miles southeast of the City of Janesville, 50 miles west of the City of Milwaukee and 10 miles northwest from the Illinois stateline. Hosted by 4 Deaf Clubs of Wisconsin They will have different game activities, food & beer will be sold, will have exhibition booths, shelter provided and more. Click for more information on www.deafpicnic.com * * * * * * * * Sunday, August 22 nd Sunday Signed Mass Will announce time available and where in Milwaukee later * * * * * * * * Any questions? Contact: Marian Ecklund, VP 866-948-3918 or Email EcklunDove1990@aol.com James Muehlbach, VP 262-264-6420 or Email Jrmuehlbach@aol.com If you know your dear classmates or teachers or sisters or priests passed away, please send the name and born/death year to Peter Keller, Email: pgskeller@aol.com He is trying to set up the Alumni Memorial list in our St. John s Alumni facebook. Thanks all! There will be announcement news of St. John s School For The Deaf Alumni Reunion in facebook. Spread the word, tell classmates about our St. John s Alumni Reunion!!

2010 SPRING ISSUE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DEAF MINISTRY Contact: Terri Matenaer, Coordinator Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry Archdiocese of Milwaukee 3501 S. Lake Drive Milwaukee WI 53235 262-321-0464 Voice/TTY 866-326-4713 VP HAND IN HAND SUBSCRIPTION Name: Address: City and Zip Code: Email address: Birthdays: husband wife Cost: $6.00 for January to December 2010 Newsletters mailed to your home. Make checks payable to Deaf Ministry. No cost if emailed. Comments: Mail subscription to: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry Archdiocese of Milwaukee 3501 S. Lake Drive Milwaukee WI 53235 Email requests are welcomed: