The National Catholic Office for the Deaf Fall 2012 Deaf Catholics seek ‘full membership’ Leadership seen as key to developing authentic liturgy translations Page 2 From the Board Page 3 New Member Page 5 Golden Jubilee Page 8 Pastoral Week 2013 Page 10 Ministry Future Page 15 Brother Joe Page 16 Losses Page 28 Join NCOD By ZOE RYAN For Catholics in the deaf community, there are a number of issues regarding authentic sign language translations of church texts that need to be addressed. So says one New Zealand chaplain in the deaf community. David Loving-Molloy points out that until deaf communities themselves acquire the expertise and necessary research required in official translations of abstract, theological concepts that regularly appear in church and religious documents, any translations not initiated, led, researched and ratified by the deaf will be less than the genuine article. That may not happen soon, but the work that people in the deaf Catholic community are doing to further the case of deaf Catholic leadership may make it not impossible. In 2009, the first Vatican-level conversation about authentic sign language translations occurred at the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers conference, “Ephphatha! The Deaf Person in the Life of the Church.” Continued on page 6—Membership A Pastoral Service for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Volume 31/Number 2 NCOD Board of Directors What a wonderful year we have had! And now the leaves are changing and the weather is cooling. That can mean only one thing—its membership time. This edition of the Vision is all about membership. Read about one of our newest members, Fr. Joseph Pham, on page 3. And talk about membership, the members of St. Benedict's Parish for the Deaf at St. Francis Xavier Church celebrate 50 years! Be sure to see their Golden Jubilee article on page 5. Are you concerned about the future of Deaf Ministry? We all are. Check out page 10 for history and encouragement. Sr. Bodisch was present at the Archdiocese of Atlanta Eucharistic Conference ASL Track to explain that we are all members of God’s family. What a great membership of which to belong. For us, another very important membership is our membership in NCOD. This is our ‘other’ family in which we welcome new members, celebrate anniversaries, and ensure the future of Deaf Ministry. With the fall comes our membership renewal time. If you have not already renewed your NCOD membership, please do so soon. You can use the form on the back of this Vision. Renew or join today and welcome to the family. 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 20784 Email: info@ncod.org www.ncod.org Please email your articles, pictures, or announcements for consideration in future issues to info@ncod.org or mail them to the above address prior to the first of August, November, February, and May 2 Episcopal Moderator Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend Fort Wayne, IN Region VII—Mid-Atlantic President Eileen Finn Baltimore, MD efinn@archbalt.org Region IV—The Great Lakes Vice-President Monsignor Glen Nelson Rockford, IL RockfordHI@aol.com Region II—The South Secretary Arthine Vicks Powers New Orleans, LA avicks@bfs.nocoxmail.com Region I—The West Fr. Paul Zirimenya San Francisco, CA Zirimenya@gmail.com Region III—The Midwest Pat Richey Olathe, KS richey1976@yahoo.com Region V—The Northeast Deacon Patrick Graybill Rochester, NY pagnpa@rit.edu Region VI—Southeast Atlantic Frania Franch Marietta, GA Frania.franch@gmail.com Deaf Pastoral Workers’ Representative Kate Slosar Warren, MI Wahoo3346@aol.com ICDA-US Representative Terri Matenaer Milwaukee, WI tvmatenaer@gmail.com Board Member at Large R. Gregory Schott Naples, FL rgschott@comcast.net Newest member of Deaf Ministry in the Diocese of Camden Fr. Joseph, Welcome to Deaf Ministry! Recently, Diocese of Camden has hired Fr. Joseph Pham to replace Fr. Brian O’Neill as our Deaf Ministry Priest in May. Fr. Joseph was ordained in June, 2001 and worked in the diocese for 11 years before coming to our Deaf Ministry. Sr. Bonnie McMenamin and I are excited to share this news with you. We are blessed to have Fr. Joseph with us. Please give him a warm welcome when you see him at NCOD Pastoral Week. I did an inter view with Fr. Joseph, we were curious a b o u t who you are. Fr. Joseph please tell us more about yourself. 1) When and Where were you born? I was born in Vietnam, August 20th 1972 2) How many brothers and Sisters do you have? I come from a big family of 8 children. Four boys and four girls. I have 2 older brothers, 1 younger brother, and 4 younger sisters, and I am the third child in the family 3) When you came to USA, did you dream of being a Priest? I came to the USA in December 1984. No, I did not dream of being a priest. Like everybody, I had desires like most young people my age at that time. I wanted worldly success. I wanted to make money, to have my own house and fancy car. I wanted to get married and have a family. My desire to become a priest did not develop until I was in high school. Those who inspiring me were my parish priests and the support and encouragement of my family. 4) How did you answer God’s Calling? I answered God's calling by being open to God. I went to vocation support prayer group and visiting seminaries to continue my discernment and to recognize God's calling. In 1992, I was interviewed and accepted by the diocese of Camden and enrolled into Seton Hall's Seminary. 5) What was your ministry before Deaf Ministry I was a parochial vicar at Holy Child Parish in Runnemede, NJ. I love my parish cause it is a wonderful and lovely community. The parish is big and very active. Those people are friendly and their faith is strong. I thought I will bring Christ to them, but instead, they showed me Christ by their faith. Continued on page 4— Fr. Pham 3 Continued from page 3— Fr. Phram 6) Why were you interested in Deaf Ministry? I love sign language. It is beautiful. I love deaf people. When I see them, I realize how blessed I am. I want to be able to communicate and talk with them. I want to bring Christ and minister in their community because there are not many priests in the diocese who know sign language. Yes, I had a curiosity for sign language for quite some time and wanted to learn more. As I continue to learn sign language, I wanted to become more involved with the deaf community and culture. And as a priest, I am able to share the Word of God with those who are not able to listen. 7) How did you learn ASL? I started learning ASL on my own through books. However, that was going very slowly. Now I am currently taking lessons from a wonderful teacher, Kate Slosar. We meet for three hours session and there are two sessions weekly. She has helped me improve greatly. I continue to practice with books outside of class. The deaf community has also been so kind and patient when communicating with me giving me great practice. I wish I have more time to focus, concentrate, and study ASL every day, but that is not possible due to my other ministry as a hospital chaplain. 8) What are your hobbies? Playing keyboard, saxophone, violin, tennis, playing and watching sport, jogging 9) What advice would you give people in your ministry? Continue to keep your faith strong in God and keep God as the center of your lives. And be nice to Father Joseph Submitted by Kate Slosar Sr. Bonnie McMenamin, Kate Slosar, Fr. Mike Depcik, Betty Ann Krumm, Fr. Joseph Pham 4 Golden Jubilee of St. Benedict Parish for the Deaf at St. Francis Xavier Church, San Francisco St. Benedict's Parish for the Deaf at St. Francis Xavier Church celebrated it's 50th Anniversary on September 22nd and 23rd.The Archdiocese of San Francisco's commitment to ministry with the Deaf Community began more than 100 years ago in 1895. In that year St. Joseph's Home was established in Oakland and this location served the needs of Deaf Catholics throughout the Bay area for many decades. In 1962, the Diocese of Oakla nd wa s created, thus separating St. Joseph's Deaf Center from San Francisco. There was, therefore, a need for a local Deaf ministry within San Francisco, and St. Benedict Center was founded in 1962. The location for Deaf Ministry at Bush and Lyon was the site of former African - American Parish which was named for St.Benedict the Moor, a 16th Century saint. At the same time that the Deaf ministry arrived at St. Benedict's, the Cursillo movement was beginning to flourish throughout the country and in San Francisco. The Cursillo's purpose was to form lay leaders who would take seriously Jesus' instruction to bring the good news to the world. Cursillo found its home at St. Benedict's alongside the Deaf community, beginning a relationship of mutual support and affection that has lasted to the present day. In 1984, after much inspired work by Fr. J a c k McMullen, Archbishop John Quinn established S t . Benedict's Center as a Parish. This n e w designation elevated St. Benedict's to an equal level with other parish churches, with all the rights, recognitions, and responsibilities of the parishes of the hearing community. At the same time, St. Benedict's Parish distinguished itself as the only Catholic Deaf Parish west of the Mississippi. In 1993, the Planning Commission for the Archdiocese of San Francisco recommended that St. Benedict's Parish move to the site of St. Francis Xavier, which was built in 1939 as the Japanese National Parish. This new location was better maintained and more manageable than our original site. Continued on page 6— St. Benedict’s 5 Continued from page 5—St. Benedict’s The move took place in July of 1994 and Fr. Dan Adams, the then Pastor for the Deaf decided to keep both names: St. Benedict's Parish for the Deaf at St. Francis Xavier Church. Since that time new friendships have been created among the communities of the Deaf, the Japanese, and the members of St. Francis Xavier Church. The Japanese Catholic Society has been a very important part of the Deaf community. Together we have learned to love and worship together. St. Benedict's Parish continues to serve Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. We provide a full Religious Education Program for both hearing and deaf children, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is offered to those interested in joining the Catholic Church. Adult Faith Formation is presented on the second Sunday of the month, while the first Sunday of the month gives all parishioners an opportunity to shape our ministry through a Town Hall meeting. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:30AM, followed by a social which nourishes bonds of community. All our services and sacraments are conducted in American Sign Language with voice interpreter. We are a parish which strives to be welcoming and accessible to all. The Unique spirit of St. Benedict's continues to grow with a sense of the hospitality and communion we offer. We thank you for joining us to celebrate the blessings from our generous God, and we invite you any Sunday to share in the ongoing experience of celebration that we call "St. Benedict's". Submitted by Fr. Paul Zirimenya Continued from page 1—Membership At the conference, New York Deacon Patrick Graybill, himself deaf, spoke on the topic of deaf people in the world. Another group of speakers focused on the medical perspective, “kinda like we can be fixed,” said Graybill, who has been a deacon for the past 30 years. Today, cochlear implants provide assistance for hearing, but there are people who identify culturally as deaf, and do not view not being able to hear as a disability or an incompleteness, he said. Twelve recommendations were proposed at the conference “to achieve the full integration of deaf people into the life of the Church,” according to a paper from the conference listing the recommendations. If 6 the church adopts those Recomendations, there will be far-reaching consquences for Catholic deaf Mary Ann Barth ministry, said Loving-Molloy, a chaplain in the Palmerston North and Wellington dioceses in New Zealand who attended. He also pointed out that not integration but “inculturation” is needed, to have the church culture “made accessible through Deaf culture, not the other way round.” It will take time for the recommendations to “trickle down” to bishops’ conferences, the International Catholic Foundation for the Service of Deaf Persons, a networking and resource center for deaf ministry pastoral workers. That waiting is “painful” to many within the community “since the wait has already been far too long,” said Terry O’Meara, who is hearing. The conference was “amazing” and “historical” because it hosted deaf people from all over the world and it was the first time they were invited to give presentations, said Maryann Barth, who works on a number of college faculties as well as working at a school for the deaf and for the Covington, Ky., diocese. To have deaf people with hearing people at the Vatican, with different sign languages but the same goal — “for Deaf people to be ‘heard’ and have full membership” in the church — was “of paramount importance,” said Barth, who is deaf. It was a message to the Vatican, she said, that “we are Deaf people with hope … hope that one day we will have full ‘rights’ within the Catholic Church.” Often, the only accessible church function for those who are deaf is a signed or interpreted Mass, she said. Due to the historical experiences of deaf people being oppressed, she emphasized that very few will go to their parish priest and ask for accessibility to sacraments, spiritual direction and other such needs. The recommendations address needs like these. Graybill believes that “deaf people learn more about God in their own language.” In some places, they get the impression that God is a hearing God, he said, but when they can have the faith in their language, they are prouder to be themselves as deaf persons. While sign languages can be used in liturgy, either signed by the priest or used by an interpreter, there is no official American Sign Language (ASL) translation of the Mass, said Eileen Colarusso. She is the director of deaf ministry for the Baltimore archdiocese and president of the board of directors for the National Catholic Office for the Deaf, a U.S. nonprofit that assists deaf ministry pastoral workers. The ASL version is translated from the English version. It will be many years, said Colarusso, who is hearing, before there is an ASL Mass translation from Latin. Among the reasons for this are a need for more liturgy experts to have a better understanding of ASL and the different sign languages used in the U.S. LovingMolloy’s wish is that one day sign languages (in his case, New Zealand Sign Language) will be translated directly from the Latin. The New Zealand project team for the new translation of the Roman Missal is starting with the Missalette (which includes the introductory rites, the Liturgy of the Word and closing rites). The team found that translating certain phrases and words becomes “much more accurate and easier” when translating directly from the Latin instead of the English version, he said. “There is richness in meaning and imagery in Latin which is largely lost in English Continued on page 14—Membership 7 NCOD’s Pastoral Week Conference January 18-22 2013 “Year of Faith” Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel 340 North 3rd Street Phoenix, AZ A sample of our presentations: 50th Anniversary of Vatican II — Fr Tony Schuerger 20th Anniversary of “Eye Centered” Deacon Patrick Graybill 40th Anniversary of Deaf Cursillo — Timothy Owens Workshops: Estate planning Social media in ministry Religious Sign Project Retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale Full day retreat included in your registration!! 8 Visit www.ncod.org for registration form Included in your registration ! Pastoral Week 2013 Will include an afternoon retreat at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale The focus of the afternoon will be on the prayers of the Liturgy Bus transportation lunch and the retreat are all included in your registration for Pastoral Week You can check out the center on their website http://www.thecasa.org/ 9 Ministry Earl Warren in Oakland which then became St. Joseph’s Center for the Deaf. Later, Srs. Thomas Mary Collins and Joan Gloistein accompanied children bussed from the WITH THE DEAF California School for the Deaf to St. What is its FUTURE? Columba Church to attend Mass which was celebrated with sign language. These two The first foundation in the New World by sisters, who were already full time the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) to work with instructors of the deaf, also held religious the deaf resulted from an invitation by education classes after school and on Bishop Joseph Rosati, C.M. of the St. Louis Saturdays. S. Joan Gloistein One would diocese. He dreamed of education for the expect S. Joan to be completely retired by deaf so when he invited six CSJs from now, having given fifty years to teaching the France to teach in his diocese, he asked that deaf, but no, she is currently teaching a two of them remain in France in order to class of approximately twelve students on be trained in methods for teaching the deaf. how to sign the deaf language. Some are Thus, Postulant Julie Fournier and S. attending because they are experiencing the Celestine Pommerel were sent to St. beginnings of hearing loss themselves. Etienne to learn sign language. When their Others want to help a family member. Still studies were completed, they prepared for others want to learn how to communicate the long journey to America. However, they with those who have THE MUSICALITY encountered so many difficulties in their hearing difficulties. journey, that Bishop Rosati felt they must S. Joan reminisced OF SIGNING WAS have been lost at sea. When two weary that she had been a AN ATTARACTION travelers arrived in St. Louis on September cheerleader in high 4, 1837, and presented themselves to the school and was ALONE FOR THIS Bishop, he feared they were imposters. So original-ly attracted NEW MINISTRY. he asked them to converse in sign to signing for the language. When they did so, there was great deaf because of the relief among all who had been awaiting rhythm and beauty of the signs used. She their arrival. Finally, Bishop Rosati, with his was inspired by S. Thomas Mary who was dream coming to fruition, could at last already working in this field. She began initiate the work among the deaf. In the going with her and S. Dennis Mary spring of 1838, four young deaf girls came McFadden to teach religion to the deaf to be educated. Thus, the apostolate for the after school. Then, S. Thomas Mary invited deaf in America truly began. By 1894, the S. Joan to attend a graduation of deaf first chance to spread this ministry in the students where they signed “The Star West occurred when St. Joseph’s Deaf Spangled Banner.” S. Joan was so inspired Home was opened, providing excellent by the musicality of the signing itself that education for deaf children until it closed in she entered this ministry wholeheartedly. 1939. In 1950, Fr. William Reilly arranged Since then, she has helped to establish, to purchase the former home of Governor 10 In 1838, four young deaf girls came to be educated. Thus, the apostolate for the deaf in America truly began. and lead, many programs for the deaf not only in California, but as far north as St. Peter’s Parish in Oregon. She was very active with a center, opened by the Los Angeles Archdiocese, which addressed the needs not only of the deaf but also of the mentally retarded and the blind. She still laments that this center was eventually closed. S. Joan has never looked back. She still exhibits the enthusiasm of—well—a cheerleader! S. Thomas Mary Collins In a recent interview, S. Thomas Mary said she never thought of working with the deaf until she was asked by her Provincial to consider this ministry. She truly feels that, in a certain sense, she was chosen to do this work. She spent fifty years working with the deaf and feels the privilege was hers. However, when she was first assigned by her Provincial, she didn’t have a “clue” as to how to teach the deaf! Therefore, she asked to be accepted as a student at Gallaudet College (now University) in Washington, D.C. which, at that time, was the only institution in the United States that provided a college education for the deaf. In 1864, Congress approved Gallaudet to grant college degrees, which was signed into law by Abraham Lincoln. S. Thomas Mary was the first Catholic nun and the first hearing person to be admitted for study by Gallaudet. Thomas Mary said she learned a great deal about how to work with the deaf. One has to be patient and, most of all, learn to listen in order to hear what is being communicated. When a group of students invited her to share Friday night dinners with them, S. Thomas Mary saw this as a wonderful sign of acceptance. She completed her four years at Gallaudet and is proud to say that President John F. Kennedy signed her diploma. Upon returning to California, S. Thomas Mary found there was a great need to develop methods to teach the deaf. She first became involved with the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley. She later participated in the founding of St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf in Oakland and in developing many other locations on the west coast for teaching deaf education. S. Thomas Mary still has great enthusiasm for the future of the deaf ministry. Even though there are fewer sisters available for such work, she is by no means discouraged. She points out that deaf education has grown tremendously, especially in California. Now, deaf students are integrated into Continued on page 18—Future 11 Sister Brings Gospel Stories To Life For ASL Track KATHRYN R. BYRNE, Special To The Bulletin Published: June 21, 2012 Reprinted with the permission of The Georgia Bulletin/Archdiocese of Atlanta. COLLEGE PARK—“How does God love us?” asked Dominican Sister Shirley Bodisch in her opening remarks to the American Sign Language (ASL) track of the 2012 Eucharistic Congress. This was the first of many poignant questions the Dominican nun from New Orleans asked during her presentation. Using voiced English as well as ASL and making use of a PowerPoint presenta tion, hands-on activities and spoken and signed interaction, Sister Shirley brought Gospel stories to life for the deaf and hearing participants of the track. Prior to her presentation, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory came in for a brief informal visit. Speaking through interpreters, he warmly welcomed the participants, saying that he is always grateful to have the ASL track at the congress. He mentioned that it is important that the needs, wishes and ideas of the deaf be known. “In fact, we have a deaf woman on our Archdiocesan Pastoral Council,” he stated, referring to Frania Franch-Sonner 12 of Transfiguration Church, Marietta, who has been on the council for several years. After he left, many expressed delight that the archbishop would take the time to come by and speak to them. Expanding upon her initial question, Sister Shirley said, “Many times in our daily lives we go about playing and working, but we don’t think about God. God’s love is shown to us in stories from the Gospel.” Her presentation made this more and more clear as the day progressed. Sister Shirley retold the well-known story of the prodigal son, which “tells us of God’s love and patience.” Many in the group were surprised to learn that the word prodigal actually means “extravagant.” “Who is really ‘prodigal’ in this story?” she asked. “The story is really about the prodigal father.” Continuing with this thought, she said that the extravagant father represents God. She said, “The younger son was a sinner who was sorry for his sins and who asked his father to forgive him. This is similar to us when we go to confession. We tell our sins, ask forgiveness and are forgiven. God is always happy when a sinner comes back home.” In one of the activities, Sister Shirley passed out small envelopes, each containing a different Scripture verse. All were encouraged to choose a partner and discuss what meaning the verse has in their daily lives. For five minutes, hands were moving in quiet exchanges. Afterwards, several shared how the particular verse they received was meaningful to them in a personal way. Kathy Daykin, coordinator of the archdiocesan deaf ministry, said that the ASL track was her “first order of business” after being hired last September. “We invited (Sister Shirley) to be our speaker because of her extensive background and passion for teaching the deaf. We are delighted to have her and (Redemptorist) Father Rich (Luberti).” In addition to providing the sacrament of reconciliation in ASL for participants of the track, Father Rich comes quarterly from Maybee, Mich., to celebrate a Mass for the deaf c o m mu n i t y a t Transfiguration Church. Many of the interpreters at the track were from Transfiguration, which is a hub for deaf ministry in the archdiocese. Melinda Payne and Claire Letendre, both of Transfiguration, attended the ASL track. Payne found it interesting to see Sister Shirley use both speech and sign language together for her presentation. Letendre enjoyed how Sister Shirley connected stories from the Bible with the Eucharist. Years ago, Sister Shirley left her job in a classroom to look for work in a parish. Her superior told her of a parish that wanted a sister. She was excited—until she learned that it was a deaf parish. Her superior encouraged her to go to the interview anyway. Her first impression wasn’t good, as the priest of the parish didn’t show up for the interview. Later he called in tears, begging her to please come back. She told God that if she could learn sign language easily, she would take it as a sign that she was supposed to work in this parish. She took several courses in ASL and loved it. Furthermore, the deaf people welcomed her with embraces and encouraging words. She has worked in deaf ministry since, for the last 30 years. She gives retreats for the deaf, teaches sign language to seniors, and works with a deaf woman as a spiritual companion. For five years she held a “traveling Bible study,” taking the word of God to four deaf communities in southern Louisiana and Mississippi. In her presentation, after telling the Bible stories of the pearl of great price and the treasure in the field, she asked the participants what they would be willing to sacrifice for the Eucharist. “The Eucharist is our most precious gift. Jesus gave it so we can remember how much he loves each of us. The more we receive Communion, the more our lives must change,” she said. She then surprised everyone by saying that a “hidden treasure” was under the chairs. (L-r) Using American Sign Language, Redemptorist Father Rich Luberti, of Maybee, Mich., converses with Jose and Juan Dominguez and Rodolfo Amador. 13 (Photos by Michael Alexander) All scrambled to search, finding small envelopes containing pins depicting the Eucharist, given as a reminder of First Eucharist. Participants were encouraged to pin them on each other. In telling the Scripture story of the dragnet, Sister Shirley said that fish was a main source of life in biblical times. The fish became the secret identifying symbol for the early Christians because they needed protection from the Roman soldiers. She explained that the Latin word “Ichthius,” meaning fish, is divided to represent Jesus: “Ic” means Jesus Christ, “th” depicts God, and “ius” means Son and Savior. She said, “The word means, ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son and Savior.’” Just as the early Christians ate fish as a food for life, “Jesus gives life to us when we eat him in the Eucharist,” she explained. Sister Bodisch is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Continued from page 7—Membership translations with the result that (from a Deaf point of view) the English translation is confusing in parts,” he said. Mary O’Meara, executive director of the Department of Special Needs Ministry of the Washington, D.C., archdiocese, said that to obtain the best translation for church documents, the translation team should comprise three groups: linguists, who know fluently the source language and the target language; theologians, who understand the theological aspects of what is being said and what is trying to be translated; and someone completely immersed in the target language (so, in this case, someone who was born deaf, went to a deaf residential school and is immersed in deaf culture). If only one of the groups translates, you’re missing a leg of the stool, said Mary O’Meara, who is married to Terry O’Meara and is a board member of the International Catholic Foundation for the Service of Deaf Persons. It’s Loving-Molloy’s view that to accept the sociolinguistic cultural minority view of the deaf community, “then as a culture we should be aiming for Deaf leadership in the Church rather than being seen as a group to be ‘serviced’ by hearing 14 chaplains.” “Much work remains to ensure that Deaf people themselves take ownership of their own language in its use in the Church,” Loving-Molloy said. Graybill, whose hunger for church kept him going, said that deaf Catholics have to teach and educate people about their culture and express how much they want to be leaders in the church. This June, the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin will have its first-ever deaf ministry workshop track, yet another step in empowering Catholics in the church who are deaf, Mary O’Meara said. Reprinted by permission of National Catholic Reporter, 115 E Armour Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111 www.ncronline.org Barry-Alan Davey, right, interprets using tactile sign language for Fr. Cyril Axelrod, who is blind and deaf, during a conference on “The Deaf Person in the Life of the Church” at the Vatican in November 2009. Deaf Brother Knight becomes Fourth Degree Sir Knight Joe Bloemer Hi, Joe, where do you live and how long you have lived in this town? Omaha, all my life. I was born here. (And he went to Nebraska School for the Deaf.) How long have you been ICDA member? Are you life member? If so, what's your life member #? 48 years. Yes! I'm a life member and my number is 1362. (It's cheaper! Haha) How long have you been involved with Knights of Columbus? How did you get involved? Almost four years as a 3rd Degree member. I have wanted to join the Knights of Columbus for a long time but I really didn't think a Deaf person could be actively involved. Then my friend, Warren, who is Hard of Hearing and also a Knight, asked me if I wanted to join. I jumped at the chance and said Yes! or Candidates. So, we had the difficulty of finding an interpreter who was a 4th Degree Knight. We searched the entire state of Nebraska and didn't find one. But one of my friends, Mike Lagreca, who recently became an interpreter and who was also a 3rd Degree member agreed to become a 4th Degree member in the same ceremony as me so that he could interpret for me. [The 4th Degree is the part of the K of C that promotes patriotism and loyalty to the country.] Can you tell us about what the Knights of Columbus is? It is an organization that meets every month and does many different things: we perform charitable works; we promote the rosary, support the Church and our local parishes and priests. When I first joined and went to the meeting, everyone said "Welcome, Joe! It's great to have you as a Knight!" I have also been involved in pancake breakfast, 3 times I have worked in the K of C Haunted House for children. I was also elected and served two years as a Trustee for my Council. What's the highest level of degree in K of C? 4th Degree is the top level. [The Knights of Columbus (K of C) is an organization of Catholic men. It was formed to give financial aid to members and their families. Help and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The K of C promotes the family, the rosary, charitable works, the Catholic Church, the Pope and many other things. They support their local parishes and priests.] Are you the only deaf member of this state? What about nationwide? Yes, in Nebraska. There is a man named Jerry from Columbus, Neb. who is Deaf and a 3rd Degree member. Also, there are 2 Hard of Hearing Knights in my Council, Warren and Sheldon. I am the only 4th Degree in the state who is Deaf. I don't know if I'm the only one in the US. I understand you became Knights of Columbus 4th degree member. Can you tell us what 4th degree is? I am so proud to have been chosen to become a 4th Degree Member! It is a great honor. We are addressed as "Sir Knight," and we sometimes dress up in tuxedos. I really wanted to join but in order to join; you have to go through a special 4th Degree Ceremony. But the only people that can go to those ceremonies have to be 4th Degree Knights What is your favorite part about being a KofC member? and..what is your not so favorite part ? My favorite thing is being a 4th Degree member. I am very excited to become a member of the 4th Degree Honor Guard. Those are the men with the "fuzzy hats" and other dress clothes who provide honor guard for various Church and Civic functions. I am looking forward to getting the clothes. If you are the only deaf member of the statewide, how's that experience for you? I am very excited. It was a thrill to be able to invite my sister, her husband and their 2 children (for whom I am the Godfather) to my 4th Degree Initiation banquet. What would your advice be for those who want to join Knights of Columbus? I would encourage a Deaf man to join the Knights of Columbus. I love being a Knight and especially being a 4th Degree member. Reprinted with permission - ICDA-US Midwest Region E-Newsletter March 2012 Issue 15 Losses REV. EUGENE OATES, C.Ss.R. – RENOWNED MISSIONARY TO THE DEAF IN BRAZIL DENVER, C O, September 5, 2012 – Rev. Eugene Oates, C.Ss.R., at 96 the eldest member of The R e d e m p t o r ists/Denver Province, died peacefully on September 3 at St. Clement Health Care C e n t e r . Remembered best as a missionary devoted to the spiritual care of the Deaf in Brazil, he compiled an entirely new dictionary in Brazilian Sign Language. He greatly increased awareness of the needs of the Deaf, and is known in every major city throughout Brazil for increasing attention to educational and social works for the Deaf. priestly life there. After serving a term as Vice Provincial of Manaus, he devoted himself full-time to the spiritual care of the Deaf. Father Oates greatly increased awareness of the needs of the Deaf, and represented Brazil at the 1971 World Federation of the Deaf Congress in Paris, France. When a deaf Brazilian asked him how an American could represent Brazil, he simply said, “My heart is Brazilian.” The other deaf participants simply smiled in agreement. Father Oates also visited the Vatican, where he received a special blessing for his work from Pope Paul VI. He served as Vice President of the Religious Commission of the World Federation of the Deaf from 1972-77. Father Oates was born in St. Louis on December 12, 1915, the same year that Thomas Edison inaugurated transcontinental telephone service from New York to San Francisco and Albert Einstein published his General Theory of Relativity. For more than 10 years, he was the only priest in Brazil who devoted himself full-time to Deaf ministry. As a consequence, he tried to cover the entire territory of that vast country, doing most of his travel by bus. Not surprisingly, the strain began to affect even this man of herculean physique. He returned to the United States in 1977. Fortunately, he had devoted increased attention to religious and lay persons who were involved in educational and social works for the Deaf. He professed first vows in 1939, professed perpetual vows in 1942, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1944. After attending second novitiate at St. Gerard Mission House in Pine City, MN, he set sail for Brazil in 1946 and spent 31 years of his Resources he produced include: Linguagem das Mãos (Language of the Hands), a compilation of Brazilian Sign Language; No Silêncio da Fé (In the Silence of the Faith), a book as well as a video of Prayers, the Ten Commandments, Christian 16 practices and the Seven Sacraments in Sign Language, with Biblical texts for prayers and meditation; Linguagem de Sinais do Brasil (Sign Language of Brazil), articles by different authors about the Deaf and Sign Language in Brazil, co-authored by Dr. Harry W. Hoemann, Ph.D. and Shirley A. Hoemann, M.F.A.; Os Dez Mandamentos (The Ten Commandments), in Sign Language with Biblical texts for prayer and meditation; Oracões Silenciosas (Silent Prayers), common prayers in Sign Language; and Ovelhas Sem Pastor (Sheep Without a Shepherd), a video presentation of the needs of the Brazilian Deaf and an appeal for more workers in Deaf ministry. After recovering his health, Father Oates served for four years in a special apostolate at Queen of Peace Retreat Center in Fargo, ND. He hoped to continue ministering to the Deaf and returned to Brazil, but sickness forced him to leave the country for good after only one year. For the next two decades, he served in Hispanic ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Kansas City, MO, St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago, IL and Our Lady of Peace Parish in Greeley, CO. After 68 years of ministering to God’s people, Father Oates retired at St. Clement Health Care Center in 2004. Funeral services for Father Oates were held at St. Clement Health Care Center in Liguori, MO. A rosary is scheduled at 3:00 p.m. and a vigil is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7. His funeral Mass was scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8. After burial in the Redemptorist Cemetery at Liguori, a luncheon was served. Reverend Victor Alan Barnhart We are saddened to share with you the news that Father Vic Barnhart passed away on Sunday September 16, 2012 at the age of 55 . Father Vic, a member of NCOD, was involved in Deaf Ministry in various Catholic churches around the St. Louis area. His last assignment was as Pastor at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Lemay. Fr. Vic was in charge of the St. Louis Archdiocese's Deaf Ministry and he also worked with newer interpreters who wanted to improve their skills in religious interpreting. Fr. Vic has been a priest in the St. Louis Diocese since his ordination in 1990. Fr. Vic is survived by his parents, Robert Lee and Rita J. Barnhart and his sister, Christy Barnhart. The funeral was held Friday, Sept. 21, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1621 10th St. Madison IL 62060. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL. Memorial contributions, Masses, Deaf Ministry, St. Andrew's in Lemay or St. Mary's in Madison Roof Fund. Continued on page 18—Losses 17 Continued from page 17—Losses RYAN, THOMAS JOSEPH, a longtime resident of the Highlands, passed away June 28, 2012, his birthday. He was born on June 28, 1935 in Louisville, KY, eldest son of the late Raymond L. and (late) Mary Catherine (Scharfenberger) Ryan. He was a retired engineer draftsman for the Multi Metals Division of Vermont American Corporation. On August 28, 1982, he was ordained a Permanent Deacon of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Tom was a member of the Louisville Catholic Deaf Society, International Catholic Deaf Association, Louisville Deaf Senior Citizens, Louisville Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, National Association for the Deaf and the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Sing Language Teachers Association. He is preceded in death by his brother, Raymond L. Ryan, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Kathleen Ryan Albers (John) of Richmond, VA. His funeral Mass was on Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Nazareth Home Chapel. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Nazareth Home or the Louisville Catholic Deaf Society. Continued from page 11—Future regular college classes. Thus, many “hearing” persons are integrated with the deaf students. Many colleges also offer related courses. “Most of all”, she adds, “we can pray for the future education of the hearing impaired.” PHOTO: S. Joan teaching color recognition to two first grade boys. Reprinted with permission CSJ Change a publication of Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet Carondelet Center 11999 Chalon Road Los Angeles, CA 90049 18 MINISTRY TO THE DEAF Currently, Mount St. Mary’s College is in collaboration with the John Tracy Clinic, Los Angeles––one of the leading diagnostic and education centers for young children with hearing loss––to create interchange programs for those training children with hearing loss. Dr. Ann McElaneyJohnson- President of Mount St. Mary’s College, Los Angeles Just for Fun! 2 8 6 8 7 7 9 1 1 2 3 5 4 4 9 3 8 2 5 6 7 5 9 3 2 8 4 7 2 Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com 7 1 1 8 5 2 My First Eucharist Has your VCR been replaced by a DVD player? Do you have an original Manual/VHS copy of My First Eucharist? Do you need a converted video to continue using this wonderful sacramental preparation program? There is no need to purchase a complete Manual/DVD set. You have the option of purchasing only the DVD set. Each DVD set contains both the Parent/Catechist video along with the Student video. Add this new DVD set to your original My First Eucharist program and you are ready for the next class of eager students. Ready for immediate shipping. Limited supplies. Order yours today! Quantity ______DVD set Only (English ) X $15 = ________ ______ Please add $5/set for shipping & handling = ________ (shipping and handling) TOTAL = ________ Name __________________________________________________ Make checks payable to: National Catholic Office for the Deaf US Funds only Address_________________________________________________ City____________________________State_______________Zip__________________ Email Address ___________________________________________________________________________________ Send orders with full payment to: NCOD/MFE c/o Arrow Bookkeeping 1109 Spring Street Silver Spring, MD 20910 19 7202 Buchanan Street Landover Hills, MD 20784 info@ncod.org Www.ncod.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NCOD Mission Statement: “Spread God’s message through the support of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pastoral Ministry so that we may all be one in Christ” National Catholic Office for the Deaf Membership Form □ New Member □ Renewal □ Vision only Annual Membership Fees Name: _________________________________________________________ (USA Rate) Title: __________________________________________________________ □ Individual $70 Address: _______________________________________________________ □ Family $100 City: __________________________________________________________ □ Student $35 State: _______________________________ Zip Code:_________________ □ Pastoral $70 Country________________________________________________________ □ Executive $250 (Diocese, Agencies, & Organizations) Diocese: _______________________________________________________ □ Deaf/Hard of Hearing □ Deaf-Blind □ Hearing □ Donation: ______________ (Tax Deductible) Phone (W): __________________________________ TTY Voice Both VP Vision Subscription Only Phone (H): __________________________________ TTY Voice Both VP (USA Rate) FAX: _________________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________ One Year Name of Designated Voter _________________________________________ □ $20 US □ $30 International (for Family and Executive Members only) Two Year Mail Application to: NCOD Membership c/o Arrow Bookkeeping 1109 Spring Street Silver Spring, MD 20910 20 □ $35 US □ $55 International □ please send paper copies of web issues