{"id":16154,"date":"2011-10-07T10:59:31","date_gmt":"2011-10-07T15:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=16154"},"modified":"2011-10-08T23:58:49","modified_gmt":"2011-10-09T04:58:49","slug":"catholic-deaf-ministry-seeks-to-rekindle-spirits-and-boost-presence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2011\/10\/07\/catholic-deaf-ministry-seeks-to-rekindle-spirits-and-boost-presence\/","title":{"rendered":"Catholic deaf ministry seeks to rekindle spirits and boost presence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Catholic deaf ministry seeks to rekindle spirits and boost presence<\/strong><\/p>\n

OCTOBER 05, 2011<\/p>\n

By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com<\/p>\n

Rose Flynn-Wekenborg, right, and her mother Rose Rehagen, center, signed in
\nunison as her brother Jim Rehagen, left, and other congregants signed a hymn
\nduring Mass at St. Andrew Parish in Lemay Oct. 2. The parish hosts a Mass
\nthat offers enhanced translation in American sign language and expanded
\nemphasis on meeting the needs of the hearing impaired. Rose Rehagen is deaf,
\nalthough her five children can hear, according to her daughter
\nFlynn-Wekenborg. Sid Hastings (inside picture box on website; see link
\nbelow)<\/p>\n

Before Monica Niemira was born in the 1960s, her mother, who had suffered
\nfrom a case of Ruebella during her pregnancy, knew that something was going
\nto happen to the baby she was carrying.<\/p>\n

Monica was born deaf. As a child, she went to Central Institute for the
\nDeaf, where she learned to speak and read lips and received her education.
\nIt wasn’t until she was in college that Niemira learned sign language.<\/p>\n

Raised in a Catholic family, Niemira said that her experience at Mass made
\nher feel “lost and left out” — that was, until she learned sign language
\nand more about the deaf culture.<\/p>\n

In an email, Niemira explained that during the signed Mass “my spirit
\nrekindled and felt more alive,” adding that she had “not felt that way
\nbefore.”She soon became involved in the Catholic deaf community in St. Louis
\nand currently serves as president of the St. Louis chapter of the Catholic
\nDeaf Society.<\/p>\n

The Archdiocese of St. Louis also has a formal Catholic Deaf Ministry,
\noverseen by the archdiocesan Office of Apostolic Services. In recent years,
\nthe ministry has undergone a change in leadership. Invited here last year by
\nArchbishop Robert J. Carlson, two religious brothers from the Dominican
\nMissionaries for the Deaf Apostolate have been charged with leading the
\nministry and are in the process of assessing the current state of deaf
\nministry in the archdiocese.<\/p>\n

One of those leaders, Brother Joseph Thermadom, a native of India who was
\nborn deaf, explained: “We need God’s help in order to redevelop the ministry
\nof our Catholic deaf community.”<\/p>\n

In addition to working to boost deaf ministry here, part of the work also
\ninvolves educating the Catholic hearing community about the needs of
\nindividuals who are deaf. Niemira explained: “We are trying to let the
\nhearing people know that we, the deaf, are hungry to hear God’s words … We
\nwant to be included with our families, friends and Church.”<\/p>\n

Dominicans in St. Louis<\/p>\n

Based in San Antonio, Texas, the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf
\nApostolate was founded in 2004 by Father Thomas Coughlin as a community for
\ndeaf, hard of hearing and hearing men who “endeavor to preach the Word of
\nChrist” via American Sign Language.<\/p>\n

Last year, four brothers and one priest from the community established a
\nhome in Madison, Ill., with the intent of sending the brothers to nearby
\nAquinas Institute of Theology for formation and priesthood studies. Earlier
\nthis spring, Archbishop Carlson contacted the community seeking assistance
\nafter Father Victor Barnhart, previous director of the archdiocese’s
\nCatholic Deaf Ministry, took a leave of absence.<\/p>\n

The ministry currently is based at St. Andrew Parish in Lemay, where Brother
\nAdam Zawadzki, along with a small group of interpreters, offer an
\ninterpreted Mass every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The team also provides
\ninterpreting services for other Masses, including Holy Days of Obligation
\nand Opportunity, and part, if not all, of the Triduum during Holy Week.<\/p>\n

Growing the ministry<\/p>\n

Several other parishes in the archdiocese also offer interpreted Masses for
\nthe deaf. Most are held every week as part of the each parish’s regular
\nschedule, and some parishes offer the service on a limited basis. (See
\nrelated story.) Brother Adam noted that he is in the process of reaching out
\nto those parishes to assess the needs and to see what other services can be
\noffered. He’s already contacted interpreters, for example, to discuss the
\nplanned English translations of the Roman Missal, Third edition, which
\nbegins in parishes Nov. 27.<\/p>\n

Besides the liturgy, Brother Adam said another important aspect of deaf
\nministry is providing catechesis and social opportunities. At St. Andrew,
\nfor example, the deaf community has a social every week after the 10:30 a.m.
\nMass. Brother Joseph oversees a frequent Bible study at the parish, and
\nthere are other social activities there during the year, including a trivia
\nnight and interpreting services at the fish fry. Brother Joseph, along with
\nSister Maureen Langton, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, make regular
\nvisits to the sick and homebound through the Home Care Services program.<\/p>\n

One of the challenges for the deaf ministry is discovering the scope of who
\nthey are serving, said Brother Adam.<\/p>\n

“In a way, we don’t know how many people there are,” he said. “It’s kind of
\nlike trying to minister to a ghost or an invisible man. You can’t offer
\nsomething to them if you can’t see them.”<\/p>\n

That means the brothers, in between their studies at Aquinas, are making
\nattempts to get out into the community and attending events for deaf people.
\n“We’re telling them where the interpreted (Masses) are, inviting people back
\nto church. We’re doing this kind of evangelization, really.”<\/p>\n

Brother Adam also recently connected with the Office of Apostolic Services
\nto organize a marriage preparation program for deaf Catholics. Apostolic
\nServices executive director George Kerry said he was grateful for the
\nopportunity, adding that “our office wishes to have a closer relationship
\nwith the deaf ministry. They deserve the best service we can possibly give
\nthem.”<\/p>\n

Catholic Deaf Society<\/p>\n

The deaf ministry also is relying on the help of the St. Louis Catholic Deaf
\nSociety, which was formed in 1941 to help develop the Catholic deaf
\ncommunity in St. Louis. The society currently has about 50 members,
\naccording to president Monica Niemira. The organization is part of the
\nInternational Catholic Deaf Associationa. Brother Joseph recently was
\nappointed the organization’s moderator.<\/p>\n

Niemira, who became involved with the society in 1989, noted that its role
\nis to meet the needs of the local Catholic deaf community, including
\nspiritual and social needs. It has an annual open board meeting, which
\neveryone is invited to attend. The society also connects with other states
\naround the nation to share ideas and resources.<\/p>\n

Brother Joseph said his community is thankful to the society for its support
\nof Catholic deaf ministry in the archdiocese. “We’re really trying to set up
\na working relationship that is ongoing in the future.”<\/p>\n

Niemira said she became involved with the deaf community “because I wanted
\nto serve others. … I still try to find ways to spread the word about the
\nCatholic Deaf Ministry and Catholic Deaf Society. I wake up and thank God
\nfor the wonderful gift He has for me and my life.”<\/p>\n

For more information on Catholic Deaf Ministry, email Brother Adam at
\nadamzawadzki@dominicanmissionaries.org.<\/p>\n

Masses for the Deaf<\/p>\n

The following parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis offer interpreted
\nMasses for the Catholic deaf community. Masses are offered every week,
\nunless otherwise noted:Assumption, 4725 Mattis Road in Mattese, 10:30 a.m.
\nSunday;<\/p>\n

Holy Infant, 627 Dennison Drive in Ballwin, 10:15 a.m. every other Sunday
\n(next Mass will be Oct. 9);<\/p>\n

Our Lady of the Pillar, 403 S. Lindbergh Blvd. in Creve Coeur, 8:30 a.m.
\nSunday;<\/p>\n

Our Lady of the Presentation, 8860 Tudor Ave. in Overland, 5 p.m. Saturday;<\/p>\n

St. Andrew, 309 Hoffmeister Ave. in Lemay, 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Readings are
\nsigned every other Sunday (next Mass will be Oct. 16);<\/p>\n

St. Francis of Assisi, 4556 Telegraph Road in Oakville; 9 a.m. second and
\nfourth Sunday of the month (next mass is Oct. 9);<\/p>\n

St. Joseph, 1355 Motherhead Road in Cottleville, 10:30 a.m. Sunday.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/stlouisreview.com\/article\/2011-10-05\/catholic-deaf<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Catholic deaf ministry seeks to rekindle spirits and boost presence OCTOBER 05, 2011 By Jennifer Brinker | jbrinker@stlouisreview.com Rose Flynn-Wekenborg, right, and her mother Rose Rehagen, center, signed in unison as her brother Jim Rehagen, left, and other congregants signed…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[1629,11174,23,11170,1210,11164,11163,35,24,11169,11167,40,11173,11166,11171,11172,22,11168,11165,17],"class_list":["post-16154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-american-sign-language","tag-archbishop-robert-j-carlson","tag-asl","tag-brother-adam-zawadzki","tag-catholic","tag-catholic-deaf-ministry","tag-churc-h","tag-community","tag-deaf","tag-dominican-missionaries-for-the-deaf-apostolate","tag-george-kerry","tag-interpreter","tag-monica-niemira","tag-office-of-apostolic-services","tag-rose-flynn-wekenborg","tag-rose-rehagen","tag-san-antonio","tag-sister-maureen-langton","tag-st-louis-catholic-deaf-society","tag-texas"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-4cy","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":28444,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2014\/09\/04\/catholic-deaf-community-mass-asl-classes-2014-dfw\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":0},"title":"Catholic Deaf Community Mass & ASL Classes 2014 – DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"September 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Fort Worth Catholic Community for the Deaf Deaf Community Mass this Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2:00 PM Place: St. Rita Catholic Church 5550 E. Lancaster Ave. Fort Worth, Texas 76112 Come join the sign choir... We start practice at 1:30 PM!! Refreshments and Social immediately follow Mass in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28513,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2014\/09\/05\/catholic-deaf-community-mass-asl-classes-2014-dfw-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":1},"title":"Catholic Deaf Community Mass & ASL Classes 2014 \u2013 DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"September 5, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Fort Worth Catholic Community for the Deaf Deaf Community Mass this Sunday, September 7, 2014 at 2:00 PM Place: St. Rita Catholic Church 5550 E. Lancaster Ave. Fort Worth, Texas 76112 Come join the sign choir\u2026 We start practice at 1:30 PM!! Refreshments and Social immediately follow Mass in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8276,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/10\/29\/november-2009-catholic-deaf-community-mass-dfw\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":2},"title":"November 2009 Catholic Deaf Community Mass – DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 29, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"November 2009 Catholic Deaf Community Mass: The Catholic Deaf Ministry Program for the Diocese of Fort Worth will celebrate its November Deaf Community Mass on Sunday November 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM at San Mateo Catholic Church, 3304 Lovell Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76107. (see http:\/\/www.fwdioc.org for a map and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9569,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/03\/03\/monthly-mass-for-fort-worth-catholic-deaf-community\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":3},"title":"Monthly Mass for Fort Worth Catholic Deaf Community","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"March 3, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Monthly Mass for Fort Worth Catholic Deaf Community The Deaf Ministry Program for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth will celebrate its March Deaf Community Mass on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM at San Mateo Catholic Church, 3316 Lovell Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107. (See http:\/\/www.fwdioc.org for directions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7927,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/09\/30\/october-2009-catholic-deaf-community-mass-dfw\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":4},"title":"October 2009 Catholic Deaf Community Mass – DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"September 30, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"October 2009 Catholic Deaf Community Mass The Catholic Deaf Ministry Program for the Diocese of Fort Worth will celebrate its October Deaf Community Mass on Sunday October 4, 2009 at 1:45 PM at San Mateo (Mission) Catholic Church, 3304 Lovell Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76107. (see www.fwdioc.org for a map\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10268,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2010\/04\/27\/monthly-mass-catholic-deaf-community-may-2010-fort-worth\/","url_meta":{"origin":16154,"position":5},"title":"Monthly Mass Catholic Deaf Community: May 2010 – Fort Worth","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"April 27, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"Monthly Mass Catholic Deaf Community: May 2010 - Fort Worth The Deaf Ministry Program for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth will celebrate its May Deaf Community Mass on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 1:45 PM at San Mateo Catholic Church, 3316 Lovell Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107. (See http:\/\/www.fwdioc.org\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16154"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16155,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16154\/revisions\/16155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}