Newsletter - Events | Weekly Mass Schedule | Sign Language Interpreters | Staff
Cardinal Rigali's Gospel Reflections in ASL
I See the Goodness Video - A Deaf Teen talks about his Faith!
Pray the Rosary in Sign Language - A Catholic VLOG in ASL

"Welcome one another, then, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Rom 15:7

Newsletter - ASL Mass Schedule

Deaf Catholic Lent/Spring 2010 Newsletter
Mass Schedule and Event Dates 2009-2010
Mass Schedule for Our Lady of Ransom Church 2009-2010

Deaf Apostolate Events

Deaf Teen Retreat Day: April, 11, 2010
Deaf Adult Shore Retreat Weekend: June 4-6, 2010
Deaf Men's Shore Retreat Weekend: July 16-18, 2010

Summer Camp for Deaf Children

Camp Overbrook: In Sign: June 28- July 9, 2010
Summer Camp - Save the Dates: June 28-July 9. 2010
Teen young Adult Counselor Application Form 2010
Adult Counselor Application Form 2010

Resources

In Silent Prayer: A History of Ministry with the Deaf Community - Book Flyer
The Sacrament of Reconciliation DVD in American Sign Language (ASL)
* New Resource
Catholic Prayers in American Sign Language DVD
Renewal Prayer for Catholic Deaf People
Deaf Apostolate Parish Evangelization Card

Help Us

WAWA “Shorti Hoagie” Fundraiser Program
Cell Phone and Ink Cartridge Fundraiser

PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Deaf Apostolate Religious Education Registration Form: 2009-2010
Deaf Teen Religious Education Registration Form :2009-2010
Deaf Teen Youth Group Registration Form: 2009-2010
Deaf Family Afternoon Schedule 2009-2010
Archbishop Ryan School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children -
New Site / Application Information

Statement of Purpose

The Deaf Apostolate provides pastoral care, sacramental preparation, worship opportunities, and religious education to the Catholic community who are deaf or hard of hearing. Fostering faith formation and providing full access into the life of the church are the primary goals of the Apostolate. The Apostolate is supported in part by the Annual Catholic Charities Appeal, foundations and donations.

Weekly Religious Education: In each county and PA School for the Deaf (PSD), weekly religious education is provided in American Sign Language for children. Adult religious education, faith sharing and bible study also occurs regularly. Contact Sr. Kathleen Schipani or June Goodwin for information. Click for Registration Form.

Location	Day & Time
St. Anselm, Philadelphia	Mondays 6:15 pm
Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia	Sundays 11:00 am, Tuesdays 6:30 pm
St. Stanislaus, Lansdale	Sundays 9:45 am
St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem	Tuesdays 6:30-7:45 pm
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Phila.	After School
Designated Parishes	Arranged times

Baptism and Marriage Preparation: Priests who sign and married couples trained in the Sponsor Couple Program or in Baptismal training assist in classes to prepare for these sacraments.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: Deaf Adults interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith or who want to join the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation can contact the Deaf Apostolate to set up sessions.

Summer Religious Education Camp (Camp Overbrook: IN SIGN): A two week Religious Education camp is offered in July. Swimming, art, field activities and daily religion classes offered in American Sign Language at the beautiful campus of St. Charles Seminary - Overbrook, Wynnewood, PA. Call Deaf Apostolate office for registration form, scholarships are available. Volunteers are welcome. The upcoming Camp Overbrook: IN SIGN will be July 14-25, 2008

Interpreters for Archdiocesan Events and Parish Events: The Department will assist parishes in providing interpreting services for Sacraments, funerals, parent meetings and other parish religious events. Religious interpreter training and support is offered.

Faith in Action: The Deaf Apostolate in collaboration with the Faith in Action coalition can provide volunteers to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf Blind and late deafened people in need of support. This includes individuals trained as big brothers and sisters, visitors to hospital and hospice patients and to persons in prison.

Teen Leadership Program: Opportunities for teens to learn about their faith and give service to the community.

Deaf Catholic Lay Organizations: Organizations of the Deaf Catholics support the mission of the Deaf Apostolate and plan spiritual and social events throughout the year:

International Catholic Deaf Association Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia The De Sales Society of Lansdale St. Stanislaus Church St. Francis Association of Norristown St. Francis Assisi Church St. Charles Deaf Catholic Community St. Charles Borromeo Church, Drexel Hill Chester County Deaf Catholic Community St. Peter and Paul Church, West Chester Hispanic Catholic Deaf Group Visitation BVM Church, Philadelphia

Deaf Catholic Newsletter Quarterly newsletter reporting the news of the Archdiocese, Deaf Apostolate and each of the Catholic Deaf Organizations.

Deaf Apostolate - Financial Support: Financial contributions are welcome to support the following:

Camp Overbrook: IN SIGN: Summer Religious Education Camp for deaf and hard of hearing children
Deaf Catholic Newsletter: Quarterly newsletter sent to over 900 families with deaf members
Reverend Anthony Russo Deaf Leadership Fund: Supports leadership development and faith formation of Deaf Catholic leaders
The John Smith Fund: Supports the religious education program and activities for youth who are deaf and hard of hearing
Send contribution to the Deaf Apostolate indicating which endeavor you desire to support.
The Deaf Apostolate is funded in part by The Catholic Charities Appeal.

Volunteer Opportunities: (Contact Sister Kathleen Schipani for more information.)

• Catechists
• Pastoral Support
• Newsletter Editor
• Social Committee
• Sacramental preparation
• Summer Camp
• Faith In Action Volunteer includes training as hospital, hospice, prison or home visitor, (Sign skills are required.)

Resource Links

International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA)
National Catholic Office for The Deaf (NCOD)
Deaf Catholic Community Boston
Catholic Ministry to the Deaf and the Blind
Creative Access: Access to the Arts in Sign Language
Directory of Organizations and Agencies Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Philadelphia
Deaf Hearing Communication Center
Archbishop Ryan School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Center on Hearing and Deafness (CHAD)

Masses in American Sign Language
Socials usually follow the Deaf Apostolate Masses

Masses in Sign Language: The celebrant uses American Sign Language and members of the Deaf Community sign the readings. .

Locations:

1st & 3rd Sunday
Our Lady of Ransom, 12:15 pm
Roosevelt Blvd and Unruh Street

2nd Sunday
St. Charles, Drexel Hill, 10:30 am
Burmont Road and Dennison Street

4th Sunday
St. Stanislaus, Lansdale, 11:00 am
Main Street and Lansdale Avenue

5th Sunday
St. Peter & Paul, West Chester, 10:30 am
Boot Road, 1/4 mile East of Rt. 202

Masses Interpreted: The regularly scheduled parish Mass is interpreted in American Sign Language

Every Sunday
St. Pius X, Broomall, 10:30 am
220 Lawrence Road

1st, 2nd & 3rd Sunday
St. Stanislaus, Lansdale, 8:30 am
Main Street and Lansdale Road

2nd, 4th & 5th Sunday
Our Lady of Ransom, 11:00 am
Unruh Street and Roosevelt Boulevard

1st & 3rd Sunday
St. Joseph, Warrington, 11:00 am
Easton and County Line Roads

1st & 3rd Sunday
SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester, 9:00 am
West Chester Pike at Rt. 352

2nd & 4th Saturday
SS. Peter and Paul Church-West Chester, 5:30 PM
Boot Road, 1/4 mile East of Rt. 202

2nd & 4th Sunday
St. Francis Assisi, Norristown, 9:30 am
Marshall and Buttonwood Streets

2nd & 4th Sunday
Epiphany of Our Lord, Phila., 11:00 am
11th and Jackson Streets

2nd & 4th Sunday
St. Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont
1229 W. Lancaster Avenue

2nd Sunday
Our Lady of Mt.Carmel, Doylestown 10:30 am
235 East State Road.

4th Sunday
St. Denis,-Havertown, 11:30 AM
Eagle Road and St. Denis Lane

What is an Interpreter?
A professional sign language interpreter translates between spoken language (such as English or Spanish) and a form of manual communication (sign language). The interpreter facilitates communication so that the parties involved have equal access to information. The interpreter is not involved in the discussion or given any other tasks. Interpreters are not coordinators of ministry for the Deaf and should not be asked to make decisions on behalf of individuals who are deaf.

When is an Interpreter Needed?
Catholic churches and organizations are given direction by the Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities (November 1978, revised 1989).

It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities, since this is the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian Community together. ...Realistic provisions must be made for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations...Celebrating liturgies simultaneously in sign language enables the deaf person to enter more deeply into their spirit and meaning (Par. 23).

A deaf/hard of hearing person should be offered the opportunity to have the following interpreted:

• Sacraments / Liturgical Celebrations
• Retreats / Religious events
• Sacramental Preparation Meetings
• Religious Education / RCIA
• Parent-Teacher Meetings
• Pastoral Counseling Meetings...

Why should an interpreter be provided?
In accord with canon 777, n.4, pastors are responsible to be as inclusive as possible in providing evangelization, catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities (Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, June 1995).

The U.S. Catholic Bishops remind us that the parish is the center of the Christian experience; therefore, pastoral minsters should make every effort to fully include parishioners with disabilities. For people who are deaf to be fully included they need access to programs and liturgies in sign language or interpreted into sign language.

How Do I Contact an Interpreter?

• The Archdiocesan Department for Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities (PCPD) works witharea interpreters who are skilled in religious setting interpreting. Individual parishes can utilize their services by calling the PCPD 215-587-3530. Parishes are asked to assume responsibility for paying the interpreter or make a contribution to the Deaf Apostolate Fund from which interpreters fees are paid.
• Parishes can contact the Deaf-Hearing Communication Center (DHCC), Interpreter Referral Division, 610-604-0450 or the Communication Connection, 610-272-4948
• Local professional Sign Language interpreters may be contacted personally. To expect parents, relatives or friends of the deaf to serve as their interpreters is usually not appropriate.

What other Resources are Available?

• The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) has a written policy for working with Sign Language Interpreters in Catholic Religious Settings. Contact the Department for Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities for a copy of this 8 page booklet or contact NCOD directly 301-577-1684
• DHCC has a one page guide to working with Sign Language Interpreters.
• The staff of the Archdiocesan PCPD and the Deaf Apostolate can assist you in meeting the needs of parish members who are deaf.