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Our Mandate
To provide faith-based services and outreach for the deaf and hard of hearing community within the Diocese of London through education and interpretation so that the Good News of Jesus Christ is available to all God’s people.
Our Work
Provide interpreters for major diocesan liturgical events (e.g. Chrism Mass, Triduum, etc.)
Organize social and religious events for deaf and hard of hearing persons
Offer sacramental support, including preparation for the reception of the sacraments
Set standards for services across the diocese and developed supports for specialized retreats and spiritual support
Work with other established deaf organizations to provide outreach to deaf children/youth in the diocese
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted Mass service on a weekly basis (Saturday at 5:00 PM) at Mary Immaculate Parish in London, St. Ursula, Chatham at 10:00 am, Sunday and Most Precious Blood, Windsor at 11:00 am, Sunday.
Our Good News Stories
Support for deaf and hard of hearing in our diocese is developing. Several deaf individuals have assisted deaf ministry by providing ASL instruction to hearing individuals. Consequently, many participants have been able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing for a variety of purposes in religious and other settings including churches, retreats and schools. We have had the opportunity over the past years to participate in some valuable networking initiatives to meet with religious (priests, sisters, deacons, lay persons), interpreters, deaf and hard of hearing working in deaf ministry from various locations in Ontario, throughout Canada and the United States. In essence, we have been able to join forces to pool resources in order to provide support for deaf, hard of hearing and deaf ministry teams for exceptional Catholic events such as mini retreats in specific parishes, a weekend retreats in the spring and fall. Deaf ministry has provided an avenue for deaf and hard of hearing parishioners in the Diocese to participate in Masses, RCIA, retreats, conferences, sacraments and additional Catholic events, attending social events and retreats, evangelizing to their families and friends and contributing to the life of the Church in many ways. We pray that our ministry will continue to grow to improve access to God’s Word, the Body of Christ in the Eucharist and the Sacraments for our deaf and hard of hearing brothers and sisters.To provide faith based services and outreach for the deaf and hard of hearing community within the Diocese of London through education, training and interpretation so that the Good News of Jesus Christ is available to all God’s people.
Contact
If you have any questions or want more information about this ministry, please contact Mary Ann Dalgleish, Coordinator of Ministry to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at [email protected].