How does ASL Mass makes a difference in lives of deaf people ?
16 April 23 , 2013 in our Community The Valley Catholic
How does ASL Mass makes a difference in lives of deaf people ?
By Marjorie Iller
If you were born deaf , imagine the challenge and frustration of trying to speak a language with hardly any sound at all . It would be like a guessing game . Your family goes to Mass ( for the hearing people ) and they bring you along . You sit there feeling totally baffled .
We might as well sit down , take a nap , wake up for Communion and then walk out the door . We can ’ t participate in a Mass ( without Sign Language ) -- that is like a mystery .
We do not consider ourselves disabled as we see ourselves as living life in another culture and our language is ASL -- American Sign Language .
ASL is a beautiful language with lots of expression and personality . This is the language we see , use and understand . It is not used in an English word by word order .
( When a hearing person speaks a foreign language the sentence structure is changed to match the language of that country .) ASL is signed in the most clearly expressive way to make ourselves easily understood .
We have an ASL Mass for the Deaf at St . Benedict Church in San Francisco and the priests are deaf , and the parish serves the deaf . Hearing people need an interpreter -- but not us . We , deaf , know exactly what the priest is saying .
Deaf people can understand and actively participate in the ASL Mass . After Mass everyone goes downstairs , meets one another , and makes new friends . Socializing is a big deal !
An ASL Mass for the Deaf is coming to the San Jose Diocese . We will be able
www . valleycatholiconline . com to sign all the same responses , readings , songs , receive Communion , the same as hearing people .
Children , deaf and hearing , can attend church school ( religion class ), learn why God is so important and receive all the sacraments .
If you know deaf Catholics , give this Good News -- an ASL Mass for the deaf and their families is coming to San Jose , Sun ., May 5 , 4 p . m . at Santa Teresa Church , 794 Calero Ave . San Jose , 95123 .
It will be followed by a town hall gathering in the parish hall .
• Marjorie Iller is a former Deaf DRE at St . Benedict Parish for the Deaf in San Francisco .
American Sign Language Mass May 5
An American Sign Language ( ASL ) Mass for the deaf and their families will be celebrated , Sun ., May 5 , 4 p . m . at Santa Teresa Church , 794 Calero Ave ., San Jose , 95123 . It will be tri-lingual – presided in ASL and voice interpreted in English and Spanish .
Presiding will be Father Ghislain Bazikila and Father Paul Zirimenya who is chaplain to the Deaf Community in the Archdiocese of San Francisco .
There will be a gathering in the parish hall , including a meal , to share needs of participants for an ongoing ASL Mass in the Diocese of San Jose .
Explore your talents and the vibrant community of downtown San Jose with us this summer ! Notre Dame offers sports , arts and academic summer programs for boys and girls from 5th to 12th grade in a unique downtown location that allows us to take advantage of the vibrant community right outside our doors .
Check us out online at www . ndsj . org / summer
596 S . Second Street • San Jose • 408 . 294 . 1113
Sacred Heart , Saratoga , to host Father Boyle
“ Faith and the Power of Boundless Compassion : An Evening with Father Gregory Boyle , SJ ,” part of the Year of Faith series at Sacred Heart Parish , Saratoga , will be presented , Wed ., May 8 , at 7:30 pm .
Father Boyle , author of “ Tattoos on the Heart ,” will share his reflections on community and the sacredness of life drawn from his more than 20 years of experience with Homeboy Industries which serves high-risk , formerly ganginvolved men and women in a variety of programs .
The event is free ; a free will donation will be taken up for Homeboy Industries .
For more information call 408- 867-1530 or Deacon Ruben Solorio at 408-867-3634 ; R . Solorio @ Sacred- HeartSaratoga . org
Companions in Ignatian Service and Spirituality program
Companions in Ignatian Service and Spirituality engages people 50 years and older in direct service to the poor while providing community and reflection experiences that enhance their faith commitment to social justice .
Ignatian Companions has grown steadily since its inception five years ago and is offered at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara .
Ignatian Companions is an “ endorsed work ” of the California Province of the Society of Jesus ( Jesuits ) that
Join catechists , teachers and others in ministry , from the Dioceses of San Jose and Monterey , on a study trip to Rome , Sept . 2-9 , 2013 . Hosts are Wendy Scherbart , DSJ Director of Catechetical Ministry , Lupita Vital , Director of the DSJ Hispanic Apostolate , and Trish Scargill , Monterey Director of Catechetical Ministry .
Roundtrip airfare from SFO is $ 3,495 per person , double occupancy ( up to $ 500 for airport taxes , security fees
Catholic Campaign for Human Development ( CCHD ) local grant applications are now being accepted ; deadline is 5 pm on Wed ., May 15 . See the DSJ website –“ CCHD ”– for application forms and more specific information .
The website notes , “ The message at the heart of Catholic social teaching has always been justice and hope for the poor . The Catholic Campaign for Human Development ( CCHD ) is Catholic social teaching in action . Local diocesan grants are available annually . Maximum award is $ 10,000 .”
To download an application , go to www . dsj . org . Mail to Andrea Giovannoni , CCHD Diocesan Director : Diocese of San Jose , 1150 North First Street , San Jose , CA 95112 or fax at ( 408 ) 983-0121 .
For more information call ( 408 ) 983- 0134 or email : agiovannoni @ dsj . org . strives to balance the call to act for justice with the desire to come closer to God . The 10-month program is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St . Ignatius and operates from September to June annually .
Information sessions are scheduled May 3 , 1-2 pm , and May 14 , 7-8 pm at Santa Clara University , Interfaith Sanctuary , St . Joseph Hall , 500 El Camino Real , Santa Clara .
For more information or materials contact Jenny Girard Malley , Director , at ignatiancompanions @ gmail . com ; 415-503-1310 .
Study trip to Rome , Sept . 2-9
and fuel surcharges are included ). The group will also visit Assisi , home of St . Francis . Scherbart notes that credit toward Catechist Certification and Renewal is offered with the trip .
Space is limited . A $ 200 deposit is requested with sign-up ; full payment due by the June 8 deadline . For more information contact Wendy Scherbart at 408-983-0138 , Scherbart @ dsj . org , or go to www . dsj . org / romestudytrip ; or call Faith Journeys at 1-877-732-4845 .
CCHD applications for grants , deadline May 15
Additional information about CCHD can be found on their website at www . usccb . org / cchd .
CCHD is the domestic anti-poverty campaign of the U . S . Catholic Bishops , established in 1969 to be an educational and action program to address root causes of poverty . CCHD philosophy emphasizes empowerment and participation for the poor .
CCHD funds are raised by an annual collection in dioceses each fall with 75 percent sent to the national office for national grant recipients , and 25 percent remains in the Diocese of San Jose to be distributed through the local grant process .
All grants are reviewed by a diocesan committee of experienced community leaders who make recommendations to the bishop for his approval .