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http://www.catholicexplorer.com/explore4325/atd/deaf-ministry-promotes-sa.shtml
As the school year winds down, the deaf community gives praise for the numerous church celebrations hosted for the benefit of believers with hearing impairments.
Three youngsters from the religious education program at St. Raphael Parish in Naperville completed requirements for their first Holy Communion. Kurt Bernabei, Tatum Reitz and Ashley Mussallem were welcomed with the sacrament. They were prepared by Jeanne McDonald, a teacher of the deaf and an interpreter, who coordinates the program referred to Religious Education Apostolate for Church Handicapped. The students received the Eucharist for the first time on April 22, said Father Mark Fracaro, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Minooka and diocesan chaplain to the deaf. In all, there are eight children who are deaf and about 45 other with disabilities in the Naperville program.
The following day, April 23, Barbara and Wendell Hucek of Joliet received a special blessing on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. The blessing was offered during the monthly Mass for the deaf community at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield. Sacred Heart Father James Hall, who is also deaf, concelebrated the Mass with Father Fracaro.
The Huceks, who were honored at a reception after the Mass, are active volunteers with the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living in Joliet. In addition, they are members of the Joliet Deaf Seniors organization that meets on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Ann Parish in Crest Hill.
On May 15, Father Fracaro stated that Ashley Hill, daughter of T.K. and Stella Hill (deaf parents_ was baptized at the monthly deaf community Mass at St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale. A week later, at the monthly Mass for the deaf community at Plainfield, Gregory Smith was given the honor of crowning the statue of the Blessed Mother at the annual May Crowning ceremony. “He was so excited to do that,” said his mother, Susie Smith. “At our parish, the first Communion children did the May Crowning. But he couldn’t participate since he hadn’t yet made his. So it was an honor for him to be chosen,” she added.
The Smith boy is slated to make his Communion on Father’s Day, June 18, at the deaf community Mass in Plainfield.
Speaking for the deaf ministry in general, Father Fracaro said, “We’re not a full-time at all. But we’re trying to get closer to it. Father Jim Hall is a wonderful presence with us.” He lauded the contributions by the participants, including those who make arrangements for special Masses at St. Isidore’s and St. Mary Immaculate. Meanwhile, he said, the deaf ministry appreciates the efforts of interpreters Gail Partridge, Lisa Egner and Mary Holden. Periodically, Deacon Ralph Hinch, who is deaf, assists in Bloomingdale, offers “enthusiastic” readings and homilies, said Father Fracaro.
The deaf ministry would not thrive without the help of Jeanne McDonald, who organizes the affiliated religious education outlets, he said.
“These people are surrounded and helped by many others who held and serve each other. The deaf are a very social group of people. After each Mass, there is a social time that can last (from 45 to 150 minutes). It’s great,” said Father Fracaro.
Besides the two monthly Masses and interpreted Masses, the deaf community celebrates an annual picnic, reconciliation services, Bible study program and a retreat. Members of the group make sure to visit the sick, provide sacramental preparation for believers and assist individuals with disabilities who are enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
As the school year winds down, the deaf community gives praise for the numerous church celebrations hosted for the benefit of believers with hearing impairments.
Three youngsters from the religious education program at St. Raphael Parish in Naperville completed requirements for their first Holy Communion. Kurt Bernabei, Tatum Reitz and Ashley Mussallem were welcomed with the sacrament. They were prepared by Jeanne McDonald, a teacher of the deaf and an interpreter, who coordinates the program referred to Religious Education Apostolate for Church Handicapped. The students received the Eucharist for the first time on April 22, said Father Mark Fracaro, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Minooka and diocesan chaplain to the deaf. In all, there are eight children who are deaf and about 45 other with disabilities in the Naperville program.
The following day, April 23, Barbara and Wendell Hucek of Joliet received a special blessing on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary. The blessing was offered during the monthly Mass for the deaf community at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield. Sacred Heart Father James Hall, who is also deaf, concelebrated the Mass with Father Fracaro.
The Huceks, who were honored at a reception after the Mass, are active volunteers with the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living in Joliet. In addition, they are members of the Joliet Deaf Seniors organization that meets on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Ann Parish in Crest Hill.
On May 15, Father Fracaro stated that Ashley Hill, daughter of T.K. and Stella Hill (deaf parents_ was baptized at the monthly deaf community Mass at St. Isidore Parish in Bloomingdale. A week later, at the monthly Mass for the deaf community at Plainfield, Gregory Smith was given the honor of crowning the statue of the Blessed Mother at the annual May Crowning ceremony. “He was so excited to do that,” said his mother, Susie Smith. “At our parish, the first Communion children did the May Crowning. But he couldn’t participate since he hadn’t yet made his. So it was an honor for him to be chosen,” she added.
The Smith boy is slated to make his Communion on Father’s Day, June 18, at the deaf community Mass in Plainfield.
Speaking for the deaf ministry in general, Father Fracaro said, “We’re not a full-time at all. But we’re trying to get closer to it. Father Jim Hall is a wonderful presence with us.” He lauded the contributions by the participants, including those who make arrangements for special Masses at St. Isidore’s and St. Mary Immaculate. Meanwhile, he said, the deaf ministry appreciates the efforts of interpreters Gail Partridge, Lisa Egner and Mary Holden. Periodically, Deacon Ralph Hinch, who is deaf, assists in Bloomingdale, offers “enthusiastic” readings and homilies, said Father Fracaro.
The deaf ministry would not thrive without the help of Jeanne McDonald, who organizes the affiliated religious education outlets, he said.
“These people are surrounded and helped by many others who held and serve each other. The deaf are a very social group of people. After each Mass, there is a social time that can last (from 45 to 150 minutes). It’s great,” said Father Fracaro.
Besides the two monthly Masses and interpreted Masses, the deaf community celebrates an annual picnic, reconciliation services, Bible study program and a retreat. Members of the group make sure to visit the sick, provide sacramental preparation for believers and assist individuals with disabilities who are enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.