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St. Aloysius' interpreter gives deaf a sign | APP.com | Asbury Park Press
Each Sunday, Michelle Utt takes her place beside the Rev. G. Scott Schaffer near the podium in the front of St. Aloysius Church.
Utt isn't a priest or deacon, but to those with hearing deficiencies, she is one of the most important people at the weekly Mass.
Utt, a 27-year-old Toms River resident and a member of the church, is an interpretive studies student with a vast knowledge of sign language.
Since February, she has been communicating with the deaf and hearing-impaired of the parish through sign language, something at which she has been adept since 2001.
Originally, the concept of signing the Mass came after a conversation Utt had with a friend whose daughter lost her hearing.
"She had to travel to Neptune for church because it was one of the only ones in the area that provided an interpretive Mass," Utt said. "Since I was studying interpretive language and I know sign language, I offered to do it here."
Utt said she knows of only two other churches in the area that offer an interpretive language Mass — the one in Neptune and one in the Manchester area.
Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry, pastoral associate of St. Aloysius Church, thought the idea was interesting and worthwhile.
Schlameuss-Perry introduced the concept to Schaffer, who agreed. Two months ago, Utt was implemented as part of the noon Sunday service.
"There was no announcement or introduction, so literally, I had to get used to signing in front of a large crowd," said Utt, who began attending St. Aloysius when she lived in Jackson. "It'slike learning to do public speaking, only in sign language."
Normally, those with hearing problems get to sit in the front left aisle of the church, directly in front of Utt. However, on some days — like this past Sunday — the usual attendees with hearing problems are not present, which means Utt's signing is more than likely academic.
"Even if there isn't someone that is deaf attending church, it's good practice for me because this is great experience for my career," Utt said. "And besides, you don't know everyone who has a hearing problem."
So every Sunday for the near future, Utt plans to be at her usual spot, about 50 feet to the right of Schaffer, doing her part to help those with hearing problems enjoy the service.
"There are different benefits I get from doing this," Utt said. "I get to help out those that can't hear, and I get to improve my interpretive skills at the same time. Every Sunday I do this, I learn a lot and get to see a lot of different events. It's been quite an experience."
Each Sunday, Michelle Utt takes her place beside the Rev. G. Scott Schaffer near the podium in the front of St. Aloysius Church.
Utt isn't a priest or deacon, but to those with hearing deficiencies, she is one of the most important people at the weekly Mass.
Utt, a 27-year-old Toms River resident and a member of the church, is an interpretive studies student with a vast knowledge of sign language.
Since February, she has been communicating with the deaf and hearing-impaired of the parish through sign language, something at which she has been adept since 2001.
Originally, the concept of signing the Mass came after a conversation Utt had with a friend whose daughter lost her hearing.
"She had to travel to Neptune for church because it was one of the only ones in the area that provided an interpretive Mass," Utt said. "Since I was studying interpretive language and I know sign language, I offered to do it here."
Utt said she knows of only two other churches in the area that offer an interpretive language Mass — the one in Neptune and one in the Manchester area.
Jennifer Schlameuss-Perry, pastoral associate of St. Aloysius Church, thought the idea was interesting and worthwhile.
Schlameuss-Perry introduced the concept to Schaffer, who agreed. Two months ago, Utt was implemented as part of the noon Sunday service.
"There was no announcement or introduction, so literally, I had to get used to signing in front of a large crowd," said Utt, who began attending St. Aloysius when she lived in Jackson. "It'slike learning to do public speaking, only in sign language."
Normally, those with hearing problems get to sit in the front left aisle of the church, directly in front of Utt. However, on some days — like this past Sunday — the usual attendees with hearing problems are not present, which means Utt's signing is more than likely academic.
"Even if there isn't someone that is deaf attending church, it's good practice for me because this is great experience for my career," Utt said. "And besides, you don't know everyone who has a hearing problem."
So every Sunday for the near future, Utt plans to be at her usual spot, about 50 feet to the right of Schaffer, doing her part to help those with hearing problems enjoy the service.
"There are different benefits I get from doing this," Utt said. "I get to help out those that can't hear, and I get to improve my interpretive skills at the same time. Every Sunday I do this, I learn a lot and get to see a lot of different events. It's been quite an experience."