Deaf Apostolate:  The mission of the Deaf Ministry of St. Joseph's parish is to provide opportunities for deaf persons who communicate in sign language to (1) learn about and practice the Catholic faith, (2) evangelize the faith to non-practicing Catholics and non-Catholics, (3) associate among themselves and other persons in the parish, and (4) serve the parish as needed.

Ministry leader:  Dawn Rose at love2kids3@gmail.com 

Saint Joseph Parish has available assistive listening devices in the vesting sacristy, for use during Masses. Ushers are available to assist you, if needed.

We also provide communication access to persons who are Deaf and who use sign language during the 9:45 AM Mass.  Confessions are available by appointment.

Saint Joseph parish is committed to the provision of communication access in all aspects of parish life to parishioners who are deaf.   Under the direction of Father Thomas Rozman, pastoral care, sacramental preparation, religious education and Masses are provided in ASL.  Interpreters are available for many parish activities, fostering  a spirit of welcome and inclusion. Sign language classes are offered for interested individuals and the deaf community meets on a regular basis for bible study, faith sharing groups and annual retreats.

Father Rozman will lead a Deaf Faith Class on the first Sunday of the Month starting in October, 2019 through June, 2020 (EXCEPT March 1 - the Class will be held on March 15).  Classes will be held in the Lee Horan Room from 11 AM - 1 PM.


A Deaf Bible Study Class will be held on the second Sunday of every month, from September to June, except in April (it will be the third Sunday).  Classes will be held in the Lee Horan room from 11 AM to 1 PM

 

           The earliest ministry to deaf Catholics was likely in early 17th century France, when Saint Francis de Sales developed a sign language in order to instruct a deaf person about God.  This event is depicted in an icon written by a parishioner under the guidance of Father Thomas Rozman.  It shows the saint giving a deaf child the hand sign for “Trinity”.  This icon was placed on display in our church after being blessed by Bishop Ronald Gainer in 2017.
 
             Various efforts have been made in dioceses throughout Pennsylvania to minister to deaf persons. There are now, begun between 1949 and 1989, also organizations and services on the national level, namely the International Catholic Deaf Association (US Section), National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD), Deaf Cursillo, and annual trainings such as Pastoral Week led by the NCOD.
 
When Ginny Stack (formerly Duncan) became the first Director of the Diocese’s Office of Ministry for People with Disabilities, a request was made along with Frank Nemshick, Jr., a very active deaf Catholic, to meet with then-Bishop Kevin Rhoades to bring awareness to the importance of introducing seminarians and parish priests to the needs of the deaf community. 
 
The Deaf Community had made its home at Saint Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg.  Sandy Duncan (Ginny’s late husband) was instrumental in helping to arrange for Father Rozman to learn American Sign Language (ASL).  Father attended Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. for summer sessions between 2008 and 2010.  Gallaudet is a private university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing people.
 
Subsequently, Father Rozman then began offering one Sunday Mass each week simultaneously in voice and ASL, with an ASL interpreter signing the voice readings and homily. He also offered confessions. 
 
Father’s reassignment to our Parish in 2015 brought this wonderful ministry to Saint Joseph where he began conducting monthly classes in the faith for deaf persons, offering a deaf Bible study class, and sponsoring annual weekend retreats led by a visiting deaf priest.   Our Parish continues to be aware of the need for ministry to persons with all types of disabilities.
 
Your continued prayerful support of Saint Joseph’s Deaf Ministry will enable us to continue to worship and grow along with you.  Continuing our commitment to the Deaf Catholic community, we are the only parish in the diocese to offer weekly Masses in ASL and captioning /interpreting of most online offerings.  We look forward to continuing with our classes, our Bible study, etc., whether online or in person (when protocols allow).
 
It would be nice to have more ASL interpreters in order to offer more opportunities for the deaf to learn about, practice and evangelize our faith.  If you know of someone who is deaf, whether or not they are Catholic, please let them know about our ministry - we are blessed to be part of Saint Joseph Parish!  Every hearing person who has an interest in this ministry, any of our deaf guests – you are always welcome to sit with us in the reserved section in front of the ambo at the 9:45 AM Sunday Mass.  Steven Baier is currently the leader of the Deaf Ministry.  He can be reached at smbaier@aol.com.  We want to give a special thank you to our devoted interpreters:  Christine Adzema, Linnet Myers, Ginny Stack.
 
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, PATRON OF DEAF CATHOLICS, PRAY FOR US!
 
 

Father Shawn Carey, Director of the Deaf Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Boston, offered a retreat day for Catholics in American Sign Language at Saint Joseph Parish in Mechanicsburg June 11, a faith-based opportunity sponsored by the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Office of Ministry with People with Disabilities.

Some 25 people attended the retreat, which was offered completely in ASL and included two presentations by Father Carey, the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the celebration of Mass in the church, and time for socialization.

The topic of Father Carey’s presentations was “Christ-Fit,” urging the faithful to be spiritually fit to follow Christ, particularly in this Year of Mercy.

“Because I’m a deaf priest, [the retreat] will give the Catholics in this area an opportunity to see other deaf priests and really connect, that’s why I’m here. It’s wonderful to be here,” Father Carey said through interpreter Ginny Duncan, Director of the Diocesan Office of Ministry with People with Disabilities. The office hopes to make the retreat an annual event.

Father Thomas Rozman is the pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, which is home to the diocese’s deaf community. The priest is also influent in American Sign Language.

“The parish is happy to have the deaf community here, and is very welcoming to them,” he said, noting that the 9:45 AM Sunday Mass is interpreted for those who are deaf. “This is a very important ministry that the Catholic Church offers.”

By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness

Pictured:  Bishop Gainer, Father Rozman with the Deaf Community and Jody Cole, parishioner who wrote the Saint Francis de Sales Icon, The Patron of the Deaf.

Bishop Gainer blessed the Icon at Mass on November 18, 2017.