The Deaf Ministry at Saint Joseph Catholic Church Mechanicsburg, PA
Dear Parishioners of Saint Joseph Catholic Church:
My name is Steven M. Baier and I am currently the Deaf Ministry Leader of Saint Joseph Catholic Church (SJCC).
Our Deaf Ministry started years ago in Downtown Harrisburg, PA, in Saint Patrick Cathedral. When he was pastor there, Father Rozman was asked to learn American Sign Language (ASL), attending summer sessions (2008-2010) at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. We have Mass in ASL every Sunday and on Holy Days (as necessary). Father Rozman provides us communication in ASL for counseling, confession, conducting deaf liturgies, such as funerals, for our deaf members.
We have wonderful ASL interpreters to help with our deaf ministry so that we are kept in the loop with the parish community. Mrs. Virginia Stack, Christine Adzema and Linnet Myers are our ASL volunteer interpreters. If you know any other ASL interpreters who might be able to assist, please talk with me or Father Rozman.
Now where do I fit in? Oh yes, about that: The person who led our group before me was Mr. Frank Nemshick. Frank was a wonderful leader and kept organization of our Bible studies. But in 2020, Frank moved into an independent living retirement home in Hershey, and is not able to be with us on a regular basis.
I was his good friend, and he often joked with me that I was just his co-leader when he was here. We always had fun! I was named the deaf ministry leader after he left and I often keep Frank Nemshick in the loop about what’s going on in our ministry.
I do a weekly email to the deaf community of what’s going on parish-wise, trying to encourage the deaf community to come to Mass, and I’m always praying for deaf and hearing people.
If you want to learn ASL with us and want to know how to communicate with us, we’ll work on that! Come sit with the deaf community. We still love to communicate and teach people sign language.
For now, keep a place in your heart for us, because while we do not hear, our hearts and eyes are open to God always. We really enjoy making more friends here at Saint Joseph Parish.
You need anything? Just ask me. I’m always where my favorite seat is at Mass.