Diocese reaches out to deaf community

Sign language classes What: Three-session Religious Interpreter Workshop When: 1-4 p.m. Oct. 6, Nov. 10, and Dec. 1. Where: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Green Bay (parish information, map) Who: Interpreters interested in learning or improving their religious interpreting skills. Facilitators: Terri Matenaer and Darla Farrell of the Green Bay Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Matenaer has a degree in special education. She has served on the National Catholic Office for Deaf Advisory Board and as an evaluator for the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the Wisconsin Quality Assurance Evaluation. Farrell graduated from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. She taught sign language classes and has been a volunteer in the diocese's Deaf/Hard of Hearing children's specialized religious education program. Needed: Interpreters for liturgies, religious education programs, weddings, baptisms, confirmations, funerals, special events, and meetings. Information: To register for the Religious Interpreting Workshops or for help in locating an interpreter, contact Michele Stein at (920)437-7531, ext. 8288, or by e-mail Mstein@gbdioc.org

Next week is Deaf Awareness Week and that suits Michele Stein.

Stein, the Green Bay Diocese's consultant for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry Programs, was hired part-time last September to increase programming and services for the Catholic Deaf Community.

Stein also provides resources and referrals to parish staff, families raising deaf/hard of hearing children, and the community at large. Her office is in the Pastoral Services Department in Bona Hall.

Stein is working to establish an identity and awareness of new and existing programming and possibilities. One of her goals is to include more Deaf/HH persons in the planning efforts of the office.

The office sponsors a specialized, regional religious education program for deaf and hard of hearing children. The program meets once a month, October through April, on Saturday mornings at St. Matthew Parish, Green Bay.

Families have the option of going to their parish-based religious education classes or the Saturday classes through the diocese or both. Deaf and hearing volunteers serve as catechists, work one-on-one with students and become mentors to the children. Long time deaf and hard of hearing volunteers include Rosemary and Bill Reinke of Dykesville, Kyle Katers, Pat Molik and Rosella Evenson, all of Green Bay.

"To further encourage deaf and hard of hearing individuals to recognize their talents and bring them forward to serve within the Church community is the ultimate goal," Stein said.

A recent example is Bob Kamasky of New London. With assistance from the Deaf Ministry Office, Kamasky applied to and was accepted into the Archdiocese of Chicago's Ministry Formation Program for Catholic Deaf Adults, a four year process designed specifically for Catholic Deaf adults who wish to serve the Church as lay ministers.

"A friend encouraged me to apply," Kamasky said. "God is calling me to do this. I feel it in my heart and mind that it's the right thing to do and I feel it's the right time." After completing the training program Kamasky would like to work with children and religious education and may some day become a deacon.

In mid-September, Stein will attend The BeFriender Ministry Coordinator Training sponsored by the diocese. The BeFriender Program is a one-on-one lay pastoral care giving program that can respond to a wide variety of parish-based pastoral needs.

The goal for Stein's training is to train interested deaf and hard of hearing persons to serve others within their community. "There is a great need for this ministry within the deaf and hard of hearing community," Stein said.

Retired priest Fr. Don Zerkel of Athelstane, drives at least 1½ hours to meet the pastoral needs of the community.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministry is supported through funds from the Bishop's Appeal.

"Gifts to the Bishop's Appeal help provide religious education programs, Catholic schools and parishes with resources, consultations, and referrals that assist staff in accommodating persons appropriately," said Ron Shaha, director of the Bishop's Appeal. "Last year, six deaf students celebrated their First Eucharist with a diocesan priest who received training in American Sign Language through funds provided by the Bishop's Appeal."

For more information about the Deaf Ministry Office, contact Michele Stein at (920)437-7531, ext. 8288, or (920)437-9240 (TTY)