Deaf Ministry

 ASL Resources: Mass times, interpreter training and learning ASL
 

Mass with ASL Interpreting                               

If you know of someone who would benefit from sign language at Mass, direct him or her to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center(near Drake University), where sign language is offered at every Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass.

Sign language is offered at Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m. each week at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines.

Our Lady of Holy Rosary in Glenwood, IA has an ASL interpreter that will provide ASL interpreting at weekend Mass upon request.  Please contact Regina Smith at 712-520-5655 to request.

For more information, upcoming retreats or events where sign language interpretation will be offered, contact Patty Origer.

Interpreter ASL resources:

  • "Handing on the Gospel" shows native, Deaf Signers reading the Sunday Readings. There is a voice over for those who may not know ASL. Great way to be ready for Mass on Sunday
  • Catholic Interpreting Nugget Vlogs (Vlog #1 example) from Deaf Apostolate Milwaukee are available as a resource provided to support our interpreters in the field of formation in Catholic interpreting.  These are unlisted videos on YouTube so accessible to those who have the links. To be added to the distribution list contact Fr. Christopher Klusman at KlusmanC@archmil.org
  • Signing for Scripture resources for Year A, B and C are available for interpreter use at St. Catherine's of Sienna library.

Learning ASL Resources

  • American Sign Language Dictionary Search and compare thousands of words and phrases in American Sign Language (ASL). The largest collection of video signs online.
 Catholic Deaf Ministry Resources

Diocese

Sacrament of Reconciliation for Deaf Community Best Practices Diocese of Des Moines are options for priests to make available to the Deaf Community to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Diocese of Des Moines.

National

National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities

  • Rooted in Gospel values that affirm the dignity of every person, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) works collaboratively to ensure meaningful participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the Church and society. 
  • NCPD staff, board, and council members work with Catholics across the country to offer a disability perspective to Catholic organizations and events.
  • NCPD promotional video on who we are including history, mission, and staff.
  • Role of NCPD and their partnership with V Encuentro

National Catholic Office for the Deaf

  • The National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting Pastoral Ministry with persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

  • NCOD implements its ministry by collaborating with Bishops, diocesan leaders and pastors; by providing support to ordained and lay pastoral workers in Deaf Ministry and by assisting catechists and families with deaf children. NCOD is a clearinghouse of information and creates special media resources for Deaf Catholics

International Catholic Deaf Association- U.S. 

  • ICDA-US is an organization of Catholic deaf people and hearing people in the church working with the deaf in the United States of America.

Other resources:

  • ASL Resources for Interpreting the Mass for interpreters from Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministry with Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Resources for Parishes working with ASL interpreters and understanding Deaf Ministry. (scroll down to access them)
  • ASL YOUCAT videos available from Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. These are videos done with ASL interpreting and captioning for people who are deaf to have access to materials for Catholics to grow in their faith.  You can go to the Archdiocese of Kansas City Deaf Ministry website to contact them and subscribe to being added to their email list of weekly links to videos.
  • Camp Mark 7 offers an array of recreational, educational, leadership and spiritual programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing individuals of all ages.
  • Deaf Apostolate resources:
  1. Boston Deaf Apostolate
  2. Archdiocese of Chicago
  3.  Archdiocese of Detroit
  4.  Archdiocese of Milwaukee

  5. Archdiocese of Philadelphia

  6. Archdiocese of San Francisco/St. Benedict Parish for the Deaf

  7. Diocese of Rockford

  • Religious American Sign Language Week is a program is intended for Priests, deacons and seminarians who work with the Deaf Community;  Working interpreters who have been certified (or qualified in their state); Deaf ASL Lectors (members of the Deaf community who are now doing the readings for Sunday liturgies).  Participants will learn from very qualified instructors: Msgr. Glenn Nelson, Deacon Patrick Graybill and Joan Macy.  The entire event will take place at the Bishop Lane Retreat Center in Rockford, Illinois.
 Faith Formation Resources
  • ASL YOUCAT is a national project to translate the Youth Catechism (YOUCAT) into American Sign Language (ASL) in order to help evangelize our Deaf brothers and sisters in Christ who do not know Catholicism. This is the first time a Catholic Catechism as been translated into ASL!
  • Deaf Catholic Mom includes YouTube videos posted by a catholic mom of 7 or 8 children from Kansas.  It includes videos of prayers & spiritual reflections in ASL. 
  • Father MD's Kitchen Table is a website by Father Mike Depcik a deaf Priest from the Archdiocese of Detroit.  It includes homilies, saints information, prayers: Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Chaplet of Divine Mercy all in ASL
  • Hands of Grace: The Catholic Sacraments in American Sign Language is an innovative program that features video presentations by Father Séan Loomis teaching in ASL, as well as a workbook that is specifically designed with a visual emphasis to provide a better, dynamic learning experience for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. 
  • My First Eucharist from NCOD is an online program that you can add into your Religious Education Program for the Deaf. This online resource consists of six lesson plans to incorporate your First Eucharist curriculum for Deaf children, the hearing children will also benefit from it as they can be exposed to ASL and Deafness
  • Our Daily Hope is produced by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Deaf Catholic Ministry and is a daily video log in ASL.
  • Religious Signs for Families is an app from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is a delightful and engaging way to learn ASL using religious words that are not often found in other ASL apps. The goal of the app is to help families with young Deaf children and Deaf couples with young children to foster prayer in the home.  This app provides a way for families to connect while learning religious signs and to bond to one another and God as they pray in ASL.  Users extend beyond the family unit because this app is perfect for anyone who wants to learn and use ASL to pray. 
  • Traditional Prayers in ASL includes videos of an ASL interpreter signing prayers.  For children with special needs, the development of speech, language, social, and emotional skills are enhanced through the use of sign language.
 Partner Organizations for supports

 The Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Program helps Iowans learn about and access the assistive technology (AT) they need as part of their daily lives to learn, work, play and participate in community life safely and independently.  Services include durable medical equipment loans, demonstration center, lending library, and Iowa Assistive Technology Exchange.

 Must have  applications for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing consumers with hearing loss. HLAA strives to give people the tools they need to live more successfully with hearing loss and to show them they do not have to face hearing loss alone. HLAA reaches people with hearing loss through its network of chapters and state organizations. HLAA State organizations and chapters provide strategies and support that are modeled after HLAA Founder Howard “Rocky” Stone’s self-help philosophy. 

             HLAA Omaha Area Chapter

Iowa School for the Deaf is not just a ‘special’ school. It is an extraordinary language and learning environment for children who sign, talk or use both communication methods. We welcome children who have cochlear implants, hearing aids, or who use no assistive hearing devices. We value our students’ strengths and design individual learning goals centered around each student’s unique needs.

Hamilton Relay provides telecommunications relay services for the state of Iowa including TTY, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA STS), Spanish and CapTel®.  When you connect with Iowa Relay, a Communication Assistant (CA) will connect on the phone with you. Simply give the CA the number you wish to call and your call will be processed promptly, professionally and accurately.

Our goal is to provide access and assistance to individuals in selecting equipment that best suits their communication needs. Qualified individuals can receive a voucher that pays for approximately 95% of the average cost of specialized telecommunications equipment. Telecommunications Access Iowa (TAI) is a program of the Iowa Utilities Board and is administered by Deaf Services Unlimited, Inc. This program was established as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to work in conjunction with Relay Iowa.

For additional information contact Patty Origer, Persons with Disability Ministry Coordinator and scheduler of ASL interpreting services,  phone 515-237-5073.