Families of hearing impaired finding home at Albany parish

"I don't like to just bring them when they can't participate," she explained.

Both boys are deaf. Without an interpreter to sign the Mass for them, their experience would be drastically limited. However, Mrs. Shea said that faith formation is an even bigger challenge for families with children who are deaf.

Making strides

Mrs. Shea (who has a three-year-old hearing daughter, as well) said that her family used to attend St. Vincent de Paul Church in Albany, which has interpreted Masses. But they were the only family with deaf children in the parish, so the Sheas and four other families like them all gravitated to St. James.

"We kind of formed this impromptu community," Mrs. Shea said.

Advantages

Instead, all the parents in the group with deaf children take turns attending the children's portion of the program to serve as interpreters.

Having read a recent article in The Evangelist about an adult deaf couple who wished the Diocese had a priest who was fluent in American Sign Language, Mrs. Shea remarked, "A priest that signs would be wonderful, but interpreters are so crucial in this process. We need more interpreters who can do the faith formation piece, which is hard."

Much to do

"Parents are the crucial element," said Mrs. Shea. "We end up interpreting the faith formation classes. But I'm not a skilled interpreter; I'm a parent. Some of us sign better than others."

She noted that one interpreter at St. James, Karen LeFebvre, has the highest certification an interpreter can receive in the U.S. Mrs. Shea said that having a talented interpreter can make Mass and religious education a much more meaningful experience for a child.

Moving in faith

Today, Mrs. Shea believes "it's been a challenge, but it's been rewarding to have children. I don't view deafness as a disability, but as a different way of life. To see them participate [in the Church] has been wonderful."

In fact, said the proud mom, on any given Sunday, eight deaf children and their families pack the front row of pews at St. James, signing the responses at the 10 a.m. Mass (held at 10:30 during the winter).

Mrs. Shea remarked that pastor Rev. Dominic Ingemie signs a few responses, as well, including "alleluia."

"I see him during Mass watching the interpreter. I appreciate that," she said. "He knows how important the ministry of the interpreters is."

(Contact the Catholic Deaf Ministry of the Albany Diocese at 283-1162 or TDD 286-2808. Contact St. James parish at 434-4028. Contact Sheila Shea, and Parents of Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children at 489-0322.)

(08-15-02) [[In-content Ad]]