More than 60 deaf Catholics from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kentucky, Michigan and central Ohio gathered for a daylong retreat on Saturday, April 22 at New Albany Church of the Resurrection. The retreat, titled “Mary Calls Us to Be Holy,” was the second for the church.
The retreat presenter was Father Mike Depcik, OSFS, one of nine deaf priests in the United States. Father Depcik, who currently ministers to deaf Catholics for the Archdiocese of Detroit, has given workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia and Europe.
He co-authored a video curriculum for deaf youth titled “Confirmation: Strengthen in Faith” and hosts a weekly video vlog of reflections on the Sunday readings for the Catholic deaf community. Learn more by visiting https://www.frmd.org.
At the retreat, each participant received a rosary and prayer book blessed by Father Depcik and had the opportunity to receive anointing of the sick and go to confession. Father Dave Cornett, of the Steubenville diocese and fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), assisted with confession.
Father Denis Kigozi, pastor at Church of the Resurrection, and Father Anish Thomas, HGN, parochial vicar, concelebrated Mass with Father Depcik. The Mass was celebrated in ASL with Chadd Navejar providing voice interpretation for the hearing community and Jessica Metzger interpreting the music. Navejar and Metzger also provided interpreting services at the retreat.
Since 2004, Church of the Resurrection has had a Deaf Ministry providing interpreting services during liturgies for the deaf/hard of hearing community. The deaf are encouraged to participate in church ministries and programs.