Deaf Community
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Deaf Ministry at St. Timothy Catholic Church uses American Sign Language (ASL) to help provide full access to the Mass, the sacraments, religious education, and parish events for our deaf and hard-of-hearing parishioners who use sign language. The Deaf Ministry team includes our signing priest, Father John Greb, our Director of Deaf Ministry, Rene Scharber, as well as members of the St. Timothy Deaf Community and ASL interpreters.
Please contact Rene Scharber at rjscharber @gmail.com to be added to the email list of up to date information on our Deaf Community.
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- Sunday Mass, ASL-Interpreted
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Holy Days of Obligation and Special Events
- OCIA (becoming Catholic)
- Volunteer Interpreter Opportunities
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Sunday Mass, ASL-Interpreted, 10 AM
An ASL-interpreted Mass is offered every Sunday at 10 AM. There are two interpreters—one to interpret the priest’s liturgical prayers, scripture readings, and homily, and the other, to lead the people’s responses, prayers, and songs in ASL. The first few pews on the lower level of the main floor (in front of the interpreters) are reserved for our deaf and hard-of-hearing parishioners and their families. There is also a hearing loop system that covers the entire section of pews on that side of the church..
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Members of our Deaf Community may schedule Confession with Father John Greb by appointment (contact the parish office), or attend Reconciliation at the church as regularly scheduled. (See the times listed on the St. Timothy website or published in the Parish Bulletin.) For deaf individuals attending regular Reconciliation, please note that the priests’ names are posted outside each confessional. When Fr. John Greb is available, enter his confessional and greet him in ASL.
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An ASL-interpreted Mass is offered on Holy Days; interpreted Mass times may vary.
Special events are also periodically presented, including Deaf Mass and Deaf Retreat. During Deaf Mass, Fr. John celebrates Mass in ASL and the lectors are members of our St. Timothy Deaf Community. During Deaf Retreat, a visiting deaf priest or a hearing priest who is fluent in ASL leads a religious retreat using American Sign Language.
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ASL-interpreted Sacramental Preparation & RCIA Classes Arrangements may be made for preparation for the sacraments, as well as for classes for those who want to become members of the Catholic Church. See our Director of Deaf Ministry, Rene Scharber, for more information or for assistance with contacting the St. Timothy RCIA and Faith Formation Coordinator.
Rene Scharber at [email protected]
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For those who wish to become volunteer ASL interpreters at Mass, we require adequate proficiency with American Sign Language and familiarity with deaf culture and Catholic liturgy. Regular attendance at the 10 AM Mass and involvement with our Deaf Catholic Community is strongly encouraged. See our Director of Deaf Ministry, Rene Scharber, for more information.
Rene Scharber at [email protected]
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ASL Formation Resources
One challenge deaf Catholics face is not having access to faith formation resources in ASL. Here we have compiled some helpful online resources to help deaf Catholics learn about and develop their faith.
Below are links to videos on how to sign common catholic prayers, the rosary in ASL with the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries, a searchable ASL Bible, and the Youth Catechism translated into ASL. Their is also the Hands of Grace series on the Seven Sacraments from Ascension Press. -
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Prayers in ASL
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Bible and Catechism in ASL
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For a deeper study on the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church, try the Hands of Grace study from Ascension Press.
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Links to more resources
Fr. MD’s Kitchen Table
Father Mike Depcik’s vlog where he gives a weekly homily in ASL.ASL Catholic Media – Facebook Group
ASL interpretation of Sunday readings each week, on Facebook.The Bible: American Sign Language Version
Video of Catholic ASL vocabulary
A Glossary for “Hands of Grace” by Fr. Séan Loomis
Free video with more than 50 Catholic Sacrament-related signs.https://ncpd.org/resources_and_toolkits/saint-stories-asl
Stories of Jesus and saints told by Deaf performers in ASL. The free videos are also voiced and captioned.https://archkck.org/deaf/asl-youcat/
Easy-to-understand free ASL videos that explain the Catholic faith and gives answers to faith questions, using the Catholic Youth Catechism.National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD)
NCOD is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to pastoral ministry with deaf and hard of hearing persons.International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA)
ICDA is a non-profit membership organization promoting cultural, spiritual, and social union among deaf and hard-of-hearing Catholics through the teachings and principles of the Catholic faithReligious ASL Workshop (RASL)
Annual Religious ASL workshop sponsored by the Deaf Apostolate of the Diocese of Rockford, IL
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