DEAF MINISTRY

MINISTRY WITH THE DEAF 21 Maple Street Chicopee, MA. 01020-2626 Phone: 413-592-4071 Voice/TTY Fax: 413-592-8702

Staff: Director: Sister Carol Lareau, SSJ Part-time staff: Jeannette Costa, Lynette Litourneau, Diana Duff

The office for Ministry With the Deaf services deaf persons and their families in the Diocese of Springfield (all of western Massachusetts). Because of language/communication considerations, and the fact that there is a specific Deaf Culture, the services provided span the range from birth to death.

This ministry is funded through the Annual Catholic Appeal in the Diocese of Springfield. The office has a full-time director and three part-time staffers (two deaf persons and one hearing person.)

Some of the services the office provides are:
• religious education for children and adults;
• sacramental preparation (including marriage preparation);
• signed/interpreted Masses
• Prayer/Communion Services (and Social);
• interpreters for religious events;
• visitation to homes, nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons;
• pastoral presence to families during times of crisis;
• outreach to individuals or families with special needs;
• training for volunteers and teachers;
• workshops for interpreters learning religious Sign Language;
• publication of a quarterly newsletter;
• maintenance of a small library and resource center for the Deaf, teachers, parents, and interpreters;
• referral to other individuals, agencies, and offices that also serve the Deaf and their families.

For further information about any of these services, click on one of the following links:

Home | Religious Education | Sacramental Preparation
Visitation Program| Interpreters |Signed/Interpeted Masses
Special Needs| Other Agencies and Groups Serving the Deaf