A New Home Brings Hope

“My parents brought me to Church every Sunday when I was growing up; my mom would interpret the Mass for me in American Sign Language (ASL). I knew as a kid that I could be a Deacon and give back to the Church and the Deaf community. I have met several Deaf men who showed interest in becoming a Deacon, but they did not have the support of their dioceses. Fortunately, with the support of the Deaf Apostolate, I was able to discern my calling to become an ordained Deacon for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 

The Deaf Apostolate provides pastoral care, sacramental preparation, religious education, and a regular schedule of Masses in ASL with the Catholic community who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Learning about your faith and not understanding what is being said is a challenge. Mass in ASL makes our faith visible in our own language – it gives our community access. We can process information more clearly when it’s in our language. When you support the Catholic Charities Appeal, your donations help the Deaf community access their faith and participate in the Church.” 

–  Deacon Billy Griffin, Coordinator, 
Deaf Apostolate