Beautiful Artwork!
The artwork below was drawn by Milen L., Sign Language Student from Santa Margarita High School. Absolutely beautiful!
15th Sunday (C)
Fr. Michael Depcik offers us a reflection of our Lord’s words to us on the 15th Sunday of Ordinary time year C in American Sign Language. The Archdiocese of Washington gives us the readings in ASL.
Tags: Access, ASL, Deaf Church, Deaf Ministry, OC Deaf Church, Sign LanguageHoly Trinity (C)
The readings for the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity (C) in ASL are brought to you by ASL Catholic Media and ADW ministry. These two powerhouse enterprises truly serve and assist every parish that does ministry. Hats off to them.
Fr. MD offers a reflection or sermon in ASL. We appreciate all he gives us each week. We particularly like when his videos are 10 minutes or more; because we get more of the faith handed down to us and practical ways to live out the teachings of Jesus Christ. 😛
But hey! We can’t just rely on deacons, priests, catechists, and ministers to do all the work to solidify our faith for us. Our Lord offers himself in Eucharistic adoration so that we can spend time with him. He also offers himself to be understood in the Bible to know of His love for us, and how he has acted throughout time.
We need not be afraid of God. Turning to him should be our first step. When we seek God we have to listen. A trained ear will identify his response in a myriad of ways. The response to our petitions and prayers are not only found in our encounter with him in our mind. Yes, he does respond and speak to us in our mind, but other ways are through signs, actions of others, and sometimes through a host of providential events around us. But even if were to count signs, actions of others, and a slew of providential events as a sign of God’s blessings, we could falsely reduce God to the “prosperity Gospel” adage. This implies that if everything is rosy in our life, God is with me. But, besides the temptation to subscribe to the “prosperity Gospel’s’ line of thought, we should be open to experience God working through all things and in all things. Thus over a period of time often in reflection we can deduce God’s hand-at-work since the time of our petitions.
Was not Job tested in the bible tested? Did not most saints have the “Dark night of the soul” where they felt abandoned? Such trials are ways to deepen our relationship with God. Does not the rainbow come after the storm? For many of us the storm is life itself and hopefully we will enjoy an eternal reward of blissfulness.
Sounds nice. But we are in the here and now and things may be quite uncomfortable. Let’s look recall all of the events in the Old Testament. The chosen people went astray, were at war, enslaved in bitterness, but were redeemed because they repented and sought the Lord. Their hope was in the Lord our God, and thus they were delivered and brought to the promised land.
Granted, the Israelites were enslaved for over 400 years and only those last remnants who were not present at Sinai enjoyed the promised land. Sounds like a cruel God. But, God foretold what would happen if they rejected him. Remember the episode? Israel was the only nation without a human king. They got jealous and wanted one. So, the people wanted a human king and God warned them not to appoint a human one, because he was their king and God. The people refused God’s offer and God permitted a human king…..God was just in his punishment.
But once the people of God recalled and realized their transgression and obeyed God once more they were given new life. This episode of our history pertains to us as well. We have a similar history yet not found in a book, but in the soul. Our personal relationship with God is similar to that of the Israelites. What evil we endure may be a temporal punishment of past transgressions, or maybe it is just a test. But when we continue seeking God and live by his commands despite what is happening, God is pleased.
So it is all about pleasing God? Yup. When we do this well, it indirectly pleases others because then there is a communal communion with God. Said differently, God dwells in and within his people. Going to mass is a sure way to experience God dwelling in and within His people. Many find the offering of peace during mass refreshing, a relief, and an opportunity to be at peace. Then, what follows is God giving us His peace through grace (the indwelling of the Holy Spirit) via the Body and Blood of his sacrificed son, Jesus Christ.
Moreover today (Sunday) we celebrate and honor the Holy Trinity (C). We celebrate the two divine missions coming from God the father so that we can be his people. We celebrate the mission of Jesus Christ coming down from heaven and incarnating through the humanity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and dying on the cross to fulfill the Father’s will. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) to sanctify, gather, and lead all to Jesus Christ in truth.
Amen.
For those of you who still want more on the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (C). Feel free to research and summarize in your own words the theological terms and meanings below. 😛
The Holy Trinity: 5 notions 4 relations 3 persons 2 missions 1 God O comprehension
Tags: Accessibility, ADA, American Sign Language, ASL, ASL Catholic, ASL Deaf Ministry, Catholic, Deaf, Deaf Catholic, Deaf Church, Deaf Ministry
Religious Education
The Diocese of Orange in California offers religious education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Our Sacramental religious preparation program is in American Sign Language. Our parishioners are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of hearing, and hearing. We support those with disabilities who know American Sign Language. Our community supports those who have family members who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We offer ASL and deaf culture classes as needed.
The demographic population in California is ethnically mixed, but this truly enriches our faith community. We respect and honor ethnic cultural traditions all the while advocating for Jesus Christ and His Church. Our approach to education is to assess each person to see which kind of instructional method will most likely work. For some it is strictly 1:1, for others it is in a group setting. We create individual education plans upon request or need. Everyone is different and has different aptitudes for learning. We get it.
Program
Our program meets weekly on Sunday before or after mass. Our schedule is posted and given to parents, sponsors, and those participating usually in the fall. We committed to the teachings of the church and follow a lengthy process of formation. Why so long? Because, to withstand and deter evil in this world takes time, training, and discernment. Discipleship is life-long. There is no end. A few initial years in our eviternal existence is nothing in comparison to the big picture.
Be assured that we will cover pressing dogmatic and moral theological questions. Yes, we methodically answer the tough themes, questions, and objections that the devil would like all of us to believe. The difficulty, opportunity, and treasure is to know why all of the Catholic Churches teachings promise happiness, joy and fulfillment. Contrary to popular and sinful rationale of our time does the Church offer answers to make us happy, or happy again.
Join
Join our community by registering. We keep in contact with email, newsletters, and blog/vlog posts. Retreats are frequently requested because we seek the Lord and vice-versa. We have retreat offerings for only men and only women and coed as they appear.
Our bread and butter program deals with sacramental preparation. We offer First Communion, Confirmation 1 & 2, RCIA, and baptism classes for parents and Godparents.
Church
Why come to church at all? Going to church is a safe harbor for our soul. God overshadows the church to allow us to rest in him. It is a place and time to be one together. Outside the church is disunity and chaos. God our creator, protector, and shepherd soothes our being. He gives us exactly what we need, Him!
We are created to know, and our intellect never stops inquiring about things, let alone God. Our religious education program aims to reveal God’s saving plan for all of us and prepares souls to receive him via the sacraments.
Visit our community in-person and subscribe to our social media channels.
Tags: ASL Catholic, Catholic Deaf Community, Catholic Deaf Community California, Christian Deaf Community Orange County, Orange County ASLASL Sign for Catholic
ASL Sign for Catholic. These four words encompass what our Deaf Church lives and breathes. We communicate in American Sign Language. We are the light of the world as followers of Christ to all. It appears to many of us that the world is deaf. It does not listen to words and teaching of Christ as the way, the truth, and the life.
ASL Sign for Catholic
Being a follower of Christ involves carrying our cross. What better way than to show to the world the cross we carry than on our foreheads. For our intellect or mind gives command to our actions and words. We intentionally follow the Lord and the way of life he led to become more like unto him.
Want to know more signs? Check out the rest of the resources in our website. Better yet, visit us on Sundays.
The video to the left demonstrates how to sign the word Catholic in ASL. Why is it done this way? In Lent we receive ashes on their forehead. The dark ashes worn by the faithful on ash Wednesday is a indicator that someone is likely Catholic.
The picture below is an Ash Wednesday comical relief.
ASL Catholic
Find ASL Catholic prayers, signs, resources, and churches all throughout our community website. Catholic ASL has a lot of roots dating back centuries ago. Read the post. Our Sunday School classes teach Catholic American Sign Language religious signs. Our Deaf church community in Orange County California welcomes you and so does our ministry team! How to sign Catholic in Sign Language. Interpreters. Worship. Access. Disability.
ASL Catholic
ASL Catholic Media is one of the prominent dispensers of content. It is respectable Christian sign language media source. Another resource that is collaboratively being done to disseminate the Catechism in sign language is ASL Youcat. ASL Youcat is worth reviewing, studying, and watching to learn about the Faith. Saint Stories in ASL are also available to watch with English and or Spanish subtitles. For those who doubt the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist visit Al Alvord’s youtube channel. Deaf Philly has a phenomenal Sunday Vlog that reflects on the gospel. Another fan favorite is Fr. Mike Depcik’s website and YouTube channel.
Covid-19 created an online Deaf ministry springtime in all Christian denominations. There are great websites out there and we want to bring them to you here. But, we want to do our part and contribute to the worldwide community as well. We are going to do our part in the little corner of the world that we live in and connect. We want to connect everyone to Jesus Christ.
One of our big contributions to the United States church and abroad is our ASL Catholic mass finder. Churches are added as soon as they are fact checked that they do Catholic Deaf ministry. If you know of any that are not listed in our database please contact us.
Sign Language
The Diocese of Orange supports Catholic American Sign Language for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and those with disabilities. We have a large community that overwhelmingly fluent in ASL. We are here for those parents needing to learn the language to communicate with their child. Whatever we can do to assist and advocate for our Deaf parishioners we will do our best, all-the-while advocating for Jesus Christ.
We have dedicated interpreters for our liturgies. If you would like to request an ASL interpreter for diocesan faith matters please do so here. If you would like to join our interpreting team please contact us. We are very supportive to ASL students and ASL interpreting students.
Tags: ASL CatholicChurch
Church is a polarizing word to speak these days. Why? It implies being God-fearing. The word Church means that we honor and serve God. Following His laws and not the human laws concocted without justice to God makes us enemies to the world. We are those who honor God in church worship by attending mass and receiving the sacraments. Our Deaf Catholic Church empowers those who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, hearing, and with disability. We gather for worship every Sunday and as often as we can as a community. In our Catholic-Christian tradition you may find a local church service using our custom ASL mass finder. Other Catholic Churches with Deaf ministry have their church times listed. We are doing our best in our new online presence and we are just getting started. Visit our in-person church service to find out how you can be involved.
In Orange County California we are a constantly growing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Christian community. Our services are in American Sign Language (ASL) and our ministry is to proclaim Jesus Christ to everyone particularly in Sign Language. We do this by first praying that the Holy Spirit may equip us with love and truth to spread his love.
Church
“Catholic vision assigns symbolic meaning to the various parts of the church building, as it does to pretty much everything else in the world. The roof symbolizes charity, which covers a multitude of sins; the floor symbolizes the foundation of faith and the humility of the poor; the columns represent the Apostles, Bishops, and Doctors; the vaulting represents the preachers who bear up the dead weight of man’s infirmity heavenwards; and the beams represent the champions of ecclesiastical right who defend it with the sword. The nave symbolizes Noah’s Ark and the Barque of St. Peter, outside of which no one is saved. The direction of the East represents the Heavenly Jerusalem, and the direction whence the Messiah will return in glory; West represents death and evil.”- Catholic Encyclopedia
The above diagram is how early Catholic-Christians saw church worship. But, it is also how we view it as well. It is an universal belief, hence the word Catholic means universal. Our Church worship and church services have stayed the same.
Added Church theology
The layout of the church despite what configuration you see today has a lot of theological layers and meaning. The Narthex in the ancient Jewish understanding were for the gentiles. The gentiles were not circumcised nor were part of the chosen people. But they could be parts of God’s people if they got circumcised. This ritual was their way of acceptance, per God’s decree. Today the idea is the same except that baptism is the entry point. This is why generally, baptism fonts are in the back of the church.
The word “nave” should resound. It is where we get the word navy. It is boat or ark. Once we enter the church we embark through the oceans and winds of the world. God protects us. This journey is toward heaven. Generally, there is a demarcation via steps that signify the line where the lay faithful and priest separate. This is for an important purpose. Why? Well, lets look at a funeral liturgy. The deceased is placed at the steps before the altar. The steps to the sanctuary represent the separation but vicinity of earth and heaven. It is only Jesus Christ who ascends to heaven to intercede for us. Furthermore, the priest of Jesus Christ ascends to the altar in the person of Christ to offer the mass for the soul of the deceased. More catholic bytes to be continued…
Ministry
Ministry in the Deaf Catholic-Christian world is wanting. You do not have to be an ordained minister to be someone of leadership. Approach your pastor and work out a pastoral plan. Fluency or competency in American Sign Language is a must because language is sacred.
Proclaiming Jesus Christ in (ASL) Sign Language is a way to heaven. Connecting with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is an open market. Awareness of the lack of Deaf leadership leading other to Christ is one thing. Doing something about it is another. Hand yourself over to our Lord. His bride the church needs more workers in the vineyard.
You can support others spiritually. Attending mass, bible studies, and church events broadens your education. So, free your calendar and go to a ministry event. Sketch together a program with your pastor and see to it that it is on the parish calendar. “Build it and they will come” is an outreach motto. Today, ministry is live, online, and in-person. Whatever it takes to win a soul for Christ is mission at-hand.
Ministry
Seeing the field as it were involves getting out and knowing the community. ASL socials, potlucks, or meetups is required. This is the social fabric of the Deaf community. Other event listings involve Deaf expo’s and conferences. These are key because it reveals what people are flocking toward.
People come out of the wood-work to see and experience what they feel they want. Sadly, what they are looking for is Jesus. Time and time again we humans are disappointed when we turn toward something material to satisfy a spiritual craving. The harvest is here. IT is time to form small and large groups to discuss life with God.
Smell like the sheep
The best Catholic-Christian solution to experience God is in the mass. All of salvation history is revealed in the mass. It is all there. Doubt this? Every action and word spoken or signed within the mass ties to a past, present, and future reality. The mass is an unbloody Calvary, an unbloody sacrifice.
In your present or future ministry small group when you spend much of your time talking about the mass, you are almost there. Moreover, when your flock is so interested and want to know more and more about the mass, you are doing something right. Why? because they are being fed on how to receive grace. They are being filled with knowledge and love that God wants to give them. You are being you and an interpreter of sorts.
Our Lord in his sovereign plan to gather all unto him bestows gifts to us so that we can be his instruments. Being a minister formally or informally is part of his pastoral plan. Consult your diocesan and parish pastor to come up with a way forward. Pastoral plans today involves working together with leadership to suit the faithful and the said minister.
Tags: ASL Catholic, OC Deaf
