‘Enthusiastic Expansion’ Explored for Deaf Apostolate

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Plans are in process to locate a new gathering space at an existing parish for members of the Deaf Apostolate of the archdiocese who currently assemble for worship and fellowship at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish on the Upper East Side.

In conjunction with the archdiocesan pastoral planning initiative Making All Things New decisions announced last November, the parishes of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Stephen of Hungary will merge with St. Monica parish. St. Monica’s is the designated parish church. After Aug. 1, Masses and the sacraments will no longer be celebrated on a regular weekly basis at St. Elizabeth’s and St. Stephen’s.

St. Elizabeth’s, at 211 E. 83rd St., has served the deaf community for approximately 35 years. The archdiocese is working with Msgr. Patrick McCahill, pastor of St. Elizabeth’s and moderator of the archdiocesan Deaf Center headquartered there, in finding a new location for the deaf community that currently meets at the parish.

Cardinal Dolan has personally reached out to Msgr. McCahill, and prospective alternative worship and gathering sites for the group in another parish are currently in discussion. Members of deaf community are also involved in the search for the new site.

It is crucial, Msgr. McCahill said, that the deaf community feel “they have a place to belong.”

Auxiliary Bishop John O’Hara, director of the archdiocesan Office of Strategic Pastoral Planning, is also assisting in the endeavor.

“The plan would be that they would become a part of an existing parish, that hopefully is centrally located, and that not only would their services continue, but actually could be expanded.”

To that end, a recent gathering was held at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie for the purpose of introducing the needs of the deaf community to the seminary community.

Msgr. Peter Vaccari, rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, is currently working on a plan in conjunction with the formation of the seminarians to provide outreach to and immersion within the deaf community.

“We have to provide for the future,” Bishop O’Hara said. “This is what this is designed to do.”

Among the positive aspects of Making All Things New is that it has heightened an awareness of the needs of the deaf community, said Joseph Zwilling, director of communications for the archdiocese.

There is indeed a concern for the deaf community, Bishop O’Hara added. “We want to lay the foundation for its continuation and enthusiastic expansion, and that’s what the cardinal is doing.”

Msgr. McCahill “has been heroic in his service to the deaf community,” Zwilling said. “We would not have this ministry that has served this community for 35 years without him.”

At the same time, plans must be made for the future, which is why the archdiocese is looking to Msgr. McCahill and leaders in the deaf community to work with it in identifying a parish that would work as their new home, Zwilling added.

“The Deaf Apostolate would not be apart from a parish, but rather a part of the parish,” Bishop O’Hara said. “Just as they have been a part of St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish, so, too, they would become a part of that existing parish community—not separate from. They are a part of the family.

“We’re not talking about them coming and renting space, or entering into some kind of an agreement—they’re going to be a part of an existing parish.”

That, Bishop O’Hara said, can be a real blessing because it builds a parish up. “It’s a diverse ministry, it’s a specialized ministry, and when it’s centrally located, where there’s great accessibility, it can really start to blossom.”

Integral to their Sunday celebration is the gathering that precedes and follows the Mass, Bishop O’Hara said.

“What unites us is Christ,” Bishop O’Hara added, “in all of our differences. It reminds us, the universality of this call, that it’s very expansive, it includes everyone.

“For those who are hearing-impaired, they help the rest of us to hear the voice of Christ in another way,” Bishop O’Hara said. “It opens us up to the richness of the faith, the richness of the Paschal Mystery, the richness of Christ among us in so many different ways, in so many different kinds of people and so many different situations.”

Bishop O’Hara recalled a Mass for the deaf community he concelebrated with Msgr. McCahill this past winter. “It was marvelous,” Bishop O’Hara said. “It was incredible. There was joyful singing from the heart. I came out of the Mass renewed.”

Wherever the deaf community who currently celebrate at St. Elizabeth of Hungary will eventually gather, there is much hope, concluded Bishop O’Hara. “I believe the Lord will place them where He would like them to be.”