University Students Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month

September is Deaf Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the history, culture and language of the Deaf community. Campus Ministry at The University of Scranton has long recognized the importance of inclusivity in their programs and activities, so when Mary Ann Stefko, adjunct professor and vice principal at Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, asked about partnering with American Sign Language (ASL) students, the decision was a simple one.  

In 2023, students began signing a monthly Mass in the Madonna della Strada Chapel, one of the two chapels on campus. Since then, the Mass has continued monthly, bringing the Scranton community together in worship. In 2024, ASL students were invited to extend their ministry by signing a monthly Mass at St. John the Evangelist parish in Pittston.  

University of Scranton ASL students and their teacher, Prof. Stefko, have taken skills learned in the classroom and applied them to life by volunteering at local parishes and events alongside members of the Deaf community.

Students will be signing at St. Eulalia parish in Roaring Brook Township on Sept. 21, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass; St. John’s Byzantine Church in Scranton on Sept. 28 at the 11 a.m. Mass; and Sts.. Anthony and Rocco in Dunmore, and The Waymart Church in Waymart have reached out to schedule ASL Masses. Plans are also underway for a St. Nicholas party at St. Mary and St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church. Each of the efforts reflect the continuous mission of Campus Ministry, the ASL students and their teacher to create awareness.   

Scranton ASL students say they are even more inspired by the mission of Pedro Bismarck Chau, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Newark, Pedro Bismarck Chau, D.D., who advocates for growth of Deaf ministry in the Catholic Church. According to Auxiliary Bishop Chau, his calling has been shaped by his sister, who is Deaf, and the struggles she faced due to the lack of ASL access. The Auxiliary Bishop is now fluent in ASL and commits himself to encouraging the growth of the ASL ministry in the Catholic Church.  

Conveying liturgical terms in ASL is not without its challenges; it calls for prayer expressed through the whole body. Scranton students have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, learning to sign each part of the mass with accuracy and admiration. They are determined to deepen their understanding of this vibrant language and to share the Word in a way that welcomes all.   

By attending, signing, teaching, learning and worshipping together, Scranton students are helping to provide the deaf community with the opportunity to experience Mass in this special way.