“Nice to meet you!” A phrase that slips easily from our lips; don’t we say it countless times? But what if the person in front of you cannot hear? For Deaf Awareness Month, Catholic Charities provided several workshops to learn American Sign Language.
The beginning is straightforward: “Hello” or a less formal “hi” with a short wink of your dominant hand. Linda Lugo, ASL professor at DelMar College, guides the participants to the next hurdle: “Nice to meet you!” My fingers have difficulties cooperating – the pointer up? Middle finger? Ring finger? “You’re welcome” is a lot easier.
ASL works together with facial expressions – if you answer “I’m sick” with a smile, it doesn’t match! In pairs, we try to repeat the short conversations – rubbing your hand close to your heart means “please.” “No” is a determined closing of your fingers with the thumb; “read,” “write,” and “cry” are self-explanatory. But how do you remember it? Did I sign now “likewise” or “let’s have a drink”? It’s learning a new language… and it requires practice!
On September 9, Catholic Charities offered in honor of Deaf Awareness Month a Religious Workshop using ASL at Most Precious Blood. Special thanks to presenter Annmarie K. Buchanan, who demonstrated and discussed the proper signing for Mass, the order of Mass, and daily Bible readings for Mass. Participants learned forms of Catholic prayer, and children learned some basic signs.
St. Anthony Catholic Church in Robstown offers a Deaf Awareness Family Game night on Wednesday, September 20, at 7 pm. A Mass with the Deaf Community will be celebrated on Sunday, September 24, at St. Joseph’s Church in Beeville at 11 am, with fellowship and games to follow at the Newman Center, 3905 Charco St.
For more information on the Ministry & Life Enrichment for Persons with Disabilities Program, call (361) 884-0651.