• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Bishop W. Francis Malooly

Bishop Malooly confirms nine deaf teens

May 22, 2008
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Local News, News

IJAMSVILLE – Without uttering a word, nine teens from Central Maryland conveyed their love for their church using signs and gestures during a first-ever archdiocesan confirmation liturgy for the deaf community May 13.

Standing in a sanctuary festooned with crimson banners at St. Ignatius in Ijamsville, Bishop W. Francis Malooly, western vicar, conferred the sacrament by anointing the forehead of each candidate with chrism oil while an interpreter stood by his side and translated his words into signs.

Holding his crosier, the bishop signed the words, “peace be with you,” and offered a greeting to each young person.

In his homily, Bishop Malooly urged the young people to pray every day and to use their talents in service of others.

“I communicate with words,” said Bishop Malooly. “You communicate with sign. But we both communicate with our faces. Be the face of Jesus for others.”

Bishop Malooly got to know many of the teens when he accompanied them on the youth and young adult pilgrimage in Baltimore March 15.

In the past, members of the deaf community were confirmed with hearing candidates. Because there was a large group of deaf Catholics who received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist several years ago, Bishop Malooly gave permission to hold a special confirmation liturgy just for the deaf. The teens, ranging in age from 13-16, came from several parishes in the region.

Because the Maryland School for the Deaf is located in Frederick, Central Maryland has a large population of deaf Catholics. Throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore, there are approximately 2,000 deaf Catholics, according to Eileen Colarusso, archdiocesan coordinator of deaf ministry.

“The kids were very excited and surprised that the bishop took the time to learn some of the language,” said Ms. Colarusso. “Any gesture like that is very much appreciated.”

Michael Tota, a 16-year-old parishioner of St. Ignatius and a junior at the Maryland School for the Deaf, said he was happy to receive the sacrament and pleased to meet the bishop. He chose “Cyril” as his confirmation name, he said, because St. Cyril was a defender of the faith.

Speaking through a translation provided by Ms. Colarusso, Michael said it’s important for parishes to provide interpreters to make everyone feel included.

“When there’s not an interpreter at Mass, we can’t understand what’s going on, and then we don’t go to church,” he explained.

There are 20 parishes that currently have interpreters, according to Ms. Colarusso. Father Michael Carrion, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, is the only archdiocesan priest who knows sign language. A deaf priest recently worked in Central Maryland until being reassigned. There are no deaf priests who sign ministering in the archdiocese.

Michael said there is a real need for more deaf priests – an observation seconded by Lauren Goldberg, a 13-year-old parishioner of St. Ignatius and a seventh-grader at the Maryland School for the Deaf.

“I notice that more deaf people come to Mass when there’s a deaf priest there,” said Lauren, who chose the name “Zita” for her confirmation name in honor of a relative.

Ms. Colarusso urged more people to become interpreters.

“It’s a challenge because the language of the liturgy is very different from how you normally speak,” she said.

Bishop Malooly told The Catholic Review seminarians are encouraged to study sign language, but he acknowledged that with their many demands it is often difficult for them to do it. Ms. Colarusso also holds training workshops on sign language in the liturgy.

For more information about ministry to the deaf, contact Ms. Colarusso at 410-547-5344.

Copyright © 2008 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Three more pro-life activists convicted on federal charges for blockade at abortion clinic
  • Cardinal Dolan: Are Sunday Masses just too long?
  • St. Maria Goretti High School faces uncertain future after difficult decision by archdiocese
  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors
  • Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed

| Latest Local News |

Radio Interview: Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore awarded $2 million VA grant

‘The Following of Christ’: The ‘hidden’ book that helped make Mother Seton a saint

| Latest World News |

U.S. Border Patrol records sharp increase in arrests; situation of migrants in Mexico deteriorates

English police apologize to woman arrested for silently praying outside abortion facility

Papal commission incorporates global feedback in safeguarding guidelines

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Question Corner: Does insufficient faith keep us from being healed?
  • U.S. Border Patrol records sharp increase in arrests; situation of migrants in Mexico deteriorates
  • English police apologize to woman arrested for silently praying outside abortion facility
  • Papal commission incorporates global feedback in safeguarding guidelines
  • U.S. bishops, advocacy groups caution against government shutdown
  • Para compensar todos los reclamos de abuso: la Arquidiócesis considera reorganización
  • Radio Interview: Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage
  • God has the same love for all, pope says at Angelus
  • Take leap of faith and dare to love your family, those in need, pope says

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED