Deaf Ministry

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- Deaf Ministry
  
  Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities
  
  The Deaf Ministry of the Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities helps Deaf Catholics participate fully in the life of our diocese. We assist parishes, offices, and individuals in finding ASL interpreters for Mass, diocesan events, and meetings, and we help connect parishes with funding for interpreters at weddings, funerals, and other important parish events.
ASL Interpreted Masses
- In-Person Mass
  St. Dennis Church – Part of Queen of Apostles Parish
  505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI 53714
  Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday TV Mass
  With interpreter and closed captioning
  6:00 a.m. on WISC-TV 3, Channel 3.1
  8:00 a.m. on TVW, Channel 3.2
  
  Also available on our Facebook page or on the Channel 3000 YouTube page
American Sign Language Interpreter Request Form
- This form is to request our office to assist other Diocese of Madison Offices, parishes, organizations, and individuals in finding an ASL interpreter for Catholic Masses/Diocesan events/meetings, etc. as a part of our mission to include and provide the opportunity for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing to live out their mission in our diocese.
  
  We will do our best to accommodate this request but can not guarantee our ability to find an interpreter who is familiar with the Catholic Mass and terminology.
  
  Parishes can also request funding to provide an ASL interpreter for Sacraments (including weddings and funeral Masses) or large parish events that Deaf Catholics want to attend. Please contact the Apostolate directly to request these funds.
- This form is not accepting responses at this time.
  
  Requesting Parish or Organization REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  First Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Last Name REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Phone Number REQUIRED
  
  Please fill out this field. Please enter a phone number.
  
  Email REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter an email address.
  
  Event/Sacrament REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Purpose of the Request REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  If "Other" above, please specify Please enter valid data.
  
  Date REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a date.
  
  Location (the name and address of the location the interpreter will be going to) REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  City REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  State REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Zip REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter a zip code.
  
  Start time REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  End time: REQUIRED Please fill out this field. Please enter valid data.
  
  Number of people requesting interpretation (along with name/s and contact information, if possible) REQUIRED Please fill out this field.
  
  Any other relevant or helpful information for the Apostolate or Interpreter to be aware of? Example: For a funeral, a link to an obituary is helpful for getting started.
  
  Please email [email protected] with worship aids, reading/song choices, programs, scripts, or any other written information that would help the interpreter prepare for the requested job.
  
  Please also let us know if you or your organization is paying for the interpreter, you are planning on requesting service funds through the State of Wisconsin Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or you are planning on requesting funding from this Apostolate. Rates vary between interpreters and length of the Sacrament/event. A Mass/event lasting longer than 1-1.5 hours may require more than 1 interpreter.
  
  Submit
Resources

Deaf Ministry
- Etiquette Suggestions and Considerations
  Seek out interaction with people. There is nothing worse than being left out and ignored.
  Determine whether the individual prefers to use sign language, writing, gesturing, speaking, or a combination of these to communicate.
  To get the attention of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, you can tap them on their shoulder, wave your hand, or flicker the lights.
  Face a person directly when speaking, and keep your mouth visible your mouth when communicating so that the person can read your lips.
  Offer to bring in an ASL interpreter if you are hosting a large event and know there are Deaf people in your community. Consider reaching out to the individual or family directly to gauge their interest in particular parish functions and establish a relationship with their preferred interpreter services.
  When using a sign language interpreter, look directly at the person who is Deaf, and maintain eye contact. Talk directly to the person who is Deaf.
  Have a note pad and pen readily available.
- Book Recommendations
  Deaf Diaspora by Bob Ayres
  Inside Deaf Culture by Padden & Humphries
Contacts

Deaf Ministry
- Megan Wedwick
  
  Director, Apostolate for Persons with Disabilities
  
  608-821-3051
  megan.wedwickmadisondiocese.org
  
  Kayla (Schiesser) Taylor
  
  Administrative Coordinator
  
  608-821-3050
  kayla.schiessermadisondiocese.org

In-Person Mass

Sunday TV Mass