Deaf Ministry

The goal of Deaf Ministry is to provide Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and their families access to the Catholic Faith in order that they may participate in all aspects of parish life including worship, the sacraments, religious education and ministry to others. Deaf Ministry also assists parishes in identifying needs and making plans to achieve accessibility goals.

Deaf Ministry Workshops

Deaf Ministry hosts workshops throughout the year such as "Interpreting for Catholic Weddings, Funerals, and Other Special Occasions." Sign up for our mailing list or check our calendar for upcoming events.

Learn a few ASL phrases by watching these videos.

Masses with Sign Language Interpreters

Parish	When	Phone Number
Our Lady of Perpetual Help 16075 N. Evans Rd. Selma, TX 78154 (Directions)	Sunday 10:00 AM	210-651-6811
St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina 3843 Bulverde Pkwy. San Antonio, TX 78259 (Directions)	Sunday 10:30 AM	210-497-6101
St. Francis of Assisi 4201 De Zavala Rd. San Antonio, TX 78249 (Directions)	Sunday 11:15 AM	210-492-4600
St. Leo the Great 4401 S. Flores St. San Antonio, TX 78214 (Directions)	Sunday 12:00 PM	210-533-9108

FAQs

1. What is American Sign Language (ASL)?

American Sign Language is a visual-gestural language having its own semantic and syntactic structure used by Deaf people in the United States and in parts of Canada.

2. Is there a written version of ASL?

There is no written form of ASL given its visual-gestural nature. Deaf individuals who use ASL to communicate must use English in its written form; written English, however, is not their preferred method of communication because ASL is their primary language.

3. What is the sign for ___________?

Because ASL has its own grammar and syntax and does not follow that of English, there are not always sign equivalents for specific words (especially out of context).

4. Can't all Deaf people read lips?

No. This is a common misconception among hearing people. Remember that English (spoken or written) is not the primary language of Deaf persons who use sign language to communicate. It is also important to understand that only about 30% of spoken sounds are able to be distinguished by reading lips.

5. How can a hearing person communicate with a Deaf person?

If a hearing person would like to communicate with a Deaf person and knows no sign language, he or she could use gestures, pen and paper, or an interpreter if one is present.