Sunday, February 18, 2024, was a memorable day in the lives of the Deaf in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It was the day our new Chaplain for the Deaf, Fr. Charles Onumaegbu, officially celebrated his first ASL Mass at St. Rita School for the Deaf in Cincinnati.
Following the death of Fr. Bill Wysong in 2021, Deaf ministry in the Archdiocese suffered a setback. Fr. Wysong (lovingly called Fr. “Y” by those he served) dedicated the greater part of his priestly life to St. Rita School for the Deaf. The vacuum created by his demise left the Deaf stranded in their spiritual journey, especially without access to even Reconciliation.
Although we brought in priests a few times per year to offer Mass, Reconciliation and retreats, Archbishop Schnurr knew we needed a more permanent solution to the needs of the Deaf in this Archdiocese. Fr. Charles arrived from Rome on January 24, the feast day of St. Francis De Sales (patron saint of the Deaf). Learn more of that story on our PODCAST. ASL masses are now being celebrated at St. Christopher, Vandalia every Saturday at 3 PM with catechism and confession and also, every Sunday at 11 AM at St. Rita School for the Deaf. We wish Fr. Charles a happy Deaf ministry in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
