Every two years, the International Catholic Deaf Association-US Midwest Regional Chapters organize a summit to discuss issues regarding their various chapters and the well-being of the Deaf. This year’s Midwest Regional Conference took place between the 17 & 18 of May, at Hyatt Regency Hostel-Lisle, and was hosted by ICDA-US chapter #46 of the diocese of Joliet, Il.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Light up the darkness”. A theme that beautifully radiates God’s love, peace, and joy in our midst. Thus, bringing our Lord, Jesus Christ to the Deaf, the hearing, and to everyone who believes, through catechesis and evangelization. This theme was well elaborated by the Keynote speaker and a Deaf Priest, Fr. Thomas Coughlin during his presentation on “Faith, as a special gift from God”.
The ICDA is composed of both active and non-active chapters. While chapters 4, 6, 7, 18, and 46 (Detroit Catholic Deaf Community, St. Louis Catholic Deaf Society, Ephpheta Solidarity of Milwaukee, Cleveland Catholic Deaf Center, Chicago Catholic Ephpheta, and Joliet) belong to the active chapters, other chapters like Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Columbus, etc…, form part of the non-active chapters. Regardless of the chapter where one comes from, the lifetime members of each chapter are regarded as full-time members of ICDA, Midwest region.
Highlights of the 1st-day conference were: the registration of the participants, social, dinner, 1st workshop with Fr. Joseph Mulcrone as the presenter, 30th anniversary of the inauguration of the mission fund program (MFP), games, and finally, group rosary and prayers. The conference resumed on the second day with the registration of new participants, the sacrament of reconciliation, field trip, Midwest Regional meeting (MWR), 2nd workshop on “Faith as a special gift from God” with Fr. Thomas Coughlin as the keynote speaker, the Holy mass, banquet, and finally, raffle draws, recognition/awards to some members of ICDA.
As a first-timer, it was a big moment to meet with some Deaf priests and Chaplains of different Deaf societies and chapters. A two-day conference of fraternal bond, insightful learning of Deaf culture and the world of the Deaf, an opportunity to meet over 150 Deaf participants across the Midwest, a moment to listen and to exchange our various ideas on how to confront the problems associated with the deaf ministry. The venue of the next biennial conference will be decided by the national working committee of ICDA.
