The Deaf Fall Retreat organized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Deaf Ministry at the Church of Ascension in Woodman Dr, Kettering, was a profound spiritual journey that exemplified the power of inclusive community and faith. By centering the retreat around the biblical invitation to ‘Ask, Seek, and Knock’, the theme invited everyone not only to reflect on Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel of Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened”, but also to live it out in community. The retreat created a welcoming space where Deaf participants from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Kentucky cities could deeply explore their spiritual paths. The carefully structured retreat, which included presentation of the theme for the retreat, group sharing, Eucharistic adoration, personal reflection, the Holy Rosary, Confession, and the Holy Mass, allowed attendees to connect not just with each other, but with their individual spiritual needs and collective experiences.
“Ask, Seek and Knock” are words that are beautifully connected because they address both individual and communal spiritual journeys. By asking, we acknowledge our vulnerability as persons in need of God’s grace. One of the most memorable slides of the presentation was the invitation of the participants to ask what they are longing from God through prayer. Many were brave enough to write down some of their “needs” and “desires” and shared them during the group sharing.
By Seeking, we evaluate the progress in our faith journey, chasing after God’s presence and purpose. Each participant was invited by the Chaplain to follow a “path of discovery” while reflecting on what one is seeking from the Lord; forgiveness, deeper relationship, healing, spiritual guidance and above all, good health of mind and body.
Knocking involves persistence, not giving up when responses are not immediate, and recognizing that some doors open in God’s timing. Participants were encouraged not get tired of knocking at the door of Jesus through prayers, trusting that He will respond at His own time and according to His own way. God does not ignore our prayers. However, His response will always be “Yes” to our requests because we need urgently or “No” because we don’t need them or “Wait” because it is not yet time.
The Deaf Fall Retreat was much more than a weekend away. It was a meaningful intersection of faith, accessibility, community and action. The turnout was very encouraging, the sense of Deaf community was well felt, the feeling of being seen and heard filled the retreat environment, the invitation to put into action the insightful learnings from the retreat was well delivered, and the reminder that hope and perseverance are the essential attitudes needed each time we pray even when doors stay shut, knocking keeps us alive in faith.
At the end of the Holy Mass, a group photograph was taken in remembrance of this year’s Deaf Fall retreat, an announcement for the upcoming Deaf Christmas party at the church of St. Francis of Assisi, Dayton on December 6 was made, and after which, participants left not only with individual reflections but with new friendships, spirit filled, prayer partners, and shared memories.
Fr. Charles Onumaegbu
Chaplain, Deaf Ministry