On Saturday, November 23rd, the Deaf community in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati came together for a joyous and meaningful Christmas get-together at St. Rita’s School for the Deaf. This event, the first of its kind in many years, was a significant celebration that brought the Deaf community together to reconnect, share their faith, and strengthen the bonds within their community.
The choice of St. Rita’s School as the venue was particularly meaningful, as it is one of the best Catholic Deaf schools in the country that has produced a significant number of alumni from the state of Ohio and beyond. The event allowed the participants to return to their ‘alma mater’ and reconnect with the place that played a crucial role in their early formation and development.
The program was filled with a variety of engaging activities, including social time for the attendees to catch up with one another, a delicious and nourishing lunch, informative documentaries on the rich history of St. Rita’s School, exciting raffle draws, the sacrament of reconciliation, and a joyful and uplifting Holy Mass. Despite the short notice before the gathering, the turnout was impressive, showcasing the strong desire of the Deaf community to come together and celebrate their shared identity, faith, and heritage.
At the end of the event, the Chaplain for the Deaf ministry, Fr. Charles Onumaegbu, addressed the participants and emphasized the importance of fostering unity, understanding, and active participation within the Deaf community. He encouraged the attendees to reach out to other Deaf individuals within the Archdiocese and continue to build this vibrant and thriving community, which aims to deepen the Deaf community’s connection to the Church and her ministries.
Fr. Charles M Onumaegbu
Chaplain for the Deaf ministry
