Mission Statement

Our mission is to support the full, active, and meaningful participation of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the life of the Church, honoring their Baptismal calling. We are committed to addressing the isolation many experience within our faith community. By raising awareness in our parishes about how this disconnection affects the Body of Christ, we seek to work together on effective strategies of support and inclusion — ensuring that every voice is heard, valued, and affirmed within our Church family.

Charity • Justice • Inclusion

Responding to the Vatican’s recent mandate to “offer Deaf persons integral assistance for their complete self-realization,” Catholic Charities’ Pastoral Ministry with the Deaf carries on the work that began in the early 20th century by local Catholic pioneers in Deaf Ministry who first realized this significant spiritual need. 

Who We Serve

The Ministry serves Deaf Catholics, their families, and friends by offering support and guidance, while also collaborating with local Deaf service organizations to address shared concerns and provide a central advisory resource. Embracing Deaf culture and recognizing American Sign Language (ASL) as a liturgical language are essential expressions of the Church’s commitment to hospitality and celebration of cultural diversity.

The Pastoral Ministry with the Deaf has grown to include five host parishes across the Archdiocese. At locations such as St. John’s Church in downtown Newark, Sunday Masses, sacramental preparation, and other religious services are fully accessible to those with hearing loss — through Sign Language interpretation or directly from ASL-fluent clergy.