Mission Matters: Nov. 15, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”: National Vocations Awareness Week; An Advent resource; Reminder – The mystery of marriage; Quick Deaf Ministry tips; plus this Thursday’s blog post.

Watch for this Thursday’s Post:

Welcoming Those Who Grieve by Johanna Coughlin, Respect Life Consultant and Project Rachel Coordinator and Edward Herrera, Director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life

•  Praying for vocations: Last week, Archbishop Lori sent out a letter asking all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to support and pray for more vocations, especially for more priests for our parishes, an action that “goes to the heart of who we are as missionary disciples.” Consider sharing this important message with your congregation:

I’d like to take the first step to facilitate an archdiocesan-wide prayer effort in support of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. I write to invite your participation in a digital prayer campaign called the Invisible Monastery, a free website that helps organize prayer for vocations. By registering at www.invisiblemonastery.com, you will be joining thousands of Catholics by pledging to pray daily or weekly for vocations. I am grateful to the 60 men and women of our Archdiocese who have already pledged to pray.

– Archbishop Lori

• Advent preparations: This website offers you and your parishioners and excellent resource to celebrate Advent. By signing up, they will receive daily one-minute videos for each day of Advent to help promote the season and who #JesusIS.

•  Reminder – Unveiling the Mystery of Marriage:  The Office of Marriage and Family Life has organized GIVEN, a day of inspiring talks, energizing music, and real conversations for dating, married, and engaged couples. It will take place on December 10, 2016 at St. William of York, Baltimore, MD. Click here for information on registration and FAQs.

Quick Deaf Ministry Tips:

How to make Sign Language Interpreters feel welcome

• Provide a summary or a list of bullet points of the homily. Better yet, meet with the interpreter for a few minutes to explain to them them the quick version of your goal for the homily (names, stories, jokes are always helpful).
• Inform them about Collect, Preface, Prayer after Communion, and which Eucharistic Prayer will be used. If using Eucharistic Prayer #1, please read slowly the list of all the saints names.
• Accents are sometimes challenging for the interpreter. Consider having an FM (frequency modulation) or AL (assisting listening) device available for the interpreter to listen directly to the priest. Also, it is best if the priest meets with the interpreter ahead of time for him or her to become accustomed to the accent or figure out additional strategies to work together.

 Questions? Feedback? Please leave a comment below.