Resources in our parishes and online

The Diocese of Harrisburg recognizes the necessity of communication access for Catholics who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Parishes are encouraged, where possible, to make available assistive listening devices in their parish buildings. They are also asked to keep these devices in good working order and to notify parishioners on a regular basis (through signage or in the parish bulletin) that such systems are available for use by parishioners with hearing loss.

The Diocese of Harrisburg is also committed to providing communication access to persons who are Deaf and who use sign language.

Upcoming Masses

A Mass in American Sign Language without voice interpretation will be celebrated on Sunday, February 15 at 4:00 pm at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, (400 E. Simpson St.) Mechanicsburg.  No voice interpretation will occur. The celebrant and homilist will be Father Mike Depcik, OSFS, and Chaplain for the Deaf Ministry for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Father Depcik will be available for the sacrament of confession in ASL-only. Following Mass there will be a time of fellowship and dinner. Participants are encouraged to confirm their attendance by emailing Dawn Rose at love2kids3@gmail.com. All are welcome.

Regularly interpreted Masses

The following parishes provide regularly interpreted Masses.

Parish Website

Other parishes providing interpreted Masses as available/needed are:

Other Resources

Fr. Mike Depcik, a deaf priest, signs weekly homilies for viewers on his website which it also contains other information relevant to deaf Catholics:
Fr. MD’s Kitchen Table

FAQ ABOUT INTERPRETERS

Who is a sign language interpreter?

 A person who can convey spoken language in sign language and convey sign language in spoken language.

In Pennsylvania, a “qualified” interpreter must be certified by a national body and must register with the PA Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

  • PA exemption: Worship service conducted by a religious entity and services for educational purposes for a religious entity or religiously affiliated school…are exempt from having a certified/registered interpreter.

What about volunteer interpreters?

The diocese presently has several regularly interpreted Sunday Masses, interpreted by volunteers. Most of these volunteers are not available for weekday liturgies. Under PA law, volunteers can only be used for liturgies or religious education activities. It should be remembered that volunteer interpreters may not have the skills to adequately understand and communicate with a deaf individual. Persons who have “taken a sign language class” should never be used as interpreters.

What is the cost for a certified/registered interpreter?

In the geographic area covered by the Diocese of Harrisburg, the current rate per hour for interpreters is $50-$60 per hour. There is usually a 2-hour minimum and charges accrue door to door from the interpreter’s home.

Must the interpreter be Catholic?

In theory, certified/registered interpreters should be able to interpret in any setting. In practice, there are different signs used in different religious denominations. Some non-Catholic interpreters may not be fully comfortable or able to interpret Catholic liturgies.

If you would like to request a sign language interpreter, please contact the Office for Life & Dignity at 717-657-4804, ext. 322.