Every parish community wants to feel they have ownership in the way their parish is operated. The community at Holy Angels Church of the Deaf in Vernon is no different, says Larry McGloin, a hearing parishioner who is leading a faith formation program beginning this fall.

"Part of the bigger reason for this formation program," says McGloin, "is for the deaf community to be able to have ownership of the direction of their parish. Hearing people have been instrumental in running the parish, and we want ultimately for the deaf community to totally take over."

A master catechist for 18 years, McGloin will be heading up a 16-week deaf ministry formation program this fall to be offered for hearing impaired parishioners who want to become certified as catechists or in other church ministries, or just to have a better understanding of their faith.

Taking place at Holy Angels from Oct. 15 through June 24, the training program will be a slightly modified one, says McGloin who will be part of the presentation team along with Father Tom Schweitzer (pastor), Father Brian Doran and Deacon David Rose.

The father of two deaf children and married to a woman who is hard of hearing, McGloin says that teaching this program will certainly be a challenge --- but also a wonderful learning experience on both sides of the podium.

"We did a similar program in 2001 where we had a sign interpreter for the deaf participants, but the problem is that the language can get confusing," he says, explaining that some words --- like the Incarnation --- have no official sign. "Some words just can't be translated in simple sign."

"You have to then delve into the meaning more. For instance, we are a largely Hispanic parish, so to explain the concept of the Incarnation you break it up. 'Carna' means flesh or meat. See? Those images can help get the true meaning across."

Indeed, these types of descriptions can be expected which can make, according to McGloin, for lively and animated sessions.

"We will do all the standard stuff that goes on in regular 'talking' classes but we will pay close attention to the exercises that reinforce the lesson plans," says McGloin. "With the deaf, we want to make sure that these concepts, these cornerstones of our faith, are fully understood."

With signing, sometimes it's not just the hand movements that make up the word, phrase or concepts; it's the facial and body gestures that accompany them.

McGloin gives another example of other basic vocabulary words that will need added discussion. "Social justice is another concept that, when loosely translated in sign, means 'taking care of a friend.' It's a good beginning but we need to explore and explain what social justice truly means as part of our faith."

Another tricky concept is the idea of making a commitment which has the sign for making a promise. "But making a commitment is so much more than just a promise as we know," says McGloin.

Overall, getting everyone on the same page with concepts and vocabulary words will take more time and reflection than with a hearing class. But that time can offer valuable insights into the faith, says McGloin who professes that even after all these years, each class manages to deepen his own faith.

"In all my years of teaching, I still learn from them," he says. "I also never keep the same lesson plan from year to year. I start out fresh each time. This forces me to open the book again where, each time, I find out something new and rewarding."

For more information about the Deaf Ministry Formation program, contact Larry McGloin, (310) 516-1208 or larrymcgloin@sbcglobal.net.