OZAMIZ CITY, November 15, 2008─Aiming to strengthen their spirituality, 45 hearing-impaired teenagers from Iligan City, La Salle University (LSU), Ozamiz City, the Columban priests-run Hangop Kabataan, Pagadian City, and the Columban Sisters-run Community of Hope Special Education Center gathered together for a two-day recollection last November 13-14, 2008.
LSU Deaf School Coordinator Sarah Talibong said that the recollection for the Deaf was a part of the celebration of the 2008 National Observance on Deaf Awareness Week with the theme “Ano DAW? Deaf Ako, Walang Hadlang” last November 9–15, 2008.
The recollection for the Deaf that was held at the LSU Retreat Center with the theme: “Deaf Unity with God: Source of Reconciliation and Peace” had Bro. Dennis Libarnes, PMS, from the Gualandi Mission for the Deaf, Cebu City as their retreat master.
“Each day had various activities with special emphasis on the spiritual formation for the deaf,” Talibong said.
She added that the ministry of the Gualandi Mission for the DEAF is to help the spiritual formation of the DEAF. Libarnes used sign language during the recollection.
The highlight of the recollection was the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation of the individual Deaf participants from LSU Spiritual Director Fr. Regidor Abalde.
“During the confession, the Deaf wrote their sins on a piece of paper for the priest to read. After the confession was the ritual of para-liturgy where they put their sins in a clay jar for burning,” Talibong said.
The recollection for the Deaf culminated with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Abalde at La Salle University Art Center while Bro. Libarnes interpreted the Mass in sign language.
“Religious formation for the Deaf is vital because it is a way of helping them to have fear in God and live in the right direction,” (Sarah Talibong).
edited by: Marina Viktoria De Los Reyes
No comments:
Post a Comment