THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 30 | MARCH 24, 2023
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Minette Sternke, vice president of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf, signs the opening prayer at the deaf retreat. Sternke gave a talk at the retreat.
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Katie Locus, consultant for archdiocesan deaf ministry, tries to get the attention of those gathered to kick off the March 11 event at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka.
FAITH IN A SILENT WORLD
Deaf retreat a reminder that struggles can produce blessings By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
T
OPEKA — “Deafness is a hidden thing,” said Minette Sternke. “You might see someone’s cochlear implant or hearing aid,” she said, “but we don’t have walkers, wheelchairs or anything like that to identify us as ‘deaf.’ “If we are not seen, then we cannot be recognized, and it can be difficult to be integrated into the workings and life of the parish or diocese.” To combat the challenges deaf individuals face within the church, Sternke led a daylong deaf retreat on March 11 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church in Topeka. The theme of the retreat was: “God’s Beloved,” based on Father Henri Nouwen’s book “Life of the Beloved.” “The main thing I was trying to get across [was]: You are unique, special and made by God for a purpose to be a blessing upon the world,” said Sternke. “There will be challenges,” she continued, “but if we embrace them, we can then use our experiences to give back to the world.” Sternke grew up Catholic in a small town near Hannibal, Missouri. She was hard of hearing until she lost her hearing completely at age 14. She currently works as vice president of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD) and is the only consecrated virgin in the country who is deaf. “I always feel at home in any Catholic church,” said Sternke, “but that is not often true [for others] in the deaf community. “My desire is to help the deaf feel more at home in the Catholic Church so they can experience the God that
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Matt Gwynn makes a comment based on one of the questions speaker Minette Sternke asked the group. Gwynn is joined at the table by — from left — Katie Locus, Pat Richey and his wife Tammy Gwynn. made them, sanctified them and loves them more fully.” Sternke conveyed that message during the retreat through her talk and various activities. Attendees also had the opportunity to go to confession and participate in a deaf Mass celebrated by Father Scott Wallisch, chaplain to the deaf. According to Katie Locus, consultant for archdiocesan deaf ministry, the
archdiocese hosts a retreat for the deaf community twice a year at Most Pure Heart of Mary and St. Paul Church in Olathe. Most deaf community members in the archdiocese live in either Olathe or Topeka, she said, with the rest scattered in other towns, making those two locations easily accessible for most. Aaron and Jeannine Adkins were eager to attend the most recent retreat.
Parishioners at Most Pure Heart of Mary for more than 27 years, the couple has 10 children, eight here on earth, and all are hearing. Jeannine has been attending deaf retreats since she was 15 years old, and Aaron since he was 21. “Retreats are a time for us to recharge physically and mentally,” said Jeannine. >> See “DEAF” on page 5