Father Thomas Coughlin has fulfilled a lifelong dream by starting his own order, the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate. Deaf since birth, Coughlin has always wanted to start an order where sign language is the primary means of communication. Based in San Francisco, CA, the order currently has 5 men, who made their final profession of vows in Oakland, CA on August 27. Fr. Thomas Coughlin, the founder, was joined by Brothers Gregoire Ubara and Isidore Niyongabo who are Deaf and Brothers Adam Zawadzki and Andrew Sanchez, who are hearing.
It is always encouraging to this baby boomer Catholic, to see new vocations, and especially new orders being created. But having an order specially dedicated to working with those who are Deaf is very exciting. To find out more about this new order, visit their website.
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that is sooo super!!! I hope they can start a sister order as well!!! --and maybe one on the East Coast!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know--that would be great! I'm waiting for a lay Third Order as well!
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful news to hear, it is amazing how God works in all our lives! My mom teaches sign language and works with deaf children at her schools, and she could see the wonderful opportunities that such a new community can offer to the deaf.
ReplyDeleteI would love this order to get involved in teaching sign language to hearing people too.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I'm going to post about this on my vocations blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat!
ReplyDeleteFather Tom:
ReplyDeleteI loved your letter to IKJ and wish you would join us
In Christ
Nancy