We Will Miss You, Mattie, So Very Much

May 29th was a beautiful, sunny day.   Everyone wanted to be out and about. Mattie Letham was no different.  Just before noon, she was killed by a train.

Those of us who knew her are left with a great loss, but trust in God's mercy.

Mattie was a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend.   She was a strong advocate for the Deaf.  

For the Catholic Deaf Community of the Syracuse Diocese she was one of the few Lay Ministers for the Deaf, being commissioned in 1986. Her courage and independence and enthusiasm were an inspiration to many.

August 3rd our Community Council Meeting was held in the newly-dedicated “Mattie Letham Community Room” at Carousel Mall in Syracuse.   Mattie had set up the arrangements in May.

Mattie's funeral Mass was at St Lucy's where she ministered.   Thank you to all who made it a beautiful celebration.

May she rest in peace.

SPECIAL THANK YOU

The Knights of Columbus of Central NY for their strong support

Rachael Chmiel  for her remarks at the K of C Dinner

and Jane Long for presenting Deaf ministry to St Joseph’s, Camillus, in July

The K of C’s 55th Burse Dinner: President Gerald Syrocki, MMVD, Rachael Chmiel

Adult Faith Formation

Groups to gather for Bible Study
6:30 PM-8PM

Fulton: Thursdays: September 30th and October 28th
        at Holy Family

Rome: Wednesdays: September 22nd and October 20th
        at 401 Floyd Ave

You are needed!    Especially:  Interpreters   Youth Leader/ Chaperone  Eucharistic Ministers     Servers

Find out how -     Join in the Fun!

_____Committee to select the next Thomas Johns Appreciation Award winner

_____Committee working on the Summer ‘05 Picnic

_____Committee to plan the next Mass with Bishop Moynihan

_____chaperoning the next youth event (Jr HS Day- Oct 9th)

_____Visiting NYSSD’s religion class to meet the students

_____Draw a picture for the newsletter! (Christmas?)

______I can do__________________

 Send to Mary Margaret: syrdeaf (at)juno.com

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NOT LONG ENOUGH

May 22nd started early for the groups driving down to Scranton, PA.  There was excitement and anticipation...and sunshine.
Everyone was looking forward to meeting Fr Mike Depcik, one of the few Deaf priests.  He was spending the weekend but we were going for only Saturday.

We were greeted warmly with a lovely breakfast then into the day.  The topic was “The Rosary” and we started by making our own!  Then we went deeper into everything about it, stopping only for Mass and meals. 

Making our rosaries

We learned about the Shroud of Turin, and used that to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries. 







Jeanette,  Krista,  Keith,  Fr Mike,  Karolina,  Rachael,  Mary Margaret,  Ryan






After dinner there was the opportunity to go to confession.  We wished we could have stayed longer.

SAVE OCTOBER 7-9, 2005 FOR FR MIKE IN ROCHESTER, NY !

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Holy Days of Obligation Catholics obligated to go to Mass *Nov 1st All Saints *Dec 8th Immaculate Conception *Dec 25th Christmas *Jan 1 Mary Mother of God *Aug 15th Assumption of Mary

Remember when you had to write about “What I Did This Summer”?  It was a good chance to see what really happened in such a short time.
This summer started with the sudden death of Mattie Letham, shortly after the last newsletter went out.  It is a great loss to the community.

Also please remember in prayer these others and their families. They will also be missed very much:

• Thelma Coe
• Mary Fatima Schindler, infant daughter  of Kevin & Carolyn
• Premature infant of Dawn & Brian Brothers
• Edmund J White, father of Krista Chapple

Please remember to pray for Frances Harmon who is recovering from surgery.

Congratulations to Melissa (Lansing) & Irfan Merdanovic on their marriage May 22nd!
Congratulations to Denise & Peter Hnelosub on the birth of Bella Marie on June 14th!

Thank you to those who sent in their newsletter support

• Georgianne & Donald Neimeyer
• Frances & Robert Harmon
• Jane Long
• Amelia Coppola
• Marion Baratta
• Judy Miner of RCIL
• Debb Cobb
• Katherine Mastrocola

I traveled to Ohio to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the ordination of Fr Edward Oen, who taught me in HS and also officiated at my wedding.  He spoke of what he teaches in 10 words: “God loves us. God forgives us. God is with us.” Since this can be said in 9 signs, I’ll add a 10th sign for my students:

• One who has shown great love for the Catholic Deaf Community
• One who has always been there to help
• One who exhibits strong faith and encourages others to do so
• One who is prayerful and encourages others to do so
• One who believes in service for the Lord

PLEASE SEND US:

• your BIRTHDAY for the calendar
• your ANNIVERSARY for the calendar
• your EMAIL ADDRESS for special messages

Have you ever been to Camp Mark 7?   Could you send me when you were there?

Send to the address (email or snail mail) on our home page

Have YOU received
 CONFIRMATION?

Maybe you have been Baptized and made your First Communion, but have never received the Sacrament of Confirmation.  It is never too late!  The Church would
love to help you.  Just let Mary Margaret know, and you will be started on your way!

Not yet a baptized Catholic?  Maybe not married in the Catholic Church?  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The Catholic Church wants YOU to be fully alive!

Do your children, Deaf or Hearing, need to be taught?
Do you want help joining in your parish classes?
Mary Margaret is ready to help that happen.

FAITH FORMATION IS FOR YOU!

The Frechette Family at Justin’s 1st Communion on May 2nd

Bread for myself is a material question; bread for my neighbor is a spiritual question.
                -Jacques Maritain

Thanks for gifts of your time, talent, and money!

June 2004
Envelopes: 7 Amount: $106.66

Needed for Budget: $210/month!

Mail to: Catholic Deaf Community
PO Box 572
Rome NY 13442-0572