Let us praise and thank the Lord for all the Blessings that He bestowed on our Deaf Community since 2022. As you know, I just started officially as your unworthy Chaplain last November 1st, 2023 (Feast of All Saints). Let us thank God also for giving us Renata Cichowicz as our Angel. If not for her, we will still be wandering elsewhere.
Our dream for a long time to have our Deaf community re-establish in our Diocese happened because of Renata's efforts. It’s a great sign that God heard our prayers. I think Fr. Mark has been praying for us in heaven too. I have not seen Fr. Mark in person. But I believe Fr. Mark loves you so much that even in heaven he never stops thinking and praying for his Deaf brothers and sisters, especially in the Diocese of Joliet. If Fr. Mark loves you way back during his earthly course then all the more he will love us all by becoming our Guardian Angel up there 24/7.
Let us also thank God for our exuberant interpreters Gail Partridge Harvanek, Mary Holden, Laura Kostomiris, Kyla Fris, and Julie Rueb for sharing their time to be with us when we needed them. And of course to Jeanne McDonald for her enormous patience in helping me familiarize some religious signs.
Let us continue to pray and support each other for the good of our Deaf community. Again, Happy New Year!
Fr. John Maria G. Abulag, OP Miss. Parochial Vicar St. John the Baptist Catholic Church OS233 Church Street Winfield, IL 60190
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