There are currently 81 chapters in the Diocese of Texas with 2100 members and more than 16,000 worldwide. To receive more information about the order or to start a chapter please contact Sandy Ferguson at 281.651.0893. Deaf ministries provides resources for churches wishing to enhance or add to their ability to offer services to the hard of hearing or totally deaf. This group has provided signing services for diocesan council and has enabled a ministry to the deaf to take place in a number of churches in the diocese. Completion of the program takes four years, during which time participants study the Old and New Testaments, church history, ethics, liturgics, and twentieth century theology.
Students meet regularly in seminars led by a trained mentor.
EFM provides a comprehensive, experiential education in the foundations and message of our Christian faith. It is for the laity of the church and provides the basics of a theological education in order to develop knowledge and confidence about the ministry we all are called to share at baptism. Over 20,000 persons have been enrolled in Education for Ministry since its beginnings in 1975. The agency seeks to participate with low-income and working poor families in building a sense of community and partnership with El Buen Samaritano and to provide some needed services, keeping in perspective the difference between a helping hand and a handout. Services currently offered are a family health clinic, hot meals, distribution of food and clothing to low-income, indigent, and homeless persons, classes working with children and teenage youth, adult literacy and English as a second language, parenting and family living skills instruction.