The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-07-05
THE CONFERENCE FOR DEAF MUTES|

among them. They attend the near
est Catholic church without hearing
anything about religious doctrine or
informing themselves as to their du-
ties to God and their neighbors. I'm
der the circumstances it is little won
der that some stay away from Mass.
We observe that our hearing neigh
bors absent themselves for slighter
reasons.
What is the proportion of Catholics
among the deaf in Minnesota? In the
State School for the Deaf at Faribault
the Catholics are twenty-five per cent
of the student body. We believe the
same proportion obtains throughout
the state. On account of the size of
Minneapolis and st. Paul, we may ex-
pect a very considerable number in
the Twin Cities. AS Saltwater is fif-
teen miles distant and is reached by
electric cars, the st. Mary's Society
for the Deaf has members in all three
cities. During the last few months
some from the surrounding country
have joined this society.
Two energetic priests, Rev. John
Dolphin and Rev. Thomas J. Gibbons,
have studied the sign language and
devoted considerable time to the spir-
itual welfare of the deaf in Minneapo-
lis and ST. Paul. On account of loss
of health Father Dolphin was obliged
to give up all work. The onerous du-
ties of large parish left Father Glib
bons insufficient time to conduct reg
ular services for his silent flock, so
he too ceased, against his will, to
teach and direct the deaf-mutes. The
last to be appointed as Spiritual Di-
rector of the deaf is the writer of this
paper His work began over year
ago. The first attempt to preach re-
ceived the encouragement that begets
confidence. The sermons given at
the first religious exercises were in
terpreted by the president of st.
Mary's Society, Anton Schroeder, a
man of more than the average intelli-
gence and possessing exceptional
force of character. To him we all
owe debt of gratitude that we can
not pay. He has come regularly to st.
Agatha's Conservatory to instruct his
class of three 1.-TWO Sisters of st. JOS
eph and myself in the sign language.
1t is he who deserves the credit for
keeping their society alive and bring
ing 4it-up to aitE present healthy con
dition.
When it was known that a priest
oh1o f0 tho fooo1o-
ings of the church to those devoid OF
hearing the attendance steadily in
creased, until we have had fifty to
seventy-five deaf-mutes at every serv
ice, besides a great number of hearing
people who came because of their deer
interest in those silent religious exer
cises. Hymns have been signed by
Mrs. L. w. Hodgman and Mrs. Anton
Schroeder. We have to thank Miss
| Harriet Hale, pianist, and Miss Helen
: Wheelan, a sweet voiced singer, fol
assisting in giving special charm tc
our services.
Next September we will make a can
vas of the deaf-mutes in the Twin Cit
les, and we hope to get all to assist
regularly at Mass and receive the sac
raments at least once a year. Mos
of those seen at our services at st
Agatha's Conservatory are regular
church-goers. In many instances there
is strength of faith that is surpris
ing. We have among them men anC
women as Jealous as are found amons
Christians who have the use of al
their faculties. The credit for nur
turing the faith in the young of oul
State School is due to Father Slevin
Pastor of the Immaculate Conception
: Church, Faribault, who has laboreC
hard to plant the seeds of virtue il
the souls of all Catholic children at
tending the State School. 1t is h'
: who instructs the pupils there il
Catholic doctrine and prepares then
: for the worthy reception of the Sac
raments.
The message 1 send is one of hop,
for the future of the deaf in this par
of the great Northwest, hope TO
great material progress, and especial
: ly hope that every deaf man will hav,
an opportunity of being instructed il
the truths of faith. Our silent Friends
are grateful to all who try to benefi
:, them in any way, and we know tha
the Deaf-Mute Conference at New Or
leans will mean much for the deaf il
all parts of America.