The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-07-17

The State of Minnesota may be re-
lied upon to promote any reasonable
project for the betterment of the deaf
The 1913 session of our Legislature
enacted splendid law that makes
provision for an inspector of the deaf
in the State Labor Bureau. This
official shall collect statistics regard
ing the deaf, ascertain what trade Of
occupations are best suited to them
and use every effort to retain for them
positions now held, and furthermore
aid the unemployed in securing work
which they can efficiently do. Through
delay in appropriating money to pay
the salary of such official this ap-
pointment has been delayed, but soon
a competent inspector will be MAX
ing proper efforts to promote the
welfare of the deaf throughout this
State. Last session our legislators
passed another important law that
concerns the deaf. Such action shows
the willingness of our legislators to
give handicapped class of citizens
the social and educational opportuni-
ties that will enable them to put
natural endoWments to the best USE
You and | must ever be most con-
cerned about the spiritual betterment
of the deaf. Should plans, as | have
outlined, be carried into effect there
would be afforded the very best op-
portunity of assembling the deaf
regularly to hear the Word of God
and worship him according to the re-
quirements of our Church. If the deaf
dwelt in one locality a competent
spiritual director would have little
difficulty in instructing them, and af
fording them the opportunities of
assisting at church services, where a
priest is available who is expert in
the use of the sign language each in
dividual Catholic could be catechized
and the sacred interests of religion
safeguarded.
People who have scant knowledge
of the deaf, and no ability in the use
of their language speak too glibly
about the sign-using proficiency Of
certain priests. There are some of
us who duly realize our incompetency,
and wish very much that young men
be properly trained to take up this
very important work and convey the
truths of religion to the deaf in finger
and hand movements that are grace
full and easily understood. Many of
us have begun this work too late in
life. The fingers are not as supple
now as they were many years ago and
try as we may the desired proficiency
is not developed. There is another
grave handicap. There is little time
that we can devote to the deaf Even
a young, enthusiastic priest could not
achieve success while burdened with
many duties.
Even where there is a priest expert
in the use of signs he too is handi-
capped by the fact that his spiritual
children are scattered far and wide.
The deaf cannot be expected to jour
ney far and spend much in car fare
that they may assist at divine services
and receive instructions in a central
church. Every spiritual director of
the deaf in all big cities knows well
the difficulties yet to be overcome if
we are to do much towards the bet
terment of the deaf We will not get
far by speaking about the number of
those who have lost the faith, or how
they have lost it, unless we strive to
correct some of the conditions that
keep them poor and widely separated
Let us plan to assemble the deaf
Let us work first for their material
advancement and then we can sue
coed in earnest efforts for their
spiritual advancement.