St. Catherine of Siena, Des Moines, Iowa

St. Catherine of Siena, Des Moines, Iowa

History of Catholic Deaf Ministries in the Des Moines Metro Area

Prior to the 1960’s, Deaf ministries originated at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Beaver Drive.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Deaf ministries were provided by Fr. Hans at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny. Fr. Hans had a Deaf brother and wanted to insure that Deaf were always included in Mass and were provided with interpreting services.

1972 – 2003 Sr. Mary Helen Seivert – Director for Deaf Ministries throughout Iowa.

Traveled throughout the Des Moines diocese and other areas in Iowa to share her love for Jesus.
A faithful servant, she frequently came to Des Moines to provide interpreting services as needed and minister to the Deaf inthe area, both Catholics and non-Catholics.
She taught religious education so that children could receive the sacraments and served as teacher of religious education at Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs.

Around 1984, John and Carolyn Cool interpreted Mass at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church. At this time there were about 50 Deaf members, most of which lived in the Ankeny area. Sr. Mary Helen Seivert would come to provide respite for John and Carolyn by helping with interpreting services. The Deaf had monthly potluck gatherings and other socials.

In the mid-1980’s, Fr. John Ludwig began to learn sign language and served Mass for the Deaf at St. Mary’s of Nazareth once a month. An interpreter was also provided. This continued until 1988.

Peggy Choicoine began interpreting in September, 1989 through 2004. 2004 Saint Catherine became the diocesan home to deaf ministries. At the time that Fr. John Ludwig was learning sign language, he served as Pastor for the Drake Newman Catholic Student Center once a month starting approximately 1997. The Mass was served exclusively to the Deaf at this time and once a month socials were held.

In 2004, the Deaf elected to move to St. Catherine’s of Siena since many Deaf members were living throughout the Des Moines metro area. Peggy Chicoine became the Coordinator for Deaf Ministries for the diocese of Des Moines at this time.

In 2005, Deb DiTolla joined as a regular interpreter for Deaf Ministries at St. Catherine’s. Barb Callaghan Mitchell also offers her interpreting services when needed at St. Catherine’s.

During the ministry of Fr. Jim Lorenzo, and now, Fr. Joel McNeil, the Deaf have become more actively involved within the wider hearing membership. We’ve greatly appreciated the opportunity to be active in the liturgy and ministry of our church through serving as Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality, Gift Bearers, host the social gathering after Mass for donuts and coffee, and be involved in liturgical environment ministries.

In 2009, Gus and Dee Cordero began teaching a religious education class for the Deaf adult parishioners every Sunday morning before Mass.

Beginning during the winter of 2009, Tom Primmer was eager for a basic sign language class to be started at St. Catherine’s. Marlene Kautzky and Donna Kern volunteered to teach some Drake students basic sign language. The class was well received. They look forward to additional opportunities teaching sign language to interested parishioners.