| Today was the first full day of our conference, and it was busy! This could be a bad omen for the rest of the week. |
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| The first formal event of our conference was an opening liturgy with Bishop John Wong presiding and Charlie Dittmeier interpreting for him. We used a meeting room next to our conference room. |
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| Then we gathered in the meeting room for introductions of the various deaf and hearing staff members who did all the local organizing work. |
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| Fr. Harry Stocks, CSC, is the inspiration and force behind these conferences for pastoral workers of the deaf. He is quite sick and we didn't know if he could make it this time, but he did appear. |
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| After Harry Stocks gave an outline of the history of these pastoral worker conferences, the groups began to introduce themselves. This is the Singapore group. |
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| The keynote speaker for this conference was Dr. Joe McLaughlin, an eductor from British Columbia. His wife Eleanor accompanied him as his sign language interpreter. |
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| Joe McLaughlin then worked with the participants in some small groups. |
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| Finally, now that practically everyone had arrived, it was time for the welcoming dinner at the end of the first full day of the conference. |
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