Trip to Sri Lanka 2010

St. Joseph's School for the Deaf
National Catholic Deaf Day

Each year, on a Sunday near the feast of St. Joseph (March 19), Catholic Deaf people, mainly from south central Sri Lanka, celebrate National Catholic Deaf Day at the school in Ragama. Charlie fortuitously picked dates for travel to Sri Lanka that included this celebration so he had the chance to see again many deaf people whom he had known as students at St. Joseph up to 27 years ago.

Deaf people chatting Deaf people chatting outside the church before the ceremonies began. Perhaps the worst aspect of deafness is the social isolation, being in groups but not part of them, so deaf people really enjoy time together with others who use sign language.

Deaf Day banner This and other banners proclaimed the reason for the special gathering to anyone who might be passing by. Many, many Sri Lankans, including a lot of the deaf people, are quite comfortable in English, partly because of their history as a British colony known as Ceylon.

Preparing for mass Fr. Sudath Jayalal Silva, the chaplain to the deaf in Sri Lanka, and Fr. Charlie Dittmeier prepare for the beginning of the special mass. It was a really hot day to be wearing a full set of vestments!

Lighting a ceremonial lamp Sr. Malathie, the Superior General of the Perpetual Help Sisters who operate St. Joseph School for the Deaf, lit one of the wicks of a large oil lamp used for special ceremonies.

Song leaders Three deaf students, in matching sarees, led the singing in sign language for the deaf congregation.

The main body of the church was almost full as deaf people came from the various heavily Catholic areas of Sri Lanka which is predominantly a Buddhist country.

Fr. Sudath's birthday celebration After mass, the first order of business was celebrating Fr. Sudath's birthday (the next day). Here he signs "Thank you" to the young women who led the singing of Happy Birthday.

A short business meeting was held before everyone went to lunch together.

Friends enjoying the time together Many of the deaf people don't see each other often throughout the year so this annual celebration is a good opportunity to catch up on the news and renew friendships.

Hard to leave After lunch there was a movie for all to enjoy together and then it was time to leave. As with most deaf gatherings, however, it was hard for some to say their goodbyes even though they were on their way to the gate.

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	Deaf people chatting outside the church before the ceremonies began. Perhaps the worst aspect of deafness is the social isolation, being in groups but not part of them, so deaf people really enjoy time together with others who use sign language.
	This and other banners proclaimed the reason for the special gathering to anyone who might be passing by. Many, many Sri Lankans, including a lot of the deaf people, are quite comfortable in English, partly because of their history as a British colony known as Ceylon.
	Fr. Sudath Jayalal Silva, the chaplain to the deaf in Sri Lanka, and Fr. Charlie Dittmeier prepare for the beginning of the special mass. It was a really hot day to be wearing a full set of vestments!
	Sr. Malathie, the Superior General of the Perpetual Help Sisters who operate St. Joseph School for the Deaf, lit one of the wicks of a large oil lamp used for special ceremonies.
	Three deaf students, in matching sarees, led the singing in sign language for the deaf congregation.
	The main body of the church was almost full as deaf people came from the various heavily Catholic areas of Sri Lanka which is predominantly a Buddhist country.
	After mass, the first order of business was celebrating Fr. Sudath's birthday (the next day). Here he signs "Thank you" to the young women who led the singing of Happy Birthday.
A short business meeting was held before everyone went to lunch together.
	Many of the deaf people don't see each other often throughout the year so this annual celebration is a good opportunity to catch up on the news and renew friendships.
	After lunch there was a movie for all to enjoy together and then it was time to leave. As with most deaf gatherings, however, it was hard for some to say their goodbyes even though they were on their way to the gate.