WSD Confirmation Students Team with St. Andrew to Support La Sagrada Familia

Recently, World Mission Ministries received a wonderful letter and donation through St. Andrews Parish in Delavan. The money was donated by Wisconsin School for the Deaf students as part of their confirmation project. Read on for their story.

(Story and photo submitted by Patty Kostechka, Religious Education Coordinator for the Deaf, St. Andrews, Delavan, WI. Used by permission)

"The Catholic Deaf students from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf receive religious education through the generous support of St. Andrew Parish in Delavan and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  These students come from all over the state of Wisconsin to receive their education in their native language of American Sign Language (ASL) and to be immersed in their Deaf Culture where they have full communication access.  If they are not living locally in the area, they stay at school during the week living in dormitory.  The students then are bussed home on weekends to reunite with their families."

"This year we were blessed to have Bishop Hying confirm four of our Deaf students alongside their hearing peers from St. Andrew Parish and St. Francis, Lake Geneva."

"Our Deaf students received instruction and preparation for the sacrament in their native ASL language from teachers who are either Deaf or fluent in ASL.  On their confirmation retreat last fall they were given craft kits to take back to the dorm or home to make.  When they completed making these kits, their next assignment was to sell them.  The money they made by selling products made with their own hands, would then be pooled together to be sent to someone in need.  This task became part of their service project.  Prior to their confirmation on May 7, the kids pooled their money.  We were then given the happy task of voting where we wanted the money to go towards.  The students voted and chose to give $100 to our sister parish, La Sagrada Familia.  It is with joyful hearts that we share this with you.  May the gifts of the Holy Spirit that were unleashed on Malia, Kori, Daniel and Andy (pictured here on their Confirmation day) bear fruit with all those whom our Lord has called by name.  Please hold these students in your prayers that they will continue to grow in their faith and be good servants in his vineyard."