By Erin Friedlander
PISCATWAY – The Diocese of Metuchen, together with the Archdiocese of Newark and the Dioceses of Camden, Paterson and Trenton, will co-host the Second Annual Catholic Deafest on Saturday, March 24.
Open to all persons in the state who are deaf or have hearing loss, the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane.
“Deafest offers a unique opportunity for Catholic members of deaf communities in our state to gather together and share in a day of fellowship and support for one another,” said Tevis Thompson, coordinator of the Deaf Apostolate, Diocese of Metuchen. “And because it’s a faith-centered event, it truly is an empowering experience that’s not-to-be-missed.”
The day will begin with a keynote address delivered by Jean Cox, president of International Catholic Deaf Association – United States. Her talk, entitled, “Our Community: Sharing our Gifts, Empowering the Deaf in the Life of the Catholic Church,” will be presented in ASL and voiced by an interpreter.
The afternoon will feature two workshops: “Your Rights,” presented by Clara R. Smit, Esq., an attorney whose law practice is based in East Brunswick, and “Catholic Q&A,” presented jointly by Msgr. Joseph Curry, pastor of Immaculate Conception parish, Spotswood, and Kate Slosar, co- director, Ministry with the Deaf in the Diocese of Camden. Both sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to ask questions in a safe and open environment.
The day will include exhibit booths, breakfast and lunch and will conclude with 4 p.m. Mass.
Admission to Deafest is free but registration is required by March 18. The St. John Neumann Pastoral Center is fully accessible. ALD, CART captioning and ASL interpreting will be provided.
To register, send an email to [email protected] or download and complete the registration form at www.deafcatholicnj.net and send to: Pat Langon, 348 Lafayette Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08610.
Transportation is available between the pastoral center and the NJ Transit train station, Edison. For transportation information, contact Deacon Tom Smith, CSW, by email at [email protected].

