#097: Deaf Culture & Music Ministry (Part 2 of 2) (with Karen Shepherd)

Before we begin our podcast for the day, I want to mention an offering that we at NPM are providing to all pastoral ministers at this time. During this time of self-isolation, NPM offers weekly videos, articles and recordings that will provide insight & formation for your ministry. These resources will be centered around a different topic each week and will be open to both NPM and non-NPM members. 

You can find each week’s worth of resources under “Resources in Light of COVID-19”, and then under “NPM & DMMD Resources”. We’ll also provide the link in the “show notes” of this episode.

 

And now, to today’s episode!

Last week we interviewed Fr. Walt Rydzon, a retired priest from the Diocese of Pittsburgh who ministered to both hearing and deaf communities for his priesthood. If you haven’t listened to it, we encourage you to. This week we take the conversation one step further and talk about deaf ministry and music ministry working on a week-by-week basis together. We speak to Karen Shepherd, Director of the Deaf Choir at Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, the official home for the deaf community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Karen has been the director of the deaf choir for almost 20 years.  

 

Karen explores what is a deaf choir, as well as the subtleties of an “interpreted” Mass versus a “signed” Mass. Karen also spearheaded the installation of a “hearing loop” system in her church and shares what we need to know, as pastoral musicians, should we ever want to install one in our own churches.

 

Now, just to be clear, as I mentioned last week: I’ve worked with the deaf community for 7 years, and the terms “deaf person” and “deaf people” are not negative. But the term “disabled person” or “disability” hold more tension than the former, and we’ll get into that today.

Karen joins us from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

SHOW NOTES

Karen Shepherd- Bio

Karen Shepherd Headshot Web.jpeg

Karen is a retired school teacher after teaching for 33 years. She began working with the deaf community of Pittsburgh at Saint Justin Church, which merged with Saint Mary of the Mount 7 years ago. Karen has been involved as the Deaf Choir Director for almost 20 years, and is now the Coordinator of Deaf Ministries in the South Side/Mount Washington Parish Community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

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