Affiliate Connect May 2025: Starting a Deaf Ministry

Wed, 05/21/2025 - 2:00pm EDT to 3:00pm

We meet with NCPD Affiliates every month to address the specific needs of their dioceses. This month's Affiliate Connect will discuss:

Starting a Deaf Ministry

If your diocese does not have a Deaf ministry and you have been wondering where to start, learn from the experts! The experts at the National Catholic Office for the Deaf will share steps and give advice for how to begin and build a Deaf ministry and work towards making parishes everyone's home.

Diocesan Directors of Affiliate Dioceses will receive an email on Wednesday, May 14 with a link to register. Invite other diocesan leaders from your office!

Deafness / Hearing Loss

Minette Sternke

President of the National Catholic Office for the Deaf

Minette Sternke was born hard of hearing and became Deaf at the age of 14. She began learning American Sign Language from Deaf friends at the age of 25. Raised in the Catholic Church, she felt a close relationship with God from the age of five and is on a continuous journey to know and experience God more and more. Minette has a Masters in Pastoral Ministry with a Deaf Ministry emphasis from St. Thomas. Her passion is to share her Divine Spouse with others, especially the Deaf community, and show them the infinite Love and Mercy that can be found in Him. She is the coordinator of Deaf Ministry at St. Patrick’s parish, Urbana, Illinois.

Affiliate Connect May 2025: Starting a Deaf Ministry

Starting a Deaf Ministry

Minette Sternke

National Catholic
Partnership on Disability

Promoting the Meaningful Participation
of Persons with Disabilities in Church and Society