Auxiliary Bishop Named for Edmonton - Deaf Catholics Hold Conference Here in Ottawa

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today appointed the Reverend Gregory Bittman, currently Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, as Titular Bishop of Caltadria and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archbishop of Edmonton.
Congratulations, Your Excellency! Ad multos annos!
File Photo courtesy Western Catholic Reporter (June 2000)
 

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11TH CANADIAN SECTION CONFERENCE OF
THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC DEAF ASSOCIATION,
CARLETON UNIVERSITY, JULY 9-14, 2012

The local St. Remi Goupil Catholic Deaf Association is celebrating their 55th anniversary this year here in the Archdiocese of Ottawa.  To mark this occasion, they are hosting their deaf brothers and sisters across Canada and some from the United States at a convention at Carleton University.

The conference theme is "Love Your Neighbour As Yourself" and a series of workshops and excursions has been laid on.  On Thursday, some of the delegates took in a sightseeing tour, which included some time in the waters hereabouts, and a guided tour offered by yours truly, assisted by two helpers who signed, and Mass in Notre Dame Cathedral in the early afternoon.

The Mass was eerily silent and very reverent.  As the deaf proclaimed the readings in sign language (including the Gospel), the interpreter spoke aloud what was being signed.  Father Peter Monty, SJ, spoke and signed his interventions in the Eucharistic Prayer.  A deaf seminarian who was present from Edmonton told us that he will be ordained a deacon in late August.

I did my best to answer questions at the close of Mass and the guided tour. 

Here are some photos from our meeting: