By Matthew A. DiCenzo • Catholic News Service • Posted September 24, 2019

BARNESVILLE, Ohio (CNS) — Father David J. Cornett, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Barnesville, celebrates the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass at Assumption Church in both English and American Sign Language at the same time.

In addition, he serves as an interpreter during the readings and hymns at the Mass.

Father Cornett, who also is pastor of and St. Mary Parish in Temperanceville, said he knows there are deaf people everywhere and that there is a need for interpreters in all communities. He said deaf people are often hidden because you cannot just look at a person to know they are deaf, explaining how you must see them signing to know they are deaf.

“For people with physical disabilities, we build ramps,” he said after celebrating Mass in Barnesville Sept. 15. “For the deaf, we have to offer sign language. But, if it’s not offered, then they’re stuck, like a person who has a physical disability without a ramp.”

Father Cornett added, “If deaf people show up at Mass, I sign.”

He said that he began signing in Barnesville a little more than a year ago.

When he was 19 years old in the seminary at Divine Word College, Epworth, Iowa, Father Cornett began learning sign language. He used sign language as part of his ministry in Iowa for the Divine Word Missionaries, as well as in his work in Washington, Chicago and Congo, where he worked for 10 years with the deaf.

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He noted that while he was in Chicago, he was involved in a strong deaf Catholic community. While he was in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, Father Cornett was hired to be the interpreter for the deaf on television, he stated. In addition, while he was in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, he said he trained sign language interpreters at a few seminars.

In the Diocese of Steubenville, Father Cornett said fellow priests call on him for interpreting when they need help understanding sign language in their parishes. Father Cornett said he served as an interpreter at St. Clairsville High School, St. Clairsville.

As far as he knows, he is the only priest in the Steubenville Diocese who knows sign language. “I am happy I can do it. We need more interpreters and more priests who can sign,” he said, noting he is not a certified translator.

At the 11 a.m., Sept. 15 Mass at Assumption Church, five deaf people were in attendance: William and Hilda Kerec, Rafael and Mary Matos, and Michele Kress.

During an interview for The Steubenville Register, the Steubenville diocesan newspaper, Father Cornett and the five deaf people in attendance explained some of the challenges the deaf community face.

While using sign language, Father Cornett explained, “Signs can be different. In sign language, we have accents, just like in the spoken language. … Some of the signs are different.”

William Kerec said Father Cornett is only the third priest he met who understands sign language. Kerec said he doesn’t want to go to a Catholic church unless he can understand the liturgy. He stated: “I can come to church and pray without fear.”

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He said the deaf can come to church and Father Cornett will lead and counsel them.

“We have a National Catholic Office for the Deaf out of Washington,” Father Cornett said. “They have a (conference) every year, usually in January or February, and you’ll see all the Catholic priests, nuns and brothers, and laypeople that work in the Catholic deaf community come together. It’s just wonderful to experience.”

Rafael Matos explained how, when he was in school, sign language was forbidden. He said it is hard for him to communicate. Matos said when it comes to voting for president, he figures out who he wants to vote for by what he reads in the newspaper, since he cannot hear what they say on television.

He also explained how the closed captioning on television is too fast and how the speed needs to be slowed. He explained how when a natural disaster happens, for example a hurricane, the television often does not show the interpreter standing next to the speaker.

Kerec demonstrated an application he has on his smartphone, called “ntouch,” which is a video relay service for the deaf, created by Sorenson Communications. Kerec said he uses the application when he does not have an interpreter available, especially when he goes to the doctor’s office, to help avoid any confusion with medications. When he dials a person’s telephone number, a live video of an interpreter appears. The interpreter translates the sign language to the person that is dialed, conveying the message the deaf person wants to say.

Following the Mass, many parishioners said they are always amazed to see Father Cornett celebrate Mass in two languages at the same time.

“You can actually feel the signs,” said parishioner Sandy Smolira, who is not deaf. “It gives the Mass depth and makes it more beautiful.”

Father Cornett said his passion for helping the deaf began in high school and is driven by getting the Gospel message out to people.

In addition to sign language, Father Cornett said he can also speak three African languages.

When reflecting on his usage of sign language and his help and care for the deaf community, Father Cornett stated: “I thank God I have a gift for language.”

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DiCenzo is a staff writer at The Steubenville Register, newspaper of the Diocese of Steubenville.