Catholic Mass at the Church of St. Francis Xavier Case Study

Objective

The Church of St. Francis Xavier is a Jesuit Catholic parish committed to being a welcoming, inclusive community where all can participate fully in worship. Guided by faith and compassion, the church seeks to create a spiritual home where the marginalized are embraced and everyone can be refreshed, reconciled, and renewed.

Over five years, we've grown alongside the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Challenges are part of building inclusive access.

• Budgetary Limitations: Only one interpreter was originally budgeted for, but ICS worked patiently with the church to gradually expand to a full interpreting team (offered at a discount), preventing fatigue and burnout while ensuring consistent, high-quality access.
• Prep Material Needs: Prep materials were not always complete. We implemented a system to share complete lyrics and prep materials every Thursday, ensuring interpreters have the information needed for accurate interpretation.
• Interpreting Challenges: Choral music, particularly with a soprano-heavy choir, can be difficult to hear and interpret in real time. Providing song selections and full lyrics early with the prep materials allows interpreters to prepare and deliver effective ASL interpretation for all musical pieces. We also worked to craft a team that feels confident interpreting music and keeping pace with the flow of Catholic Mass.

As Romans 15:7 encourages, we are called to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” — and for the Deaf community, that welcome often begins with language. Interpreting isn't just a logistical service; it's an extension of hospitality, a way of saying you belong here.

When Isaiah writes, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations,” we take that as a reminder that true worship invites everyone to the table — without exception, without barriers.

And as Ephesians 4:16 reminds us, the Church grows strongest “as each part does its work” — which includes Deaf members contributing fully, not on the margins, but at the heart of the faith community. Providing ASL access isn't a favor, it's a celebration of the whole Body of Christ.

But it's about the ripple effect. If people see ASL interpreters at church, maybe they'll push for ASL access in other environments. Maybe they know a Deaf person in their life, maybe they'll take an ASL class — and maybe that spreads the ripples.