our history
It all began in Canada.
About the year 1918, Mother Columbiere, a sister of Loretto, became interested in the deaf of Toronto.The St. Francis de
Sales Catholic Deaf Society was formed.Various priests showed an active interest in helping the deaf cause. About
1935 Father Basil Ellard was made official chaplain. They help business meetings regularly and arranged interesting
programs to promote the spiritual, social and educational welfare of the deaf.
As the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Deaf Society grew, a separate organization was formed in 1946 to take care of the
spiritual needs called Ontario Catholic Deaf Association. Many Deaf Americans frequently crossed the international
borders gave Mr. Warnier an idea to form International Catholic Deaf Congress (ICDC). After many conservatries, a
decision was made to form the Congress. The first ICDC was held at the King Edward Hotel in Toronto on July 7 - 9, 1949.
And the ICDA history began.....
Small but enthusiastic group attended daily Mass, held an election, formed Constitution and Bylaws committee. Deaf
Catholics from Buffalo, NY made a motion to have the next convention in 1951. It was at this convention that the
groundwork of the Constitution and Bylaws were presented: the Chapter system, a limit on term of office, and the name
shall be International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA).
The proposal to set up local ICDA chapters in the various cities was welcomed with great enthusiasm. Toronto was named number one chapter. Buffalo became chapter number two. John Carroll was asked to take up the duty of
publishing the newsletter.
We are Deaf Catholics members of International Deaf Catholic Association representing over 138 chapters. We have members from US, Canada, Venezuela, Germany, and other parts of the world. The ICDA-US section represents USA Catholic chapters.
ICDA-US is an organization of Catholic deaf people and hearing people in the church working with the deaf in the United States of America.
We have an all Deaf Board of Directors with the exception of Chaplain who can be either hearing or deaf.
Members consist of the following:
Deaf / hard-of-hearing Catholics
Deaf catholic priests, deacons
brothers, sisters and lay ministry people
Hearing catholic priests, deacons, and
brothers, sisters and lay ministry people working with the deaf / hard-of-hearing Catholics
We meet every 2 years for our conference. We attend retreats provided by our local chapters or spiritual care by our members.
ICDA-US Conferences are week-long events hold in the odd numbered years that includes daily Masses, meetings, workshops, outings, prayer services, Cursillo reunion, etc.