Whether you grew up in the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you probably remember “The Sound of Music.”  (We watched it as a family religiously.) You’ve probably heard “The Sounds of Silence.” (How can anyone not love the harmony of Simon & Garfunkel?) How many other “sounds” are intimately connected to our memory?

For most, hearing is one of our strongest senses, giving dimension to what we see, and enhancing what we smell or taste. Good hearing helps us to enunciate clearly so that we’re better understood.

What would you do if you couldn’t hear?

What would you do if your son or daughter couldn’t hear?

While 1 in 10 Americans has some hearing loss, this mostly affects adults, and hearing aid technology has become better and more affordable.

But 1 in 500 kids will be born with significant hearing loss. This can delay their development and can set their speech and communication back significantly. It can also lead to a child missing out on lots of life experiences. It can put a strain on family relationships and family finances. It can lead to isolation.

Add to all that the challenge of raising kids in today’s environment, and you can see what a blessing St. Rita’s School for the Deaf is for Cincinnati.

For over 100 years, St. Rita’s has been helping students who are deaf, hard of hearing or have other communication challenges. But they don’t just help these students. They help struggling families meet the unique needs of their children. They’ve been a literal beacon on the hill for everyone who drives by the iconic building on Interstate 75 in Cincinnati.

St. Rita’s serves over 200 students, and as Angie Frith, St. Rita’s President, says, “We did good today, and tomorrow we’re going to do better.”

St. Rita’s is supported by the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), and your gift helps them to minister to students and families facing a unique challenge in today’s environment.

Click HERE to learn more about how the CMA supports St. Rita’s School for the Deaf.