The Conference began with Mass at 9am.   The  site was a local parish church in Rome.   We had deaf readers, deacon, priest along with interpreters and priests, like me, using our own sign-languages. About fifty deaf from Rome attended along with the regular parishioners who, I doubt, had ever been to a "deaf Mass."  The Conference resumed at 10am.   We had a long discussion(almost 2 hours) about "what next?"   Archbishop Redrardo who is VERY supportive of our work, said, "this work is YOURS!  We in the Vatican can only do so much, now YOU have to get this done!"
   As in November, there was a set of "Recommendations" (6) that came out of the Conference.(Some apply to the pastoral situation in italy; others have a universal message.) I have a copy (in Italian!), but I am sure we will see a translation soon into English.
One of the announcements at the end of the Conference was about an Ecumenical Conference on Pastoral Work with the Deaf in Assisi, Italy, Sept.9-14, 2010. www.domuspacis.it

   I have twenty pages of notes.  Obviously I cannot reproduce them here (I was writing furiously through most of the Conference).   When I get back to the USA, I will do my best to summarize the discussions, themes, etc from this Conference, then get them out to everyone.

   Again, gorgeous, very warm weather in Rome today. During the trip I have been reading A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ANCIENT ROME by Alberto Angela. Europa Books; 2009. He describes what life was like for the average Roman in the year 115. Fascinating to read it, then walk some of the same streets.  Also, this book gave me a much better sense of how difficult it was for the first Christians in Rome to live their Faith and convert others to the Faith. Some of his personal reflections and observations are quite powerful and relevant to our lives today!

  Have to close for now; the desk person wants to leave and needs the computer to be shut off.   Will write more this week.   God bless all of you from Rome!