BY ERIKA ANDERSON

Staff Writer

LAGRANGE--He could not hear the readings or respond aloud to the prayers, but when Daniel Kurtz went to Mass for the first time, he was so moved by what he saw that he decided to begin the journey toward becoming a Catholic. His journey was completed in November, when he was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Church.

Kurtz, who lives in a personal care home near St. Peter's, was born both deaf and nonverbal.

After attending a parish in Alabama for several months, Kurtz began attending St. Peter's in June with his friend and housemate, Lee Burriss. Burriss, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was baptized three years ago and served as Kurtz's sponsor when he was confirmed by Archbishop John F. Donoghue on Nov. 22. Kurtz was baptized at the church Nov. 15.

In order to prepare for his baptism, Kurtz studied with Jim Stagg, a permanent deacon at the parish.

"Much of it was just getting him familiar with going to Mass," Deacon Stagg said. "He was very interested in the Eucharist."

Most of the lessons were done through notes written back and forth between teacher and student.

"I tried to study a little sign language, but I am very limited," Deacon Stagg said.

The deacon, who had also helped Burriss prepare for his baptism, decided that the best way for Kurtz to prepare would be to concentrate on the Sunday readings. Each week, Daniel would read the readings and then study with Deacon Stagg.

"I would write a one-page homily and, if the Gospel referred to a sacrament, I would teach him about it, especially the Eucharist, reconciliation and confirmation," the deacon said.

Marianne Ogilvie, director of religious education at St. Peter's, said that Kurtz's diligent work showed his desire to become a Catholic.

"He really worked hard," Ogilvie said. "He also worked independently because he couldn't attend the regular OCIA classes."

After about seven months of study, Deacon Stagg approached Father John Murphy, pastor of St. Peter's.

"When I asked Father Murphy when Daniel would be ready, he said that if Daniel realized that the Eucharist was truly the body and blood of Jesus Christ, then that was all he needed to come into the church," he said.

On Nov. 15, when Kurtz was baptized and made his first Communion, the rite was signed by one of St. Peter's OCIA teachers, who is also a teacher for the deaf.

"The congregation had never seen anything like it before," Ogilvie said. "It was extremely touching."

Ogilvie also said that Kurtz was very excited about being confirmed by the archbishop.

Although Kurtz is now a member of the Catholic Church, Deacon Stagg said he is not done learning.

"I told Daniel the same thing I tell the OCIA students, 'I can only teach you a little at a time, but you have to continue to learn and learn,'" the deacon said.

Neither Burriss nor Kurtz is able to drive, so the deacon drives them to church each week. If he is not available, another parishioner will pick them up.

"Transportation is their main obstacle," Ogilvie said. "The parishioners are really good about picking them up and bringing them to Mass."

Father Murphy agrees that the parishioners have really welcomed Kurtz into their church. "He's really felt the loving warmth of the spirit of our parishioners and they have made him feel like part of the family."

Ogilvie hopes that Kurtz will serve as a mentor to other persons with disabilities.

"He's a wonderful example for people who can't hear and are timid about coming forward and coming into the church," she said.