Schott Communities' History |
| 1959 |
The Archdiocese of Miami ministry to persons who are deaf began in 1959 when Father Laurence Conway began to offer a monthly interpreted liturgy for this population. For several years the ministry was strictly religious. |
| 1968 |
Additional religious services and social events were possible when Father Gabriel O'Reilly joined Father Conway in 1968.
Ministry to persons who are deaf was affected by two significant events during the 1960's. First, persons in South Florida who are deaf organized themselves into a visible unit and joined the International Catholic Deaf Association as a branch. At the same time migration to Florida increased the number of persons who are deaf, many of whom are not Catholic. Regardless of religious affiliation all persons who are deaf were invited and attended the socials hosted by Father Conway and Father O'Reilly. Through organization and increased numbers persons who are deaf became an active force in South Florida, seeking opportunities for education, socialization and spiritual growth. |
| 1972 |
 In 1972 Father Jim Vitucci, who had been assisting Father O'Reilly, and Sister Conleth Brannan were asked to serve as the primary ministers and church representatives to persons who are deaf. Father Jim and  Sister Connie began their ministry as traveling ministers. They moved from parish to parish to provide interpreted religious services; they helped coordinate social events and the ministered to the personal needs of the deaf community.
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| 1985 |
Schott Communities began to emerge as visible ministry to persons who are deaf in 1985, when Joseph J. Schott Jr. happened to attend a signed liturgy at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Miami Beach where Father Jim was then based. Joseph Schott was inspired by the experience of that liturgy and took an interest in the ministry. He asked Father Jim where persons who are deaf gathered together as a community to pray and to socialize. Father Jim jokingly replied, "In my car."
 Within days Joseph Schott visited the Archbishop McCarthy of Miami and offered to build or buy a multipurpose center for persons who are deaf. Father Jim was commissioned to find a site that could serve the purpose. After eight months of careful search and evaluation, Father Jim and Sister Connie located the Landmark Apostolic Church, a five-acre parcel of land in Unincorporated Fort Lauderdale. They recognized the home for their ministry, so in 1985 the property was purchased by Joseph Schott and deeded to the Archdiocese.. |
| 1994 |
In 1994 Father Jim Vitucci was assigned pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Pembroke Pines; he continued to serve as Pastoral Director of the Center, but Jack Green was hired as the Executive Director to manage the agency. Sister Conleth Brannan continued as the Director of Center programs.
The heart of Schott Communities is St. Jude Chapel. Services are celebrated with the members of Schott Communities, their families and friends, and other residents of the surrounding community who are not deaf or disabled.
The Schott Center is a "home" for persons who are deaf or disabled. Through a variety of programs and services they have opportunities to develop intellectually and socially; they learn to extend their care to one another and to their local communities through outreach activities that help families in need. The Center has attracted a large cohort of volunteers who greatly expand the service capabilities of the agency.
Schott Communities recognizes and understands the deep concern of families of persons who are deaf or disabled when they look into the future. How will their loved one who is deaf or disabled survive when parents or siblings are gone? Who will attend to her or him? In response to this concern the Board of Directors commissioned Jack Green to build two residential facilities: a state-of-the-art home for developmentally disabled women and a six-apartment complex for persons who are deaf or disabled. The residences were dedicated in 2000.
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2000
2007 |
Many of the people who attend the Center are not Catholic. Father Jim explained, "We have never striven to serve only Catholics. They are all God's people, the work of God's hands, regardless of their faith." Father Jim died in 2002, but he bequeathed Schott Communities with a profound commitment to service and advocacy for persons who are deaf or disabled.
Margaret Johnson replaced Mr. Jack Green as Executive Director in July, 2001. She focused on the quality and scope of the ministry, as well as on raising the visibility of Schott Communities in the area.
In the course of her six years, Margaret helped to stabilize the financial situation of the agency, added new programs, established a grants program, expanded fundraising capacity, and secured agency certification through Broward County. Her intention to increase the agency's visibility in the community was evidenced in the success of the fundraising efforts and increased participation in agency events. Margaret was succeeded as Executive Director by Frank Casale on July 9, 2007.
Through a combination of his leadership, management and fundraising skills, Frank will strive to directly affect the lives of our very special population. With that sense of mission, community and experience, he feels himself fortunate to have been chosen to lead Schott Communities.
As Frank takes the mission and applies it to our programs and to the expansion of our physical plant, he looks forward to the challenges that lay ahead. He is ready to address the needs of the deaf and disabled community through prayers and support, hard work, and a little bit of luck.
When completed Schott Communities will be a lovely residential location for members deaf or disabled. It will complement the attractiveness of its neighboring communities with its pleasant landscaping and walkways that wind around small lakes. The beauty of the Community, however, will reside not only in its lakes and landscaping but also in the ideals that it strives to realize.
Schott Communities' property was included in Cooper City when the City received it charter in 1999.
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