The Very Reverend Thomas Coughlin, O.P. Miss. is the founder of Camp Mark Seven, the founder and supreme moderator of the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate, and a founding member of the Mark Seven Bible Institute.
     Father Coughlin received his B.A. in English from Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) in 1972 and an M.A. in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of America in 1977.  Shortly afterward, Father Coughlin was ordained as the first Deaf-born priest in the United States by H. Em. the Most Reverend +Lawrence Cardinal Sheehan of Baltimore.  In 1978, Father Coughlin was received in private audience with H.H. Pope +John-Paul II and given the mandate to minister to the Catholic Deaf community, especially through the work of the Mark Seven Deaf Foundation, Inc.
     Known worldwide as a missionary, retreat master, and advocate for the Deaf, Father Coughlin's presence at the Mark Seven Deaf Institute is an important one--to oversee and maintain its Catholic identity by exercising pastoral vigilance, providing spiritual direction, and celebrating the Sacred Liturgy.

Matthew G. Hysell is a founding member and the director of the Mark Seven Bible Institute.  In 2002, Matthew received his B.A. in philosophy from the City University of New York, Hunter College, and his M.A. in systematic and philosophical theology from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA.  He is currently a candidate for the M.Th. degree in systematic theology at Newman Theological College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he serves on of the Archdiocese of Edmonton's Advisory Board for Deaf Ministry and holds the office of Pastoral Support at St. Mark's Catholic Community of the Deaf.  Matthew also works for the Canadian section of the International Catholic Deaf Association.
     Matthew's theological focus has been Triadology, the Fourth Gospel, and the relationship between Scripture and sacred theology.  His recent graduate thesis was The Father-Son Relation in the Fourth Gospel and the Cappadocian Fathers, and has published an article, "The Bible and the Liturgy" in the periodical Lay Witness.  His article, "A.S.L. in the Sacred Liturgy:  A Reconsideration" is forthcoming in the Adoremus bulletin.

Brother Adam Zawadzki, O.P. Miss. is a student-brother with the Dominican Missionaries for the Deaf Apostolate in San Antonio, TX.  Brother Adam received an A.A. degree in American Sign Language from Viceness Univeristy in Indianapolis prior to joining the community.  During his novitiate, fr. Adam studied philosophy and sacred theology at Ohlone College and Queen of the Holy Rosary College, in Fremont, CA.  In 2006, fr. Adam received his temporary profession.
     Currently, fr. Adam is completing his B.A. in philosophy and religious studies at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.  Afterward, he will begin priestly formation at the Oblate School of Theology, also in San Antonio.
     A founding member of the Mark Seven Bible Institute, fr. Adam was the main presenter at the 2007 Study Week/Retreat, lecturing on the Gospel According to Mark.  He will return again for the 2008 Study Week/Retreat, lecturing on the Gospel According to Matthew along with Matthew Hysell.