Pastoral Care Service for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

DIOCESAN PASTORAL CARE SERVICE FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE

Director and Chaplain:
Fr Raglan Hay-Will

Diocesan Coordinators and Communicators for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: Mr Peter Booker and Mrs Maria Booker, c/o DABCEC, 4 Southgate Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 6RP.

Email: casamariapita@aol.com Mobile: 07779 834207 (sms [text] only) Tel: Mr Jim Mortell on 01273 552159 [Voice]

What the Service Does

The A&B pastoral service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing aims to increase awareness of our existence and activities, which includes a monthly signed Mass at St John's, Horsham, days of prayer (either diocesan or regionally based), occasional participation in the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, pastoral visiting and also visiting Deaf Schools to teach Deaf Children about the Catholic Faith. At present there are also 3 Deaf People taking the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies, a 3 year course, which takes place in London on a monthly basis, and which is taught in Sign Language.

Who is Involved in the Service

The community for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the diocese consists not only of Deaf, Hearing Impaired and the Deafened but also hearing people. It is led by the two Deaf Coordinators and a Chaplain who is able to sign. They are supported by a small pastoral team which meets four times a year to ensure the smooth running of the Service. We also have two other Priests in the Diocese who can sign and who stand in for the Chaplain when the need arises. There is also a fully qualified interpreter and other communicators who support the community.

The Aims of the Service

These are to make it possible for those who cannot 'hear' Mass either totally or with difficulty to able to celebrate the Liturgy and learn about the Faith in signed language. A loop system is also available for the hard of hearing. Importantly all this ensures that this community of people are not isolated individuals but feel fully part of the Catholic Church.

The Service Reaching Out

The Service reaches out to Deaf and hearing-impaired people by creating awareness of their needs. Parishes need to be alert and aware of individuals who may be Deaf or hard of hearing and may be unaware of the Monthly Signed Mass in Horsham. Whilst most people are independent and have their own transport, there may be occsasions where transport to these Monthly Masses will depend on the kindness of parishioners providing lifts to Horsham if necessary. Equally parishes need to be aware of the needs of hearing-impaired parishioners by ensuring there is a loop system installed and in working order at all times; And to avoid confusing those using the system that it is left on throught the whole Mass from start to finish and is not turned off during hymns or any other part of the Mass.

Outside the Diocese we work together with the national and regional teams of the RC Service for Deaf People and support the Catholic Deaf Association (CDA). Peter Booker is the elected council member representing the South East at the CDA. We also have a representative on the Anglican Pastoral Team for the Deaf.

Signed Masses

The Lectionary used at these Masses has been specially prepared and adapted for easy Sign Language use. It has been approved for use by the Bishops of England and Wales. During the Mass many of our deaf people sign the prayers and readings as we focus on the Word of God. In order to include the hard of hearing or anyone unable to use sign language, there is also a voice over.

All Masses unless otherwise stated take place at St John the Evangelist, Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2PJ.

For place and dates of Masses during 2010 please click here or contact Peter and Maria Booker - Email: casamariapita@aol.com or Mobile 07779834207 (sms (text) only) or Tel: Jim Mortell on 01273 552159 (Voice)