Shell Roca, Head of the Caritas Deaf Service, reflects on the experiences of Deaf Community participating in events for the Year of Jubilee.
‘When are we going to the next Jubilee church?‘
A reassuring endorsement that our visits to various Jubilee churches in our diocese have thus far been a positive experience and turned all of us who attended into true Pilgrims of Hope.
Along with many people in the Diocese of Westminster, members of the Deaf Community have been visiting the churches on the ‘Westminster Way’ route, as well as Jubilee churches in Westminster and Hertfordshire. Rather than walking the whole way in one go, we have been taking our time and visiting the churches over the last few months, learning about each as we go.
We started at the Charterhouse (pictured above), where we were privileged to receive a guided tour in BSL to discover the history of the Carthusians and the many others who have lived within its storied walls.
Our next stop was Westminster Cathedral, where the interpreted tour took us through everything from the foundation stone from 1895 to the Chapel of St Edmund in the crypt where Cardinal Wiseman and Cardinal Manning are buried, as well as learning the significance of the disgruntled dolphin.
In July, some of the Deaf Community walked part of the Westminster Way between St Etheldreda’s on Ely Place and St Mary Moorfields, while others journeyed with us virtually as the former’s 13th-century building was not very accessible!
St Etheldreda’s is a beautiful church, and we were warmly received by Fr Anthony Furlong IC as we took in its stunning stained-glass windows.
Those of us walking took a slight detour to have a peek at Ye Olde Mitre Tavern, where the tree marking the boundary between Ely Place and the garden of Sir Christopher Hatton remains to this day. We then headed on to St Mary Moorfields, where Canon Chris Vipers welcomed us to their lunchtime Mass.
Our Jubilee travels then took us to Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Hertfordshire, where Canon Norbert Fernandes and members of his parish hosted us for a signed Mass, some fabulous refreshments, and a time of peaceful prayer and reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
The day concluded with Canon Norbert telling us about the church, showing us the location of the altar crosses and pointing out the significance of the letters adorning the tabernacle.
He also invited us try out his stone chair (pictured left) — which was rather cold and uncomfortable — made of the same stone as the ambo and altar.
Jubilee years are a time for focusing on God’s mercy, marked by repentance and the forgiveness of sins. As Pilgrims of Hope, we will continue to visit the remaining churches on the Westminster Way later this year. Please pray for the Deaf Community as we continue our pilgrimage, as we pray for all those who generously support us.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I really must find the telephone number for Tower Hill to arrange our next visit!
The Caritas Deaf Service works to enable individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing to participate fully in the life of the Church. It does this by running regular Signed Masses, Bible Study sessions, social events, trips and pilgrimages tailored to the needs of the Deaf Community.
