Parishioners learn British Sign Language

Course group with our certificates

A group of Westminster parishioners recently completed a Taster Course in British Sign Language, (BSL) given by Shell Roca, Caritas Deaf Service, at Sacred Heart Church, Kilburn.

Shell was an inspiring teacher - she taught us some basic greetings, questions, Mass parts and prayers but more importantly - gave us some understanding of what Deaf people experience in their parishes.

It's estimated that one in six parishioners is Deaf or hard of hearing - they have so much to offer the Church community - whether it is learning about our faith or other skills - but we really need to make our communities more accessible to them.

I always imagined that Deaf people were able to communicate through lip-reading - but in fact it is estimated that only 30-40 percent of speech sounds can be lip-read - even under the best conditions! More than 150,000 people use BSL. It was considered a true language in 2003, but officially recognised as a language with legal status in the UK last year. (Read more about BSL here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Sign_Language )

Shell showed us that BSL isn't simply English with hand signs. It is a different language with its own grammar and sentence construction, using graceful combinations of hand gestures, facial expressions and body language. They might take us quite a long time to time to learn - but at least we've made a start!

Shell also explained that there are lots of other sign languages around the world - even the Irish use a different one. (Fr Terry Murray, Parish Priest at Kilburn uses that one) - but that's another story.

At the end of the course Shell gave us information about where we can take more courses in BSL. Several of us are planning to do that.

During the recent Synodal discussions the main response from Deaf people in Westminster Diocese, was the need for more interpreters, so that Mass and the life of the Church is more accessible to them. Deaf Catholics want to practice their faith, contribute to their parish and be fully part of Catholic Church.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 2 December 2pm
Pax Christi Advent Service with BSL interpreter
Church of the Holy Apostles, 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 4LY. Followed by Alternative Christmas Market with Fairtrade and Palestinian goods, crafts and gifts, books, cards & refreshments. For more information about Pax Christi visit https://paxchristi.org.uk/ and www.holyapostlespimlico.org/

Sunday 3 December 4.30pm
London: Signed Mass at Westminster Cathedral Hall
Ambrosden Avenue, Victoria SW1P 1QH

Sunday 10 December 4pm
London: Signed Mass at St Mary & St Michael,
2 Lukin Street, Commercial Road E1 0AA

Sunday 17 December 11.30am
Signed Mass At Our Lady Queen of Apostles,
141 Woodhall Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 3TP

Christmas Eve
Online signed Mass
YouTube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UCrWCl2cbndpSogtD-iK0SvQ or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/wddservice
Previous online Bible study sessions are still available to watch.

Sunday 7 January 4.30pm
London: Signed Mass Westminster Cathedral Hall,
Ambrosden Avenue, Victoria SW1P 1QH - Entrance to the hall via choir school car park. Mass starts at 4.30pm and there will be the opportunity for confession before Mass starts.Mass is in BSL and in spoken English. Entrance to the hall is via the choir school car park (the Hall is also wheelchair accessible).

LINKS

Deaf Awareness Week: www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/deaf_awareness_week_2022.php

Caritas Westminster Deaf ServiceNewsletter: www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/files/2460-1-1.pdf.