‘We don’t want anyone to fall through the gaps’: supporting the Deaf community

Over the last century, the John Pierce Centre has been supporting members of the Deaf community and their families from across Melbourne and greater Victoria. Today, the centre continues to offer a range of services to support the Deaf and hard of hearing, offering regular workshops, social gatherings, monthly Mass in Auslan, and access to the sacraments and pastoral support. More than this, it offers what executive manager Sophie Duncan calls ‘a home away from home’.

‘The centre is always a hive of activity, where Deaf people come from all over Victoria to gather for Church and social activities,’ says Sophie. ‘People that come into the centre have the benefit of speaking with our pastoral care staff, who provide invaluable support to Deaf people in many aspects of their life, from spiritual support to day-to-day assistance, especially around communication and access barriers.’

Just last year, the centre marked 100 years since its inception. The first Victorian Catholic organisation for Deaf people was established in 1924, and in 1936, Fr John Pierce was appointed as Victoria’s first full-time chaplain to the Deaf community. Almost a decade on, Fr John Pierce established a property for a school, St Mary’s Portsea, which was run by the Dominican Sisters. In 1980, the John Pierce Centre, as it is now known, was officially opened, and it continues to serve the Deaf community of Victoria and beyond.

The centre recognises Auslan (Australian Sign Language) as the language of the Deaf community.

‘Many of the staff are Deaf themselves,’ explains Sophie. ‘It means that communication can happen directly with the community.’

Sophie says that many in the Deaf community say the centre ‘feels like home’, as it’s a place ‘they can come and chat freely in their language’.

‘We run many workshops that are tailored to the needs of Deaf people and are delivered in Auslan, in a culturally appropriate way,’ says Sophie. ‘Offering Mass in Auslan allows Deaf people to gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and liturgy.’

Many older Deaf people are very isolated because they live far and wide across Victoria, so they look forward to coming into the centre for Mass and activities.

She says the centre provides a sense of connection and meaning for many, including regular Mass-goer Gerard. While he also attends his local parish in Dandenong, he says it’s at the John Pierce Centre that he’s been able to form a community and interact with others in a way that he can’t elsewhere.

‘Gerard is an older gentleman [who] travels all the way from Dandenong for the Auslan Mass in Prahran,’ Sophie says. ‘He always arrives early and helps the staff to set up the space for Mass. He takes the collection, and he stays afterwards to pack up and then sit down with others to have lunch and socialise.’

Being able to offer Mass in Auslan also allows Deaf people to serve in ways that they wouldn’t be able to in their local parishes, Sophie says. ‘We have Deaf people do readings, giving them an opportunity to be more than passive receivers of the liturgy.

‘Many older Deaf people are very isolated because they live far and wide across Victoria, so they look forward to coming into the centre for Mass and activities.

‘They say that loneliness is the new pandemic facing us all, and this can be ... more so for the Deaf community,’ reflects Sophie. ‘This is why we run regular ladies’ get-togethers, men’s gatherings, seniors’ groups, [and an] arts and craft group. We also have a playgroup called Signee Tots, where families can come along and chat with other families about life and faith.

‘The families are all different. Some have Deaf parents, some have a deaf child, some families are all Deaf. We welcome everyone to come and learn from each other and build their identity and understanding.’

Running a service like the John Pierce Centre involves many challenges, primarily financial. ‘For decades, we’ve relied on the generosity of parishioners across the Archdiocese,’ Sophie says. ‘But in recent years, traditional collections haven’t kept up with the increasing costs of our work. We are constantly looking at ways to reduce expenses whilst still providing the critical services to Deaf people who have nowhere else to go for support.’

Last year, thanks to donations through the Archbishop’s Campaign, the centre was able to rejuvenate some services, including a playgroup for young families. ‘Thanks to the Archbishop’s Campaign, we’ve taken a confident step forward. It’s given us a reliable source of funding—one that brings security and the opportunity to expand our mission.

We don’t want anyone to fall through the gaps, and the team work tirelessly to ensure support is provided.

‘Our programs run for free or at a very low cost so that we can engage all Deaf people, regardless of their financial situation. We don’t want anyone to fall through the gaps, and the team work tirelessly to ensure support is provided,’ Sophie explains.

‘The work is incredibly important, especially for people like my daughter, who has a place to call home because of a shared identity and culture. Seeing the value in our work is what keeps me committed to ensuring we not only continue this service but grow it.

‘I want to sincerely thank Archbishop Comensoli and express our deep gratitude to the families, priests and parishes who make our work at the John Pierce Centre possible.

‘We realise that we are just one small mission in the Church,’ Sophie says, ‘but the impact on the Deaf community is invaluable. Thank you again for believing in our work and for helping us build a future filled with hope.’