June 2023 Newsletter – The Emmanuel Centre

Religious resources in Auslan

We are always eager to promote any resources in Auslan that our Catholic Deaf sisters and brothers could use. Below are a few of them, some we produce ourselves here at Emmanuel Centre and some are resources available online courtesy of other organisations. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who would benefit.

Gospel Readings in Auslan

You may know that we have started a youtube channel that publish weekly Gospel reading in Auslan. It started at the start of Advent Year A and we will continue to publish one weekly, hopefully until we complete the cycle of year A, B, and C. You could subscribe to it so that you don’t miss out: https://www.youtube.com/@catholicdeafandemmanuelcentre

On top of this, we also prepare the same Auslan Gospels as powerpoint slides so they could be used at Mass in parishes. At the moment they’re used weekly in St Francis Xavier church in East Perth but we’re hoping to spread it further afield. Let us know (via email emmanuelcentre@perthcatholic.org.au) if you’re interested in these. They’re in google drive for download but we need to add your email address to the list if you want to access it.

Auslan Bible

This is a project by the Bible Society to make The Word accessible for all Deaf Christians. You could view it on their website https://auslan.bible/

Mass For You At Home

The diocese of Wollongong in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference produces a weekly Mass (with Auslan) that broadcasts around the country on Channel Ten (6am) and Foxtel’s Aurora Channel 173 (10am) each Sunday morning. It is then available to watch on their website massforyou.com.au

Wellbeing Sessions

Joe O’Brien and Dr Abesh Antony (a psychiatrist) ran a session on mental wellbeing on Saturday 27 May at Bateman parish that is a part of a series of sessions on Good Self Care. The session was well attended and received by the 50 people that attended. The session looked at keeping ourselves in a good place, mental health stats and the link to our faith.

All parishioners from the archdiocese are warmly invited to further sessions in the series on Saturday 24 June and 22 July 9.30am to 11.30am, at Bateman Parish, cnr Dean and Marsengo Roads, Bateman. Workshop 2 will focus on practical ways to look after our physical health. Workshop 3 will be on feeding the soul and will demonstrate how our spirituality is the foundation of our Good Self-Care. Each workshop will be interactive, educational, inspiring and a great opportunity to grow together as a caring, sharing, content and healthy Christian community. The workshops are cost free; however, seats are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis. Click here for the flyer. Further info: Mario Sequeira (mlsequeira@iprimus.com.au) or joe.obrien@perthcatholic.org.au.

We Recycle!

We are still taking newspapers and 10c Containers for Change for recycling. Drop off at 25 Windsor St. If you can’t get your containers to us, you can put them into to your local Containers for Change Depot and quote our ID C10471612.

In our most recent Deaf gathering, we were looking at some archive photos in a series titled “A Lonely World” with one of our deaf participants, Lyn, as the main character. Talking to us through an Auslan interpreter, Lyn said that she couldn’t remember who took the photos, but most probably it would have been Fr. Paul. Below are some of the photos and Lyn’s reflections on them, with additional commentaries from other Deaf members.

Overall, when asked to reflect how life now is different from back then, most of the Deaf said it’s better now. Technology is better and people are more cooperative.

Lyn said this was her house for 40+ yrs on Royal St, Yokine. It was small and she didn’t like it much. She’s happier now in her current home.

This photo gives us a clue to the timeframe of the photos taken. Lyn remembers that this was the bus trip that the St. Denis (Joondana) Parish organised to go to Belmont Racecourse to see the Pope who was visiting Perth at that time. That would mean these series of photos must have been taken in 1986 or thereabout. Lyn recalled that everyone else on the bus was hearing. She was the only Deaf.

Even Deaf people have telephones as they could send text messages with them. In the 1990s, they would use a tool called TTY which needs to be attached to a home telephone on both ends and both parties could type on the TTY and it would appear on the other end. Michael remembered how when he was going out with Jenny (now wife, both deaf), they would use TTY for a long chat. Linda (whose mother was deaf) said that it wouldn’t work for all deaf people. Firstly they must have the additional TTY tool on both ends. Secondly, they need enough English to understand the text the other person types and Linda remember having to interpret the messages that came through TTY into Auslan for her mother. Nowadays these are not commonly used anymore as most people could send text using mobile phones.

TV at that time didn’t have caption and Lyn remembered that watching TV without being able to understand was very depressing. It’s even worse when the TV was black and white as it’s very hard to read someone’s facial expression . Thankfully, most TV programs are now captioned.
Tony, one of our deaf members, uses his mobile phone to “caption” live conversation too. Using voice to text capability that most mobile phones have, he’s able to ‘listen’ to conversations, which is crucial when he has to talk to medical professionals without an interpreter. Linda warns that it’s not perfect though. The voice to text function sometimes get it wrong and that’s how gossip starts when you takes the text as 100% truth and passes it to others.

Another way to communicate with someone who doesn’t know Auslan is of course using pen and paper. On this shopping trip (which Lyn thinks was on Flinders St, Yokine), she wrote down her shopping list and recalls asking a shop assistant to tell her where these items were located.

Reflection

Ageing is a funny thing, when we were kids and teenagers there are people around us who we looked up to. People who cared for us and watched us grow. These people get older and over time they pass away. It is sad. It hurts. But it is part of nature’s way.

We get older and now we are those people who support the young people. We are part of a community, ours is a faith community that gives us a way of dealing with the problems in life. One day we realise we are in positions of responsibility. We are doing those things our parents and the generation before were doing. We are the ones who are setting the direction for the future.

We have changed and we are changing things like it or not. Though some things don’t change. Our faith grows and the more we know about it, the more we realise we don’t know. Yet the more comfortable we are with it. We watch young people searching, looking, trying to find where they belong. Enticed by the myriad of options they have. Enticed by things, yet at times they miss the simple beauty of faith that brings peace to the soul.

We are tempted by things, and at times we succumb but our faith turns us around. We start again. Start again knowing we are loved.

Joe (31/05/2023)

How to achieve Inner Peace

Life can be overwhelming, and often it is hard to find a moment of calm amidst the chaos. However, achieving inner peace is essential for overall well-being, as it allows for a greater sense of clarity, contentment and happiness. Here are some simple ways to achieve mental calmness and find inner peace:

PRACTICE MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for achieving mental calmness. It involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This means focusing on your thoughts, feelings and sensations without trying to change them. By practicing mindfulness regularly, you can train your mind to be more present and less reactive to stressors. To practice mindfulness, try sitting in a quiet place and focusing on your breath. As you inhale and exhale, notice the sensations in your body and the thoughts that arise. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your breath. You can also practice mindfulness while doing everyday tasks, such as washing dishes or taking a walk.

FIND TIME FOR SELF-CARE

Self-care is an essential part of achieving mental peace. This means taking care of your physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Self-care can include activities such as taking a relaxing bath, practicing yoga, reading a book or spending time with loved ones. It’s important to prioritise self-care and make time for it in your daily routine. When you take care of yourself, you’ll feel more balanced and energised, which will help you find inner peace.

SPEND TIME IN NATURE

Spending time in nature can be a powerful way to find inner peace. Being surrounded by greenery, fresh air, and natural beauty can help you feel more grounded and connected to the world around you. Research has also shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall well-being. To spend time in nature, try going for a walk in the park, hiking in the bush or the forest or simply sitting outside and enjoying the sunshine.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Practicing gratitude is another powerful way to find inner peace. It involves focusing on the good things in your life and expressing gratitude for them. By doing this, you’ll shift your focus away from negative thoughts and feelings and cultivate a more positive mindset. To practice gratitude, try writing down three things you’re grateful for each day. They can be simple things like a good cup of coffee or a kind word from a friend. Focusing on these positive moments can help you find more joy and contentment in your life.

Courtesy EAP Assist

For people of faith, we need to thank God for everything he does in our life, big and small. Each and every day holds precious gifts. From the air we breathe to the friendships we hold close, there is always something to be thankful for. The more we thank God the more we will see him working in our lives. Gratitude helps us become aware of God’s presence, his personal care and perfect timing.

-Emmanuel Centre-

<Image credit: Benjamin Balazs from Pixabay >

Snippets from Our Day Activities Program

It seems this year is just flying by. Already we are looking at what’s left to do before the next set of holidays begins! We finished last term with making lovely bunting for Easter with a little bag of chocolate eggs and Hot Cross Buns. This term has been mostly about creating things with calm focus. We made a lot of very cute little origami stars called Lucky Stars. We also celebrated Mother’s day, making lovely scented bath bombs and creating a gorgeous bunch of Yarn flowers to go with them. Further along we made some felt Name Flags and did some jewellery making. And every Tuesday we get to spend our time doing our wonderful paint class. A couple of this terms topics included self-reflection, still life, landscapes and fruits!