Palm Sunday
" Ride on, ride on in majesty" With a procession of palms waving we start our journey through Holy Week by joining the parish of Our Lady and St Frederick at Limehouse. This Palm Sunday we are in a place that is very special for the Deaf Community. St Frederick of Utrecht is the patron saint of Deaf people. Fr Keith Stoakes, who has been a chaplain to the Deaf Community for many years, welcomed us once again to his parish. The drama of the Palm Sunday reading signed and spoken made a powerful impact on all those present. As we begin our journey through Holy Week we celebrate Christ's humble entry into Jerusalem.
Chrism Mass
As all the priests of the Diocese come together to renew their vows we join with many others in the Cathedral to witness this moving Mass. We are all asked to pray for our priests and we especially pray for all those priests who work with the Deaf Community.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols reminded us of the power of God’s justice and mercy, that through God’s mercy we are invited to repent and start again. The Deaf Service team were joined by Fr Paul Fletcher SJ who signed the Gospel and the Eucharistic prayer and Fr Keith Stoakes who communicated for Fr Paul and offered the opportunity for confession to those Deaf people who wanted to take part in the sacrament of reconciliation.
We continue our journey through Holy Week on Thursday at 6p.m. at Maria Assumpta Chapel. We join the Sisters of the Assumption for the Triduum.
Maundy Thursday
“Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He took a towel and tied it around his waist ….and began to wash the disciples’ feet”. Taking your shoes and socks off in public always feels odd (as I knew too well when one of the Sisters happened upon me putting plasters on my feet this morning!). When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet they too must have wondered what it was all about. Peter resists telling Jesus, “Never! You will never wash my feet!” but when Jesus tells him he must otherwise he cannot be a disciple, Peter wants everything washed!
Fr Paul Fletcher SJ reminded us of Pope Francis’ actions in the first year of his pontificate as he washed the feet of prisoners; men and women, Christians and non-Christians. This has now become a tradition as today the Pope once again was at a Roman prison, washing the feet of men and women and this year a child too. As the Deaf Community, the Assumption Sisters and regular attendees of the Maria Assumpta Chapel came together we too, young and old, Deaf and hearing, learned again about service to others and spiritual cleansing through partaking in this Maundy Thursday liturgy.
Good Friday
We adore you O Christ and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. The stations of the Cross, that agonisingly painful journey that Christ took to Golgotha, to his death, his death so that we are redeemed. The Deaf Community themselves lead the others attending through this reflective journey. Those who are not Deaf are always welcome, but for them it becomes an opportunity to experience what it is like to be in the minority and have to rely on interpreters to follow God's word. https://vimeo.com/130085700
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reading of the Passion is always a powerful moment but seeing it in sign language is really something special. Spoken as well so everyone can understand, the beauty of the reading in sign language means that the emotions of Christ, of his disciples, of the high priests, of everyone in the story come across with a clarity that just a voice can often miss.
Holy Saturday
We always attract a few curious stares from those in Kensington Square as we light the Easter fire outside Maria Assumpta chapel to celebrate the Easter Vigil. These stares become eager faces wanting to join us which every year many do. The light of Christ is spread through the Church as we celebrate the risen Lord. During the afternoon the children learned about the journey that Jesus took during Holy Week and drew pictures which we used as the altar frontal.
We are so grateful to the Sisters of the Assumption for making us so welcome every year as they faithfully do.
Easter Sunday
Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The Deaf Community have a signed Mass on the first Sunday of every month in the Cathedral Hall 4:30p.m. This year we are lucky because it coincides with Holy week so we are able to complete this beautiful celebration by coming together for Mass. We watch as the bare cross is transformed with flowers to the symbol of hope and resurrection.
The Deaf Community and the Caritas Deaf Service team would like to wish you all a Happy and blessed Easter. Please do have a look at the website for more information relating to the work of the Caritas Deaf Service and get in touch if you would like any further information.
Michelle Roca, Director, Caritas Deaf Service.
michelleroca@rcdow.org.uk
