A popular evangelisation program is now available in Auslan (Australian sign language), marking a step toward greater inclusion and accessibility in faith for the community. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
Alpha in Auslan was launched at an event in Parramatta on July 22 and attended by the Ephpheta Centre, a Catholic centre for deaf and hard-of-hearing (HOH) people in Sydney.
Tania Rimac, who supports Alpha in a Catholic Context in Sydney and New South Wales, said the initiative, a partnership between Alpha Australia and the Bible Society, was about making the Good News accessible to the deaf and HOH community.
“Alpha is a tool for evangelisation that creates a space where people can ask the big questions of life, exploring life, faith and God in an open, non-judgmental environment, and that includes the deaf and hard of hearing,” Ms Rimac said.
Jitka Navratil, a member of the deaf community, said she was “delighted and excited when I heard that the Alpha would be available in Auslan.”
The availability of Alpha in Auslan means more than just access for Ms Navratil – it signifies inclusion.
“It means that I can share with the hearing community and hearing friends what I have learned,” she said. “My faith has been enriched and strengthened from the Alpha program. Sharing with like-minded peers, both hearing and deaf, made this experience so much richer and meaningful.
“This will benefit the community hugely. “It will allow for group discussions and meetings without the need for interpreters. The videos are accessible with interpreters and captioning, which is a huge bonus for those who may not follow Auslan.”
Donovan Mulligan, manager of pastoral care at the Ephpheta Centre, said it was a great resource advancement for the deaf Catholic community.
“As a deaf practising Catholic, my faith is a very important part of who I am,” Mr Mulligan said.
“It is so important for the deaf community to have access to this information, so that all people can learn about the good news of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life and that we all can know the love of God.
“That is why evangelising to people in a way that they can understand in their own language is so important. Congratulations to Alpha on this great initiative.”
FULL STORY
Launch of Alpha in Auslan empowers hard of hearing communities in faith (By Darren Ally, The Catholic Weekly)
