John Pierce Centre Newsletter August 2025 EPHPHETA “be open”   “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11  www.jpc.org.au  admin@jpc.org.au  www.facebook.com/JohnPierceCentre   A.B.N. 55 005 611 601 Contact: 25-35 High Street PO Box 443 Prahran Victoria 3181 Voice: 03 9525 1158 E-mail: admin@jpc.org.au Website: www.jpc.org.au Office Hours MON - WED  9.30am to 3.30pm  THURS - FRI  By Appointment Only Staff Fr Wayne Edwards Katrina Mynard Kim Kavanagh Diane Backholer Teresa Paulet Tamara Dwyer Executive Manager Sophie Duncan Chairperson JPC Board Trevor Hughes Board Members Dean Sinclair (Treasurer) Br Shane Wood (Minutes) Evelyne Albrecht Roshan Abraham Gemma Cameron Andrew Woods SC Next Newsletter Deadline NOVEMBER 2025   JPC would like to thank the community members for allowing us to use their photos in this publication and we acknowledge the use of images by rawpixel; renata.s; BiZkettE1; on freepik.   Dear Community, I hope this newsletter reaches you in good spirits and keeping cosy in the final weeks of winter—it’s certainly been a brisk winter but I look forward to the start of the Spring season! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the Ephpheta Appeal. Your generosity during these uncertain times is truly appreciated. Every donation helps us continue our mission of supporting the Deaf community, and we are deeply grateful for your kindness and commitment. We’ve recently been holding a series of Cyber Security workshops, and I hope those who attended found them useful and empowering. These sessions are designed to help keep our community safe online, offering practical tips to avoid scams, protect personal information, and use technology with confidence. We have more workshops coming up, so please keep an eye out for future dates. I’d also like to take a moment to thank our incredible volunteers. Your kindness, dedication, and generosity of spirit are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you assist with events, programs, or individual support, your contributions make a real difference in the lives of our community members. A special thank you to Sally Pilbeam for so generously stepping in while Diane Backholer was on leave—your support has been invaluable. And to our Men’s Group: thank you for taking such great care of our Centre. From tidying the gardens and carrying out essential maintenance to giving the cubby house a fresh coat of paint, your efforts help keep our space welcoming, safe, and full of life. We’re always looking for more volunteers—especially those who can visit community members for a friendly chat in Auslan and offer companionship. If you’re interested but unsure where to start, we provide all the training you’ll need. It’s a truly rewarding way to connect with others and brighten someone’s week. Your generosity continues to make a real impact. Every donation—big or small—helps us offer vital programs, events, and support for our community. Contributions are welcome year-round and directly help us maintain and grow the services so many rely on.   Warm regards, Sophie Duncan Executive Manager John Pierce Centre   Ephpheta Appeal JPC would like to say a huge thank you to all those that donated to our centre during the annual Ephpheta Appeal this year. It is ever humbling to see that so many people are ready and willing to dig deep to support our work. Your donation assists us in our work to support Deaf individuals and groups through pastoral care programs, group programs and tailored support. Thank you!   It’s never too late to give! Please support the unique and valuable work of the John Pierce Centre. Scan the QR code to donate online today!   Father Wayne’s Reflection. EPHPHETA – BE OPEN August at JPC is an important time of year. To celebrate Ephpheta, to be open, clear God gives all unique ways of communication. Our voices, our hands, our bodies as language, demonstration. Our writing skills, the Technological tools we have at hand, we use. Through these gifts we have been given, never to abuse. We are called to use God’s gifts in a good way. To have the heart of Jesus at work in us, we will not sway Ephpheta, to be open, to possibility and opportunity. As followers of Christ though struggles through at times, no liability Rather the challenges we are given in this life for us and for all are blessings, reminding us of our responsibilities and acknowledging God’s love for us all, we stand tall We thank God the Father, Jesus His Son, and the Holy Spirit for what we have been given. We share God’s gifts with others in a way that acknowledges we have tired, striven God bless you all. All my love. Fr Wayne Edwards Chaplain to the Deaf   Community Award Winner Mark Backholer Mark Backholer is a dedicated member of the community who has built a strong and meaningful connection with the John Pierce Centre (JPC), particularly in recent years. He embodies the values of the Centre through his welcoming attitude and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals feel included and valued. Over the past three years, Mark has been instrumental in the reestablishment of the Deaf Men’s Group. As a key leader, he takes initiative in organising group activities and gatherings, fostering a sense of camaraderie and support among participants. Beyond his leadership in the group, Mark consistently goes above and beyond to help maintain the Centre. Whether it’s cleaning the outside areas, tending to the gardens, joining working bees or handling various odd jobs, Mark is always there, often volunteering his time without being asked. Mark’s support extends to various events at the Centre, including funerals and social gatherings. He is always ready to lend a hand in the kitchen, offering to prepare tea and coffee, set up food, and clean up afterwards. Thankyou Mark for all your fantastic work and support of JPC. Congratulations on your award.   JPC AGM The Annual General Meeting of the John Pierce Centre was held on Sunday 18th of May. JPC continues to provide an important service to the Deaf community and operations are managed carefully to ensure our continued work. The team have worked hard to keep expenses to a minimum over the last year whilst still providing a high level of support and services at the centre.   Religious Signs Project At the AGM in May, JPC launched the new video resources on our website. A collection of prayers and liturgy, translated into Auslan to support the faith development of the community, as well as a great resource for Interpreters and Auslan users. It preserves some of the rich history of the JPC and the Deaf catholic community language. All resources are freely accessible for the community to access at https://www.jpc.org.au/jpc-library. Thank you to Teachers as Co-Learners: Education - Language for partnering on this project.    Story of Impact– JPC supporting our community! Benny* (not his real name) was finding life hard – family issues, health issues, unemployed, owed people/businesses money and was facing eviction. Recently his heater broke down which made his life harder as his house was so cold and he cannot afford someone to come in and fix the heater. He had a support worker, supporting him with his health and NDIS. There was no one else to support Benny* with other areas of his life. JPC got involved via our pastoral care team. Communication between Benny* and mainstream (hearing) services was never easy. The JPC pastoral care worker provided communication support and cultural bridging between both sides. This is important in making sure that Benny* and other service providers can work together well. His JPC pastoral care worker supported Benny* through: -his immediate family issues by working with the police and family services -working through various debt issues with his financial counsellor -stopping the eviction process by working with the body corporate and their legal representative and setting up a repayment schedule -liaising with the employment agency over his goals in finding a full-time job so he can pay off his debts and be in a better financial position -supporting with his Centrelink paperwork and communications at his local Centrelink office -link him with a financial advisor in relation to superannuation -liaise with his other support worker in health -home and hospital visits -giving him space to share his worries, frustration and what he would like to see happen Benny* will need JPC’s support until he is in a better place in life and not feeling overwhelmed and disempowered. Benny* said “I do not want to lose you as you helped me a lot. You understand me”. Oh, the heating is now fixed, and Benny* feels warm in his house.   Cyber Scam Workshop –Kid Safety JPC hosted a cyber safety workshop about kids safety online. Presented by Gene Reardon from VCD. It was an important workshop about keeping children safe online and the settings you can implement on devices to reduce the risk. As technology advances and children are very capable of using technology, as parents and grandparents, we need to know how to keep kids safe whilst they are using devices.   Cyber Scam Workshop –AI JPC hosted a cyber safety workshop about Artificial Intelligence. Presented by Teresa Paulet. It was an important workshop about the uses and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence. There are many positives to using AI that can help us with our work but it is important that people can identify AI so as not to be scammed. Scams are becoming more sophisticated with the use of AI and the Deaf community need to be more vigilant.   Palliative Care: Advanced Care Planning Workshop On Wednesday 20th August, JPC hosted a workshop about Advanced Care planning. Advanced Care Planning is about letting others know how we wish to be cared for in the future, in case we can’t make our own decisions at the time. Advance care planning in 3 steps •Appoint someone •Communicate •Put it on paper   Congratulations to Sr Bernadette Wallis MSS on reaching her 60-year anniversary of profession into the Missionary Sisters of Service. Sr Bernadette has worked at JPC and supported the Deaf community over many years. She continues to volunteer her time in our Archives team to collate and maintain the Catholic Deaf history in Victoria. We are deeply thankful for Sr Bernadette’s commitment to our community. Congratulations on your 60-year anniversary! From all of the board, staff and community at JPC.   Join the Board No Experience Needed Interested in joining the JPC Board or Board subcommittee to support the work of the John Pierce Centre? Contact us today! No experience is necessary, just a passion for supporting the Deaf Community and the work of JPC. Meetings are every two months so just 6 meetings a year. Contact JPC for more information manager@jpc.org.au   Signee tots 14 September 5 October 2 November 7 Dec—Christmas Break up   Signee Tots Hello there, Signee Tots’ families and friends, Signee Tots runs on the first Sunday of each month and is a terrific place to meet new friends and families. It is a fun and safe place to play and talk about parenting. It is open to all families that have deaf parents or deaf children or anyone who uses Auslan to communicate.  If you want to join Signee Tots or want more information please email signeetots@jpc.org.au   Deaf Art and Craft 29 August 5 September 12 September 19 September 10 October 17 October 24 October 31 October 7 November 14 November 21 November 28 November 5 December—Christmas Break Up  Deaf Art & Craft Term 3 at Deaf Arts & Crafts has been busy with many different and enjoyable and creative sessions. If you are interested in joining us please contact the group Co-Ordinator Diane via email: d.backholer@jpc.org.au A special thankyou to Sally Pilbeam for volunteering to coordinate the Arts group whilst Diane was away. It’s great to see community members supporting our social groups for the benefit of others!   Ladies’ Get Together 27 August—Outing 10 September—Outing 8 October—Outing 22 October – JPC 5 November—Outing 19 November—JPC 3 December—Christmas breakup Ladies Get Together Co-ordinated by Diane Backholer What fun the Ladies had recently at Artvo at the Docklands! If you would like to join the Ladies Get Together please contact Diane via email: d.backholer@jpc.org.au Deaf Men's Group 27 August – Outing 17 September—Outing 15 October – Outing 19 November – Break up lunch Deaf Men's Group The Deaf Men’s Group have been busy getting together to head out for activities or stay in at JPC for games and catching up. Recently they have been to the Jewish Museum and then the Greek Museum. They have also been helping out with maintenance at JPC and held a mental health workshop. They look forward to some fun outings over the next few months so please get in touch if you would like to join. Pankina 1 September—Cards 15 September—Bingo. AFL footy dress up day 29 September—Bingo 13 October– Cards 27 October—Bingo 10 November—Movie Day at JPC 24 November—Christmas lunch outing 8 December—Christmas break up at JPC. Raffle Pankina The Pankina group meets each fortnight on a Monday from 10am-3pm. There are always fun activities, including bingo and cards. This group welcomes all Deaf and hard of hearing community members. If you would like to attend please contact Katrina for more information.   Remember!! For information on any community activities, please contact Katrina SMS: 0400 660 601 / E: k.mynard@jpc.org.au   JPC Volunteer Visitor Program Do you have some spare time? Are you interested in giving back to the Deaf community? Perhaps volunteering is right for you. We are looking for Deaf people or people who use Auslan, who are interested in volunteering their time twice a month to visit the elderly Deaf in our community. Supporting the aging Deaf community is a priority for JPC. We would provide the necessary training and ongoing support as needed and aim to find someone close to you to visit. Also, if you are a Deaf senior or know someone who would benefit from having a volunteer to visit them please get in contact with JPC. We aim to find local volunteers to visit Deaf people in their home/nursing home/local café. Building a sense of connection with language and culture to those that are feeling lonely and isolated. Contact us today at admin@jpc.org.au   Funeral Workshop for Interpreters In July, JPC partnered with ASLITA (Australian Sign Language Interpreters and Translators Association) and Tobin Brothers Funerals to run a workshop aimed at preparing interpreters for work at funerals. These spaces can be overwhelming and intimidating and hence there are few interpreters who are comfortable with taking this work. In providing this workshop we are hoping to support interpreters to feel comfortable and willing to interpret for funerals as these events are very important for Deaf people to attend.   The Archbishops Campaign Give to The Archbishops Campaign to support the work of the John Pierce Centre. We are one of the recipients of the campaign and we appreciate your financial support. JPC runs of the support of the community. Thankyou   Sunday 7th September at St Patrick’s Cathedral 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral 1 Cathedral Pl East Melbourne Sunday 14th September at St Kilian’s Church, Bendigo 10am at St Kilian’s Catholic Church 161 McCrae Street Bendigo Sunday 21st September Sunday Mass at JPC 11am at JPC and livestreamed on www.facebook.com/JohnPierceCentre Sunday 5th October at St Patrick’s Cathedral 11am at St Pat’s East Melbourne Sunday 19th October Sunday Mass at JPC 11am at JPC and livestreamed Sunday 2nd November at St Patrick’s Cathedral 11am at St Pat’s East Melbourne Sunday 16th November Memorial Mass at JPC 11am at JPC and livestreamed Sunday 7th December at St Patrick’s Cathedral 11am at St Pat’s East Melbourne Sunday 14th December JPC Christmas Rally 11am at JPC and livestreamed Wednesday 24th December JPC Christmas Eve Mass 3pm Online viewing only. No attendance at JPC Wednesday 24th December St Patrick’s Midnight Mass 11pm at St Pat’s East Melbourne Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral St Patrick’s Cathedral continues to provide Auslan Interpreters for Mass at 11am on the first Sunday of each month. It is aired on Channel 44 on digital TVs, or you can watch it online on Youtube. John Pierce Centre is thankful for the wonderful partnership and commitment to ensuring access to faith and church by providing Auslan and Deaf Interpreters. Interpreters will be provided for the Christmas Eve Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral from 11:00pm. Please join us for Christmas carols and the midnight service.   Ephpheta Sunday Celebration and Lunch Thank you to everyone that joined us for our Ephpheta Sunday Celebration Mass where we celebrate the Deaf community! History – We honour our Catholic Deaf history. We thank God for the people involved in the early years and gave John Pierce Centre such a good foundation. We remember those who have given time, energy, and financial support throughout our history, especially Board members, staff and our dedicated volunteers. Language – We appreciate our way of communication – sign language (Auslan). Sign language is so important in our lives – our families, in the workplace and socially. Today’s readings invite us to open communication with people of all languages. To communicate with an open mind, open heart, and open hands. Community – We celebrate our community, especially here at John Pierce Centre. May the light, and colour, and warmth of this place continue to be a beacon that guides us with love and continued respect for each person who calls John Pierce Centre "home”.     Ephpheta  Holy Gospel of Mark 7:31-37. Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) and immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”  “Be Open”   Memorial Mass—November November marks a time of remembering those we have lost. Our loved ones and friends. On Sunday 16th November, JPC will hold a Memorial Mass at 11am where we will take time to reflect on community members that have passed away in the last 12 months. If you have a family member or friend that you would like included in our Mass please email us with their name, a photo and their date of birth and death so that they can be added into our list. At the end of the Mass we go outside to the memorial garden where we bless the new plaques that have been added onto the stone. If you would like to have a plaque added to the memorial garden please get in contact with JPC for more details.   We remember always, those that have been a part of our lives, as their spirits are weaved through the story that is our Deaf community. Rest in Peace Donald Beech—30/05/2025 (husband of Margaret Beech) Joan Haigh —03/06/2025 (mother of Chris Haigh. dec) Gordon Elder—14/06/2025 (husband of Christine Elder) Martin Webb—12/06/2026 Marie Gaunt—21/06/2025 Rhonda Quinn—23/06/2025 Alida Cairo—25/06/2025 (pupil of Glendonald School) Diane Paulet—20/08/2025 (mother of Teresa Paulet)   Leave a bequest By leaving a gift to John Pierce Centre in your Will, you will have a lasting impact, supporting our centre for years to come. It is a powerful reflection of the values and principles you treasure. It enables you to create a legacy of love and care for those in need. For more information, please contact our office on 03 9525 1158 or email admin@jpc.org.au Thank you.   Welcome Want to keep in touch with JPC? You can always find more information about JPC on our Facebook page and on our Website. If there is something you would like to see more of...please tell us.             Your contribution: Help us to support Deaf people and their families throughout VIC by making a tax deductible donation today.   www.givenow.com.au/jpcdonations   Office Hours- MON - Wed: 9:30am-3:30pm Thurs-Fri: by appointment only Please make contact via email at admin@jpc.org.au   JPC would like to thank the following organisations for their support through grants and sponsorship… Deaf Connect Australian Government – Community Grants Hub South East Water Ephpheta Foundation Grant Gorman Foundation Grant What’s On Coffee with a Cop Day at JPC Details: Date: 6th October 2025 Time: 10:30am-12:30pm Location: John Pierce Centre 25-35 High Street Prahran Morning Tea provided. BYO lunch About the Event Come and have a friendly chat with local police officers over a coffee or tea. This is a chance to ask questions, share concerns, and get to know your local police in a relaxed setting. The goal is to build trust, break down barriers, and strengthen connections between police and the community. Accessibility Auslan Interpreters will be available to support communication, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels included. Contact Di Backholer, Katrina Mynard or Tamara Dwyer by email: admin@jpc.org.au for more information. Bendigo Mass & Lunch When: Sunday 14th September Time: 10am Mass Address: 161 McCrae Street NBendigo. St Kilian’s Catholic Church Lunch: The Bridge Hotel Time: 11:30am-2:00pm Address: 49 Bridge Street Bendigo Everyone is welcome to come for lunch, even if you don’t come to church, so please bring a friend. People to pay for their own meals. We have had a lot of success with our Cyber Safety workshops so far this year and we are continuing on with two more workshops this year to support the Deaf community in understanding how to be safe online. Join us for these exciting sessions. Thank you to the Community Grants Hub for their continued support of this important issue. See flyers below.   Digital Safety Learn how to protect yourself from scams online. Keep your devices safe. Join us for this cyber safety workshop presented by Olivia Beasley Wednesday 22nd October at JPC 25-35 High St Prahran 10am-12pm Morning tea and lunch provided Cyber Safety Multi Factor Authentication Wednesday 19th November at JPC 25-35 High St Prahran 10:30am-12:00pm Morning tea and lunch provided JPC Christmas Rally 2025 Join us for our popular end of year celebration! Join us for Mass at 11am and then we will be serving a delicious two course meal from 12 noon! When: Sunday 14th December 2025 at 11am  Where: John Pierce Centre, 25 High Street Prahran   Cost: $45 per adult / $20 per child You can pay for your tickets any time between now and the RSVP date. RSVP and pay by Friday 28 November YOU CAN NOT BUY TICKETS ON THE DAY!   If we had no Winter the Spring would not be so pleasant JPC is open to the community. If you have any urgent queries, please contact Sophie Duncan: 0416 207 913   If you would like a hard copy of the Newsletter contact JPC at admin@jpc.org.au and make the payment of $15 for the year.