Newsletter John Pierce Centre March 2026 Spirit of the Deaf Community JPC Volunteer Visitor Program Are you an older Deaf community member who would like a Volunteer Visitor? A volunteer visitor is someone who can visit you in your home or meet you at a local café for a catch up and a chat. It is a great way to stay connected to language and culture. Socialising with a volunteer visitor can reduce loneliness and isolation. JPC are able to provide a trained and matched volunteer to meet each Deaf persons needs in your local area.   If you think this is for you or you know a family member or Deaf friend that could benefit from this free program, please talk to the JPC staff. Contact us today: admin@jpc.org.au   Ephpheta Appeal May The meaning of “ephpheta” is to “be open”. JPC has another full year ahead of activities in our centre where our doors are always open to support the needs of Deaf people and their families. The John Pierce Centre is the only Deaf Catholic Centre in Victoria, and Deaf Community members travel from all over metro Melbourne and regional areas to attend our activities and receive specialised pastoral support. The John Pierce Centre has been operating for over 45 years in delivering vital services to the Deaf community. It is a place where Deaf people and their families can come and discuss any and all aspects of their life and receive support, advice and referral. Without access to a centre like ours, many Deaf people would simply miss out on opportunities that the broader community take for granted. Please support our work by making a tax deductible donation today! Go online to www.givenow.com.au/ephphetaappeal or scan the QR code   What’s Been Happening? Cyber Safety Workshop Thank you to Olivia Beasley for providing another fantastic workshop on Wednesday 18th February. We understand how challenging it can be to keep safe online. There are constant changes to systems and updates to security. It is a great opportunity for the Deaf community to attend workshops at JPC in a comfortable space where they can share their experiences. Information in this sessions focused on keeping your accounts safe with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.   Deaf Seniors Forum Thank you to Deaf Connect for bringing their Deaf Seniors Forum opportunity to JPC. The Deaf community spent the afternoon talking about the transition into the Aged Care system and the challenges faced in getting service providers to understand the needs of Deaf people. If you are in need of support, JPC is able to provide support and referral to services as you navigate the next stage in your life of retirement.   DLO Workshop On Wednesday 11th March we held a workshop to talk about access in hospitals and how it can be improved for Deaf people when they go to hospital for appointments or operations. Many hospitals now have a DLO (Disability Liaison Officer) who can help with ensuring patients coming into the hospital for appointments and procedures, can access Interpreters and other resources to meet their needs. Thank you to all of the community that shared their experiences in the hospital system. We will continue to work with the health system where we can to improve access.   Community News At the regular third Sunday Mass on 15 February we included the celebration of Ash Wednesday as well, with people receiving palm tree ash on their foreheads. The ashes marked as a cross symbolises the beginning of Lent, which is a time of 40 days of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. A time for deepening faith in the Lord. PRAYER-talking to God regularly FASTING—not eating particular foods or meals ALMSGIVING—giving charity to the poor “Repent and believe in the Gospel”   Story of Impact—Debbie Pennuto After Mass on Sunday 15th February, we celebrated the 60th birthday of Debbie Pennuto. Debbie has been coming to JPC for many years. Thank you Debbie for bringing in a delicious cake to share with us! Debbie and her husband Alex, attend the JPC Mass most months of the year and enjoy the service. For years JPC have provided Deaf Interpreters to support Debbie’s access to the Mass due to her low vision requiring close visual frame Interpreters. Debbie enjoys the chance to share what’s happening in her life with her family and friends, often speaking of their injuries or illness with such loving care in her prayers that they will get better. It is great to see Debbie thriving in her life with Alex, going on holidays and participating in the Deaf community. Happy Birthday Debbie!     Rest in Peace Mervyn Zantuck (Uncle of David Wise) 30 December 2025 Monica Sleeman (Daughter of Gertrude Hennessy, dec. and Sister of Br. Frank Hennessy, Fr. Kevin Hennessy, Anthona Hennessy) 6 February 2026 Marc Ethan (Auslan Interpreter) 26 February 2026 June Thomas (wife of Don Thomas dec.) 13 March 2026 Pamela Dove 20 March 2026  It can be a difficult time when we lose those that we love dearly. If you are in need of support or someone to talk to, please contact the Pastoral Care Team at JPC. You can come to our centre at a time that suits or we can come to you at home or meet at a place that suits you. 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.   What’s Coming Up? Good Friday There will be no service for Good Friday at the John Pierce Centre this year. Instead you can watch our Good Friday Service on Facebook from 10am on Friday 3rd April. www.facebook.com/JohnPierceCentre JPC will be closed from Thursday 2nd April at 2pm until it re-opens on Tuesday 7th April at 9am.   Easter Sunday Easter Sunday will be celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place East Melbourne. Please join the staff and community at St Patrick’s for the 11am Mass service to celebrate Easter. After Mass we will have a social catch up at Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, 362 Albert St East Melbourne and JPC will provide a light lunch to share. This is a floor plan of the church. Walk through and you will find us on the right (red star).   John Pierce Centre Annual General Meeting The Board and Staff invite you to attend the Annual General Meeting of the John Pierce Centre At the John Pierce Centre 25-35 High Street Prahran On Sunday 17th May 2025 Mass at 11am, AGM at 1pm Please send your RSVP via email to admin@jpc.org.au for catering purposes by Monday 11th May.    Artificial Intelligence – Part 2 Part of our ongoing Cyber Safety Series Learn about how AI was developed and where your data is stored. When: Wednesday 15th April Time: 10am-12pm Where: John Pierce Centre, 25-35 High Street Prahran Morning tea and lunch provided. This event is FREE. Email admin@jpc.org.au for more information Regular Activities Pankina Meets fortnightly on a Monday 10am-2pm   23 March 30 March (extra session) 20 April 4 May 18 May 1 June 15 June 29 June   Ladies Get Together Meets fortnights on Wednesdays either at JPC or outings around Melbourne   18 March 1 April 15 April 29 April 13 May 27 May 10 June 24 June   Signee Tots Meets once a month on the first or second Sunday   12 April 3 May 14 June   Men's Group Meets monthly on Wednesdays   18 March 15 April 20 May 17 June   Art & Craft Meets fortnightly on Fridays   20 March 17 April 1 May 15 May 29 May 12 June 26 June     Mass Services and Centre News Friday 3rd April JPC Good Friday ONLINE Watch online on Facebook only, JPC centre CLOSED Sunday 5th April St Patrick’s Cathedral, 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral & watch on Channel 31 (44) Sunday 19th April JPC 11am at JPC or watch on Facebook Sunday 3rd May St Patrick’s Cathedral, 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral & watch on Channel 31 (44) Sunday 17th May JPC Mass & AGM 11am at JPC or watch on Facebook. AGM from 1pm Sunday 7th June St Patrick’s Cathedral, 11am at St Patrick’s Cathedral & watch on Channel 31(44) Sunday 21st June JPC 11am at JPC or watch on Facebook 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.   Sacraments Did you know that you can have a baptism, funeral, memorial service or wedding at the John Pierce Centre. We provide support for all sacraments in the catholic church so please get in contact with us for more information.   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 JPC would like to thank the community members for allowing us to use their photos in this publication and we also acknowledge the use of image by starline on Freepik images and other images from freepik.com   JPC would like to thank the following organisations for their support through grants and sponsorship: Ephpheta Foundation; Gorman Foundation www.jpc.org.au admin@jpc.org.au www.facebook.com/JohnPierceCentre