Hope for greater understanding of the need for people with disability to participate in their local parish community is the message shared by Lynette, Susan and Geoffrey, active members of 39 years from the Emmanuel Centre and the Ministry with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.

Spring sunshine warmed the grounds at St Francis Xavier Church in East Perth on 18 October as the Emmanuel Centre community gathered to celebrate Mass and a ceremony to bless the centre’s new memorial garden in honour of the late Fr Paul Pitzen, former Chaplain for the Catholic Ministry for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.