On Sunday, February 4, the seminarians of the Regional Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs had an experience of worship in “Spirit and in Truth”.

This was the case when we were the proud hosts of the Touch of Christ Community. The event was the annual Mass for the Deaf, which is held at the Seminary.

The Mass began at 10:00 a.m. with Msgr Michael de Verteuil, Rector of the Seminary presiding. In attendance was the Seminary community together with Sr Julie Peters, a formator at the Seminary, as well as about 35 members of the Touch of Christ Community.

Cross section of congregation with Sr Julie Peters (right)

The five seminarians involved in ministry with the Deaf

This Mass was a special event not only for the Deaf community, but also for the five seminarians who attend to this ministry. They had the privilege of signing for the Mass.

These five are Terrence Pyle of the Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana, Farooq Harris and Gregory Radjiman of the Diocese of Paramaribo, Suriname, Alando Williams of the Diocese of Kingstown, St Vincent and Dwayne Dyce of the Diocese of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

These five young men have been part of this ministry for the past academic year.

Members of the Touch of Christ Community also participated and signed during the Mass.

The homily was given by Bryan Rodrigues, and translated by Niobe Rodrigues. They spoke very eloquently about God’s choice of us, even in our weakness and nothingness. Reflecting on the gospel of the day (Luke 5: 1-11), Mr Rodrigues said that even with their disability, God was still calling them, and in a special way, all of us to serve him. By being open to that call from God, we can make a difference in the world, no matter how broken we are.

Truly, the example of the Touch of Christ Community was a very powerful witness to us seminarians. They worship with their whole bodies. Their actions seem to flow from such deep gratitude for God and for all the blessings they have received.

It occurred to me during this Mass that if I, who seem to have much more to be grateful for, could worship so unreservedly, how much more powerful would the Eucharist be in my life.

Indeed, if all members of our parish communities, if all Christians would worship God the way these deaf persons worshiped, our churches, our world would be so very different.

At the end of the Mass, we had a chance to socialise with each other. It was truly beautiful, to share a meal together and to join in fellowship. We look forward to this event next year.

We wish God’s richest blessings to the Touch of Christ Community and indeed to all disabled persons for the coming year. May God’s blessings encourage all our hearts to serve and worship in “Spirit and Truth”, together.