By Rev. Cornelius Ssekitto, AJ

The parish community of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, in Nairobi, Kenya has established a specialized ministry to the deaf known as “Ephphatha” Ministry to the Deaf. This name is inspired by an episode in Mark 7:34 in which Jesus healed a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech.He was enabled to hear and speak when our Lord said to him “Ephphatha” – “Be opened.” This is the motto in the logo of the ministry to the deaf in Guadalupe Parish.

This ministry revolves around the St. Joseph Small Christian Community (SCC) of the Deaf that is one of the communities in the parish. One key mission of this community is to nurture the culture of inclusiveness by enabling the deaf members to read, understand and preach the Word of God, and in this way nourish their faith.

The foundation of the ministry to the deaf in Guadalupe Parish was laid in the year 2008, by Joseph Guadalupe of Guadalupe Missionaries, by then a theology student at Hekima College. Inspired by his faith and his theological training, Joseph realized a need to have the deaf fully included in the Christian acts of worship. He discussed his interests with the Parish PriestFather John Joseph and his assistant Father Eduardo who were very supportive and encouraged the origin of the group. The initiative had humble beginnings but it soon expanded as it was joined by many deaf people, and gained the support of others who shared sentiments of support to the group. Within two and half years the ministry gained a membership of 40 deaf people, and 10 others who are capable of hearing, but are able to communicate through use of the Kenya Sign Language.

The St. Joseph Small Christian Community of the Deaf meets every Sunday morning before Mass to read and reflect on the Sunday Readings and share common interests. The SCC has an executive that provides its leadership and is composed of the following three persons, namely:

• Chairlady – Sharon Musimbi (Deaf)
• Secretary – Peter Mugambi (Deaf)
• Treasurer – Grace Namboka (Deaf)
  

In the last two and half years, the Small Christian Community has made number of achievements in the areas of catechesis and liturgy with around 10 deaf people who are under faith instructions. It has convinced the deaf community of the fact that its members can gather and pray as a community.

Ephphatha Ministry has changed the experience of the deaf as the SCC members celebrate the 11.30 a.m. Sunday Mass in which their needs are addressed. This new initiative is deliberately integrating the deaf in liturgical functions and so enabling the deaf to fully participate in acts of worship and community service. The deaf are enabled to listen to the Word of God, and to participate in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread. The ministry has brought peace, joy and hope to the usually excluded group, it has enhanced the realization of the dignity of those who are usually made to feel that they do not fully belong to the family of the people of God.

The SCC organizes moments of spiritual retreat to provide its members with opportunities to deepen their faith. Some hearing persons have expressed surprise to learn that the deaf, due to their special needs, also undertake retreats. For example, during the 2010 Lenten Season, the community had a prayer day in the Resurrection Garden to prepare themselves for the Easter celebrations. They also celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our presence and efforts in Guadalupe Church have not gone unnoticed. Father Joseph Healey, a Maryknoll Missionary well known for his writings and promotion of Small Christian Communities in Eastern Africa, visited our Deaf SCC. He was impressed and recommended the group’s efforts.