The Ephpheta Centre

The Ephpheta Centre is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to serving the deaf and hard of hearing community across the dioceses of Sydney, Broken Bay, and Parramatta in Australia. It operates under the Australian Business Number (ABN) 25 758 419 677RR0001.

Mission and Services

The centre provides a comprehensive range of services, including sacramental, counselling, support, and advocacy. These services are tailored to meet the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Key offerings include:

• Sacramental Services: The centre facilitates Sunday Masses conducted in sign language, enabling members of the deaf community to participate fully in religious ceremonies. It also provides sacramental preparation programs for both children and adults.
• Pastoral Care and Community Support: Through pastoral care, the centre offers emotional and spiritual support. Additionally, it fosters a sense of community by organizing outreach and support activities, particularly for families with young deaf children.
• Spiritual Development and Leadership: The centre encourages spiritual growth and leadership within the community, helping individuals develop their roles within religious and social contexts.

Support and Governance

The Ephpheta Centre is supported by the Charitable Works Fund (CWF) and operates as a service of the Archdiocese of Sydney. This affiliation ensures that the centre's activities are guided by Catholic values and principles while addressing the unique needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Impact and Influence

By providing specialized services, the Ephpheta Centre plays a crucial role in ensuring inclusivity and spiritual engagement for deaf and hard of hearing individuals across its service area. Its commitment to both spiritual support and community building makes it an essential resource for those it serves.

[1] http://www.ephpheta.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/19dc99a1-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/profile [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/1292eedc-2daf-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60/profile [4] https://parracatholic.org/donate/ephpheta-centre/ [5] https://www.sydneycatholic.org/directory/listing/ephpheta-centre