Denise Armstrong-Hart

Denise was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne and studied Theatre of the Deaf at Reading University and Laban at Dance School in London. She became a freelance Sign Theatre Artist Consultant. Since 2009 she has worked with the Liverpool Deaf community in her role as part-time Community/Pastoral employed by ‘We are Nugent’ charity organisation. 

Frankie Berry

Frankie is from Co Mayo, West of Ireland, and is currently living and working in Dublin as a Community Worker. She completed her MA degree in School Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care in Mater Dei, Clonliffe, Dublin. She is a native Irish Sign Language user and an Accredited Deaf Interpreter in 2006. She travels near and far to meet the needs of Deaf People / students who needs access in ISL interpreting in relation to special and sacramental events.

CDA Trustee July 2023 –

Maria Booker

Maria has been a member of CDA since 1991, and on the Council for over twenty years, nine of them as Chairperson. Maria represents Arundel and Brighton Diocese as Co-ordinator of A&B Diocese Deaf Service.

 

Patricia Chandler

Patricia attended St John’s, Boston Spa, from the age of five till seventeen. She did three ‘O Levels’ and lived in Leeds for three years before moving to Stoke Poges in 1969 working as a House Mother for Deaf children with behaviour problems. She then moved to Slough where she has lived for fifty-four years. She is married with four children. Currently, she works with adults who have various disabilities and has been teaching BSL Levels 1, 2 and 3 for over twenty-five years. She has CCRS qualification. Currently she volunteers doing Bible Study etc in Westminster diocese as well as supporting six Deaf autistic men.

Angela Davies

Patricia attended St John’s, Boston Spa, from the age of five till seventeen. She did three ‘O Levels’ and lived in Leeds for three years before moving to Stoke Poges in 1969 working as a House Mother for Deaf children with behaviour problems. She then moved to Slough where she has lived for fifty-four years. She is married with four children. Currently, she works with adults who have various disabilities and has been teaching BSL Levels 1, 2 and 3 for over twenty-five years. She has CCRS qualification. Currently she volunteers doing Bible Study etc in Westminster diocese as well as supporting six Deaf autistic men.

Fr Paul Fletcher SJ

National Chaplain to the CDA. Born Deaf into a hearing family, Paul attended St John’s RC Deaf school, Boston Spa in late 1960’s, before mainstream secondary and university education. He entered Society of Jesus British Province 1988 after a brief career as academic Librarian [ILEA] in London. He has lived and worked in Birmingham, Bothwell, Edinburgh, Rainhill/Liverpool, Preston as well as many years in London. Paul was ordained in Liverpool June 1997 and currently lives in Manchester working as one of the team of RC Chaplains for Manchester universities.

CDA Trustee July 2023 –

Dorothy Grey-Hester

Hello, my name is Dorothy, I currently live in South Wales. An avid bookworm of any genre, although I have started to read most Christian literature to deepen my faith and understanding of God’s Word. I was confirmed into Catholic faith in 2023. I have 3 children, the youngest is in her last years in school which means I have more time, focus and commitment to give. I look forward to meeting many of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and see what you all want from CDA and how best to serve.

Theresa Higgins

Theresa lives in Colchester, Essex. She was a local Councillor in Colchester for 22 years, as well as 16 years as County Councillor for Essex. She was Mayor of Colchester in 2015-2016. Theresa is also a trustee for two other charities. She has been involved with CDA since 2000. She went to Colchester Institute to learn BSL. This led her to be involved with the Deaf Pastoral Service of Brentwood Diocese. Theresa said ‘CDA has helped me enrich my own faith.’

CDA Trustee September 2024 –

Peter McDonough

Peter comes from a Deaf family in Salford, and after many years in living in Boston Spa, Sheffield, Valladolid, Dublin and Manchester, he is back in Salford. He retired from his role as a part-time Community Officer with Caritas Diocese of Salford but is still actively involved with the BSL Bible Translation Project as a presenter, adviser, film editor and website editor. He dreams that the CDA will be filled with young and vibrant Deaf people, leading the way in showing others how barriers can be overcome simply by understanding and respecting each other.

Martin Schwarzacher

Martin Schwarzacher was born in Belfast, he was the first Catholic pupil from Northern Ireland to attend St John’s School, Boston Spa, in England. He obtained HND qualification at the South London College. When he was a young man he met a Deafblind priest, Fr Cyril Axelrod, in Macau, before the hand–over to China in 1997. He now work as a Civil Servant in London and has a grown up son.

Joselyn Taylor

In October 2022 Joselyn was elected to be the chairperson for the Catholic Deaf Association. She worked in the Further Education sector for over 25 years in supporting Deaf learners including teaching. As a qualified teacher she has taught BSL from beginners up to level six. In 2022, she studied and obtained the certificate for CCRS – Catholic Certificate Religious Studies. As Chair of the CDA, Joselyn is searching for new ideas for the future of the CDA and hopes people contact her.