hope•signs - L`Arche USA

HOPE•SIGNS
The Newsletter of L’Arche USA • June 2014 • Volume 7, Issue 1
In this issue: L’Arche’s 50th Anniversary
The Early Days of L’Arche: Reflections from Mira Chmelir
By Ellen Eischen, L’Arche USA,
Mira says, “I think of those years as precious years, though living in community was
ira Chmelir was a young professor at not always smooth sailing. I was attracted
McGill University in Montreal when
by the genuine respect that Jean gave to
she first met L’Arche founder Jean Vanier. It each person.” She recounts a special mowas 1964, and Jean had come to talk about
ment in her friendship with Raphaël: “He
his new experiences living with two men
asked about a photo in my room. I exwith intellectual displained that it
abilities in the village
was my brother
of Trosly-Breuil,
who was in
France. Mira recalls,
heaven, pointing
“Jean spoke of the
upwards toneed for people to
wards the sky.
come share life at
That evening,
L’Arche. I said, ‘I
Raphaël, who
don’t have any excould not speak,
perience with this
gave me a bunch
Jean and Mira reuniting at L’Arche Tahoma Hope in 2008
type of work.’ He
of flowers he
[photo
by
Nancy
Medwell]
replied ‘Oh no, don’t
had collected,
worry about that. When will you be compointing to the sky. They were in honor of
ing?’” Mira completed her semester of
my brother. He pulled out a picture of his
teaching and moved to Trosly in May 1965.
parents that he carried in his pocket, and
again pointed to the sky. He understood: he
At the time, three men with disabilities
also had loved ones in heaven.”
shared a home with three male assistants.
Director of Development & Communications
M
www.larcheusa.org
1130 SW Morrison St.
Suite 230
Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 282-6231
Fax: (503) 249-9264
Email: info@larcheusa.org
Who We Are:
We are people, with and
without developmental
disabilities, sharing life in
communities belonging to
an International Federation. Mutual relationships
and trust in God are at
the heart of our journey
together. We celebrate
the unique value of every
person and recognize our
need of one another.
Our Mission is to make
known the gifts of people
with developmental
disabilities, revealed
through mutually
transforming
relationships; to foster an
environment in
community that responds
to the changing needs of
our members, while being
faithful to the core values
of our founding story; and
to engage in our diverse
cultures, working
together toward a more
human society.
Identity and Mission
of L’Arche
Mira recalls how Raphaël, one of the
founding core members, went to the village
bakery each day to get bread, and people
from the village brought fresh eggs and produce from their gardens to share.
By the end of the five years Mira spent
there, L’Arche had grown to 5 houses in
Trosly alone, and a home for women in
Cuise La Motte. L’Arche provided workshops for the core members to make handicrafts.
Mira met her husband Tom at L’Arche in
1969. They have since been members and
friends of L’Arche in Bangalore, India; Tacoma, Washington; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Mira says, “L’Arche is on the one hand
forming community, and on the other recognizing people as individuals. It teaches
that differences do not reduce the value of
human beings. Each person is an individual
shaped by God.” She concludes, “That is a
lesson that never leaves you. “
L’Arche Celebrates 50 Years!
By Joan Mahler, L’Arche USA National Leader
This year marks the 50th
anniversary of L'Arche in our
world. On August 4, 1964,
Jean Vanier – in what he
knew was an “irreversible
act” – welcomed Raphaël
Simi and Philippe Seux into a
small home in Trosly-Breuil,
France, and began living in
the most ordinary ways what
has become a worldwide movement of 146 L’Arche
communities in 35 countries. These communities – in
places as diverse as Bangladesh, Poland, and the United
States – will be experiencing this golden anniversary in a
year of "Jubilee" from May 2014 – April 2015.
The notion of Jubilee comes from the Bible. We hear in
Chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus that the Lord instructed Moses “You shall hallow the fiftieth year, and
you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land . . . it shall
be a jubilee for you.” In the Jewish and Christian traditions, jubilees are special years when God’s mercies
would be particularly evident. Among the themes to be
explored throughout L’Arche’s Jubilee year are “letting
the earth lie fallow,” “forgiveness and restitution,”
“giving thanks,” and “looking forward with trust in the
call and mission.”
 Incorporating Jubilee themes into our daily lives;
 Having parties to celebrate the gift of life shared with
people with intellectual disabilities;
 Following the voyage of the wooden arks, built by
Robert Ross of L’Arche Noah Sealth, as they “sail”
across the world; (See the story on page 4.)
 Joining together in prayer on L’Arche International
Family Day, October 4, 2014; and
 Engaging intentionally in the world around us to build
a more human society.
Throughout this next year, HopeSigns will be sharing
stories of our foundings – of our first L’Arche community in Trosly and of first communities in the United
States. We will revisit L’Arche “as it used to be” and
experience L’Arche as we are today. But whether our
community is 50 years old or just 2 years of age, we are
united in our commitment to the founding inspiration of
Jean, Philippe, and Raphaël: to follow God’s call to reach
beyond human differences to provide a valid place in
society for all.
Communities and friends of L’Arche are invited to experience this Jubilee year in a number of ways, including:
Jean Vanier, Raphaël Simi,
and friends playing the game
pétanque in 1964.
[Photo from L’Arche
International]
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HOPE•SIGNS
Come join our Jubilee!
We Welcome Wendy Sullivan as
L’ARCHE USA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board President of L’Arche USA
L’Arche USA is pleased to welcome Wendy Sullivan
as its Board President. Wendy has more than 30
years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities. She began her career as a
special education teacher and currently serves as
the Chief Executive Officer of Easter Seals Midwest.
This organization provides community living,
employment, and other support services to 5,000
individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Missouri.
Wendy has participated in statewide and national advocacy organizations,
serving as the chair of the board of directors for the Missouri Association of
Rehabilitation Facilities (MARF) and the founding chair of the Missouri Coalition of Developmental Disabilities. She participated in the governor's mental
health task force to reform developmental disabilities services in 2006. In
2011, Wendy was appointed by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay to serve on the
city's Office on the Disabled Advisory Council. She is a graduate of the Leadership St. Louis program (class of 2002-03) and a member of the advisory
board of Midwest Bank.
We are grateful for Wendy’s service to L’Arche. She is a founding board
member of L’Arche St. Louis and joined the L’Arche USA Board of Directors
in 2010.
A Word from Wendy
Wendy Sullivan, President
Easter Seals Midwest
Paula Olson, JD, Secretary
Attorney
Rebecca Cates, Treasurer
Financial Professional
Brian Berg
Sierra Gold Nurseries
John Biggs
Information Technology Consultant
Arturo Chavez, PhD
Mexican American Catholic College
John Hildreth
IssueLink
Paul Lipscomb
Management Consultant
Kathleen Mahoney
Management Consultant
Luther E. Smith, Jr., PhD
Candler School of Theology
Malcolm Young, PhD
Policy Research Consultant
NATIONAL OFFICE
Joan Mahler
National Leader
Suzanne Baker
Foundation Grants Manager
Andrew Callahan
Operations Manager
Never in my life have I experienced such a profound awakening of my spiritual
self as I have since I have been involved in L’Arche. I would like to say that I
am a part of L’Arche because I want to volunteer my time to help others, but
the truth is that I keep coming back for the renewal and change of heart I experience at every L’Arche encounter. I am amazed at the simplicity of L’Arche.
Everything we do, from the stories we tell to the settings for our meetings
and our prayers and songs, are straightforward and unpretentious. Yet I am
transformed!
I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to experience the love, healing
and beauty of L’Arche. Whether in the board room, attending a community
gathering, or living the daily life—in L’Arche there is a place for all of us.
Nick Connell
Central U.S. Regional Leader
Ellen Eischen
Director of Development & Communications
Rick Hatem
Eastern U.S. Assistant Regional Leader
Laura Kerlin
Recruitment Coordinator
Anita Maroun, SC
Eastern U.S. Regional Leader
Patty McNally
Western U.S. Regional Leader
Jenifer McVicker
Administrative Assistant
Robert Sackel
Director of Vocational Development
HOPE•SIGNS
3
The Worldwide Journey of the Arks
When members of the International Federation of L’Arche met in Atlanta in 2012,
one participant arrived with special cargo. Robert Ross, artist and core member of
L’Arche Noah Sealth, brought five wooden arks that he built for the occasion. At the
closing of the Assembly, a delegation from each continent where L’Arche exists —
North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia — returned home with an
ark. The arks are now traveling from community to community in the Federation, all
to arrive this October in L’Arche’s birthplace to help celebrate 50 years of L’Arche
in the world.
The ark traveling through North America is currently visiting communities in the
U.S. At each destination along the way, the community sends along stories, prayers,
and words of gratitude to Jean Vanier and L’Arche Trosly. In early October, repreThe visit of one of Robert’s arks
sentatives from the founding community of each of the 35 countries of L’Arche will
at L’Arche in Kolkata, India
gather at L’Arche Trosly for a celebration. Two representatives from L’Arche USA’s
first community, L’Arche Erie, will be taking the ark on to its final destination in France.
Artist’s Biography
By Jean Moore, Long-Time Friend of Robert Ross
Robert Ross had produced hundreds of original arks, his preferred choice of artistic expression, long before he found a home in L’Arche. He also creates replicas of churches,
dollhouses, paintings, and ceramics. One of his most notable works is an 8-layered ark,
complete with animals in every stall.
Frank and Marian Ross adopted Robert at birth, and he was their only child. Robert has
an intellectual disability and is deaf. In the 1950s, deaf education focused on the oral
method of learning, which only included lip-reading and oral speech. However, Robert
was not able to learn language well this way. His parents tried various schools for him
without success. Robert would stand at the edge of the yard with his lunch pail and
watch the other kids get on the school bus.
Robert with one of his arks
Robert’s mother had a keen interest in arts and crafts, and she and Robert worked
together. One of the places where they purchased art supplies was Seattle Pottery Supply. On one of their visits,
owner Jim Lunz (a former Special Education teacher) noticed Robert’s artistic talent and asked if he would like to
work at the business. Robert worked there 35 years. The owners, appreciative of his contribution, gave him one of
their rooms to use as his own studio. He also has a particular type of potters clay named after him, Bob's Clay.
Robert came to know L’Arche through visiting his good friend, and my son, Paul Atcheson, at L'Arche Noah
Sealth. He started coming to community night gatherings, then community vacations. The day [Community Leader]
Gerry Scully told me that Robert could move to L'Arche if he wanted, I went to Robert's condo to talk to him. We
thought that he might want to continue living independently. When I asked him if he wanted to live at L'Arche—
well, I've never seen a more radiant look. I tear up just thinking of it.
The rest is history. He is totally at home at L’Arche. He officially retired from Seattle Pottery in January 2014, but
he continues to use his workshop there. He also works in his room at L’Arche and continues to just pour out creations. Robert’s gifts are his works of art. And I believe his best gift is just being who he is.
4
HOPE•SIGNS
Jean Vanier Meets with Pope Francis
Jean Vanier and an international delegation from L'Arche
met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on March 21, which is
celebrated internationally as World Down Syndrome Day.
In his Easter Letter, Jean Vanier wrote of Pope Francis and
their meeting together: “He is beautiful, he is quiet, he is
gentle and he is joyful. . . . He is so humble that God is present through him. That’s what is important, to meet, to
dwell in each other’s presence, and to give thanks together
for God’s presence within us.”
Pope Francis spent time with each L’Arche member with
disabilities. The delegation also set the groundwork for a
future meeting with the Pope to discuss some of the current challenges faced by L’Arche in the world. L’Arche International Leader Patrick Fontaine said that he was
touched by a man who appeared in real life to be exactly as
he is on the screen: full of simplicity, goodness, and
warmth.
Personal Reflections this Anniversary Year
Pope Francis meeting with L’Arche founder Jean Vanier
[Photo © L'Osservatore Romano ]
“I think [Pope Francis] is teaching us that
encounter is . . . about looking at the other
the way Jesus looks at them, with
tenderness, kindness and love."
- Jean Vanier
in an interview with Vatican Radio
on Thursday, March 20, 2014
By Doug Mouncey, Founder of L’Arche Syracuse
I arrived in Trosly-Breuil, France in 1971. Early in my time there, I recall cleaning the large wooden shutters of one of
the homes. As the newest member of the maintenance crew, it was this day that I was “baptized” into the team.
Didier, a community core member, snuck up behind me and dumped a bucket of water over me. (A sense of humor
and being able to laugh at ourselves is a vital for life within a community.) He later apologized, and within moments,
Ange, another core member, also apologized for telling Didier to pour the water over my head in the first place.
During my time at Trosly, I would meet my wife-to-be, Perry. I was honored to have been present at the first international L’Arche gathering as representatives from the emerging communities in Canada, Great Britain, India, and France
met together. I continue to be filled with awe at the thought that people I lived and worked with went forth to establish communities elsewhere—Dawn to Africa, Elizabeth to Scotland, the Charbonneaus to Ottawa, my wife and I to
Syracuse, etc. And of course over its 50 years, L’Arche has gone on to spread to 35 countries across the world.
In the fall of 1974, my wife and I were invited to serve as the founding directors of the new community in Syracuse,
New York. I served as the Community Leader for 13 years, as the Regional Coordinator, a representative on the
International Council, later as a member of the Syracuse Board of Directors, and finally as a founding member of the
L’Arche USA Board. My son and daughter-in-law, Nat and Kirsti, met as assistants at L’Arche Irenicon, and Kirsti now
serves on the board of L’Arche Cleveland. Indeed, our family has been blessed in this L’Arche journey!
At L’Arche I have come to appreciate the struggle of living in a community that values spirituality AND that includes
people of many faith traditions. Perhaps the most important thing that I learned at L’Arche has been the need for me
to remain close to those who are marginalized if I am to maintain my humanity.
HOPE•SIGNS
5
L’Arche International Reflection Council Explores Servant Leadership
Tim Stone, Core Member at L’Arche Chicago, and John Cook, Community Leader at L’Arche Greater Washington, DC
Interviewed by Ellen Eischen, L’Arche USA
Ellen: Can you please tell us about the purpose and role
of the International Reflection Council?
Ellen: What do you think emerged from this meeting of
the International Reflection Council?
John: The International Reflection Council is made up of
people from different parts of the International Federation of L’Arche and includes persons with and without intellectual
disabilities who are actively engaged
in community life. The council provides recommendations and advice
to the International Leader and Vice
International Leader on certain
topics.
John: It re-emphasized the importance of listening in
every aspect of community life and leadership. Servant
leadership increases unity; is willing to listen; goes slowly; builds
from the bottom up; takes steps
without being able to see very
far ahead; is open to the unexpected, even to create conditions that look for the unexpected; discerns how call and
direction emerge through the
Ellen: What were important
unexpected; and welcomes
themes of discussion at the meetweakness within the leader, the
ing?
community body, the society,
John: The international leaders preand culture. A committee will be
sented the topic of servant leadercontinuing to work on the topic
ship. There were introductory talks,
of servant leadership and the
Tim and John about to depart for the meeting
and to elicit our reflections they
implementation of its practice in
in Switzerland last November.
also asked our responses to quesL’Arche. I hope that this takes us
tions, and even certain words. We could answer verbally, [L’Arche USA] more towards seeing ourselves as a unithrough acting it out, or drawing. The feedback from the
fied body and being willing to subordinate our individual
core people had a striking impact on the group. They
and individual community perspectives, to be humble,
talked about the importance of being included in decision and to look to the common good.
making that directly affects them. They shared examples
Tim: Solidarity is very important. It is a part of L’Arche
from their own experiences, from their daily lives.
and a part of human life. It is important to have it, and it
Tim: I talked about how in America we really recognize
is really nice that it is inter-faith. I am not Jewish myself,
and encourage the core members to share with others
but a few people in our community are Jewish. We talk
what they need and want. In my home, core members
about solidarity, community life, and living as a family.
take turns cooking dinner every day with an assistant.
I wish that America could have more L’Arche communiToday Anne asked me what I would like to make for dinties all over like in Canada and all over Europe. There
ner on Wednesday. She said it was up to me. I will make
are a lot of people who would like to have this type of
a vegetarian lasagna. On Friday, I am easy-going, and I
life. It is life together, more like a family. Yeah, there are
leave it open to Anne. Another example is that my comdisagreements, but I get along with almost everybody in
munity asked me what I thought when they were considmy community. Many are my best friends. I would drop
ering buying a new home for L’Arche Chicago.
anything to help them. I love the life.
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HOPE•SIGNS
The Spirit of Giving: The Gifts I Received
By Michelle (Cobb) Barrell, Former Assistant at L’Arche Pierrefond and L’Arche Spokane
As a senior at Gonzaga University, I needed to find a job.
I literally prayed: “God please help me. I don’t care what
it is, even if it is scrubbing toilets.” This is how I first ended up as a work-study student at L’Arche Spokane. I
loved it so much (and didn’t mind the toilet scrubbing)
that I increased my hours to 20 hours a week as a student and then moved in to the community a week after
graduation.
I then went on to L’Arche in Pierrefond, France. This
was a wonderful time for me to deepen in my understanding of and commitment to L’Arche. A year and a
half into my time there, I was in a car accident. I was the
driver, and all three of my passengers were core members from the home we shared. We lost gentle JeanPierre that night. Feisty Dominique was never able to
return to daily life in L’Arche. It has been almost 14
years, and I still am not able to describe all the emotions
of that night or the days and months that followed. I do
remember the people though, and their actions that
drew me back and helped me find joy again.
After the accident, I knew that I needed time with my
family, but that L’Arche was home too. I returned to
spend a month with my family in California, and then I
returned to L’Arche Spokane. I was broken and hurting,
but I was welcomed home with so much love and gentleness. One day I was having a low moment, and dear, wise
Richard [a core member at L’Arche Spokane] put his arm
around my shoulder, looked me in the eyes and said
“Yup.” In that moment, I knew he understood, and he
understood completely. He didn’t have to know all of the
details to know what my heart was feeling; he just knew.
In that moment, I was being taken care of in the simplest
and most profound way. In that moment, I began to heal.
I spent the next seven years at L’Arche Spokane. What
nourished me and kept me there so long were the everyday moments of life, when the noisy and quiet moments
of life and joy and pain and laughter and just being happened. It was when Chrissy prayed for the starving chil-
Michelle at her wedding with her husband, Geoff (Left)
and her friend, Sean (Right)
dren in Africa, when Bob shared about the bullying he
endured in school, and sitting on the porch swings together when the day slowed down.
L’Arche allows people to be who they are, where they
are on their journey. L’Arche sees purpose in imperfection. L’Arche speaks up for the individual quiet voices so
that the joy and gifts that we are missing in ourselves and
in others are discovered.
The last time I saw any of the core members was when
Sean and I danced at my wedding. Many of our wedding
guests had never met anyone with Down syndrome.
Sean, a typical wedding guest, danced and (with more
moves than most!) opened people’s hearts and inhibitions just by being himself.
I spent the first ten years of my adult life in L’Arche, and
it formed me almost as much as my parents did. I now
live a thousand miles away from Spokane and around the
world from Pierrefond, but my life and the lessons
learned and the gifts I received are with me everyday—in
how I care for my husband, son, and stepkids, how I
pray, and how I can now offer a “Yup” to others as it
was once offered to me. This is why I continue to be a
friend and supporter of L’Arche USA.
HOPE•SIGNS
7
L’Arche USA Donor Listing | January 1- December 31, 2013
T
hank you! The Board of Directors and staff of L’Arche USA express our gratitude
to all the individuals, foundations, and corporations who made financial and in-kind contributions to L’Arche
USA in 2013. Our donors contributed generously to the Mission and work of L’Arche in the United States, as well as
to our Solidarity programs with L’Arche communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In this 50th anniversary year, we want to recognize the commitment of those who have faithfully
supported L’Arche USA for the last three years as “Sustaining Friends.” We have indicated Sustaining
Friends with an * in the listing below. We are grateful for your loyal support!
To learn how to become a Sustaining Friend, please visit our website at larcheusa.org/donate and
view “To Become a Sustaining Friend.”
INDIVIDUALS
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. W. Shepherdson
and Kathryn Abell
Jonathan Adams
Sandy Affonso
Denis Agniel
Dee Akhavein
Sr. Laura Algiere
Timothy Allen and Jessica Spring
Dennis and Margaret Andersen *
David Andreotta *
Joseph Angelo *
Most Rev. Anthony M. Pilla
Jill Argo *
Sarah and Andrew Armstrong
K. Asselin
Walter Bacigalupo
Luigi Badetti
Una Bakewell
Amy and Dan Barcia *
Robert and Addie Barkley *
James and Nancy Barnett
Michelle Barrall *
Michael F. and Lee Barry *
Mrs. Roslyn Barry
Stephanie Barton
Jean Bass
John and Sheila Bazzi
Prudence Carter Beatty
Dr. Warren and Mrs. Christine
Beaver
David Bebb
Brian and Danka Berg *
Jeannie Berwick and James Degel *
John and Marie Biggs
Rev. Leopold J. Bilodeau
Richard and Anne Bingham
Genevieve R. Bishop
Carolyn Blount
Dottie Bockstiegel *
Paul and Nancy Bohne
8
Linda and Dennis Bollig
Ursula and Michael Bowling *
Becky Brady and James Pelikan *
Carole Brown *
Robert and Joan Brubaker *
Dr. Edgar and Mrs. Emily Burde
Maura Burkhalter
Elizabeth Callahan *
Tom and Anne Caruso
Rebecca Cates *
Stacy and Joe Cates-Carney
Swanna Champlin
Dr. Arturo Chavez
A. Roberts and Victoria Christian
Frank Cihlar
N. Noon Coda
Denis P. Coleman III
Daniel Coleman *
Kathy Collins
Nick Connell
Joel Connelly *
Tara Dunphy Conroy *
John Cook and Elizabeth Black *
Catherine C. Cooke
Suzanne Coppola *
Richard Corbin
Mary and Michael Curtius
The Rev. Frederick
Cwiekowski, S.S.
Sonja and Kevin Dahl
Connie Dahlberg
Hiltraut Damm
Wayne and Sue Daniels
Rebecca Davidson *
Daniel and Linda Delahanty *
Jim Dempsey
Cathy Denard
Chad Doverspike
Lorraine Doyle
Anne Drager
Scott and Lou Anne Dulaney *
Brian Dunn
George Dunn
Hope DuPuy
John Dylong *
Joan Eads
Mary Edsall *
Michelle Edwards
Ellen Eischen and Dominic Caruso
Michael and Marcia Eischen
Dr. Ronald and Mrs. Karin Elsen
Stan and Rita Entsminger *
James Esposito
Joan Falconer
Carolyn Feigenbaum
Nancy Fontenot
Kenneth and Shimmer Foster *
Alex Gagnon & Mindy Jones
The Rev. Msgr. John Gallagher *
Irene Gates
John Gehring
Joseph Gentilini
Stokes and Mary Jane Gentry
Marc Giaquinto
Janice Glor *
Roger and Kathy Goodman
James and Patricia Gorman *
Alice Greenway
Alan Gurevich
Cynthia Haines
DeDe and Dean Hall *
Carol Hanley and Richard
Bernstein
Al Hannibal
Rick Hatem *
William Heatherington *
Robert and Cynthia Heller *
The Rev. Paul Henry
Jean Henshaw
Marita and Rene Herrera
John Hildreth *
Eric Ho *
Thomas Holzinger
HOPE•SIGNS
Beranger Hoppenot and
Joy Wotherspoon
Jennifer Hostetler
C. Gordon Howie and
Wilma J. Reichard *
Sharla Hutchison
Brandon and Eliza Jewett-Hall *
David and Judy Jones *
Wesley Jones
Kay Judson
Steve and Bethany Keener
Frank Kendall
Kevin and Kristin Kenlan
Priscilla Short Kerr
Ronald King
The Rev. Louise Kingston
Kirsten Klepfer
Leni Klett
Michael and Kathryn
Holden Klingler *
John and Heather Knechtle *
Christopher Konrad *
Nathan Laffin and
Howard Dulaney*
Maggie and Stephen Lamb *
Chuck and Annette Lansford
Danielle Lawton and
Karl Hartshorn *
Hu Shung and Nancy Leu
Paul Lipscomb and
Lynne Cartwright *
Joan Loeken *
Sr. Mary Jo Logan *
Carolyn Long
Nataly Lopez
Joan Mahler and John Heinen *
Kathleen Mahoney and
John Brophy
Sarah Mandle
Sr. Anita Maroun, SC *
Kate Marshall *
The Rev. Thomas J. Marti, MM *
L’Arche USA Donors Listing, Cont.
Cecilia Masella
Teresa Maxim
Geraldine McAuliffe
Clarissa McDearmon *
Barbara McGrath *
Gabrielle McKeever
Robert and Eileen
McKenzieSullivan *
Robert McLain
Ellen McLaughlin Myers
Ray and Mary McLaughlin
Patty McNally and Eileen
O'Connor
Phil Mendelson
Mr. & Mrs. Richardson T. Merriman*
Antonio C. and Mary-Ann Micale *
Amy Miller
Michael Millette
David Moss
Perry and Doug Mouncey
Brendan Murphy
Elizabeth Musuva Howser
Stephen Nazaran *
Zena and Joshua Neds-Fox
Robert J. Norton
Anne O'Brien
Kevin O'Brien
The Reverend James O'Donnell *
Dennis and Cathy O'Keefe *
Jacob and Angela Oetama-Paul *
Vance and Margaret Olivier
Dayna and Eric Olson-Getty *
Clara Ornes *
David Orr
Theodosia Paclawskyj
Sharon and Parker Palmer
Jean Paul
James and Sharon Peck
Barbara Perles
Mary Elizabeth and Wade Perry *
Larry and Marilyn Porter *
Monica Ranaghan
Aaron P. Ray *
Caitlin Reed
Ms. Rita Reichert *
Libbie Rifkin and Doug Usher
Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Mary Rigdon *
Shannon Harder Ronald
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Rothrock *
Steve Rothrock and Tessa Keating *
Marc Rubenson
Robert Sackel and Sue Chassé *
Nancy Scagnelli
Mark Schoen *
Michael and Mary Schreiner
Jack and Judy Seagraves
Joshua Seaman
Stephanie Shenk
Denise and Rick Shoaf *
Jill Sitkin *
Dane F. and Judy Smith Jr.
Kendall Smith and Linda
Gramatky Smith *
Margaret Smith
Joyce Tianello Snodgrass
Paul F. Snow *
Bishop John J. Snyder
Anne Sommers *
Renato C. Soraggi *
Carol St. Angelo
Diane Steinhaus *
Nanci Stokes
Diane and Robert Stonecipher *
Michael Stumpe *
Wendy Sullivan and William
Brueggen *
Barbara G. Sweatt
John Swift
Paul Tanghe
Ellen and Peter Tarnawa *
Bo and Laura Tayloe
F. Chapman and Grace Taylor *
Sarah Thomson
Ginny and Richard Thornburgh *
Mary E. Thorne, CSJP *
Sharon Toth
Annette Towler
Julia Traggorth
Dr. James and Mrs. Linda Trippi
Sue Ann Tuck
Margaret Tucker *
Brian and Collin Udell
Christopher Valdivia
Mr. Andrea Vella
Mabel Vervaat
Hubert Vieille-Cessay
Gregory L.Vonder Meulen *
Jessica Wade
Eric Wahlen
Sr. Lucy Walter, SCL
Edward Watkins *
Brett Weaver
Tobie Weisman
Carol Wesley *
Warner White
Gladys and Ben Whitehouse
Peter Wiggins
Catherine Willett *
Malcolm and Ann Young *
Terrence and Elizabeth Zecha
Sr. Maria Zeimen, OSF
ORGANIZATIONS &
BUSINESSES
Bank of America Matching Gifts
College of the Holy Cross *
Dominican Sisters of Hope
Edison Electric Institute *
Follett Corporation
Fuller Theological Seminary
Home Instead Senior Care
L'Arche Chicago
L'Arche Cleveland *
L’Arche Clinton (The Arch) *
L'Arche Eastern U.S. Region
L'Arche Erie *
L'Arche Greater Washington D.C.*
L'Arche Harbor House *
L'Arche Heartland *
L’Arche Irenicon *
L'Arche Mobile *
L'Arche Noah Sealth *
L'Arche Portland *
L'Arche Spokane *
L’Arche Syracuse *
L'Arche St. Louis
L'Arche Tahoma Hope *
L'Arche Wavecrest
Little & Cicchetti, P.C.
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Monastery of St. Gertrude *
Peking Duck House
Redemptionist Fathers of
New York
St. Scholastica Monastery
FOUNDATIONS
Anonymous (2)
Fetzer Institute
Three Swallows Foundation
Stewardship Foundation *
Every attempt has been made to preserve accurate data. Please contact us if you gave in the report’s fiscal year and are not listed,
or if you gave in each of the past 3 years and are not identified as a Sustaining Friend. Thank you.
M
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HOPE•SIGNS
aking a charitable contribution to L’Arche USA
enables us to develop resources and programs
of support to strengthen our 18 communities and 3
emerging projects. We rely on the generosity of
friends.
Donations to L’Arche USA can be
made through the mail or online.
For information, please contact us
at info@larcheusa.org or see our
website: www.larcheusa.org.
Thank you!
9
L’Arche USA Named Service
Program that Changes the World
The Center for Faith and Service and FAITH3 honored L'Arche USA in their list of "Service Programs that Change the World." According to Rev.
Wayne Meisel, the Center's Director of Faith and
Service, L'Arche USA and the other 19 organizations listed have demonstrated a common commitment to invite, welcome, support, train, and launch
individuals into the world as community leaders.
Meisel states: "I know of no other collection of
organizations doing more important work or having a greater impact for the hope in the world."
FAITH3, stands for "Faith Active in the Head,
Heart, Hand" and is based at The Center for Faith
and Service at McCormick Theological Seminary.
Service Programs that Change the World is part of a
movement to reclaim the important historic role
that faith communities have played in promoting
community and justice while offering meaningful
opportunities to engage in the world. The 20 programs listed on the FAITH3 website, including
L’Arche USA, offer participants the opportunity to
work with agencies and organizations on the front
line of building community and fighting poverty.
They are organizations that follow practices of
community living, simplicity, social justice, and spiritual exploration.
Photo Right: Steve Keener (left)
and Eileen Schofield (middle) of
L’Arche Greater Washington,
DC meet with Claudia Gordon
(right), Liaison to the Disability
Community, White House
Office of Public Engagement.
Photo Left: Rick Hatem, Connie
Reinwald, Fr. George Strohmeyer,
Cynthia White, Tim Moore, and
Sr. Maggie Walsh-Conrad from
L’Arche USA traveled to Trosly,
France, for a two-part retreat with
Jean Vanier on the Gospel of John.
This Spring, L’Arche USA communities welcomed 150 high school and
college students from 30 schools.
Photo Right: Holy Cross College
students play evening games with
house members at L’Arche St. Louis.
Changes at L’Arche USA
Welcome!
Laura Kerlin has joined L’Arche USA as Recruitment Coordinator. Laura was an assistant at L’Arche Noah Sealth in Seattle
from 1999 - 2002.
In Memorium
Fr. Frans van der Lugt, a Jesuit
Priest and co-founder of L'Arche
Al-Safina in Syria, was killed on
April 7 at his home in Homs,
Syria. Fr. Frans was a man of
peace, who provided refuge to
Christian and Muslim families
alike throughout the conflict.
[Photo: Letter of Jean Vanier]
John Biro passed
away peacefully in
the company of his
L'Arche Cleveland
family. He will be
remembered with
love and joy by all
that were blessed to
have known him.
10
HOPE•SIGNS
COMMUNITY NEWS: Our Life Together
Congratulations to L’Arche Clinton, L’Arche Mobile, and L’Arche Syracuse,
who celebrate their 40th anniversaries this year!
L’Arche Atlanta | www.larcheatlanta.org
L’Arche Mobile | www.larchemobile.org
In December, L’Arche Atlanta had a “Mandate Day,”
envisioning together the future of L'Arche Atlanta. In
March, the community partnered with a local church,
Eastside United Methodist Church, to host a community
art event.
L’Arche Cleveland | www.larchecleveland.org
L’Arche Cleveland has welcomed two new core members this year, Pat and Stephanie. In May, core member
Sean Deegan's life-long dream of visiting Disney World
will be fulfilled, as Sean and two assistants will spend five
days exploring the Magic Kingdom.
L’Arche Greater Washington, DC |
www.larche-gwdc.org
L’Arche representatives Steve Keener and Eileen Schofield joined the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition
(IDAC) on March 10th to speak with White House officials about how faith groups can work with the President
to empower Americans with disabilities. (See photo on
page 10.)
L’Arche Harbor House | www.larchejacksonville.org
In February, Gallery 725 hosted the “My Gift to You” Art
Show, highlighting The L’Arche Harbor House Rainbow
Workshop and its artists. Every single piece of art from
L’Arche artists sold at the show.
L’Arche Mobile successfully hosted their 12th annual
marathon in January. 1900 people registered for the
race, including a number of participants from across
L’Arche USA. Runners who completed the race received
medallions designed, created, and personally presented
by core members.
L’Arche Portland | www.larcheportland.org
L’Arche Portland gathered with the anniversary ark in
March. Hosted by St. Michael and All Angels Church,
the community shared a potluck meal before crafting
masks and medallions for a Mardi Gras celebration.
Each medallion had the name of a L'Arche community
from around the world that each participant was then
asked to pray for during Lent. The event concluded
with a Mardi Gras parade celebrating the Jubilee Ark.
L’Arche St. Louis | www.larchestlouis.org
The community recently took a morning trip together
to the Butterfly House at the Missouri Botanical Gardens to see the beautiful Blue Morpho butterflies from
Costa Rica. In addition, Sr. Becky Holley from L’Arche
Mobile and Sr. Mary Jo Logan, CSJ joined with the community at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s
motherhouse to share with an audience of sisters and
lay people about the spirituality of L’Arche.
L’Arche Irenicon | www.larcheirenicon.org
John Anton was presented with a 2014 Self-Determination Award from the ADDP (The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers). A core member at L’Arche Irenicon, John has volunteered at the State House in
Boston for 8 years and has been a paid legislative intern
since 2013, doing research and educating legislators on
the needs and desires of individuals with disabilities.
L’Arche Tahoma Hope | www.larchethc.org
In honor of L’Arche’s 50th Anniversary and the community’s 37th anniversary, L’Arche Tahoma Hope will
host a homecoming weekend August 1-3, 2014. They
are inviting all current and former core members,
assistants, board members, volunteers, and friends,
so please mark your calendars.
HOPE•SIGNS
11
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Portland, OR
Permit #1568
1130 SW Morrison St, Suite 230
Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 282-6231
Website: www.larcheusa.org
Email: info@larcheusa.org
HOPE•SIGNS newsletter is published twice yearly by L’Arche USA
and can also be found online at www.larcheusa.org.
Where We Call Home...
Founded in France in 1964 by Jean Vanier, L’Arche is an international
federation of 146 member communities/organizations in 35 countries. The first
L’Arche community in the U.S. was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1972. L’Arche
USA supports local L’Arche communities in recruitment of assistants and volunteers; trainings and retreats for L’Arche core members, assistants, and leaders; and
technical assistance to enhance the internal capacity and ensure quality of life in each
community. Today, 18 communities and three emerging communities (*) call
L’Arche USA home:
L’Arche Atlanta (GA)
L’Arche Noah Sealth (WA)
L’Arche Blue Ridge Mountains (VA)
L’Arche Portland (OR)
L’Arche Chicago (IL)
L’Arche Spokane (WA)
L’Arche Cleveland (OH)
L’Arche St. Louis (MO)
L’Arche Clinton, The Arch (IA)
L’Arche Syracuse (NY)
L’Arche Erie (PA)
L’Arche Tahoma Hope (WA)
L’Arche Greater Washington D.C.
L’Arche Wavecrest (CA)
L’Arche Harbor House (FL)
L’Arche Heartland (KS)
Friends of L’Arche - Central Virginia*
L’Arche Irenicon (MA)
Friends of L’Arche - Joyspring (CO)*
L’Arche Mobile (AL)
Friends of L’Arche - Long Island (NY)*
HOPE•SIGNS
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and Conserve with
L’Arche USA
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