News from Educational Initiatives (for March and April, 2010)

From Beth Porter, L’Arche Canada Educational Initiatives. (eporter@larche.ca )

The research and information gathering phase of the IBelong/ J’ai des amis project (to develop a bilingual resource that will help youth make lasting friendships) has drawn to a close. We had a very good response to the on-line surveys in both French and English. Jessica Vorstermans, who has led this phase, will finish her report by the end of April and hand off to Jenny Prosser, a UWO graduate who will work with us on phases 2 and 3 over the summer. Danielle Parenteau is acting as Francophone resource person for the project.

We collaborated with L’Arche Cape Breton and the Foundation to produce a DVD version of L’Arche Cape Breton’s delightful, short “I am…” video. It has proven already to be a good discussion starter for youth retreats and for disability education. It is available through Applewicks or Daybreak Publications for $6.50.

The current Impact Bulletin for the L’Arche Canada Foundation features new or expanding projects of various communities.

The Spring issue of A Human Future features an interview with AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo. This issues includes a short piece about Ed Johnson, Mi’kmaq member of L’Arche Cape Breton. With it, we sent out a survey requesting feedback on AHF. (If you have not yet completed the survey, please help us by doing this.)

Responding to an Ontario Ministry of Education invitation, we gave stakeholder feedback on the revised grades 9 to 12 Ontario curriculum “Canadian and World Studies,” suggesting ways to include disability education more fully in some 15 courses.

We continue to need L’Arche e-stories. Lately, Toronto and Daybreak have been heavily represented. I am sure many others have stories to share. Contributors can include friends of your community, and the person contributing need not be an especially good writer. People can subscribe by clicking on “Free e-letters” on the Inspiration page of www.larche.ca.

News from Joe Egan

On Saturday March 6, I gave the keynote address at the annual L’Arche London banquet. I was happy to share about the important theme of “creating a society where all are included” with over 300 local supporters.

I also visited the community of L’Arche Joliette March 22-24 with the help of Cathy Dansereau who translated for me. This was my first ‘official’ community visit in many years and I enjoyed it very much. I was welcomed well by everyone in the two homes, at the workshop and by the board. We even had a “snow holiday” together when the workshop closed down for the day, which changed everyone’s schedule for the day! I was touched by how everyone felt so at home there. And I was happy to be able to tell the workshop how much all my family and friends loved the Christmas cards that they made.

I was also invited to the Board/Council meeting of L’Arche Ontario on Saturday March 27th at L’Arche Daybreak. It was so good to reconnect with my own region again as it explored the priority issues for the region today.

Federation and Mission Councils

In March, the regional and vice-regional coordinators, Jean Dansereau, our board president and I (Hollee) had the privilege of attending the first International Federation Council, a consultative body to the International Coordinators and International board. Over three days, we learned that L’Arche International will fortify its role in uniting us in the mission by expanding its capacity to do so. An important focus is to provide supports necessary for the isolated communities so they can continue to grow in their ability to live and share the mission of L’Arche. The proposals were fully and broadly supported by all those attending this meeting.

The Federation Council was followed by three days in the Mission Council. This included the delegate coordinators, the coordinators of countries and confirmed countries along with the leadership of L’Arche International. Among other things, we learned in more detail the work of Jim Cargin, of communications and George Durner and formation.

As confirmed countries (France, U.S., U.K. and Canada), we had the opportunity to meet. In sharing our organizational charts, we learned much about what each other is doing and our questions. It was very interesting and informative.

Some of you heard Christine McGrievy state at the General Assembly that there are no longer zones. She told us to drop the word ‘zone’ from our vocabulary. How do we describe ourselves now? L’Arche Canada has the status of being a confirmed country within the Federation.

The hospitality of the Bologna community was exceptional. For example, along with leading us in prayer one evening, community members served us lunch and supper every day. You can imagine that the food was molto bene!

Visit to Beloeil

Upon my return from Italy, I visited the community in Beloeil. It was a privilege to meet the three newest members of L’Arche Beloeil, two of whom are Anglophone. Among many things, I was touched to see how deeply everyone in the community is connected to the communities in L’Arche Haiti.

Working together

Joe and I spent two days together working on a strategic plan. The purpose of this plan is to determine how and who will help us accomplish the work of the mandate, in particular, the first point: Strengthen the collaboration between L’Arche Canada its communities and regions.

We want to emphasize that this is our mandate and our priority as a members of L’Arche in Canada. This means that each one of us has the responsibility to work at strengthening these relationships. How are you doing that?

National Council

In preparation for the first National Council, the body that we approved at the General Assembly in November, a small group of Nathan Ball, Jean Dansereau, Claude Gravel and I met to begin the planning of this meeting. Jenn Power was unable to attend due to personal reasons. Between now and September, your regional delegates will be preparing for this meeting.

This is the group that will set the strategic direction for L’Arche Canada. They will ensure the integrity, review and update the vision and strategic orientation. It is an ongoing conversation.

In order to ensure this conversation, they will look for opportunities to share about the work of the National Council and engage in a dialogue with members of the region.

Upcoming

From April 20-23, I will be attending the Québec Regional Council. This is the last one before their General Assembly in June. This will be for Jocelyn Girard, the community leader of L’Arche Montréal and Gabrielle Beaulieu, the regional coordinator, their last regional council. We thank you so much for all that you have given of yourself and to the mission of L’Arche.

This means a significant change for the community of Montréal and the Québec region as new leadership is sought to take their place. Please keep Jocelyn and Gabrielle in your prayers as they prepare the next steps in their lives. Please keep the Montréal and the Québec region in your prayers as the processes are lived and new leaders are named. This is an occasion to let them know that you are thinking of them.

From April 27-30, the new Spirituality Commission will be meeting for the first time. The members of the Commission are: Wendy Lywood (Daybreak), Sylvie Morin (Beloeil), Landys Klyne (Western Canada), Tamaki Saga (Lethbridge), Fr. Ray Huntley (Cape Breton), Jason Grieg (Cape Breton) and Hollee Card.

Later in May, the community leaders will be meeting in Montréal. We have the privilege of Jean Christophe Pascal, the International Coordinator joining us for a day. He will be presenting the new directions of L’Arche International .

Our next letter will come out after the Community Leaders meeting.

Conclusion

But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time.

Jean Vanier, Becoming Human

Peace,

Hollee & Joe