Regional General Assemblies: Joe Egan

It was a privilege and a lot of fun for me to participate recently in two regional general assemblies.

The first gathering took place May 19-22 at the Gaelic College in St. Ann’s, Cape Breton. We were all encouraged to create a “tech-free” zone by leaving our ipods, laptops and cell phones at home!  I gave a talk and power point presentation on the theme of our time together: “Well Worn Paths.”  I have grown in my conviction concerning the importance of announcing the beauty and challenge of our vision and mission. One danger for us all is to become overly focused on only my house, my community or my region and miss the bigger picture. We all need to be linked to and inspired by the wider family of L’Arche in order to sustain a long-term commitment to our mission.

I also had a wonderful afternoon encounter with all the assistants in the region in L’Arche less than two years. I was touched by the generous spirit in this group and happy to share some stories with them.

This region certainly knows how to have fun too! One evening was a solidarity fiesta when each community shared concrete ideas about how it raised money for solidarity. Then we had a Maringa dancing contest! The last night was a traditional Ceilidh.

The Ontario Gathering at St. Michael’s University in Toronto June 8-10 was the first one in many years. The theme here was “Celebrating the Arts”. It was so good to see so many old and new faces.
One highlight was the reaffirmation of John Guido and Tammy Bartel who were appointed by Hollee as the regional coordinators for another four years and the approval of a new mandate.

Another highlight was the large opening reception for the L’Arche Ontario Art Exhibition in the suite of the Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor, at Queen’s Park. 57 pieces of L’Arche artwork will hang on the walls for six months and they are so beautiful. (see: http://larcheontario.org/art-show/explore-the-artwork/). What was most touching for me, among many moments, was the obvious pride of the artists present who happily dragged their friends over to their specific picture so it could be properly admired.

There were many wonderful encounters during the meals, prayer times, visits to local museums, the cabaret evening, blessing of John and Tammy, etc.

As we all know and appreciate, these regional gatherings are a lot of work and we are happy when they are over, but let us never doubt their value and importance to unite and nourish us in fundamental way.

Community Leaders Meeting: May24-27: Joe

We gathered again this year in Montreal with the intent of nurturing the body, mind and spirit of the community leaders who are usually so busy in their daily life back home. This meeting is the one opportunity where Hollee and I can meet with this group to share developments at the national and International levels and to hear from them as individuals and as a group. It is also an opportunity for our community leaders to meet, share and support one another.

This year the meeting started with a two day retreat given by Sue Mosteller and Agathe Dupuis, organized and supported by the Spirituality Commision, on theme of ‘Our Mission.’ This time to rest, reflect, pray and be deeply nourished by the talks was greatly appreciated by the community leaders, who in their normal busyness can forget their need and desire to renew and nourish their spirits. The retreat was a gift for all of us!

Jean-Christophe Pascal, our International Coordinator, was with us too for a morning to share about all the changes happening at the international level and to give us a sneak preview of the next Federation Assembly in Atlanta in June 2012. This session included a presentation by Pat Favaro on the structural changes being recommended which we will vote on in Atlanta. As you may know, all the communities received consultation material from the Mandate Team, the New Structures Committee and the Nomination Team on how to participate in these international processes. I hope you could respond before the July 15th deadline.

Peggy Keaney also shared with the group about the Leadership Development Project and received some helpful feedback on how we can better attract, develop and retain assistants.

Coordinators Meeting June 13-16 : Joe

This meeting was the first time that our group was finally all together with the presence of Robert Morrison, vice regional coordinator of Quebec and Guillaume Richard who has returned as the Director of Operations in our Montreal office.

We started each day by reflecting and praying together on a passage from ‘Community & Growth’ by Jean Vanier in the chapter on Mission. What a richness this book is for us all in L’Arche!

The heart of our time together was a short report from each region and then a lengthy reflection on one key question highlighted from the report. Another rich time.

Other sessions included time with Danielle Thibeault on the national priorities for human resources, reports on international, some planning on the next National Council meeting in the fall, integration of the regions, and implementing the communications report.

We are so blessed in Canada because of the wonderful regional coordinators we have and I hope you find the ways to let them know of your appreciation for all the carry in their role and how they carry their responsibilities.

National Council—Hollee Card

For several months now, the National Council Steering Committee has been planning the upcoming meeting in September. We recognize our need to experiment with including members with intellectual disabilities in this conversation regarding the strategic orientations of L’Arche Canada.

Gabrielle Beaulieu, a member of L’Arche Beloeil and Amy Demoulin, community leader of L’Arche Toronto have accepted to lead a small group of people with intellectual disabilities in a reflection as part of the National Council. This group will discuss the same topics in their manner and we will come together for plenary sessions.

This is a model that International has used in several meetings over the last couple of years and it has proven very fruitful.  The themes that we will be addressing this year are: mission, engagement with society, leadership, our attitudes toward money and inclusion.

L’Arche International: Preparation for the Federation Meeting 2012: Hollee

We are entering a year of preparation for the next International Federation meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. This meeting represents significant change for us as Jean Christophe Pascal and Christine McGrievy, the International Coordinators will step down after leading and guiding us for the last thirteen years.

We will have the opportunity to thank them for their wise leadership. We will also welcome new leaders.

This year, we are asked by L’Arche International to create space in our calendars for the series of consultations that will part of our preparation for the Federation Meeting.

While L’Arche International, as a body, may feel far away from the daily life in community, it is critical that we understand the role it has to play in our lives. The International Leaders and the international structures have the role of ensuring unity across L’Arche regardless of the cultural context the community exists. This is no small task when you consider how difficult it can be to agree with members of our own community at times!

The Identity and Mission Statement is but one example of L’Arche International playing the role of unity us under a common vision.

L’Arche International also supports the communities which are vulnerable because they are alone or only two in their country. This concern for and support to ensures that communities and their members feel and know that the belong to a body bigger than themselves. L’Arche in Haïti demonstrates the importance of this support of the larger body.

As Joe encouraged above, it is important to respond to the consultation on the International mandate, structures and nomination process. The deadline is July 15th.

International Leadership Team Meeting: Hollee

I have just returned from the International Leadership Team Meeting. This body made up of coordinators of confirmed countries (John Sargent, U.K.; Joan Mahler, U.S.A.; Louis Pilote, France; me, Canada), Patrick Fontaine, the coordinator of delegate coordinators and Tim Kearney, the coordinator of countries. Our role is to provide counsel to Jean Christophe and Christine.

Since the review by McKinsey, Jean Christophe and Christine have been putting in place the recommendations to reinforce the unity of the Federation. The work being done by Erik Pillet and George Durner in Human Resources and Formation is an example of this.

St. John Gospel—Jean Vanier: Hollee

As many know the Gospel of St. John is Jean’s favourite Gospel. Its influence on this thinking and his life are profound.

Last September and February, sixteen members of Canadian communities participated in the two part session he gave at La Ferme in Trosly. Without exception, everyone spoke of how rich listening to Jean and the other speakers was. They spoke of it being life changing.

Jean is giving this session again this coming September and February. This time a significant number of members of Canadian communities will also be attending. Joe and I are among those fortunate enough to attend. We are very grateful for this opportunity to listen and to learn from Jean, our founder.

Conclusion

As members of L’Arche, it is so important that we read and study Jean’s works. If we wish to live our mission fully, we must allow ourselves to be fashioned by the forces that shape Jean. As he speaks of his relationship with Jesus, with God, it is an invitation to open ourselves to discover this Love which lives in each of us and is waiting.

God is the power that unites the universe and gives everything meaning. God transcends time. But God is not just a power, an energy or a light. God is a person with whom we can communicate and live in communion, a person who can satisfy our thirst to love and be loved, a person with whom we can enter into an intimate relationship. God hides quietly inside each of us.

- Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home

This summer, through its activities, may we take moments to open ourselves up to Love.

Have a safe and joyful summer,

Peace,

Hollee and Joe