After playing a significant role in helping to establish L’Arche in the Halifax area, Cathy MacMillan will not be continuing on as Community Leader as we prepare for the next phase of our journey together. In her place, the L’Arche Halifax Board of Directors, in consultation with the L’Arche Atlantic Regional Council, has established an Interim Leadership Team led by Rosaire Blais of L’Arche Homefires. Rosaire and his Team began their work earlier this month.

Dear Friends:

We are writing to let you know about some important changes concerning the L’Arche Halifax Project.

After playing a significant role in helping to establish L’Arche in the Halifax area, Cathy MacMillan will not be continuing on as Community Leader as we prepare for the next phase of our journey together. In her place, the L’Arche Halifax Board of Directors, in consultation with the L’Arche Atlantic Regional Council, has established an Interim Leadership Team led by Rosaire Blais of L’Arche Homefires. Rosaire and his Team began their work earlier this month.

Since October 15, 2005, Cathy has guided the community of L’Arche Halifax in fulfilling its mission as a Project of L’Arche. Along the way, she has inspired many, working hard to make L’Arche better known in the Halifax area, and building relationships that will sustain L’Arche for many years to come. This past year, under her leadership—and with the ongoing support of many friends and a very dedicated Board of Directors—the community opened its first residence: a duplex that is now home to eight persons with intellectual disabilities and their assistants. Together with an ever-growing extended network of friends and supporters, they are living proof that the future of L’Arche in Halifax looks brighter than ever.

Cathy MacMillan (right), poses recently for a picture
with L'Arche Halifax's first core member, Anna Gardin (centre),
and the Lt Governor of Nova Scotia, Her Honour Mayann Francis.

With this first phase of its mission accomplished, L’Arche Halifax is now ready to develop a new Mandate aimed at guiding the community through the next crucial phase of its journey toward full membership in L’Arche. Thus, the Interim Leadership Team will be working closely with us in the days ahead to pave the way for a successful Mandate process. Upon the completion of the Mandate process, the community will then be invited to enter into a new discernment concerning its leadership needs.

In all, we expect the Interim Leadership Team to be in place for between four and six months as we work first toward developing a new Mandate, then toward discerning and selecting new leadership. In the meantime we ask for your prayers and support for Cathy, as she takes time to discern her next role in L'Arche, and for everyone at l'Arche Halifax who will continue to work at building up the community with God's help in the days to come.

Sincerely,

John O'Donnell
Regional Coordinator
L'Arche Atlantic Region

Brian Hebert
Board President
L'Arche Halifax Project