NEWSLETTER

Weekly Newsletter

By Beth Wolters

A few weeks ago, Heather MacKinnon and I were

prepared to go Cape Breton and share about our

friendship with new assistants from the L’Arche Atlantic

Region. We had gathered pictures from our early years

together in community but, sadly, at the last minute,

Heather was not feeling well enough to go. I looked at

the pictures and thought, whom can I ask to join me?

Who were the people that welcomed me? .

I went to Hope House and asked Carol Anne – she had

plans. I went to Dixie and asked Donny – he too was

busy. I wasn’t sure what to do. No one else from those

early years is still with us. As I was looking out the

window, I remembered some words of wisdom I heard

from Rosaire Blais.

Rosaire, a long-term member of L’Arche and currently

part of L’Arche Homefires, is a man of much experience

and insight. We were part of a group on pilgrimage to La

Verna in Italy. We had spent a peaceful day walking in

the footsteps of St Francis and were sharing a seat on the

bus back to Assisi. We were talking about loss and

Rosaire shared with me these words, “God will send you

more people to love.”

He was right - God had sent me many, many more people

to love! I called Elizabeth MacDonald and before I could

finish the question, she said with great enthusiasm, “I’ll

go!”

As I reflect on the 40th anniversary of L’Arche

Antigonish, I am so grateful for all the people God has

sent for me to love and to be loved by.

Thanks Elizabeth for coming into my life and continually

saying, “Yes” to sharing life with me. You were a

superstar in Cape Breton.

L

March 2019 - Issue 17

“Alone we can do so little.

together we can do so much" –

Helen Keller

The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.

- Hubert H. Humphrey

“Every human activity can be put at the service of the divine and of love. We should all exercise our gift to build community.” - Jean Vanier

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCAIL – ISSUE 17

L’Arche, Friendships & A Kidney Donation by Kristofer Woods At the heart of the mission of L’Arche are

relationships; most widely known, the ones

that exist between core members and their

assistants; however, equally as life-giving

and rewarding can be the relationships that

exist between the assistants who come and

decide to share their life together, helping

to create a home (or day program). Some of

these relationships end when an assistant

moves away, and some blossom into

marriages and lives spent together well past

their days living in our homes. For Joanna

and me, it has culminated into a life-changing experience filled with laughter,

lots and lots of tears, many trips to

Starbucks, and surgery.

I first met Joanna in the summer of 2007, at

a day program that provided programing for

a coremember from L’Arche in London,

Ontario. As a high-school student, I had an

idea of what I wanted to do in my future;

however, Joanna thought I would enjoy

L’Arche and suggested I consider a part-

time role at one of the homes – she was

right! I eventually moved into L’Arche

London as a live-in assistant and, with

Joanna and a team of wonderful

housemates, made a home at Bethany

House. In 2013, I felt a need for growth and

a desire for change and transferred to

L’Arche Antigonish in Nova Scotia where I

remain an assistant today.

It’s hard to process the news that someone

you care for is sick, especially when you

live thousands of kilometers away. When I

learned that Joanna, the friend that

introduced me to L’Arche… that led and

taught me… whom God had used to

introduce me to Him… had Polycystic

Kidney Disease (PKD) and would require a

transplant or dialysis, I had to proceed with

testing as a potential donor.

Alongside Mary Bee (Assistants

Coordinator at L’Arche London),

and almost two years and many

tests later (through the grace of God

I happened to be in London each

time testing was required), we were

both confirmed as candidates for

donation!

With two potential donors, we left

it to the surgeons to decide which

of us would proceed. It was

during community vacation,

where I travelled with a group

from L’Arche Antigonish to

L’Arche London, that I received

the phone call that I would be

Joanna’s donor. As God has held

us through all of this, He had

planned this day also: Joanna was

visiting the home we were staying

at for supper at the time of the call.

With a quick call to Mary Bee, we

both shared the news with Joanna in the backyard of that L’Arche

home, rainbow overhead, and

tears in all our eyes – it was

happening!

With the generous support of my

community, I left for London, and

on Oct. 24th, we arrived at the

hospital.

After a 4 ½-hour surgery for me,

and an 8-hour surgery for her, we

were out – the kidney had taken!

As I reflect on the recent events, I

am filled with an overwhelming

sense of gratitude and blessings

for all that I have lived these past

few months.

Thank you to the people who

made it possible for me to travel

to London; who held us in

thoughtful prayer – the dedicated

masses and healing services; to

the surgeons and medical staff

who supported us through this

unique process; to the visitors

who brought flowers and food; to

my family and friends for their

support – especially Nicole; and

thank you to Joanna – for all that

you have been in my life: for

your friendship, guidance, and

allowing me to share this

incredible journey with you.

I leave you with a scripture verse

that during recovery presented

itself several times and offered

comfort and peace during

Joanna’s and my convalescence:

“For I know the plans I have for

you,” declares the Lord, “plans to

prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a

future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

“We are not called by God to do

extraordinary things, but to do

ordinary things with extraordinary

love. ”

- Jean Vanier

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCAIL – ISSUE 17

Drumming with L’Arche Antigonish by Karl (Carlo) Hengst

I had no idea that deep within me there was a drummer. A drum beat lover, who loves to speak and communicate to the world around him with just a beating action. No speech or conversation necessary. Hitting a sounding body of any kind, - with bare hands or with a tool or stick - It appears primitive, rhythmic, repetitive, monotonous - like in a trance or in meditation. It gives not only myself but

also everyone a voice

without having to speak.

With drumming we can all

be heard for who we are,

and that is truly

empowering. It all started about a year ago. I attended two functions of the L’Arche Antigonish drumming group, - one open-air drumming demonstration at Chisholm Park and another one at a Cultural Connections event. In both cases I was invited to participate in the L’Arche group drumming as an on-the-spot volunteer. Afterwards I received and accepted an invitation to participate on a regular basis with the L’Arche drumming group at their Studio House, Abelard, Wednesdays from 9:30 -10:30 am.

I have joined this group as a volunteer. The group has about a dozen African type drums of varying sizes, and another dozen or so of other very interesting percussion instruments. Usually we drum for the first third of the hour. During the second third we are “checking in”, i.e. we share how we feel and what is most on our individual personal mind. Each participant is heard and often performs a little personal tongue-in-cheek drum solo. At the end of our time together, we drum up another mutual concert. As a volunteer, I am happy to notice in this drumming group, that even the core members who normally do not speak often, have a way of communicating during drumming sessions by using the instrument to direct their energy, emotions and feelings as a voice in the group. I listen to their drumbeat, strong and energetic for some, almost timidly soft and very kind for others. Their personality is recognizable in their personal drumming style. I feel accepted in this group. As a volunteer I am grateful to participate in drumming and to hear everyone’s drum beat and I feel that I now play an active part in allowing others in the group to have a voice - and to be heard.

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL - ISSUE 17- PAGE 2

Meet Our Great Artists

Elizabeth MacDonald

Painting makes me

happy and relaxed.

Feels good. All good.

I paint snow, stars, sky.

You see in my windows.

I just can’t stop painting.

I want people to go outside.

Walk. Be happy.

- Elizabeth

Joe MacPherson

I love to paint.

It makes you work good.

It gives me strength.

I feel happy when I paint and

when my family wants one.

I just love colors!

Keep painting, keep right at it.

Never give up.

- Joe

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL - ISSUE 17

“EVERY HUMAN ACTIVITY CAN BE PUT AT THE SERVICE OF THE

DIVINE AND OF LOVE. W E SHOULD ALL EXERCISE OUR GIFT TO

BUILD COMMUNITY.”

― JEAN VANIER, COMMUNITY AND GROW TH

Sharing Our Stories By Cara Jones

We all have a story to tell. Our

experiences matter and just like a

happy, or sad, song we hear on

the radio, our stories helps us feel

connected.

As a media artist, and writer, I

have always loved helping others

share their stories. Recently, I

embraced my skills and passion to

help our L’Arche community

express their stories to the world

through a Facebook Live Podcast.

A podcast is and internet radio

show and currently becoming a

big trend.

It’s important as an interviewer to

create a space that feels safe for

others to open up about their

experiences. I did my best to

provide this environment to our

community by hosting the podcast

in our studio location and it was a

huge success. Not only did we

raise over $2000 but also through

the collaboration of our gifts, we

had fun sharing our story.

I want to thank everyone who

donated to our online fundraiser,

who participated in the interviews

and to the businesses who were

kind enough to donate prizes for

us to give away after every

interview. I am already hearing

from many of the core members

who were not interviews that they

would like to share their stories as

well. I can’t wait to plan the next

one so we can continue to share

our mission with the world..

Thank You: Give it up for L’Arche! A special thank you to the Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School

Student Council for arranging an afternoon of community, fun and

connection. Give it up for L’Arche encouraged the community to give up

their treats, time and little indulgences and pay it forward to L’Arche. It was

an engaging afternoon of crafts, games, a photo booth and drum circle.

Thank you Student Council, we had a blast!

“Communities are truly communities when

they open to others, when they remain

vulnerable and humble; when the members

are growing in love, in compassion and in

humility. Communities cease to be such

when members close in upon themselves

with the certitude that they alone have

wisdom and truth and expect everyone to be

like them and learn from them.

The fundamental attitudes of true

community, where there is true belonging,

are openness, welcome, and listening to

God, to the universe, to each other and to

other communities. Community life is

inspired by the universal and is open to the

universal. It is based on forgiveness and

openness to those who are different, to the

poor and the weak. Sects put up walls and

barriers out of fear, out of a need to prove

themselves and to create a false security.

Community is the breaking down of barriers

to welcome difference.”

― Community And Growth

A Word From Jean Vanier

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL - ISSUE 17

Old Window

Frames (any

size)

Porch swing for

the backyard or

the front deck

House plants

Board games

Wireless

telephones

L’ARCHE Wish List

L’Arche Delights The Sweetest Event

In Town

On June 14th, L’Arche Antigonish is hosting our L’Arche Delights event. We invite people to join us for an evening full of nice desserts, entertainment and fun. It takes place from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm at the Antigonish Legion.

Members of our L’Arche community will welcome you and entertain you in different ways throughout the evening. We will share stories and laughter and show special performances.

While enjoying the program, we will serve you tasty desserts from local businesses and offer a silent auction with some nice pieces provided by our community and friends. We promise you THE SWEETEST EVENT IN TOWN! Tickets will be on sale at Antigonish 5c to a $1 and our Day Program on 4 West Street starting May 1. All proceeds will go to L’Arche Antigonish and Hearts and Hands.

The Karma Yoga Intiative Lisa Leuschner & Cara Jones

When Development Coordinator, Cara Jones, began sharing her yoga teaching with the L’Arche Community she noticed how committed core member, Lisa Leuschner, was to her practice. One of the core values of L’Arche is “partnership” and Cara saw an opportunity to ask Lisa if she would be interested in learning how to teach with her during classes.

The partnership was a success and after some discussion, Cara and Lisa, realized they could take this gift of yoga

to the larger Antigonish

community and offer

classes by donation. This

would enble people to learn

about L’Arche while

offering affordable and

accessible opportunities to

experience the benefits of

yoga.

Karma Yoga is the yoga of

action done with

awareness, detachment,

and Love. With the desire

to bring Karma Yoga to the

entre community Lisa &

Cara decided to pitch their

idea to the Awesome

Antigonish Foundation.

The funding would enable

them to order yoga blocks,

bolster and new mats.

Although they did not

receive the funding, due to

the high competition of

great ideas, their

presentation was well

received and within a

couple days an annonmous

donor contributed $1200 to

the intiative. Lisa & Cara

are thrilled!

The intiative includes 5

volunteer professional yoga

teachers from Antigonish

and will begin in the

spring.

Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter,

blog and like us on social media to find

out more about this intiative and how

you can take part.

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIA – ISSUE 17

Community Conversations

I had the pleasure of travelling to

L’Arche Daybreak for their 50th

Anniversary celebrations along with

Lisa and Debbie Leuschner. It was

an experience filled with joy and

inspiration. Spending time in

another L’Arche community is

always special and this one did not

disappoint. We had the opportunity

to stay at Daybreak in their retreat

house called “The Cedars”, which

was the most peaceful place, with

walls lined with books, comfy

couches, a fireplace, and a big table

just perfect for Lisa and I to have a

game of Skip-Bo.

On the day of the celebration, we

attended a pre-gala reception with

food, drinks and some very

inspirational speeches; we felt like

celebrities!

After the reception, it was onto

the anniversary performance.

Members of L’Arche Daybreak

“wowed” us with their talent.

There was singing, dancing, and

many funny moments

throughout the performance.

We even got to wear a clown

nose while sitting in the

audience! It was a beautiful

celebration of L’Arche and I left

the theatre with a full heart.

After the performance, it was

time to mingle (and eat cake of

course). This was the most

memorable part of my trip. I

met so many people who have

been involved in L’Arche in

many different ways, building

community in many different

parts of the world.

Happy Anniversary L’Arche Daybreak! By Emily Perry

It was amazing to meet new people and

instantly feel the sense of community!

L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIA – ISSUE 17

Our Journey Together

Celebrating Fr. Andrew’s Birthday Angus receives the Dr. Frank Hayden

Award for his involvement with the

Special Olympics

Mayor Laurie Boucher is presented

with her prize from the St.F.X

University raffle.

Emily & Cory living in joy

on a brisk winter day.

Jan & Elaine have fun preparing

for the Singer Songwriter Circle

Elizabeth & Steffi

striking a pose at Give-

it-up for L’Arche Day!

Drumming with the Dr. John Hugh Gillis

Student Council members who are over

for a visit.

Daniel, Nancy & Donny

spending time together at our

Community Retreat.