Am Furan
September
2016
Easter 2017
L’Arche Cape
Cape Breton’s
Breton’s Newsletter
Newsletter L’Arche
Hope Takes Action
– by Mukthar Limpao
Winter this year has been arduous for us in Cape Breton, and
certainly not everyone appreciates it. Darkness saturates as
days tend to be shorter; bitter cold breeze penetrates and
lingers in the corners of our homes. People are hampered
from being out and about; the flora, fauna and other little
forms of life are sparse if not invisible. It is easy to be
despondent and disheartened, but the cycle of seasons
reminds us that spring always comes after winter. The tender
shoots will inevitably emerge from the earth and gradually
the sun stretches longer and the world turns green.
Spring has been the harbinger of hope to those who live
in the darkness of winter. Yet some people maintain high
spirits even in the coldest season of the year for they have
learned that the winter tide also has its share of gifts. For
me, the incessant drop of snowflakes and the beautiful white
landscape is magical and very uplifting. I think winter gives
us a time for deep rest, to slow down and to regenerate as
we prepare for the new season. More importantly, I think it
is a time to refocus on our deep connections in community
and to spend an intentional stretch of time being together.
The cycle of seasons is a good metaphor for our life in
community. My friend, Chris, has said many goodbyes
throughout his lifetime. As a young child, Chris lost his mom.
He said goodbye to his brother and sister when they had to
move out of their family home to form their own. Joining
L’Arche, Chris had to separate from his father. Chris has
said countless farewells and thank yous to Assistants he has
learned to love. And just last year, Chris lost his stepmom.
Chris has been hurt many times by these goodbyes.
Mukthar and Chris are good friends and enjoy
spending time together.
With his own lived experience of darkness, Chris could
easily dwell in pain and isolation; however, Chris does not
need the promise of spring to get a peek of the light and find
comfort. Chris has learned to see the gifts of pain by choosing
to remain faithful with his relationships in community and
maintaining his profound ability to consistently welcome
new people into his life. Chris intentionally invites and
connects with people—sharing his story, naming his pain
and living in joy. Chris taught me that hope takes action.
Continued on page 2
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L’Arche
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Whycocomagh,
B0E
3M0
phone:
(902)
756-3162fax:
fax:
(902)
756-3381
Iron Mines, NSNS
B0E
2K0
phone:
(902)
756-3162
(902)
756-3381
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected] website:
e-mail:
website: www.larchecapebreton.org
www.larchecapebreton.org
Page 2 Hope takes action
L’Arche Cape Breton’s Newletter
Continued from page 1
In the same vein, our neighbours to the south and many
others around the world see long dark years ahead. Many
have relentlessly been on the edge of their seats, waiting
and asking what is the President’s next move, as he pledged
“to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the Earth from the
miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries
and technologies of tomorrow” when he took office earlier
this year. Like Chris taking action to breed hope, a few have
risen to the occasion and refused to just sit and wait. Even
before the travel ban has been officially issued, thousands
of protesters and hundreds of immigration lawyers flocked
to about a dozen airports across the country taking action.
This is inspiring.
After the bombings in Brussels, the attacks during
Bastille Day in France, the Orlando nightclub shooting,
the unending murders in Africa and the Middle East and
many faces of darkness this past year, have our lives been
reduced to unremitting fears? Where do we find places of
hope? In L’Arche, Chris is just one of the people reminding
us of our responsibility to work for a more human society.
Instead of waiting for spring, we take action by looking
for the gifts hidden in the piles of snow. In a world where
the social paradigm is to climb up the ladder even at the
expense of trampling others to reach the top, we embrace
our differences and try to underscore that each of us has a
value and something to contribute.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said, “When you give a
luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers
or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do,
they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the
lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” As Chris does
each time he opens the door to his house, I invite you to
welcome both friends and strangers into your days. Every
time we welcome another we are a sign of hope just as
spring is a sign of new life.
Painting Hope with Buddy Payne
– by Jen Vivian
“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”
Leonard Cohen
Light is often used as a metaphor for hope. In early
December, when I joined the community, I would not have
been able to predict how much light and hope that my new
friendships at L’Arche Cape Breton would bring into my
life on a daily basis. In my short time since I have been here
I have shared days with wonderful, creative, genuine and
talented people. People who help to shine their own lights
as well as encourage others to grow and share their light,
people who have encouraged me to trust and to share my
light with others and people who help to point out the light
in others when it is difficult for them to see it themselves.
My days are now filled spending time with people who are
willing to take creative risks, live in a deep authentic way,
and to spread joy to those around them.
The first time I sat down to paint with Buddy Payne I
could not imagine how profoundly my friendship with him
would affect and influence my own artistic practice and
my life. It became quickly clear to me that Buddy was a
painter at heart. Working together we devised a system that
hopefully has allowed him to express himself through color
and movement on canvas. In the short time that we have
been creating alongside each other, Buddy has taught me
about bravery in trying new things in new ways. He has reinvigorated painting for me through his enthusiasm of color
Buddy and Jen enjoy their days doing art at the Angels
Loft Craft Studio.
and of painting, and he has influenced me to have more
freedom in my approach to painting, to bend the rules and
to not be afraid to just keep painting for the joy of painting;
the pure joy of painting. When Buddy is painting, I can
feel the joy in the studio increase through his own joy of
creating. I feel that other artists are influenced by his joy
and this gives them the hope and the courage to try new
things. This demonstrates to me, finding hope in new and
unexpected places, as well as in places where we may have
stopped looking.
Since my short time at L’Arche Cape Breton, I now seek
to see the cracks more throughout my life. Not to repair
them, but to notice the light and the people- like my friends
at L’Arche Cape Breton- that are shining that light for me
to see.
Easter 2017
Page 3
Surrounded by hope
– by Hilary LeBlanc
Thinking back to times of sharing with fellow assistants, I
really struggled with recognizing moments in my life where
I felt hopeful, when that was the feeling we were reflecting
on. That’s not to say there were none, just that none really
stood out in my memory. I realize now that I should have also
been considering the present, for my sources of hope today,
because the greatest experience of hope I’ve encountered
to date was staring me in the face. Honestly, nothing really
compares to the hope I’m surrounded by right now, in being
a part of this L’Arche community. Seeing individuals with
intellectual disabilities being empowered, living hand-inhand in mutual relationships with those around them, being
supported in doing what they enjoy, and bringing others joy
in turn by sharing of themselves… these things make me
hopeful.
The movement away from unfair and outdated ways of
considering and treating people with disabilities, which lies
at the heart of organizations like L’Arche, gives me hope
too. I feel like communities like ours have the potential to
change a lot of peoples’ attitudes and perceptions. Mine
have changed through living alongside and getting to know
the core members of L’Arche Cape Breton, because I was
given the opportunity to learn from everyone here and
correct any prior misconceptions I had about disabilities.
This is why L’Arche as I’ve experienced it gives me
hope for the future. It advocates for inclusion, love and
acceptance; for sharing life with and getting to know fellow
Maggie Rose and Hilary clean up the lawn after a
windy day.
human beings regardless of differences; for friendships
and more equal relationships, without the kinds of power
imbalances seen in institutions… and the community is
able to spread these values to those whose lives are touched
by its members. I hope to see these and other messages
fundamental to L’Arche reach even more people in the
years to come, because it really is a beacon of hope for a
better, more inclusive world.
Learning from a great teacher
– by Philipp Gottfried
It was August 16th, 2016 when my time in L’Arche Cape
Breton started and I cannot believe that I am now part of the
community for more than seven months. I am grateful that I
get the chance to write this article.
Coming to L’Arche and Canada was a big deal for me,
leaving my family and friends and not really knowing what
to expect on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. So many
questions were floating around in my mind. Am I doing
the right thing? Will people accept me as the person I am?
Will I get along with the people around me? It didn’t take
long until most of these questions were answered with a big
YES! I felt very welcomed from day one.
One of the people I felt very close to from the very beginning
was Buddy Payne. Many people might see him as someone
with little to offer - sitting in a wheelchair and not able to
speak. But he’s somebody who definitely makes the most
of everything that he has. His enthusiasm and zest for life
is something I can look up to every day. Even very ordinary
tasks like setting the table or drying dishes are way more
exciting if you do them together with Buddy. When Buddy
is working eagerly on his famous papier mache bowls and
shreds, it shows me all the time the importance of patience
and commitment.
Spending time with Buddy’s has taught me a lot of things
about myself and about life. One of the most important
Continued on page 4
Page 4 Learning...
L’Arche Cape Breton’s Newletter
Continued from page 3
lessons he teaches us every day is the celebration of life.
He celebrates himself and the small things in our everyday
life. He definitely lives life to the fullest every day. His joy
is contagious and brings smiles to the people around him all
the time Seeing Buddy on a day-to-day basis gives me hope
that little by little we can make the world a better and more
human place where it doesn’t matter where you come from,
what you look like or what your deficits are. Something I
appreciate about Buddy in his everyday life is that he is
living his emotions without reservation. That doesn’t make
it easy all the time, but he is never hiding his emotions like
a lot of people do. He is always authentic and shows you
how he is feeling whether it is pure joy or any other feeling.
In our modern world where we take so many things for
granted and forget to celebrate the value of life so often
Buddy Payne is someone we can learn a lot from.
Buddy loves spending time outdoors with his friends.
Hope in Our Hearts
– by Gail MacNeil
Hope colors how I feel; about my day, my
future, and everything. As my friend Dennis
Murphy said, “Hope is good. It makes me
happy.”
But it isn’t just my natural optimism that gives
me hope, it is a lesson learned over and over
throughout my life. Looking back, I can see
how the difficulties and losses have been truly
good for me, reducing my pride, increasing
compassion, and keeping me aware of my need
for God. This life is for the purpose of spiritual
growth, so what could be better!
So I expect my future, and that of each of my
dear ones, to have this same blessing - that we
will continue to struggle, and that God will
help us use those struggles to form and grow
spiritually. And that is exactly why I have hope
in transformation partnered with God.
Gail poses with her good friend Angus MacInnis who lives at
Thomas House.
In L’Arche I have learned that it is better, in so
many ways, to work together imperfectly, than
to strive for perfection alone. And this is just
what God is doing, letting us work with Him
toward our spiritual growth.
Easter 2017
HOPE in difficult moments
– by Joseph Chatindo
When I was just reflecting on HOPE, I was reminded of my
first days in community. For me it was a culture shock and
adjusting to the time zone plus adapting to the weather in
Canada. During those moments of change I lost touch with
my spirituality and I thought I could do all these things by
Page 5
something had to change. But through all those difficult
moments with Jonathan as well as other people in my life,
I discovered that I got to know them in a deeper way. I
got to know who Jonathan is and what makes him happy.
Through these difficult moments our relationship developed
a strong foundation and through prayer, faith and hope it
was strengthened.
After all these epiphanies I
thought that was it; until a day
I was challenged again by him.
And I questioned myself, why
does this keep on happening to
me and not to any other person
in my team. But I got comfort
by reading the story of King
David. He was anointed but
still it took him 13 years to be
crowned King, and in those 13
years he faced many difficult
moments but his faith and hope
in God pulled him through all
the difficulty until he gained
his Kingship. Through the
years his relationship and trust
in God grew. Although I’m
not saying I’m King David
this story was a sign of hope
for me that even through the
difficult moments I can trust in
God and hope for his coming
back. It was difficult but God
had an answer. For he says in
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the
Cool Shades! Jonathan, Joseph and David live together at Corinthian House.
plans I have for you” declares
the Lord, “plans to prosper you
myself. I lost hope in Christ. That was until I met Jonathan
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
who taught me many great lessons in life which I still carry
now.
Through my time with Jonathan I have learnt patience; and
because of him I have questioned my spirituality many
Through all the difficult moments I went through with
times. These times of trial made me want to try to find God
Jonathan during my first 3 months all I could think about was
and deepen my relationship with him. I have also learnt how
going back home. Because I just didn’t want to put myself
to pray because during my check-ins with Jonathan we say
out there or give it my all. But all Jonathan hoped for was
a prayer, but it took time for me to be intentional. In other
an intentional and intimate relationship with me. But for me
words, my relationship with Jonathan has deepened and
it never made any sense because I took him for granted.
been strengthened by difficulty and through it all I saw the
Jonathan kept on rejecting me and I couldn’t understand
grace of God and hope in Christ through him. Sometimes it
why; until the end of last month when I discovered that not
only takes a leap of faith and the right time to meet Christ.
only did I take my relationship with Jonathan for granted
but most of my relationships in my life. And I knew
Page 6 Meeting hope in relationship
– by Margaux Boyer
When I thought about hope, a face came to my mind, a face
of faith.
I thought of Chris Matheson, with whom I have lived for
18 months now. Chris is a man that you could describe
as living “avec le coeur sur la main” [French expression
translated by: with his heart on his hand – meaning ready
to offer his emotions, his feelings], always opened to you.
Margaux and Chris live at Waycobah House.
L’Arche Cape Breton’s Newletter
Many assistants would share that Chris was one of the first
people in community to welcome them, with his big smile
and his “My favorite guy?” Chris was the main person who
helped me find my place here, who made me feel at home.
Chris had to confront the sadness and the worry that is
experienced during a time of grief, when last September,
Chris lost someone really close to him. Sadly, it wasn’t
the first time that Chris had to face the challenging time of
losing an important person in his life.
When I had to face a time of grief, I
closed myself off because I felt lonely,
I felt injustice and incomprehension,
I was angry. It is different for Chris;
he shares about these important people
and their role in his life, he shares their
memories and keeps a warm place for
them in his heart. Chris always makes
room to welcome. He does not forget,
he does not replace, and he simply
with all his tenderness opens his heart
to love again. And love is not always
easy. Often love means challenges as
well, even if sometimes that means
having to say good-bye to the person
that you love. Chris knows that and
experiences that, but it does not cause
him to step back and it does not stop
him from opening himself, from
loving.
Chris teaches me, he teaches us,
how to love in an unconditional way,
throwing himself into the relationship
and doing it unconsciously, but also
in an intentional, caring way. Most
importantly, he teaches me how to
always keep my heart open, even
when I am vulnerable and even when
it can hurt. In this sense, I see a lot of
hope in my friend. It reminds me that I
do not know what tomorrow will look
like and that it does not matter how
much I plan my day. What matters is
to have trust and hope in what is going
to happen, and to trust that I am loving
and that I am loved. This is the essence
for welcoming each new day.
Easter 2017
What was hidden is revealed
– by Matthew Sinclair
Before you know, the
flowers will be budding.
Nature is amazing. All that
is buried under the snow
will begin to grow with the
help of the sun. We take
so much for granted and
sometimes we fail to notice
change. It is like that in life,
we are constantly growing
and flourishing. Yet it is
not always visible. What
is hidden under snow is
similar to what is hidden in
us, waiting to grow and be
seen. Sometimes we need to
dig a bit more. Sometimes
we need to do the weeding,
the watering. It can take
hard work and toil. It can
also require patience, but it
is there. Sometimes we need
to be more nurturing. There
is beauty in us and around
us. Each season is a season
for a new beginning. Faith
and Hope is also needed.
Dreaming is key, and the
Belief of the Unseen. We
need to have Trust and grasp
each experience as a bit of
fertilizer…
Page 7
However, I liked Rodney…
and I wanted him to like
me. I’m not sure why I
felt this way towards him.
Perhaps I felt drawn by his
quiet, grounding presence.
Or perhaps it was the
experience of praying with
him before bed, the feeling
that he was touching a depth
of mystery that my words
could not. Who knows from
where our desires arise.
The only certainty I felt was
that this man did not like me.
A swift, firm hand gesture
toward the door, cueing me
to get out, a subtle turn of
the head down and away,
demanding me to stop
talking. It’s okay, I faintly
reassured myself, it happens
to everyone…right? But
then I would see Rodney’s
tight-lipped mouth erupt into
a joyful smile upon seeing a
close friend, and doubt of
ever forming this type of
life-giving friendship began
to grow around my heart
like smothering weeds.
Matthew and Rodney recently enjoyed ice fishing on
the Bras d’Or Lake.
A wise woman once lovingly
penned these words to me (thanks, mom). They are thoughts
that need to be shared, and thoughts that remind me of my
relationship with my housemate and my friend, Rodney
Nicholson.
Perhaps it was that my arrival to the community occurred
too late for all my friendships to take root. For surely, a
farmer would never expect to harvest the fruits of all the
seeds she planted in mid-September. So it seemed with
Rodney and I, that our relationship might simply not grow,
but remain one of mutual acceptance, one whose existence
must necessarily occur by living in the same house.
And then, one day, the
unexpected occurred, the
invisible became visible.
What was “hidden under the snow” sprang forth, revealing
friendship, as a random, gratuitous hug from Rodney. It
was both a moment of joy and humility; joy in the gift of
friendship, humility in my lack of understanding that it
always existed, but needed time “to grow and be seen.”
This is my story. It is Rodney’s story. Truthfully, I believe,
this is actually the story of L’Arche, where the Eastertide of
relationships, and of all things beautiful, does not depend on
the time of year, but on our openness to new life. May we
be reminded by spring that as long as we possess the seeds
of Hope, the flowers of our lives may blossom at any time,
often in unexpected ways and in unfamiliar places.
Page 8 L’Arche Cape Breton’s Newletter
Thank
Co-op and
MacKeigan’s
Pharmacy
forforsponsoring
ourAugust
Easternewsletter.
newsletter.
Thankyou
youto
toWhycocomagh
John Morrison Contractors
Ltd.
and MacKeigan’s
Pharmacy
sponsoring our
We
sincerely
appreciate
their
generosity
and
support.
We sincerely appreciate their continued generosity and support.
John Morrison
John
Morrison
Whycocomagh,
Nova Scotia
Contracting
Ltd.
Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia
MacKeigan’s Pharmacy
MacKeigan’s
Pharmacy
Contracting
Whycocomagh, Ltd.
Nova Scotia
·
~ PRESCRIPTIONS ~
· General Contracting
Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia
· Equipment Rental
· Sand and Gravel
General
Contracting
· Free Estimates
Convalescent and Ostomy Supplies plus Sick
Room Equipment for sale or rent ~
~including
PRESCRIPTIONS
Hospital Beds, Respirators, Rollators,
Walkers and Crutches
Convalescent and Ostomy
· Equipment
Rental
Whycocomagh, N.S. Ph: 902-756-2314
Ph: 902-756-3107 Fax: 902-756-2510
Supplies plus Sick Room
· Free
estimates
Upcoming
Events
in support of L’Arche Cape Breton
Equipment for sale or rent
· On Sunday, September 25th at 2pm the lovely folks at St. Peter’s Lions Club will host the annual Variety Concert in support
· Sand
and
Hospital
Beds,
of the day
programs at L’Arche Cape Breton. The concert takes placeincluding
at the Lion’s Club
Hall in St. Peter’s
and will feature
local musicians. There will be a 50/50 draw and door prizes. Everyone Welcome!
Gravel
Respirators, Rollators,Walkers
· Our good friends at East Coast Credit Union are organizing the annual barbeque in support of L’Arche Cape Breton’s day
programs on Thursday, September 29th beginning at 11am. The barbeque takes place at all 10 local East Coast Credit Union
and Crutches
PH:branches
756-3107
(Margaree, Baddeck, Mabou, Port Hood, Inverness, Port Hawkesbury, Havre Boucher, Louisdale, St. Peter’s and
Delicious hotdogs and hamburgers will be available for sale. Come join us for lunch!
Fax:L’Ardoise).
756-2510
Whycocomagh
Ph: 902-756-2314
Artists and would be artists mark your calendar for a fun “Art Night
Out” taking place Saturday,
October 1st at Mabou Fire
Hall beginning at 7pm. Talented Cape Breton artist Lisa Harrison will lead the evening. Tickets are $35 pp and everything
youEvents:
need to create a beautiful painting will be supplied and there will be lots of delicious food and refreshments. A limited
Upcoming
number of tickets are available at The Hope Chest, Mabou, The Ark Store, Iron Mines, East Coast Credit Union and The Mull
• Join us for another Paint Night with Lisa Harrison on Friday, April 21 at Mabou Fire Hall.You will enjoy a fun night out while
Restaurant, Mabou or by calling Josie or Deb at 902-945-2283.
creating some beautiful art.
• The
Middlegratitude
River/L’Arche
Breton
Walk and 10k
Run
placeSydney
on Saturday,
7. Registration
begins
at
· annual
Our sincere
to Bill Cape
Goldstone
of 5k
Frameworks
Cycle
andtakes
Fitness,
for theMay
donation
of a beautiful
bicycle
9am atvalued
the Middle
River Tickets
Community
with bicycle
the Walk/Run
starting
at $599.00.
on theCentre
“Escape2”
are on sale
nowatat10am.
all local branches of East Coast Credit Union, the
• Springfest
place and
thisThe
yearHope
on Sunday,
28 and
at the
Judique
Community
Centre and at the Membertou Trade and
Mull takes
Restaurant
Chest, May
Mabou
The
Ark Store
in Iron Mines.
Convention Centre in Sydney on Saturday, June 3d. There will be great music, delicious food, a live auction, a new L’Arche
All proceeds from these events go towards operational costs of the L’Arche Cape Breton day programs.
Cape Breton video and presentations by community members.
·
I want to help L’Arche Cape Breton
PLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION ON HOW TO:
[ ] Become a L’Arche Cape Breton Assistant [ ] Become a volunteer at L’Arche Cape Breton
Name:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Phone No: __________________
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED
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ASE MAIL
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PLE
PLEASE
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