August 2015 - Issue 5 4 L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL “We are all on this journey of life together, each given certain gifts to make this world a better place and to help make one another’s burdens a little lighter along the way.” Mike Ramsdell SUMMER 2015 MATTHEW AND KELLY ENJOYING A CANOE RIDE ON ST JOSEPH’S LAKE NEWS & EVENTS Just Married By John Tinio Family isn’t bound by blood. They say you will find it in a place where people love you and take good care of you. It doesn’t matter where you come from, no matter the color of your skin or what language you speak; you’ll find family where people appreciate you. th On July 4 , two love birds in our community decided to tie the knot and be a family in the eyes of God and all of us. Jochen and Cassandra met in L’Arche years ago and fell in love with each other and the rest, as they say, “is history”. The special event was held in the St. FX Chapel and attended by their loving family and friends. After the wedding, everyone gathered at the reception in St. Ninian’s Place, where everyone truly enjoyed the speeches and the savory, delicious meal and dessert. Jochen and Cassandra thanked everyone who celebrated with them on their most special day. They both look forward, as do we, their friends and community, to the next steps in the adventure of married life! Tommy Landry is not only a dear friend to them; he was their ring bearer at their ceremony. Most importantly though, the couple met through Tommy, so it was fitting and special that the take away gifts at the reception were bookmarks handcrafted with Tommy’s paper and decorated flowers. Thank you, Cassandra and Jochen, for sharing the beautiful celebration of your love with all of us from L’Arche!!! A big thank you to Raymond Teasdale and his family for the donation of this beautiful piano to Jubilee. Also to Hannes's parents for covering the cost to move the piano and have it tuned. Flash Mop! Antigonight Sept 26th, 6-10pm, Chisholm Park. Come Join L'Arche Hearts & Hands as they pop up and mop up with artistic mayhem. L'Arche Family Day October 3rd, Time TBA, Clare Marie Auditorium, Fun, games, cake and the 2016 calendar launch. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 2 Don’t be Afraid of Change By Natalie Cameron One thing I have learned in L’Arche is that change is constant. Over the past six months we have had many changes in our community. Beth Wolters become the new community leader; she is doing a wonderful job in discovering and learning the many facets of her new role. Debbie Leuschner became the new program leader of Cornerstone; it is a perfect fit for Debbie as she brings her wealth of experience to create a daytime home for our elders. Jubilee welcomed Elizabeth Abler to their home in February. Elizabeth has been a friend of L’Arche for many years and is excited to find a place of belonging and to experience community. Eileen Garvie was temporarily welcomed at Emmaus house as she recovered from a broken ankle. She was very grateful to have a different experience in another home and to have such a wonderful welcome. Michael Boddy was very gracious to temporarily move from Dixie to Covenant as we needed a down stairs room for Matthew to recover after surgery. In April we said farewell to Jeff Murray and Daniel MacDonald as they continue on their journey of finding independence. Angela Brosha moved back to Antigonish in April and she discovers L’Arche and community at Emmaus house. We recently welcomed Sachan Sarwal from Halifax who makes his home at Dixie. We live a lot of change in L’Arche and this encourages new relationships to form and for community to keep evolving to the changing needs of everyone. Regional Vacation to Newfoundland By Mariya Pavlyukevych It was an honor to be a part of the vacation group to Newfoundland together with Jocelyn and Krista (L’Arche St. John), Tricia and Anna (L’Arche Halifax) and Jonathan (L’Arche Cape Breton). Michael and I represented L’Arche Antigonish. The first part of our trip was spent in Calvert, generously welcomed by Jenn Power’s family and parents. We enjoyed a hike to LaManche, boat rides with Jenn’s dad, a beach bonfire, BBQ, and Lighthouse Picnic. We explored Petty Harbor and Cape Spear along the way to St. John’s. We had great time doing some shopping and exploring downtown St. John’s as well as walking around Signal Hill. The second part of our trip, we were kindly hosted by the families, members of Cornerstone community in St. John’s. Petra Sunner, David Buckley and their son Anton, who became our host family. Cornerstone community organized a noontime BBQ and pool party in our honor. During this event, we were able to share our experience about our life in L’Arche. Welcoming Newfoundland presented us with breathtaking beauty of nature and kindhearted people who will stay in our memory forever. We will continue to keep Cornerstone community in our prayers so one day they will be able to open their first L’Arche home for people who need it so much. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 3 News from the L’Arche Foundation Board of Directors By Janet Stark In 2002, a group of people formed The L’Arche Antigonish Foundation, a volunteer and nonprofit society. Its main objective is to gift funds to L’Arche Antigonish to be used to assist people with intellectual disabilities with their educational, recreational, spiritual and living requirements. Over the years, the Foundation has supported such things as the assistance in the purchase of homes and vehicles; the summer camp for youth in Antigonish, and the educational opportunities for the assistants on their retreats. At its most recent Annual General Meeting in May 2015, the members of the board elected the following people for one year terms, and chose those indicated as the executive: Dr. Patsy Allan, Ms. Anne Chisholm, Mr. Bob Day, Prof. Clare Fawcett, Mr. David Kearney, Ms. Claire MacDonald, Ms. Mary MacInnis, Secretary, Ms. Heather Murphy, Treasurer, Ms. Janet Stark, President Mr. Stephen Zwick, Ms. Beth Wolters (also serving on board since becoming our community leader). The board acknowledged the tremendous contributions and many years of service of three members who retired from the board: Dr. Minoli Amit, Mr. Gerard Lukeman, and Ms. Mary MacDonald. The members of the board anticipate a busy year as it considers and responds to the needs of all the members of L’Arche Antigonish including the core members, assistants, and staff. For those who may be interested in learning Physical Activity-You Know It’s Good For You more about and supporting L’Arche Antigonish the board would like to point out the existence of the L’Arche Antigonish website at www.larcheantigonish.ca Besides information about L’Arche Antigonish, you will find information about L’Arche Canada, Jean Vanier, publications, and how to donate to our local L’Arche community. Please feel free to pass along this link to people you know who may be interested in supporting the work of L’Arche in Antigonish MARY EILEEN’S RECIPE CORNER By Carl MacDonald Physical activity is one of the more effective methods to improve our health, but can be a challenge to include in our daily routines. There are, however, some simple strategies to increase physical activity with a little planning. Here are a few: •Go for a walk. If you need to run an errand, consider walking instead of taking the car. •Take the stairs. Climbing the stairs, rather than using an elevator or escalator, doesn’t add much time and gives a boost to our daily workout. •Park the car at the far end of the parking lot when you go to the grocery store. Not only will it add a few steps to your daily activity, it may help to avoid parking lot dents, as there will likely be fewer cars close by. •Stand more often. Try to adapt activities so that you are standing, rather than sitting. Peel vegetables at the counter, rather than sitting at a table, for example. •Have a walking meeting. It gets away from other distractions in the home or office and allows both participants an opportunity for undivided attention in a nonthreatening environment. •Get outside. Weed the flowerbeds, rake the lawn, trim the bushes, anything to get outside and enjoy nature. •Walk the dog. If you don’t have one, borrow one. Maybe your neighbour would like to have you provide Fido with a little extra exercise. •Make opportunities for “mini-workouts”. You may not have time to get to the gym, but you can do lifting exercises with a bag of potatoes (or anything else in reach, and within reason), use an office chair for stretching exercises, or run up and down the stairs while you’re waiting for the dryer to finish. Any increase in our physical activity will go a long way towards improving our overall health and wellbeing. This, combined with good diet, adequate rest and support of family, friends and professionals should help to maintain optimal health. Old-Fashioned Baked Beans Ingredients : 4 c white beans 10 c water 2 med. onions 1 tbs salt, 4tsp cider vinegar 2 tbs brown sugar, 1 tsp mustard ½ c molasses, 1 c ketchup ½ lbs bacon, pepper Directions : Soak beans in water overnight, drain. Add water, cover, heat to boiling then simmer 30 min. Drain. Add onions to ovenproof pot/dish. Add other ingredients to beans and pour on onions. Add water to cover and place bacon on top. Cover and bake at 250F for 7 h. When beans are tender mashed 1 c and stir back in. Cover and continue to bake. Add water as needed to keep beans covered. 1 h before serving remove cover. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 4 A Word From the Community Leader By Beth Wolters A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending Cassandra and Jochen’s wedding - aka The Wedding of the Century. On a beautiful sunny day they were married at the St. F.X chapel and I got to go with two of my favourite people – Sara and Carroll. Carroll was sound asleep when we arrived at the RK and he hardly woke during the walk to the chapel. We slipped into the side by the organ and Carroll started a very gentle snore. I was a little disappointed that Carroll wasn’t more animated and it made me sad that he is having more days when he sleeps much of the time. When the organ started Carroll would stir slightly and his eyelids would flutter but he only really woke as Jochen and Cassandra exchanged rings. (He just needed to be sure it really happened!) As the register was being signed, Jochen saw Carroll for the first time that day. A smile filled his face, tears filled his eyes and a few escaped. I could see Jochen’s joy as he pointed Carroll out to Cassandra. Carroll, small and fragile, asleep in his wheelchair, yet still breaking hearts open and filling them with joy! Unveiling of the Woven Cross By Murray Gibson, http://people.stfx.ca/mgibson/ We gathered together on Wednesday May th 20 to celebrate the installation of the beautiful woven cross in the foyer of the Clare Marie Gathering Place. We are very pleased to present it to St Martha’s Regional hospital, although it was originally intended for the former L’Arche chapel. The woven cross was created during 2011-12 in partnership between the folks and the students in my Weaving Studio course in the Art Department at StFX. The beauty of the woven cross is not only in its final appearance but is also deep within the fabric as a reflection of its making. The folks chose all the different colours for the cross. My students learned how to draft weaving patterns and they prepared the table-top looms for weaving. The folks came to the university studio for one hour each week during the academic year. They worked together with their student partner to weave the colourful bands for the wall-hanging. All the bands needed to make the cross were finished by the end of the year. Students, community volunteers, and the folks gathered in the weaving studio to create the cross. Each woven band represents a partnership, and the partners came to the front of the studio and wove their band, over and under, into the wall-hanging. As the cross came together, band by band, the many colours and patterns began to reflect the many people – 45 in all – who came together during the year and worked so diligently to achieve our common goal. The act of weaving together, to create something of great beauty, is a very powerful metaphor of building a strong and caring community. Our cross is a symbol of our deep Christian faith, and it is also a gift to the people of Antigonish so that they may see not only the beauty of the cross but also hear the power of its message of communitybuilding. In that moment, Carroll’s simple presence allowed joy to grow. After the service Carroll woke up and was full of smiles as he met the newly married couple. Jochen teased him for making him cry and Carroll’s smile got bigger. Pictures were taken and hugs given. As Sara, Carroll and I walked back to Carroll’s home, he went back to sleep. He briefly opened his eyes and smiled at me as I said good-bye and the gentle snores began again. As I left, my heart filled with gratitude for my teacher Carroll and his reminder of the gift of presence. I hope your summer is filled with the joy the presence of friends and family can create. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 5 L’Arche is a Part of Me and I Will Always be a Friend By Nancy Marenick On Tuesday, June 23rd, I attended my last official Annual General Meeting as a L’Arche Antigonish board member. Although I was filled with a mix of emotions, I focused on the great memories and the wonderful experiences I have had over the last 18 years as a member of L’Arche. In those early years, I learned the L’Arche terminology. For example, the term core Member quickly had an impact on me when I learned that the core members are the centre of every L’Arche home, the reason L’Arche exists. L’Arche is built on mutuality and example. In others words, everyone, core members and assistants, live together in a familytype setting. And I cannot emphasize too much the importance of the family model of care that was instituted by Jean Vanier. The L’Arche family model is sustained by mutual respect and cooperation since everyone contributes his or her gifts to create a safe, happy and nurturing family environment. During those early years, I began to discover what I could contribute to the L’Arche family. I took over from Hubert Spekkens as secretary, a job I thoroughly enjoyed and did for more years than I can remember. Later on I served as Board Chair. In the early years, we held our meetings regularly in the dining room at Covenant House, so we had an opportunity to meet and chat with some of the core members we were there to serve. I also frequented the top floor at Covenant House when visiting the admin staff: Gus, Joan, and Noreen. Everyone got some exercise going up and down those stairs. We all lived through renovations, floods, more renovations, financial issues, and long, hard meetings with the Department of Community Services, but we survived and enjoyed community nights, gatherings, shared desserts and lots of laughs together. As the L’Arche Antigonish community grew, we welcomed new core members, lots of assistants, and we gained maturity and strength as a community. We opened Emmaus House, the chapel at Yeshua House. In 2011 we opened Hope and Dixie, and this past year several of our core members moved from our original home, Yeshua, into Jubilee House. The seed of our day programs began in the 90’s spearheaded by Sr. Jovita MacPherson and later John Hamilton, who along with the assistants and staff helped the core members develop and expand their talents. Today we see the results of their ideas in Cornerstone, Horizons, Hearts and Hands, and the Studio all of which give value to the talents of our core members. Through our homes and the day programs we have and continue to build strong bonds within the L’Arche community and the community at large. L’Arche is an integral part of Antigonish and most of our members are well known in town for their contributions. It is so gratifying to see so many townspeople who recognize and accept the individual talents of our core members. We shared many welcomes and farewells to assistants and core members; we have had losses too, such as core members Margie, Dorothy, Sam, Miriam, and staff members, Noreen, and assistants, Aaron. Through all the good times and bad, the core members, in particular, always seem to handle these changes with grace, patience, and wisdom. I served with many wonderful, giving people on the Board. The current Board has good, strong members who will carry on the work of L’Arche Antigonish. Today when we visit the staff, it’s up one short flight of stairs at Abelard (not like the third floor at Covenant) to confer with Beth, Natalie, Joan, Janette, or Carl. Times have changed, people come and go, and after 18 years it is time for me to step away from the Board. L’Arche is a part of me and I will always be a friend. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 6 Sowing Seeds! A WORD FROM JEAN VANIER By Peter Schenke The Garden & Sustainability Group had started last April. Since then we’ve met almost every week. During the first few weeks, when it was still too cold and too early to start the gardens outside, we met inside at the Studio. I was happy to see that there was so much interest and excitement about gardening in the community. During those first meetings we learned a bit about the importance of gardening and its connection to sustainability. We talked a little bit about the history of human kind, foraging, hunting, early gardening and farming and noticed some differences to farming in our world today. We tried to get a feeling for where we stand, as humans and as community and what impact we, and todays food production, might have on our environment. With a feeling of excitement about the whole project we started planning our gardening year. Seeds, manure and tools had to be organized and locations for gardens and crops had to be figured out. The first seeds were sowed inside. And finally outside, too. Then we started rotating our meetings, each week we met at another house/program, to be able to prepare and sow and plant all the gardening boxes and beds, we planned to use. During one of our meetings at Covenant House, Chad gave a very professional and accessible talk about composting and awakened the excitement about composting in many of us. The plan for a ‘three bin compost system’ in the backyard of covenant house was discussed. Time went by fast. Our first plantings grew and how beautiful was it to have the first harvesting meeting. Our first harvest was lots of lettuce and some radish, more than enough for all the houses and even for the Lobster supper at Joan’s the following week. Since then, we have harvested more lettuce; it seems to grow faster than we can eat it and some peas, beans and cucumbers, too. The rest is still growing. We are also waiting for tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic (we learned that we might have planted the garlic too late), broccoli, beets, potatoes, corn, more peas, beans, cucumbers and lettuce. The Covenant House compost bin system is now under construction and the first bin is already in use. Also the plastic compost bins of Emmaus, Hope/Dixie and the Studio were made usable again! There are difficulties, too. Not everything grew how we wished for it. Some gardening boxes had to be replanted. For various reasons the first plantings weren’t successful. And of course, weeds are always growing, too!! Especially at Emmaus and Dixie house they are growing fast, as a result of the weed seeds from the last year. The rotation meetings have their price and sometimes some of the garden boxes fall out of sight. Lack of time to care for the gardens in between the meetings and during the vacations is reality, too. We are learning. But all in all we are very happy and proud, that food is growing around our houses and programs again and people are involved in growing it. This year it might be not yet the amount of food we grow that really makes a big difference for the environment and the earth, by taking pressure off the industrial food production chain and growing and eating locally. But the interest people show and the excitement about growing is definitely making a difference in the community, the world and the earth’s future. Sowing seeds. That’s what we do! This prayer is written by Jean’s sister, Therese, when she was 80 years old. It is like a testament that she has left for us. May oppressed people and those who oppress them, free each other. May those who are handicapped and those who think they are not, help each other. May those who need someone to listen, touch the hearts of those who are too busy. May the homeless bring joy to those who open their doors reluctantly. May the lonely heal those who think they are selfâsufficient. May the poor melt the hearts of the rich. May seekers of truth give life to those who are satisfied that they have found it. May the dying who do not wish to die be comforted by those who find it hard to live. May unloved be allowed to unlock the hearts of those who cannot love. May prisoners find true freedom and liberate others from fear. May those who sleep on the streets share their gentleness with those who cannot understand them. May the hungry tear the veil from the eyes of those who do not hunger after justice. May those who live without hope, cleanse the hearts of their brothers and sisters who are afraid to live. May the weak confound the strong and save them. May violence be overcome by compassion. May violence be absorbed by men and women of peace. May violence succumb to those who are totally vulnerable, that we may be healed. Amen OUR WISHLIST In the end I still want to use the opportunity to invite everyone who is interested to something very exiting! Please join our group to a visit at the Bethany Garden Apprentice Program on August. 27th at 4pm. The apprentices are going to give us a tour of the organic vegetable garden, which is providing vegetables for the Antigonish Food Store and the farmers market in Antigonish. Just let one of us know, if you are interested. We look forward to seeing you there! Thanks so much to everyone supporting our group!! - Recumbent bike - Garden tools - Health professional balance scale - Craft supplies (glue gun, rug hook kits) - Hammock - Glider rocker - Musical instruments - Electric armchair - Pressure cooker L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 7 Our Community Vacation By Cassandra Quick The home group this year consisted of Tommy, Joe White, Mary Kathleen, Jochen, Chuck (the first week), Adrian (the second week) and Cassandra. During the first week the folks still had their work programs. There was a BBQ hosted at Horizons for all the L'Arche groups in Antigonish. The second week we went whale watching, were invited to a BBQ at Carl's house with L'Arche Toronto, went to visit Shubenacadie Wildlife Park as well as went for lots of walks and out for ice cream. Also together with Tommy we visited Tom Gilfoy. By Hannes Maurer Our group spent two amazing weeks in Ontario. The first week we stayed at L’Arche London, got to know life there and found some new friends. The second week we went on to Gamble House from L’Arche Toronto, which kindly hosted us and gave us an amazing place to stay. We went to Niagara Falls admiring the beauty and magnificence of it and went on the CN Tower, to get high above Toronto’s numerous skyscrapers and see the city from a bird’s perspective. Pretty impressive and fascinating were also the Museums (ROM and Science Center) and last but certainly not least Toronto Zoo. By Elizabeth Abler I went on vacation with L’Arche for 2 weeks. The people in my vacation group were Jarrod, Angela, Heather, Olha, Udesh and Katie. We went to Halifax and Wolfville. In Halifax the group stayed at Mount St. Vincent University. The highlight from Halifax was the Harbour Hopper, a tour bus that takes people around Halifax, it turns into a boat that can go on the water as well. All of us went to Peggy's Cove, where we got our picture taken for a personalized post card that will be a nice memento for years to come. We went out to eat at a Japanese Restaurant where I discovered how to eat with chopsticks for the first time. During the second week of vacation we went to Wolfville. Some of the group stayed at a L’Arche house called Emmaus house, the assistants and core members who lived there were very friendly and welcoming. We went to the beach; the water in the bay was nice and warm. My favourite part of our trip to Wolfville was when all of us went to the farm/zoo and my favourite animal was called a Zonkey. A Zonkey is an animal that is part Donkey and part Zebra. I really enjoyed my L’Arche vacation. I can hardly wait until next year! By Chae Hyun Oh Our vacation was wonderful. Nice place, good food and fun activities. We could relax and enjoy it all. And we could get to know each other well at this time. We celebrated birthdays of Joe MacPherson and Elizabeth Boucher. It was an awesome experience for us. Everyone was so happy about it. Thanks for our group we were enjoying everything. I cannot forget this time in my life. By John Tinio They say “Life is full of little journeys and all about the people you will be with”. Our group was composed of Woorim, Adrian, Angus, Donny, Sachan, Matthew and yours truly. We did lots of driving and scenic tours around the Cape. We met and bonded with people from L’Arche Cape Breton It was an interesting, adventurous first week for us. On the second week, we went to Halifax. We enjoyed the great Busker festival. The group also had fun in the big public gardens, walking and playing around and bonding with each other. The group was also thrilled doing the buggy day tour in Lunenburg and meeting the other vacation group in Halifax . All in all, the group enjoyed and had fun for this year's community vacation not just because of the beautiful, outstanding, adventurous, scenic drives and what the gorgeous busy City can offer, but mainly because of the people of the group itself. It's all about the people that makes our lil’ journey in life, worth it. By Eliza Courtney Eight mosquito ridden bodies with salty, sun tanned skin relax around a campfire in the moonlight; some slightly aware of the tiny grains of sand sticking to hair or hiding between toes. Other memorable moments: Joven, Dustin and Eileen in search of crabs in shallow ocean water, making candles at the Orwell Historic site, Carol Ann horseback riding, Cow’s Ice Cream factory, double decker bus tour of Charlottetown, canoeing, kayaking and Kelly’s enthusiasm for kayaking, swimming, discovering seals also swimming nearby, Ceilidh in Georgetown where Lisa and Kyle won the hearts of everyone, Sandspit Amusement Park, China King Buffet, PEI dirt shirts, swinging on swings, befriending barking dogs, watching the sunrise, and a staggering amount of SkipBo. L’ARCHE ANTIGONISH SOCIAL | Issue 5 Beth and Michael welcoming our new board members, Maurice Smith, Rosemary Curry and Sears Forbes Elizabeth on community exchange with Corinthian house in L'Arche Cape Breton Happy 50th Birthday Elizabeth MacDonald Tina is our new regional delegate for the National Council 8 Canoeing with Andrew Foran and StFX Produce grown in the gardens by the garden group! Goodbye to 3 faithful board members, Colleen Cameron, Marla Gaudet and Nancy Marenick Mary Kathleen and Debbie with Mila a student from the YMCA who spent 6 weeks with our community Happy 75th Birthday Joe! First regional community vacation to Newfoundland At the GoArts 2015 Special Olympics If you would like to learn more about our community or support our homes and day programs please contact us at 902 863 5000 or visit 4 West St, Antigonish, NS, B2G1R8. If you wish to make a contribution please make cheques payable to L’Arche Antigonish Sign up for our e-Newsletter by emailing us at: community@larcheantigonish.ca and follow us on Facebook