HOPE•SIGNS

www.larcheusa.org

1130 SW Morrison St.

Suite 230

Portland, OR 97205

Phone: (503) 282-6231

Fax: (503) 249-9264

Email: info@larcheusa.org

The Newsletter of L’Arche USA • Summer 2013 • Volume 6, Issue 1

Who We Are: We are people, with and

without developmental

disabilities, sharing life in

communities belonging to

an International Federa-

tion. Mutual relationships

and trust in God are at

the heart of our journey

together. We celebrate

the unique value of every

person and recognize our

need of one another.

Our Mission is to make

known the gifts of people

with developmental

disabilities, revealed

through mutually

transforming

relationships; to foster an

environment in

community that responds

to the changing needs of

our members, while being

faithful to the core values

of our founding story; and

to engage in our diverse

cultures, working

together toward a more

human society.

Identity and Mission

of L’Arche

Celebrating Richard and Stephanie Bower

At her first dinner at L'Arche Syracuse,

Stephanie Bower says that it was core

member Ted Fox who won her heart.

Stephanie would subsequently spend the

next five years as an assistant at L'Arche

Syracuse, later be an assistant at L’Arche

in Choluteca, Honduras, serve on the

L'Arche USA board, and eventually help

lead L’Arche retreats in the United States

and Latin America.

At the time when Stephanie first came to

L'Arche, her husband Richard served as

Dean of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in

Syracuse. In 1998, Richard was close to

retiring, and Jean Vanier was giving a re-

treat at L'Arche Syracuse. Jean suggested

that Richard consider the volunteer role

of pastoral minister with L'Arche USA.

Within the year, approval came from

L'Arche USA, and the presiding Episcopal

Bishop officially appointed Richard to this

new role.

As Pastoral Minister over the last twelve

years, Richard has provided leadership,

support, and nourishment for the spiritual

life of L’Arche communities across the

U.S. and Latin America. He has led prayer

and worship for national gatherings,

chaired the L'Arche USA Spirituality Com-

mission, and led formations and retreats

for core members, assistants, and leader-

ship teams.

Richard says that he counts L’Arche as one of

his spiritual guides. Visiting communities

worldwide, he is continually moved by the gift

of love and trust from the people with intel-

lectual disabilities whom he encounters. In

L’Arche he has found a continual call for his

"mind and heart to be open to a wider

world," to pray for and grow in understanding

of the larger human family. Stephanie explains

that L’Arche offers an alternative vision to

the competition and materialism of our

society. She says: “The core members call us

back to relationships, to a sensitivity to other

people, honesty about who we are, and

listening to each other."

This year Richard retires from his role as

L'Arche USA Pastoral Minister. From their

retirement home in rural Vermont, Richard

and Stephanie plan to continue to spend four

days every month with L'Arche Irenicon.

L'Arche USA expresses its deepest gratitude

for Richard and Stephanie's gentle presence

with us, their friendship, wisdom, compassion,

and the generous sharing of their gifts and

their lives.

In this issue: Shaping Life Vocations

Richard and Stephanie leading a retreat in Mexico

By Ellen Eischen, L’Arche USA

Director of Development & Communications

2

Living on the Edge

2

By Joan Mahler, L’Arche USA National Leader

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma recently ad-

dressed a gathering in Washing-

ton, DC, on the arts and public

policy. In his speech, Ma spoke

about “the edge effect,” i.e., the

creative and transformative

power that is released in places

where diversity meets. He

explained:

“In ecology, where two ecosystems meet - such as in the forest

and the savannah - the point of intersection is the site of ‘the

edge effect.’ In that transition zone, because of the influence

that the two ecological communities have on each other, you find

the greatest diversity of life, as well as the greatest number of

new life forms . . . The ‘edge effect’ is where those of varied

backgrounds come together in a zone of transition; a region of

less structure, more diversity, and more possibility. The edge is a

time and place of transformation and movement.”

I’ve long admired Yo-Yo Ma’s creative commitment to

bringing together musicians from different countries, cul-

tures and styles of music to create something new, some-

thing beautiful. Through his joyful exploration of the world

of musical expression, Ma creates new possibility for human

connection and understanding.

Communities of L’Arche also live on this edge. L’Arche

communities are places of welcome, where people with and

without intellectual disabilities, and people from different

economic, cultural and religious backgrounds come to share

life together. While that daily life in a L’Arche community

might look simple and ordinary from the outside, we know

that it too is a place of profound transformation.

Of course, many important and valuable public and private

organizations create opportunities for people to come to-

gether to support those who are vulnerable in our world.

One of the fundamental aspects of the Mission of L’Arche

that I believe distinguishes our work is that we join

together from our varied backgrounds not just to do good,

but to be in mutual relationship, discovering each

person’s gifts and vulnerabilities. By sharing life to-

gether, each person can discover more fully his or her

humanity.

In 2008, L’Arche USA established an Office of Voca-

tional Development to provide guidance and support to

the people of L’Arche in the United States in experienc-

ing the Mission of L’Arche in all of its human and spiri-

tual possibility. This issue of HopeSigns explores some

of the aspects of this important work - from recruit-

ment of assistants to developing educational programs

and retreats.

Led by Robert Sackel, our Office of Vocational Devel-

opment in the past five years has placed particular focus

on creating spaces and programs for members of our

communities to step out of their daily lives, ideally once

a year, to reflect on what they have been living in com-

munity so that the deeper meaning of L’Arche for their

lives can be revealed. Time and time again, assistants,

core members, and leaders from our L’Arche commu-

nities report that these times of coming together with

their peers in other communities are immensely valu-

able for understanding themselves, their relationships

with one another and with God, and how they desire

to live in the world. L’Arche USA is grateful to the gen-

erous foundations and individual donors whose contri-

butions make these programs of reflection and renewal

possible.

Lastly, I must note this issue’s cover story on Richard

and Stephanie Bower, who have been foundational in

helping the people of L’Arche USA live on a rich spiri-

tual edge. Richard has recently “retired” from his volun-

teer role as L’Arche USA’s Pastoral Minister. Richard

and Stephanie have helped lead formation programs and

retreats that have provided L’Arche members with fer-

tile ground for their spiritual growth and self-discovery.

We thank them and bless them as they find a new, rest-

ful rhythm of life in their beloved Vermont.

HOPE•SIGNS

HOPE•SIGNS

Jean Vanier Receives the Pacem in Terris Award

For the first time in its 49-year history,

the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom

Award was hand-delivered outside the

United States. In July, Bishop Martin

Amos of the Diocese of Davenport

traveled to the birthplace of L'Arche,

Trosly-Breuil, France, to present the

award to L’Arche founder, Jean Vanier.

Established in 1964 by the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council, the award hon-

ors Pope John XXIII and commemorates his 1963 encyclical letter Pacem in Terris

(Peace on Earth) to recognize a person for their achievements in peace and justice.

Previous award recipients include John F. Kennedy (posthumously), Martin Luther

King Jr., Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Archbishop

Desmond Tutu, Cesar Chavez, Sister Helen Prejean and Lech Walesa.

The Pacem in Terris Coalition, which chose Vanier for the award, represents the

Diocese of Davenport, St. Ambrose University, Augustana College, The Catholic

Messenger, Churches United of the Quad City Area, Congregation of the Humility

of Mary, Muslim Community of the Quad Cities, Pax Christi Quad Cities, Sisters

of St. Benedict, Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa, and Sisters of St. Francis,

Dubuque. Pope Paul VI said that if we want peace, we need to work for justice.

The coalition believes that Jean Vanier is building a foundation for peace through

his commitment to fostering communities of love, understanding and growth that

lead to human flourishing.

In addition to the award ceremony that took place in France, Vanier believes it is

important that a ceremony also be held in the United States. He says that it is not

about him, but about the vision of L’Arche which is being lived out in so many

countries and particularly in the United States. Thus, planning is underway for a

celebration August 25th in Clinton, Iowa, which will include video of the L’Arche

founder’s acceptance speech, prayers and singing by L’Arche Clinton/“The Arch.”

“Giving Jean Vanier the peace award draws attention to our efforts in L’Arche to

live in peace,” noted Sister Maria Zeimen, OSF, interim community leader of L’Ar-

che in Clinton. “Part of the mission of L’Arche is to work together toward a more

human society. We try to do that in L’Arche by living together as brothers and

sisters. No matter how different we are in age, gender, religion, nationality, intel-

lectually or socially, we recognize the unique value of each person and that we

have need for one another. Since we have 140 L’Arche communities around the

world, we give witness to that worldwide.”

3

L’ARCHE USA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Hildreth

President

IssueLink

Wendy Sullivan

Vice President

LifeSkills

Paula Olson, JD

Secretary

Attorney

Rebecca Cates

Treasurer

Financial Professional

John Biggs

Information Technology Consultant

Arturo Chavez, PhD

Mexican American Catholic College

Paul Lipscomb

Independent Consultant

Kathleen Mahoney

Management Consultant

Luther E. Smith, Jr., PhD

Candler School of Theology

Malcolm Young, PhD Independent Policy Research Consultant

NATIONAL OFFICE

Joan Mahler

National Leader

Suzanne Baker

Foundation Grants Manager

Andrew Callahan

Operations Manager

Nick Connell

Central U.S. Regional Leader

Ellen Eischen

Director of Development & Communications/

Assistant Recruitment

Rick Hatem

Eastern U.S. Assistant Regional Leader

Anita Maroun, SC

Eastern U.S. Regional Leader

Patty McNally

Western U.S. Regional Leader

Jenifer McVicker

Administrative Assistant

Robert Sackel

Director of Vocational Development

Based on a Series of Articles by Barb Arland-Frye

in The Catholic Messenger, Newspaper of the Diocese of Davenport.

Jean Vanier visiting L’Arche in the U.S. in 2008

4 HOPE•SIGNS

By Robert Sackel, L’Arche USA Director of Vocational Development

Developing Vocation

Sixteen years ago, Connie Napolitano came to L'Arche

Syracuse to volunteer a few hours a week. She soon

wanted to spend more time in the community; she be-

came an assistant, and her husband became a regular

volunteer. She speaks fondly about her years in L'Arche:

the friendships she has formed, conversations each night

at the dinner table, community celebrations, ways that

she has been able to support the assistants and core

members in her home, the profound care and concern

other community members have shown her, and how

she continues to learn and grow. Connie says: “Once

you come to L'Arche, it takes over your heart.” She ex-

claims: “Where else do people greet you each morning

as if you had been away for a week?! Every time I am

away for just a few days, I am antsy to come back. I am

so lucky to now have two families.”

Relationships are at the heart of Connie's journey in

L'Arche. The core people sense her sincerity and integ-

rity. She is real and open to growth. Connie is a great

example of both finding a call within herself and revealing

the giftedness of our people. She has discovered a voca-

tion in her life.

Vocation has in the past been used exclusively in refer-

ence to religious orders; priests and nuns had vocations

in the religious life. Thankfully today many individuals and

churches recognize vocation as a way of life made up of

a variety of situations, circumstances, choices, and rela-

tionships. Edward Hahnenberg explains: “Vocation is not

a detailed blueprint imposed on my life from above . . .

Rather, my vocation is right there in front of me. It is me

- my life lived in harmony with the gift of grace, which is

nothing other than God’s loving presence within.”

Five years ago, L'Arche USA established the Office of

Vocational Development to help foster an environment

of growth and a culture of learning within our communi-

ties. In this time, we have worked to offer opportunities

to all community members that would help them grow,

with the ultimate goal of living “in harmony with the gift

of grace.”

The Office of Vocational Development continues to re-

fine and deliver a national formation program, key to nur-

turing and supporting community members in their voca-

tional development. This has included working together

with local and regional leaders to develop a formation

curriculum that can be used in communities across the

country, and to train workshop and retreat leaders to

support and nurture local community members in their

vocation in L’Arche.

In these past five years, the Office of Vocational Develop-

ment has fostered and deepened relationships with uni-

versities, campus ministries, foundations, L'Arche Interna-

tional, workshop and retreat givers, volunteers corps,

retreat centers, educational consultants, researchers, and

our own L'Arche USA communities. Creating links with

others is part of the journey of L'Arche. These relation-

ships have provided us with partners for the journey, new

assistants, resources, scholarships, friendships, and exper-

tise. Proof, once again, that together we are better.

Like Connie, many assistants and core people find a sense

of belonging within the communities of L'Arche. Our

common vocation of entering into mutual relationships is

a witness to a world that is in dire need of mutual, re-

spectful relationships. As gift-finders and as people of

community, we can be a sign of hope.

Connie

Napolitano

(right) with

fellow commu-

nity member,

Amy (left),

at L’Arche

Syracuse

HOPE•SIGNS 5

I have lived at L’Arche for almost 28 years. At L'Arche I feel

accepted and at home. What else do I need? I value the

sense of “wholeness” L’Arche gives to me. I have grown up

here, and I am growing old here. It makes me happy to see

young people coming with enthusiasm and energy; our mis-

sion continues to attract people. This is especially meaningful

to me now since one of our newest assistants is my niece.

She has been with our home on vacations and celebrations

for most of her life, so it’s a natural fit for her. I hope to

continue on the journey to keep growing and deepening in

my spiritual life, and it is nice to look back at all that has hap-

pened, but I am really content just to be present and open to

all that’s given to me just in this moment! Everyone has

things to learn and gifts to share. No one can do it all, but

we help each other to grow and deepen in commitment.

Like so many other Californian Jesuit novices who

have been sent to L’Arche in Seattle over the past

quarter century for an essential part of our formation,

I too was challenged to transform my understanding of

myself. Never before have I been in a setting in which

my perceived greatest gifts (my “Broadway” voice, af-

fable nature, and ability to ask people for money) came

to mean so little. Indeed, after my time at L'Arche, I

feel I used these gifts to compensate for the lack of

understanding of the mystery of the God that L'Arche

reveals so tenderly and without consciously trying.

This process simply unfolds, unbidden and without

fanfare, in the day-to-day living out of the most ordi-

nary of events. The core members’ frank presence in

the world, the pace at which they invite us to interact,

their lack of pretense, their total acceptance of who

they (and others) are, along with the warm, embracing

welcome they exude for the thousandth time to the

(temporary) stranger - all this conspired to wake me

up. The sincere revelation of their soul, where there is

no disability, scattered my defenses and touched my

own.

Just as Patty’s bright eyes of delight attend to you, so,

too, why wouldn’t God rejoice in our very being - in

the simplicity of living and loving? I need not seek rec-

ognition, or on lesser days, compensate for what I

might perceive as lacking, with a show of strength. The

core members announce that God is already here,

charged in our day-to-day, if we but slow down to be

present, to see and to listen. So, I write full of appre-

ciation for the opportunity to experience the grandeur

of God so tangibly while I was so gracefully and relent-

lessly lured into experiencing the deep down, soul-

bound truths. I am honored, edified and aware in a

new way because of my time in L'Arche. And I am

comforted and encouraged to know that this loving

community will always be a vibrant source of love, re-

assurance and hope for our struggling world.

God’s Grandeur

By Billy Biegler, SJ

Accepted and at Home

By Connie Reinwald, Assistant at L’Arche Erie

Billy Biegler (right)

and core member,

Robin Roche (left),

at L’Arche Noah

Sealth in Seattle

Connie Reinwald

and her house-

mate, Bob M., at

L’Arche Erie

HOPE•SIGNS 6

Tim: What does vocation mean to you?

John: It means opportunity.

Tim: Ok, what kind of opportunities do you have at

L'Arche?

John: I go on field trips, I go on walks. I love being here.

I love Terry, I love Tim, I love Sara, and I love Jess.

Tim: How have you experienced [relationships in

L'Arche]?

John: By meeting them, being nice to them and treating

them with respect.

Tim: What's cool about our friendship together?

John: We love to hang out together, we love to have

fun.

Tim: It's pretty cool that we get to live together too,

huh? That we can live together and be friends and do

things together?

John: L'Arche means friendship.

Tim: It does mean friendship. It means receiving too,

right? There's something about L'Arche that teaches us

through availability to receive other people's gifts, other

people’s presence, to delight in each others' company.

John: Yeah, I don't see that at people at [another pro-

gram]. You know why?

Tim: Why?

John: Because they don't understand what we mean.

Tim: I'm proud of you buddy.

John: Yeah.

This March, ten students from DePaul University drove out

of Chicago to leave for our Spring Break service trip. We

had no idea then that our hearts and minds would be for-

ever changed by the love and generosity of the L’Arche

community in Mobile, Alabama.

Vanier writes in his book Community and Growth, “All of us

have a secret desire to be seen as saints, heroes, martyrs.

We are afraid to be children, to be ourselves.” Our time

during spring break was spent fostering relationships be-

tween ourselves and the core members, understanding the

L’Arche mission and community in Mobile, and fixing up

one of the community’s houses. We did nothing particularly

extraordinary, and yet we were all changed in

extraordinary ways.

On our final day at L’Arche

Mobile, my fellow students

and I stood in a circle as the

core members stood around

us and raised their hands to

bless us. As they recited their

blessing, I looked upon people

whose beautiful spirits trans-

formed the way I see the

world and myself. I saw Larry

who taught me that we do not always need to talk in order

to communicate. I saw Elmore who taught me that one

small gesture of kindness can make somebody’s day. I saw

Annie Pearl who taught me to always express my happiness

and my appreciation for others. And as I looked at these

people for the last time in what will be a while, I began to

cry. I was not a saint or a hero, but a child, and it never felt

so good to be myself. The word “L’Arche” is French for

“The Ark.” For me L’Arche is more than a refuge; it is a

home to celebrate the dignity of each person and the

unique gifts that they have to offer. In “Sweet Home Ala-

bama,” I found my home at L’Arche Mobile.

Sweet Home

By Maureen Maher, Student at DePaul University

Vocation as Opportunity

A Conversation with John Hudson and Tim Moore

John and Tim

on their front

porch at

L’Arche

Atlanta

HOPE•SIGNS 7

The Spirit of Giving: The Importance of Relationship

During a college break, I arrived at a door of the Lambeth

community in London with no idea of what awaited me

other than the friend, David Jenkins, whom I had come to

visit. It was quickly apparent that David’s house-sharing

arrangement was like nothing I had ever encountered.

One of the enduring aspects of my short stay in the Lam-

beth community was the glimpse I got into what it means

to live in true relationship with others, how it makes the

heart swell with joy and sometimes sorrow, as one experi-

ences the joy and pain of others, and one shares one’s

own joy and pain with others. Against the backdrop of

noisy, trivial distractions that occupied so much of my time

and my thinking, I saw people living their lives in a simple

and powerful way. The experience stayed with me.

A year later, I was set to start law school. I had an apart-

ment and roommate lined up, and the opportunity for a

secure career lay ahead. But my mind kept turning back to

the Lambeth experience. A month before law school

started, I decided to put school on hold, and soon I was

heading to L’Arche in Inverness, Scotland.

The Inverness community welcomed me heartily, in true

L’Arche fashion, and led me into one of the most intensely

alive periods of my life. To live there was to live in the im-

mediate present, to learn again and again that most of

what we think to be important isn’t, that the most valuable

parts of life are the parts we most often ignore, and that

the people frequently viewed as needing guidance are the

ones who guide. I debated staying indefinitely in Inverness.

But one of the many ways that the Inverness community

helped me was in discerning that law school was the right

next step for me.

After starting work as a lawyer, my plans of becoming ac-

tive in the Washington, D.C., L’Arche community ran

headlong into my inability to balance the demands of

working in a large law firm. Eleven years passed, during

which I’d married, had kids, and become a junior partner.

By Bo Tayloe, Former Assistant at L’Arche Inverness

Much was right in my life, but I was increasingly aware of

a dissonance between what I worked on and what I

cared about. I left the firm to work in the Civil Rights

Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, enforcing the

rights of persons with disabilities, especially the right to

live a meaningful life as part of the general community.

This has been the bulk of my work for the past twelve

years.

I am incredibly fortunate to have this work. It lets me

apply my legal skills in a context that matters. And my

experience in L’Arche greatly informs what I do every

day, why I do it, and how I do it. The fundamental les-

sons that L’Arche teaches—about the artificiality of roles

and labels, the inherent value of each of us, and the vital-

ity that comes from living in true community—these are

lessons that permeate my work. They are constant moti-

vators.

By necessity, what I do takes place in a framework of

federal laws and regulations. But it is basically about pull-

ing down barriers that get in the way of people living

together in community. I think it’s fitting that this is so,

because of the lessons L’Arche has taught me about liv-

ing in true community, and about the importance of rela-

tionship, such as the friendship that brought me to L’Ar-

che in the first place. And for that, I will always be

grateful.

I happily support L’Arche USA in gratitude for all that

L’Arche has given me, and because the principles that

L’Arche teaches are important for us all.

Bo Tayloe and his family in December 2012

8 HOPE•SIGNS

T hank you! The Board of Directors and staff of L’Arche USA express our gratitude to all the individuals,

foundations and corporations who made financial and in-kind contributions to L’Arche USA in 2012. Our

donors contributed generously to the Mission and work of L’Arche in the United States, as well as to our Solidarity

programs with L’Arche communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

L’Arche USA Donor Listing | January 1 - December 31, 2012

INDIVIDUALS

Anonymous

Spencer Abel

Sandy Affonso

Audrey G. Alcorn

Sr. Laura Algiere

Dennis and Margaret

Andersen

David Andreotta

Joseph Angelo

Jill Argo

Ivy Arnold

Katie and Gary Arnold

Tom Auffenberg

Walter Bacigalupo

Suzanne Baker and

Britt Cloud

Amy and Dan Barcia

Robert and Addie Barkley

Michelle Barrall

Michael F. Barry

Mrs. Roslyn Barry

Prudence Carter Beatty

David Bebb

Brian and Danka Berg

Michel and Marie-Eve Berty

Andrej Bevec

Fran Bickel

John and Marie Biggs

Dottie Bockstiegel

Nicole Bonk

Ed and Cecelia Borrowe

Becky Brady and

James Pelikan

Carole Brown

Robert and Joan Brubaker

Nicholas and Courtney Burgin

Monica Burns

Robert and Susan Burns

Thomas and Mary Ann Burns

Connie and Paul Calabro

Andrew Callahan and

Anna Downing

Elizabeth Callahan

Ann M. Carey and

Alison Warden

Rebecca Cates

Arturo and Mary Chavez

Cathleen Clinton

N. Noon Coda

Mary Cogswell

Daniel Coleman

Joel Connelly

Tara Dunphy Conroy

John Cook and Elizabeth Black

Suzanne Coppola

Michael Corrigan

Mary and Michael Curtius

The Rev. Frederick Cwiekowski

Connie Dahlberg

Rebecca Davidson

Daniel and Linda Delahanty

Paul DeSante

Margaret and Rans Douglas

Lorraine Doyle

Scott and Lou Anne Dulaney

Brian Dunn

John Dylong

Mary Edsall

Stan and Rita Entsminger

Wayne and Anna Lou

Entsminger

James Esposito

John Faust and Cate Stetson

Maria Fitzgerald

Nancy Fontenot

Kenneth and Shimmer Foster

The Rev. Msgr. John Gallagher

Ramani Ganesh

Paul and Susan Garavente

The Rev. Tom Gaunt, S.J.

Salin and Asha Geevarghese

Richard and Glenda Giese

Janice Glor

James and Patricia Gorman

Michael and Michelle Guarino

DeDe and Dean Hall

Tim and Marilyn Hanlon

Rick Hatem

Stanley Hauerwas and

Paula Gilbert

William Heatherington

Steve and Teresa Heinen

Robert and Cynthia Heller

Marita and Rene Herrera

John Hildreth

Eric Ho

Jo Anne Horstmann

C. Gordon Howie and

Wilma J. Reichard

Brandon and Eliza Jewett-Hall

David and Judy Jones

Arthur and Pier Keegan

Frank Kendall

Elizabeth Kerr

Christopher Klepacz

Michael and Kathryn Holden

Klingler

John and Heather Knechtle

Christopher Konrad

Jason and Trisha Kuiper

Nathan Laffin and

Howard Dulaney

Maggie and Stephen Lamb

Margaret Larned

Danielle Lawton and Karl

Hartshorn

Monica Lihs

Bruno Liotta

Paul Lipscomb and

Lynne Cartwright

Joan Loeken

Sr. Mary Jo Logan

Amy and Michael Loughren

Joan Mahler and John Heinen

Kathleen Mahoney and

John Brophy

Karen Majerczak

Sr. Anita Maroun, SC

Kate Marshall

The Rev. Thomas J. Marti, MM

Bill and Jane McClellan

Clarissa McDearmon

Ruth McEwen

Barbara McGrath

Robert and Eileen

McKenzieSullivan

Patty McNally and

Eileen O'Connor

Phil Mendelson

Antonio C. and

Mary-Ann Micale

Michael Millette

Francine Miseyka

Barney Molldrem

Virginia Muraoka-Meyer

Keith and Ginger Myers

Stephen Nazaran

Zena and Joshua Neds-Fox

Megan and David Nims

Ruthann Notz

Mike and Cindy O'Brien

Cheryl O'Connor

The Rev. James O'Donnell

Lori and Dennis O'Donnell

Jacob and Angela Oetama-Paul

Dennis and Cathy O'Keefe

Vance and Margaret Olivier

Dayna and Eric Olson-Getty

Clara Ornes

David Orr

Don and Judy Orscheln

Theodosia Paclawskyj

Pat Parsley

Jean Paul

Mary Elizabeth and

Wade Perry

Larry and Marilyn Porter

Aaron P. Ray

Ms. Rita Reichert

Calvin Richardson

Frances Richman

Libbie Rifkin and Doug Usher

Dr. Bruce and

Mrs. Mary Rigdon

9 HOPE•SIGNS

Dr. P. Alice Rogers

Mr. and Mrs. David M.

Rothrock

Steve Rothrock and Tessa

Keating

Mary and Richard Russell

David M. Ryan

Robert Sackel

Drew Saunders

Mark Schoen

Stephanie Shenk

Denise and Rick Shoaf

Tim Shriver and Linda Potter

Jill Sitkin

Dane F. Smith Jr.

Kendall Smith and Linda

Gramatky Smith

Libby Smith

The Reverends Luther and

Helen Pearson Smith

Margaret Smith

Paul F. Snow

Anne Sommers

Renato C. Soraggi

Diane Steinhaus

Diane and Robert Stonecipher

L'Arche Tahoma Hope

Microsoft Matching Gifts

Program

Monastery of St. Gertrude

North American Academy

of Liturgy

Redemptorist Fathers of

New York

San Damiano Daily Giving

St. Scholastic Monastery

FOUNDATIONS

Anonymous

Berwick Degel Foundation

The Community Foundation

of Middle Tennessee

Koch Foundation

Orscheln Industries Foundation

The Sister Fund

Stewardship Foundation

ORGANIZATIONS &

BUSINESSES

Bank of America Matching

Gifts Program

Chapman University

College of the Holy Cross

Dominican Sisters of Hope

Edison Electric Institute

Fuller Theological Seminary

Joe Leonard Agency

L'Arche Atlanta

L'Arche Cleveland

L'Arche Clinton (The Arch)

L'Arche Erie

L'Arche Greater

Washington, D.C.

L'Arche Harbor House

L'Arche Heartland

L'Arche Irenicon

L'Arche Mobile

L'Arche Noah Sealth

L'Arche Portland

L'Arche St. Louis

L'Arche Spokane

L'Arche Syracuse

L’Arche USA Donor Listing, Cont.

Wendy Sullivan

Ann Suver and Rick Nuckolls

Carlos Taliaferro

Chapman and Grace Taylor

Katharine Thompson

Ginny and Richard Thornburgh

Mary E. Thorne, CSJP

Valary and Myles Tieszen

Jim and Mary Towey

Dr. James and Mrs. Linda Trippi

Margaret Tucker

Richard L. Uschold

Mr. Robin A. Vance

Devin and Brigit Versace

Gregory L. Vonder Meulen

Sr. Lucy Walter, SCL

Edward Watkins

Brett Weaver

Carol Wesley

Thomas and Nancy Whipple

Thomas H. White

Dr. Jason and Maggie Whitt

Catherine Willett

Wassim George Younan

Malcolm and Ann Young

Terrence and Elizabeth Zecha

Robyn D. at the 2013 Western Regional Core Member Retreat

M aking a charitable contribution to L’Arche USA

enables us to develop resources and programs of

support to strengthen our 18 communities and emerging

projects. We rely on the generosity of friends.

Donations to L’Arche USA can be made

through the mail or online.

For information, please contact us at

info@larcheusa.org or through our

website: www.larcheusa.org.

“Called together to

change our world

one heart at a time.”

Jean Vanier, Becoming Human

Every attempt has been made to preserve accurate data. Please contact us if you gave in the report’s fiscal year and are not listed. Thank you.

HOPE•SIGNS 10

In Memoriam

Thank You!

Alexandra Baig, who stepped down as L’Arche Chicago’s

community leader in May after serving seven years in the

role.

Richard Bower, who served as L’Arche Pastoral Minister

since 2000. [Please see the cover article for more about

Richard and Stephanie Bower.]

Cathleen Clinton, who generously shared her time and

talents on the L’Arche USA Board for the past four years.

Keith Kalaukoa, who stepped down as community leader

for L’Arche Clinton in March after over nine years of ser-

vice. Thanks also to Maria Zeimen, OSF, who is serving as

interim community leader.

Susan Mitchell, SNJM, who stepped down as L’Arche

Portland’s community leader in June after eight years of

service in the role.

Victor Vath

L’Arche Clinton

Larry Childs

L’Arche Cleveland

When asked about coming to L’Arche and her vocation there,

core member Frances Marchesini answered:

“When I came to L’Arche, I had a family again.

I have people to talk to. I help Jim when he is shy. I eat

breakfast with Dan. I have people to do things with like

bowling and going to church. Someone helps me

when I need a new dress.”

Frances (pictured left)

has lived in L’Arche Irenicon for 25 years.

Welcome!

Michael (Mic) Altena, new Community Leader of L’Arche

Chicago. Mic previously served as a L’Arche assistant in Boston and

Chicago, and in an administrative role for L’Arche Chicago.

John Biggs, former L’Arche Chicago Board member, who has joined

the L’Arche USA Board of Directors.

Rebecca Cates, who has joined the L’Arche USA Board of Direc-

tors. Becky is sharing her financial skills by serving as Board Treasurer.

Ellen Eischen, currently serving L’Arche USA as Assistant Recruit-

ment/AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, who has also assumed the

position of Director of Development and Communications. We wish

the best to Candace Wood, who previously served in this role.

Pamela Hoogheem, new community leader of L’Arche Clinton.

Andy Noethe, new community leader of L’Arche Portland.

L’Arche Atlanta, named a probationary member of the Federation

of L’Arche in June 2013.

Changes at L’Arche USA

We remember the

beloved community

members we lost this year and

give thanks for

the many ways they

blessed our lives.

HOPE•SIGN 11

COMMUNITY NEWS: Our Life Together

L’Arche Greater Washington, DC |

www.larche-gwdc.org

L’Arche Tahoma Hope | www.larchethc.org

L’Arche Mobile | www.larchemobile.org

L’Arche Erie | www.larcheerie.org

The L’Arche Tahoma Hope Farm & Gardens hosted over

1,000 volunteers in 2012 and has already welcomed over

800 in the first four months of 2013! David Rothrock,

one of the founders of L'Arche Tahoma Hope, has come

full circle and has stepped into the role of Development

and Outreach Coordinator.

The oldest community in the United States, L'Arche Erie

celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2012! Ginny Thorn-

burgh was the keynote speaker at the Annual Reverse

Raffle and Dinner, and the following day at an educational

session, entitled That All May Worship. Many friends, for-

mer and new, went home excited to engage people with

disabilities as leaders in their places of worship. Also in

the past year, core member Ray Washburn threw the

first pitch at a local AAA baseball game!

In December, L'Arche Harbor House held their 25th per-

formance of the Living Nativity. The community looks

forward to the construction of a new Rainbow workshop

building, thanks to some wonderful benefactors!

L’Arche Portland | www.larche-portland.org

After 8 years of wonderful service as Community Leader,

Susan Mitchell has left the role. The community wel-

comed Andy Noethe into this position in July. Also this

year, AmeriCorps member Amy Aubrecht and core

member Marilyn Petruzzelli traveled to Claremont Col-

lege to share with students there about L'Arche. In addi-

tion, thanks to the help of many community members and

volunteers, Neahkahnie House has new raised bed gar-

dens with many thriving vegetables. L'Arche Greater Washington, D.C. hosted Letlet, Betty,

and Mariflor from L'Arche Punla (in the Philippines) last

year. In addition to sharing and discovering the similarities

and differences between our communities and countries,

we honored them at a special afternoon tea at the home

of our friends, Tim Shriver and Linda Potter. In addition,

core member Hazel Pulliam and assistant James Schreiner

went on pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, with the Order of

Malta in May.

L’Arche Mobile welcomed 7 Spring Break groups in Feb-

ruary and March of 2013. A total of 69 participants came

from DePaul University, Holy Cross College, Florida

State University, Belmont College, Eastern Illinois Uni-

versity, Calvin College, and Hope College for a week of

immersion in the community. While some individuals

had some previous experience with adults with

intellectual disabilities, more came without any experi-

ence. Each group brought their unique blessings to the

community, and they received unique blessings from

each of the community members.

L’Arche Noah Sealth | www.larcheseattle.org

Core member David Bishop was part of Special Olympics

Team USA that competed in South Korea in the winter of

2013. David competed in various cross-country skiing

events and brought home three Olympic medals.

L’Arche Irenicon | www.larcheirenicon.org

Founding assistant, Sr. Pat Murphy, recently moved to live

with her fellow Sisters of Charity of Halifax, but still re-

mains in close contact with the community. 2013 is

L'Arche Irenicon's 30th anniversary year, with a celebra-

tion planned on October 4th.

L’Arche Syracuse | www.larchesyracuse.org

L'Arche Syracuse's celebration of L'Arche International

Family Day included cultural activities led by their Ger-

man assistants. Their Day of Reflection this Spring recon-

nected the community with L'Arche's founding story in

Trosly, as well as learning from St. John's Gospel, led by

Bob Sackel and Sue Chassé.

L’Arche Harbor House | www.larchejacksonville.org

HOPE•SIGNS

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Portland, OR 97205

Phone: (503) 282-6231

Website: www.larcheusa.org

Email: info@larcheusa.org

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HOPE•SIGNS newsletter is published twice yearly by L’Arche USA

and can also be found online at www.larcheusa.org.

Ways You Connect

and Conserve with

L’Arche USA

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email, please let us know at info@larcheusa.org.

Read Hope•Signs online at www.larcheusa.org

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can be viewed along other publications online.

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Where We Call Home... Founded in France in 1964 by Jean Vanier, L’Arche is an international

federation of 140 member communities/organizations in 40 countries. The first

L’Arche community in the U.S. was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1972. L’Arche

USA supports local L’Arche communities in recruitment of assistants and volun-

teers; trainings and retreats for L’Arche core members, assistants and leaders; and

technical assistance to enhance the internal capacity and ensure quality of life in each

community. Today, 18 communities and three emerging communities (*) call

L’Arche USA home:

L’Arche Atlanta (GA) L’Arche Noah Sealth (WA)

L’Arche Blue Ridge Mountains (VA) L’Arche Portland (OR)

L’Arche Chicago (IL) L’Arche Spokane (WA)

L’Arche Cleveland (OH) L’Arche St. Louis (MO)

L’Arche Clinton, The Arch (IA) L’Arche Syracuse (NY)

L’Arche Erie (PA) L’Arche Tahoma Hope (WA)

L’Arche Greater Washington D.C. L’Arche Wavecrest (CA)

L’Arche Harbor House (FL)

L’Arche Heartland (KS) Friends of L’Arche - Central Virginia*

L’Arche Irenicon (MA) Friends of L’Arche - Joyspring (CO)*

L’Arche Mobile (AL) Friends of L’Arche - Long Island (NY)*