am furan newsletter – may, 2011

Am Furan

L’Arche Cape BretonWhycocomagh, NS B0E 3M0 phone: (902) 756-3162 fax: (902) 756-3381

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.larchecapebreton.org

L’Arche is an International Federation of faith-based communities creating homes and day programs with people who havedevelopmental disabilities. Today there are over 100 communities throughout the world.

Our Mission Statement: L’Arche Cape Breton is an ecumenical,Christian community. At the heart of our community are peoplewith developmental disabilities and those who wish to share life with them. We are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of

community, based on a life of simplicity, sustained by the work of our hands, and nourished by the mystery of God’s presence inall religions, races, and creeds. At the heart of our unity must be the poorest, the weakest, and those who suffer; those for whom

God’s preference is shown and with whom God identifies.

L’Arche Cape Breton’s Newsletter May 2011

Choosing to say “yes” to allthat God offers-by Jenn PowerI am a fan of the CBC Radio show “The Vinyl Café”with Stuart MacLean. If you listen to this show, youknow Stuart’s fictional characters, Dave and Morley, a

married couple with three kids, livingin the Toronto suburbs and doingtheir best to manage work and home,usually with both hilarious andinspirational results.

There is one episode – the infamous“Dave Cooks the Turkey” – whereMorley, overwhelmed by the stressof Christmas preparations, loses hercool and unleashes her discontent onher bewildered husband. Her life, shecomplains, is like a freight train,barreling down the track atbreakneck speed. She is powerlessto change the direction, slow the train,or get off the tracks. Instead sheholds on for dear life, just hoping tosurvive the trip.

I can relate to Morley, as can manyof you. With a busy young family,a thriving community life, and ademanding role, my days start earlyand end late. When I fall into bed,I lament the long list of things I didnot get to, and try to figure out how

I might squeeze a few more minutes into tomorrow. IfI am not careful I can feel resentment and exhaustioncreeping in, crowding out the blessings of the day.

I do not want to become an exhausted, resentful person.I want to live in wonder at the abundance of my life. Iwant to be inspired by Cathy’s graceful aging, entertained

(con’d page 5)

L’Arche Cape Breton was awarded a Maritime Business Ethics Award in the non-profit organization category at the ceremony in Halifax last November. Jenn andMaggie were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the community.


Attitude is GratitudeBy Lindsay Korns

Every once and a while there issomething that wells up inside of me,a desire or passion awaiting to breakforth and somehow change the world.I think it is safe to say that we all longto be meaningful; we want to make adifference in people’s lives. At first Iwould have never thought thatgratitude had any connection withpurpose. I would have thought themas two separate entities, both veryimportant, but not necessarily linked.Yet recently, I have come to believethat gratitude has everything to dowith passion, as well as our gifts,talents, creativity, hopes, and dreams.I would say that gratitude is key toliving life as it was meant to be:adventurous, beautiful, soulful andexciting.

When I first thought about writing ofgratitude, I naturally thought of a listof things that I could say I am‘grateful’ for, particularly in L’Arche.Strong coffee and German chocolateare prime examples, or living right nextdoor to a hip little thrift store called“The Ark.” (Because you see, thrift

stores are not only part of my identitydue to my thriving financial situation,(feel free to laugh, it is a joke) but alsobecause of the creative element thatgoes along with shopping in that style).In all seriousness nonetheless, I amgrateful for living in the beauty that isCape Breton, my guitar and the fellowmusic lovers within this community,laughter and the incredible light-hearted humour that floats about in myhousehold. My gratitude of therelationships that I have acquired in thisplace deserves far more words than Iam allowed here, but I will say this:both friendships and struggle havecontinued to have a profound influenceon my heart and journey in life thusfar. Yes, these are just a few of the‘little’ things in life that I am gratefulfor, but in truth I would also say thatthey are only mere reflections ofanother kind of gratitude, one thatburns at the very center of my being.

It should not go without saying that Iam also grateful for “ The JeremyHarris Living Library” as it wasthere that I stumbled upon a bookentitled “Radical Gratitude” by authorMary Jo Leddy, which aided me to an

deeper understanding of gratitude.Surely not just another word to betossed around and used lightly,gratitude is actually laden with richmeaning. If we, as Leddy suggests,open our hearts to the notion that wewere created in the likeness of Godfor Christ, then we can be genuinelygrateful for our very being. Sheexplains that it is through identity withChrist that we realize our very beingis precious to this world (and to Him)because our own individual being is theonly one this world has. In short: thereis no one like you who can do the thingsyou do and change the world in ways(no matter how big or small) like youcan. When you realize that your lifehas immeasurable value, then you canbe truly grateful for every breath youtake, and every chance you have tomake a difference.

The good thing is identity in Christwas never meant to be mundane orboring. Life in general can feelhorribly mundane and offers itsstruggles at times; a true walk withGod will never be completely exemptof this. I can assure you however, thatadopting an attitude of gratitude hasthe potential to fuel your hearts desires,and it may prompt you to liveadventurously or unleash your talentsand gifts in an explosion of creativepower. It may also call you to live lifein service and to experience other’sgifts just as it called me to come be apart of L’Arche. Moreover, it canmove you through the troublesome orblasé trials in life. Leddy writes: “torecognize our beginnings, our origin inGod, helps us to dwell in time and notbe consumed by it.” (Leddy, 2004).In gratitude we become free toembrace the moment. We are free toslow down, even in this rat-race pacedsort of world, to get a true sense ofour identity and purpose. We can beradical. We can take a minute in a dayto change the world for eternity andlive life the way it was meant to be.So why not be grateful? In the truestsense of the word.*Quote taken from “RadicalGratitude”, written by Mary JoLeddy. New York: Orbis Books.2004. Print.

Lindsay and David pose for a photo at Winter Games 2011.


-by Mukthar Limpao

It is commonplace for individuals froma so-called underprivileged life to bevictims of crab mentality. They areoften objects of ridicule, constantly putdown and publicly humiliated.Sometimes people think that they arestupid and they are suppressed fromreaching their potential because of it.If they try to pursue their dreams,people around them try to pull themback down, denigrating them insteadof giving support and letting them getahead.

This concept references an interestingphenomenon which occurs in a pot ofcrabs. If one crab attempts to escapefrom a bucket of live crabs, the othercrabs will yank it back down. It is auniversal occurrence in third worldcommunities. They are not able to getout of their built-in situations, and everytime one tries to take the chance,somebody steps on him and he fallsdown to share with the misery. Thishas been a fact of their existence.

This way of thinking is the last thingwe want in L’Arche. I rememberValentine’s Day this year. As soon asLindsay got back home from work, shemerrily rushed to the mailbox to checkfor her Valentine’s presents, but shewalked in to the living room with utterdisappointment on her face. Then, shestarted talking about not having morethan she gave. Trevor, seated acrossfrom her, sprinted out of the living roomto the kitchen and came back with abar of dark chocolate labeled “To:Trevor” and handed it with convictionto Lindsay. I found out later that it wasthe only gift Trevor received forValentines this year.

The mission of L’Arche is to makeknown the gifts of people withintellectual disabilities revealed throughmutually transforming relationships.This mission is exactly the motivationalaspect of the L’Arche Cape BretonCommunity Mandate. An excerpt fromthe mandate which says “Recognizingthat we are called to build up our

community by strengtheningrelationship, fosteringcommitment and belonging…”separates the two scenariosillustrated above and this is oneof the core values that thecommunity is celebrating as weare looking to the next four yearsof L’Arche Cape Breton, andtogether as a community, wecommit ourselves to living thismandate.

Gary has been a wheelchair usermost of his life, but this neverstopped him from extending hishands to be of service to others.He is a very active person andonce he is engrossed in somethinghe loves to do, it’s hard for himto stop and take a break; but assoon as one of his friends getssick, he’ll drop what he’s doingand sit right next to him and give

him a pat on the back. When Rodneywon as best mascot at the WinterGames this year, everybody supportedand congratulated him, especially hiscompetitors.

Lindsay is able to contributesubstantial work at L’Arche throughher organizational skills and discipline,and she continues to do so becausepeople around her acknowledge thisand appreciate and encourage her.Tanya discovers that she excels incooking and baking and her peers aregood advocates to make her revealthese gifts and share with others.David is a good teacher of living inmutual care for one another. If youare able to be honest about yourrelationship with David, he will nothesitate to get up and dance with you.

With our current Mandate, this is afleeting vision of what we committedourselves to in the years to come, andthat is something I am grateful aboutbeing part of.

Grateful for Community mandate

Enjoying a boat ride are (left to right) Anna, Alicia, Mukthar, Rodney and Aislinn


Trevor enjoys spending time with Robert.

-by Robert von Braunbehrens

When I first came to Canada, I noticed that people alwaysask how you are - in convenience stores, in restaurants,at the post office, or on the phone. At first, I felt reallyflattered. People care about me so much. This has beena common observation for first-time Germans in Canada.

Remembering to be grateful

Initially, it sounds suspicious as if one has an ulterior motivefor asking. Nobody ever says that in Germany. It’s prettystraightforward, just like saying “Hello, this is Hans. I wantthis and that.” And although I was surprised, I always happilyanswer, “I am good” or “I am fine.”

In the beginning, I often forgot about this little procedureand the start of a conversation was confusing. After a whileof course you start to adapt with the strange foreign cultureand get into a routine. I remembered waiting until everybodyis “wonderful” or “great” before ordering food or beforeaddressing the reason why I was calling.

It’s always the same. Everyone is “terrific” and “lovely”.Why even ask? Do people really care or is it just theirway of being polite? It started to annoy me. However,one day I thought how people in different places wouldrespond. Places where people suffer from natural disastersor civil wars, Japan or Lybia for example. Maybe theywouldn’t answer with “perfect” or “awesome” so often.It is actually pretty nice that I am, most of the time,“excellent” or “well” or even just “okay.” It is not naturalin a lot of other places in the world. I know nothing is easierthan to forget about that, but sometimes when I check outat the Co-op or answer the phone at Waycobah, I remember.

So I think we should be thankful for that.

News: - The Odd Job Squad is L’Arche Cape Breton’s newest day program. Launched last winter, TheOdd Job Squad consists of members of the community who appreciate the variety of having different jobsevery day. Currently they are busy doing spring cleaning around the community, but they will tackle dogwalking, stacking wood, shoveling, and much more!

- With the help of a grant from The New Horizons for Seniors Program, the old workshop is being renovatedto create a meeting space for the use of L’Arche Cape Breton’s senior members and volunteers. The frontof the building will house “The Old Hen Café”, and will be available for rentals to seniors from the widercommunity for card games, meetings, etc… The back part of the building will be the new home of TheSunflour Bakery, where community members and volunteers will work to fill the baking needs of L’ArcheCape Breton.

- In partnership with Whycocomagh Lion’s Club and Mawi Taa’Mk, L’Arche Cape Breton will launch a TVBingo in September. The Bingo will air on Eastlink’s community channel and will be broadcast fromWaycobah High School to all Eastlink subscribers in the Whycocomagh area. Watch for local newspaper ads in August to let you knowwhere you may purchase your Bingo cards.- The Summer Program for Youth With Special Needs will get underway once more at Dalbrae Academy in Mabou on July 4th. To registerfor the program call Josephine at 902-945-2283.- L’Arche Cape Breton’s partnership with East Coast Credit Union continues to benefit both our organizations. Recently we launched“Working for Change”, a program where a member of L’Arche works at a Credit Union branch one day per week. We are sure that thisnew venture will be a great way for our folks to meet new people and to illustrate the gifts and contributions of people with intellectualdisabilities.

Needs: - Every spring we take a good look at our inventory and sort through what isn’t working anymore or is just worn out and needsreplacement. We could really use some new (charcoal) burning barbeques; Folding chairs; Screened Gazebos; Picnic Tables; Goodquality vacuum cleaners; Tea/coffee urns 32 cup; Hand Blenders; Good quality lawn furniture. If anyone is able to help us out we wouldbe very appreciative.

L’Arche Cape Breton News and Needs

Jonathan walks Dorey


L’Arche Cape Breton grateful for their most precious resource

To honor and to thank the dedicated volunteers the community of L’Arche Cape Breton hosted a VolunteerAppreciation Supper on Wednesday, April 13th at the Blues Mills Fire Hall. An evening of good food andfellowship was shared with those who bring much joy to the members of L’Arche Cape Breton. L’Arche CapeBreton’s Homes Coordinator, Mary MacDougall, welcomed the volunteers to the gathering. Mary stated thatvolunteers make a huge impact in the quality of life of the L’Arche Cape Breton members and she thanked themfor sharing their time with the community. The L’Arche Cape Breton volunteers are (back, left to right) ArtRobertson, Fran MacLeod, Julie Crawford, Michealette Barrington, Edie MacDougall, Gayle Matheson and HelenCampbell (front row, left to right) Dougie MacFadyen, Kenena MacFadyen, Ursela Dufour, Beryl Robertson, GloriaMacFadyen, Carie MacMillan, Sid Matheson, Leo MacDougall and Alex MacPhail.

Choosing to say yes...(con’d from page 1)

by Ed’s goofy teasing, challenged by Maggie Rose’s need for my friendship. I want to be open to the grace eachday brings, and be eager to learn its lesson. I want to be, as the psalmist says, like a tree planted by the water, notwithering but bearing fruit each season, prospering in all that I do.

To do this, I know, I must practice gratitude. I must live my life with intention and mindfulness, choosing to say “yes”to all that God offers me. I must decide to rejoice in a spirit of thanksgiving for the opportunity to live such a richand abundant life. I might be riding on Morley’s freight train, but I want to enjoy the ride, marvel at the scenery, evenmake a trip to the fancy dining car every now and then!

So as the spring arrives, I share with you my prayer of gratitude for another year in this remarkable community of L’Arche.I thank you for the many ways you reach out to us in generosity and prayer. You remind us not to take our dailylife in L’Arche for granted; you help us to see the beauty of our community life in a new way.


Grateful for the lessonsof joy and giving-by Gayle Matheson

I met Bernatte when I started to volunteer at the oldWorkshop in Orangedale. At that point we had never workedat a project together. I asked if she would like to learn tosew and I’ll not forget that look of pure joy that came overher face.

We decided that we would make small bags that could besold at the Ark Store. She gladly picked out bright coloursand selected the threads to match. We set to work at thesewing machine and her first words to me were “Don’tever pass the sharp point of the scissors to anyone”…whichmay seem like an insignificant statement, but not comingfrom Bern. She cared enough already to make sure that Iwould be safe when handling those weapons!We outlined the first project and were set to go when oncemore Bern reminded me that this was going to be a lot ofwork but we may as well carry on. It is now a number ofyears later and Bern continues to measure the enormity ofeach project and thankfully reminds me how to handle sharpscissors!

When plans for the new work shop were being drawn,Bern and I were fortunate to be remembered and we wereprovided with our own special corner for sewing. Bern’spleasure with this location cannot be measured. It is trulyher own space, with her machine at ready access, neat andtidy shelves and drawers to keep her materials at hand.Each Thursday I am greeted at the door with a cheery helloand a “what will we sew today”? I know that, when westart, she will once more tell me how to pass the scissors

Bernadette (left) and Gayle attended theVolunteer Appreciation Dinner held on April 13th .

and that this new project will be a lot of work, but what sheis really telling me is that she cares for me.

Bern must know that she has changed my life by these twostatements. She has taught me to give of myself and shelightens my spirits. It takes such a little to make a personfeel large!

-by Rebecca Redden

To give thanks is also to receive thanks. Living at L’Archewe live a mutual life, a life of equality. We live and worktogether everyday nourishing each other with love andpatience, with tears of joy and sorrow and with laughter.Together we cry these tears and laugh many laughs. I amso thankful that I found a place such as L’Arche CapeBreton; a place where Cathy, Maggie Rose, Mary ‘Bomberand Judy wipe away my tears, just as I wipe away theirtears. Judy has not only wiped my tears, but gave me atalking to numerous times… “Breathe, relax, swallow it,crying is not going to do anything. Crying is not going tohelp. Relax.” Cathy, Bomber and Maggie have cried with

me, and I have cried with them. We have also laughedsometimes to the point of tears of joy.

I am thankful I get to live with David. Watching Peter Panwith David is better than watching it without him. Hislaughter that comes from the bottom of his belly is contagiousand spreads to all who watch with him. Welcoming Gordonis such an honour for me. Watching him grow in his shorttime with us is a real inspiration. Gordon is so flexible and itreminds me to not get caught up with my own routine. Brianis so willing to give a helpful hand. Always willing to takeout the compost, do dishes, and take out garbage. He is oneof the most helpful and gentle people I know. Jonathan isone of a kind, a real jokester. He likes to play tricks on his

Nourishing each other with love, patience, joy and sorrow


Spotlight on....Tanya Claira Edwards

-by Staff of The Ark Store

We first met Tanya when she used to come to TheArk store to do some shopping. She was quiet andshy, but when she became a staff member we allenjoyed getting to know her better. Her friend andco-worker, Lindsay Quimby says “Tanya is a goodfriends and she likes living at Waycobah House. Welike to cook together and to clean. She is still veryshy, but she’s starting to open up to people aroundher.”

Tanya is a great worker! And just as Lindsay says,she loves to clean. She also likes to copy recipes,tidy the store, help with the dishes, make tea andjello, but most especially she loves “road trips” withArk Staff. We always have fun! Bernadette Duffney,another co-worker says, “I am happy she is here atL’Arche. I enjoy spending time with Tanya at herhouse on Fridays evenings”. Tanya also works atthe Sunflour Bakery Program. She says, “my favoritejob is at The Sunflour because I learn more thingsabout cooking.” Tanya says that she feels goodabout her work at L’Arche Cape Breton and thatshe enjoys the variety of the work. “I feel like anadult rather than a child. I can be independentdoing things”.

Tanya tells me that she is really looking forward tocommunity vacations with her friends, but hopesthat she won’t be with the camping group! Tanyasays “I love it here! It’s my home, my family andI’ve got lots of friends.”

Tanya poses for a photo at The Ark Store withher friend and co-worker, Cathy.

friends like hiding around the corner and jumping out at thelast minute for that real shock. He knows how to makesomeone laugh and he is so caring and kind-hearted. I amblessed and grateful that the folks at L’Arche havewelcomed me and accepted me into their community. I amso blessed and thankful to be living at my home, CorinthianHouse. I give thanks for being accepted for who I am. Icame to L’Arche as a summer assistant and I just celebratedmy second anniversary. Right away I knew it was for me.The gifts the folks have and offer are not found anywhereelse. The longer you live at L’Arche, the more gifts arerevealed to you. I know that being at L’Arche is whereI’m meant to be right now, and I’m so grateful for that.

The folks are great teachers! Judy has taught me one oflife’s most valuable lessons; it’s not how the cinnamon rollslook…it’s how they taste.

(con’d from page 6)

Cathy, Mona and Rebecca enjoyed theircommunity vacation last summer.

I want to help L’Arche Cape BretonPLEASE SEND ME INFORMATION ON HOW TO:

[ ] Become a L’Arche Cape Breton Assistant [ ] Become a volunteer at L’Arche Cape Breton

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________

Postal Code:_______________________ Phone No: __________________

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED

I would like to make a contribution. I am sending a cheque for:[ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $100 [ ] other

VISA__________________________________________Expiry_____________

PLEASE MAIL TO: L’ARCHE CAPE BRETON, WHYCOCOMAGH, NS B0E 3M0

To donate online to L’Arche Cape Breton please go towww.larche.ca/en/donate/donate-en.php


Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

756-2338 Whycocomagh

We thank our two newsletter sponsors, Vi’s Restaurant and Whycocomagh Co-op.We appreciate their continued support.

Spring Fest 2011“We are many, we are one”

Saturday, June 4th, 7pmMembertou Trade & ConventionCentre, Sydney. There will bemusic and theatre by L’ArcheCape Breton members, a Live

Auction and a variety ofdelicious dessert will be

served.Tickets are $15 eachand are available by calling

756-2474, 945-2098or 945-2283.

Limited numberof tickets available

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Second Wind

Community Band ConcertSunday, June 12th at 2pm at

Cape Breton UniversityPlayhouse.

Tickets available from SecondWind band members, at The ArkStore and at the door. Adm: $10

Vi’s Restaurant* Home Cooked Meals* Homemade Desserts

Whycocomagh Co-op& Liquor Agency Store

Groceries * Meat Produce * Bakery * Liquor

Monday to Friday:6am to 8pm

Sat: 7am to 8pm,Sun: 8am to 8pm

Tel: 902-756-2000 Fax 902-756-3469

9402 Highway 105 TCH

Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia

Serving customers

7 days a week

Community vacation takes place this year from July 26th to August 7th and everyone atL’Arche Cape Breton is really looking forward to it. Here are some scenes from last year’s vacaction.

Serving customers 7 days a week

am furan newsletter – may, 2011

Documents