L’Arche USA, a national organization with membership in the International Federation of L’Arche Communities, posts news that has international and national interest. Most news from local L’Arche communities in the United States can be found through the community websites. Other news can be found here.

New Book, "Autism and Alleluias," Released by Judson Press
Kathleen Dyer Bolduc has written a new book about the role that faith is playing in the life of her family, which includes her young adult son with autism, Joel. Jean Vanier says of "Autism and Alleluias" that Kathleen is "courageous and honest in sharing the love and anger provoked by life with an autistic son. [She] shares with us the reality of Joel's surprising giftedness and her reliance upon the love of Jesus for her and for Joel." L'Arche friend, Bill Gaventa, editor of Journal of Religion, Disability and Health, writes the book's foreword. 

L'Arche USA Joins the "Spread the Word to End the Word" Campaign
Special Olympics and The Arc are leading this nation-wide effort to raise awareness about the harm caused to people and to our larger society by use of the R (retard) word. Much of the campaign is focused on reaching out to schools and colleges to teach students about respect for differences.  However, it appears that the campaign is also contributing to a longer-term effort within the disabilities community to convince state agencies to discontinue using the terminology of mental retardation in their agency names. This educational campaign is a relatively easy but important way to express our own values regarding the unique value of each person, and our call to “work together toward a more human society.” 

L'Arche USA Becomes Member of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition

Recently, L'Arche USA was invited to join the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition and did so with full board approval. IDAC is a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of religious and religiously-affiliated organizations whose core spiritual values affirm the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.  The mission of IDAC, which is hosted by the American Association of People with Disabilities’ Interfaith Initiative, is to mobilize the religious community to speak out and take action on disability policy issues with Congress, the President and Administration, and society at large. 

L'Arche founder, Jean Vanier, was the featured presenter at a recent gathering sponsored by the Ontario Psychotherapy and Counseling Program in Ontario, Canada. Topics included "Fullness of Being and Belonging," "Love and Transformation," and "Healing and Inner Liberation." In addition, Vanier was interviewed. Video footage is available online through the OPC website. To view Vanier's presentations and interviews, please click here.

L'Arche USA and Portland Community, L'Arche Nehalem, Featured on "Provoke Radio"

This inspiring and moving interview features Jean Vanier, the founder and spiritual leader of L’Arche; Joan Mahler, the director of L’Arche USA; Marilyn Petruzelli, Sr. Susan Mitchell and Alison Hilkiah, members of L’Arche Nehalem in Portland, Oregon. "Provoke Radio" believes the desire for social justice has long been a central theme of all the world religions. With that in mind, each show highlights those individuals and organizations who work tirelessly on behalf of the poor and marginalized, peace and justice - and in so doing, make a difference in the world. Listen to the podcast here. 

Jean Vanier Named "Nation Builder of the Year" by Canadian Newspaper, The Globe and Mail 

In December 2008, Toronto's The Globe and Mail named Jean Vanier the "2008 Nation Builder of the Year." Journalist, Elizabeth Renzetti, writes: "Jean Vanier shed his privilege and dedicated his life to creating communities where people with mental handicaps can have meaningful encounters with other human beings. His insights and courage have inspired the world..." Read more.

Jean Vanier and Stanley Hauerwas Featured at Duke Divinity School Center for Reconciliation Event 

In celebration of their new book, "Living Gently in a Violent World," Jean Vanier and Stanley Hauerwas recently co-taught at Duke Divinity School's annual Teaching Communities Week. The event brings a leading practitioner and a leading theologian, each dedicated to Christian reconciliation in a divided world, to teach together at the school and in the community. Audio excerpts from the gathering can be found at the Center for Reconciliation's website.   

Timothy Corey of Advanced Approach Posts Artwork from Vanier's "Befriending the Stranger"

While Jean Vanier recently spoke at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Timothy Corey worked quietly illustrating Vanier's words about compassion. This chart was created on a 10'x4' piece of paper, and is considered a triptic. As Tim says, "we open to our woundedness and suffering, experience mystery, and learn to be in relationship."