When Jean Vanier welcomed two men with a disability to make their home with him in the French town of Trosly in 1964, he would never have thought his act of love would still be reverberating around the world today, even to the far southwest corner of Australia.
The Friends of L’Arche (FOL), Perth are a group of people with and without a disability.
They are part of the international family of L’Arche, a federation of 137 communities spread over 40 countries, where people with intellectual disabilities are invited to share fully in community life, both in residential and non-residential settings, as suited to their specific needs and hopes.
In Australia, there are expressions of L’Arche in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Bendigo and Perth.
Les Goode, chairman of the Board of FOL Perth, explained to The Record that the French name L’Arche derives from the Ark of Noah and symbolises a place of refuge for people who have been overwhelmed in a civilisation going too fast for them.
The word also refers to the arch of a bridge and implies a bridging role in bringing people together.
Among the foundational beliefs of L’Arche is the understanding that everyone has the capacity to grow, mature into adulthood and make a contribution to society, regardless of physical or intellectual limitations as well as recognising that the unique capacity of each person can be fulfilled within small communities of friendship and mutuality, where values of compassion, inclusion and diversity are upheld and lived by all.
Mr Goode said Jean Vanier continues to share his vision for a world where each person is welcomed as they are through his writings, retreats and prayers.
He was recently awarded the prestigious Pacem in Terris Award from the Diocese of Davenport in the USA in recognition of his contribution to the quality of life within the world through the ministry of the International Federation of L’Arche.
The award, whose previous recipients have included John F Kennedy, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Martin Luther-King Jr, was presented to Vanier in France, the first time it has ever been presented outside the USA.
When sharing his understanding of people with disabilities, Vanier once said, “I come here to tell you how much life these people have given me, that they have an incredible gift to bring to our world, that they are a source of hope, peace and perhaps salvation for our wounded world”.
Mr Goode said that FOL Perth is founded on such an understanding and he hopes the community in Perth will continue to grow, not only in number, but into a deeper commitment to the belief “all people are ‘gifted’ and by love, trust and persistence will discover and share an enriched life together”.
FOL Perth has been developing for 10 years and has a number of events where those interested can become involved or discover more about the community.
“On the first Sunday of most months the group meets in Subiaco for a ‘bring and share’ evening meal,” Mr Goode said.
“There are also L’Arche-style residential weekends twice a year at the Sisters of St Joseph retreat house in South Perth.”
A group of members also meets regularly to reflect on the writings of Jean Vanier, Henri Nouwen and others in an effort to share their wisdom to deepen the life of those committed to the dream of furthering the development of FOL Perth.
Other activities include the Annual General Meeting which will be held in Floreat on September 7 and an annual Day of Reflection, which this year will be held on August 31 in Morley.
Mr Goode said this year’s Day of Reflection would be led by Claire Lawler, Deputy National Leader of L’Arche Australia, Kumar Rasiah, Chair of the Board of L’Arche in Sydney and “most importantly” Gabriel Vartulli, a ‘core’ member of the L’Arche Community in Sydney.
Mr Goode explained that within each residential L’Arche community those with an intellectual disability are named as the ‘core’ members and are supported by ‘assistants’ who both live in and out under the leadership of a house and community leader.
Mr Goode hopes that FOL Perth will grow through the energy and enthusiasm of people who will capture the vision developed by Jean Vanier and the team of dedicated workers in Australia and around the world.
He said the board was looking for an influx of energetic members who will lead the group forward and was currently searching for a ‘home’ base from which to further its goal to grow L’Arche in WA.
Mr Goode offered a quote from Jean Vanier which he hoped would give anyone interested in becoming involved a deeper understanding of the Community’s goal:
“L’Arche believes in the dignity of every person. This is expressed in a life shared between people with an intellectual disability and those choosing to join them in community. Central to this life is relationship built on trust, compassion, forgiveness and an openness to love. In this we take the Beatitudes (Matt 5:1-11) as foundational and a source of life. We seek to help each other grow and develop towards our potential. We do this by recognising and respecting the gifts of each person and creating a community of hope where true autonomy can exist and interdependency can be encouraged.”
For more information, contact Les Goode on 0427 355 441 or lmgoode@iprimus.com.au or see folperth.org.