L'Arche Lantern
Editor: Tracy Tenedero
613 623 7323 extension 132 outreach@larchearnprior.org
OUR MISSION IS:
to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships to foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, whilst being faithful to the core values of our founding story.
to engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society.
Contents
Spring has Sprung.
Message from our Leader
Marina and I are avid gardeners In fact, living in Sarnia for the past few years, we had lush gardens of various plants, flowers, bushes, and trees (even fruiting trees). This old farmhouse property used to be an apple orchard with hundreds of trees, and even though it is now no longer an orchard, as the city has claimed most of the land, it still had traces and clues from those days gone by
I loved walking through our gardens and tried to take notice of all that was happening there. The beauty was aweinspiring. It wasn’t just the flourishing fruit and vegetables, flowers and plants of all sorts and varieties, that amazed me I was blown away by all the intention and effort that it took to keep it all healthy Gardening requires a massive amount of work almost constantly. I know this first-hand. But we love nature, and we love to nurture a healthy, beautiful life, so it was a j well.
The thing is, if we love garde much, why is it that, sometimes, w piles of perfectly good branches, p with new buds, stacked by the Stuffed in yard bags or bundled u twine, ready to be hauled off.
Well, we had been pruning, out of love If you love gardening, you might also find bittersweet joy in cutting back excess growth in just the right amount, at the right spot, at the right time, in order to shape the plant and plan for future growth. You cut off, in love and without malice, what looks good today to maximize its beauty and health tomorrow
This is true in life too. It seems to me that Spring is a good time for us all to ask ourselves as individuals and as a whole community, what might need to go be pruned from our lives – in order that we might be more fruit-bearing? What might we need to shed in order to allow new beautiful things to grow. Let’s commit to “getting our hands dirty” – to do the hard work of pruning those things (activities, attitudes, etc) which are holding us back or getting in the way of us being a vital and beautiful and compelling community
Director
edition 2023
Pernell Goodyear
L'Arche Arnprior
1.Greetings from our Leader
2.Arnprior Riverman Hockey Season - Scott Burnie
Disney on Ice by VeraLynn Campbell
3.Can't Stop us now by Yoga Teacher Allison Donnelly
4.L'Arche Federation Assembly Update by Tracy Tenedero
For the second year now, James and I purchased tickets to the newly relocated Arnprior Rivermen hockey team from the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (EOSHL) Last season the Rivermen were known as the West Carleton Rivermen but played their games at the Nick Smith Centre and James and I didn’t miss a single game. This season the team made it official and are now the Arnprior Rivermen. James and I were presented with game worn jerseys from the previous season by team owner (and player) Adrian Moyes for being such dedicated fans. We once again spent many Saturday afternoons/evenings at the rink, behind the Rivermen bench as we cheered our team on. James and his cowbells and myself and my broomstick were fixtures at the games for our cheering and passionate use of our noisemakers Attending the Riverman games gave James and I something to do during the winter months of 2021 – 2022 when COVID was still on everybody’s mind and it was hard to have anything to look forward to. Hockey was our escape and we looked forward to our weekend games when we could get out, get loud and support our team. We’ve now been through two seasons and although the Rivermen have been eliminated from the playoffs both years, James and I can once again look forward to the Fall when we can get back to the rink for a brand new season and cheer on our team together.
Disney on ICE
The picture with Shannon wearing the mickey mask was the day before we went to Disney on Ice. I asked her what was going on the next day she said wait wait look at me I’m Mickey and we’re going to see Disney on ice!!
March 10th Disney on ice Jordynn, Doug, Beth, Shannon, Joel, Peter, Anna & myself
Watching Shannon’s eyes lighting up when she seen Mickey & Minnie was amazing. We really are the luckiest people around to be able to share our lives with the core members. What a gift Doug, Peter & myself sang our hearts out to Frozen’s song “Love is an open door” and Olaf’s “In summer” song.
Peter was amazed at Ariel’s acrobatic moves in the air. Pictures below.
Doug enjoyed the snow falling while Olaf sang to Anna.
Thank you to all the core members for such a wonderful day!
- by VeraLynn Campbell
James and Scott
Shannon
Page 2
Doug and VeraLynn
Arnprior Rivermen - by Scott Burnie
Can't stop us now!
By: Yoga Teacher Allison Donnelly
I continue to be amazed by my clients! For the last six months, their ability has exceeded expectations every single time!
I have been teaching yoga classes for L'Arche for almost six years. There have been many different yoga classes, and there have been ups and downs but we have continued to go with the flow despite the pandemic. Our current group consists of four of the most dedicated clients. They show up weekly in person or on Zoom happy and eager to participate. I think everyone, myself included, gains much enjoyment from these sessions.
Something has changed. For many years I have felt that these clients were happy and gave their best but especially in the last six months there has been a remarkable improvement. I don't know if it's the consistency of the schedule, the consistency of my teaching, or their dedication to learning. Typically, I will create a new sequence and we will work on that sequence for several weeks. Recently, when I introduce a new sequence they skilfully execute every pose. I have to make the sequences more challenging and more intricate. They have gained the ability to quickly find relaxation and are proficient at mindful breathing. Many pose they know by name and they can find them without my prompt.
Parents, caregivers, and staff should all be proud as the success of this class is a testament to the love and care provided by L'Arche. I'd like to give a special thanks to Shannon Wadell, who was equally committed to supporting this yoga practice.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY!
If you would be interested in sponsoring a community activity, here are a few suggestions:
Pizza party for a house ~ $100
Sponsor for Community Movie day ~ $ 600
One core member vacation day ~ $150
An all community day at the beach, with boat ride and shore dinner ~ $1800
An all community retreat day ~ $1900
And on the practical side:
Core member new single size bedding ~ $100
Core member seasonal clothes shopping ~ $250
Core member personal care items ~ $50
A set of towel ~ $ 75
Large Frying Pans ~ $ 200
(see back for more ideas to support our community)
Peter, Mackie, Thomas and Mike - Harlem Globe Throtters Show
Kerry
Page 3
Ruth and Kerry
L'ARCHE ARNPRIOR
16 Edward Street South, Suite 103
Arnprior, Ontario
K7S 3W4
Phone: 613 - 623 - 7323
Fax: 613 - 623 - 9629
E-mail: office@larchearnprior.org
Website: www larchearnprior org
Monday to Friday (Except Statutory Holidays in Ontario)
Office Hours: 8:30am to 430pm
Contribute Financially
Please consider contributing financially to L’Arche Arnprior. There are various ways you can contribute a one-time gift or become a monthly supporter. Your donation goes to work right away supporting the work our important work Please visit www.larchearnprior.org/donate or call our office at (613) 623-7323 to discuss the possibilities
Become a Volunteer
Do you live in or near Arnprior and want to get involved with our beautiful community? Volunteers are needed in a variety of situations Most choose to develop stable long-term friendships with an individual member or with one of the homes or programs Drop us a line and we can chat about the possibilities.
- By Tracy Tenedero
We are two months away from the L'Arche Federation Assembly 2023 and there are lots of things happening! This year's Assembly is going to be in Zoom format. We are both excited and thrilled as most community members are familiar with video conferencing already! Bonus!
In February, we had the opportunity to learn Inclusive video conferencing Mackie and I participated and we learned so many things: like positioning ourselves in front of the camera, making sure we have our materials to show to others, and so much more We also had our first #LFA2023 delegates' conference call and it was a time to the assembly organizing team. There were lots of participants from all over the federation on both meetings and it felt that technology is a gift to this world, convey our thoughts and our hearts to the far reaches of the globe.
L'Arche Arnprior is part of a small group that, alongside with Boston North, USA; Cork, Ireland; Brecon, U K; and Saskatoon The group is a source of encouragement for all of us you can follow the #LFA2023 here: https://federationassembly2023 larche org/
Please visit us on Facebook and “like” us...
You don’t have to be a member to follow the postings on our page. Just put this URL into your search engine, or copy and paste on this link if you are receiving this via e-mail!
https://www.facebook.com/LArcheArnprior
We post lovely photos of community members and events, information about upcoming events, and links to events of interest that other organizations have shared with us.
If you are interested in becoming an assistant, please visit:
https://www.larche.ca/en/web/recruitment/application
Page 4
L'Arche Federation Assembly 2023
