L’arche at 40<br/><br/>

L’arche was established mainly for service to the mentally handicapped. Forty years ago, the son of a Canadian Governor General, Jean Vanier, resigned from his post as Navy captain and took two mentally handicapped people into him home in Paris. He lived with them, and thus founded the community L’arche. Currently there are approximately 800 L’arche communities in over 30 countries. In Canada alone there are over 200 L’arche communities.<br/><br/>

Jean Vanier views this act of charity as his own way of following God, because Jesus said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”<br/><br/>

“In order to be kind to the mentally handicapped, we need a selfless heart and an unconditional spirit. Perhaps we will not be able to see an outstanding result, but a deep relationship will be established. At the same time, we will enjoy an inner peace. In a society that worships power and riches, our weak brothers remind us that we must strive for a return to simplicity.” Jean Vanier said.<br/><br/>

May the selfless spirit of Jean Vanier bring a change in our hearts.<br/><br/>

Note: Since Christmas and the Mary, Mother of God Solemnity falls on a Saturday this year; the archdiocese has decided to cancel all Saturday masses to relieve the clergy’s workload. That means there will be no Saturday evening mass on December 25th, 2004 and January 1st, 2005.