Hola lovely family, friends, and fans!
So far we have been having an amazing experience in every situation we put ourselves in... you could say we are coming together as a team and a newfound family! :) We kicked off this morning by pouring our cereal and preparing for our morning prayer. One of the core assistants explaned her duties that she and the other assistants go through on a daily basis... To find out what they do everyday was an eye opener to us of how dedicated they really are!
From there we packed our lunch (Brandon and Leigh had.. quite an experience with making PBJ's) and headed out to L'Arch Stratfort to hangout with the core members at various homes in that general community. Each member on the trip after coming back together shared the love that they each felt at their respective homes and how we are each growing in appreciation of the core members lives and how much of a blessing they really are to each person's life they come into contact with! The faces of peace, joy, and splendor we get to see each day here is unbelieveable.
Oh, and we cant forget how Laura was slaying the piano and brighting the days of the core members through allowing them to sing and dance... and of course we joined in!
Upon arrival back at the Sherman house, the clan began reflection for the day through the principle of solidarity.. what an amazing teaching! It is all about being your brother and sisters keeper.. and that is what we all got to share through our individual experiences... it was frutiful for all of us:)
I think this quote sums up today and the overall meaning of our work here and what we are trying to do:
"Love isn't love until you give it away"
Thanks friends - continue to keep us in your prayers!
Brandon
Monday, March 2, 2015
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Day 2 = Over
Howdy everyone!
Today was amazing! After Mass at St. Ann's, we had an awesome lunch and just chilled until it was party time! There was a huge party for the well-loved community leader, who was being promoted to the regional L'arche leader. It was such a beautiful celebration. Every single one of the Core Members was just so happy to be there and was excited about celebrating a man who affected their lives in such a great way. Not one of them was sad that he was leaving.
After the party, our group split up and went to our designated homes for dinner. Although we were in different places, we all encountered similar emotions. Everyone was just so happy, because the joy of the Core Members is just so contagious. They're happy about everything and everyone in their lives, especially us being there. They're just as excited about us being there as we are. They were so darn pumped for us to simply spennd time with them and eat a meal.
What happened today was meant to be, because tonight when we were reflecting on how to celebrate the little things. We learned from the Core Members to just celebrate every little thing in our lives. Now we have a greater respect for the things that we generally take for granted, like being able to easily communicate with each other.
We've only been here for two days and we've learned so much from each other. I can't wait to see how much more we learn throughout this week.
-Lily
Today was amazing! After Mass at St. Ann's, we had an awesome lunch and just chilled until it was party time! There was a huge party for the well-loved community leader, who was being promoted to the regional L'arche leader. It was such a beautiful celebration. Every single one of the Core Members was just so happy to be there and was excited about celebrating a man who affected their lives in such a great way. Not one of them was sad that he was leaving.
After the party, our group split up and went to our designated homes for dinner. Although we were in different places, we all encountered similar emotions. Everyone was just so happy, because the joy of the Core Members is just so contagious. They're happy about everything and everyone in their lives, especially us being there. They're just as excited about us being there as we are. They were so darn pumped for us to simply spennd time with them and eat a meal.
What happened today was meant to be, because tonight when we were reflecting on how to celebrate the little things. We learned from the Core Members to just celebrate every little thing in our lives. Now we have a greater respect for the things that we generally take for granted, like being able to easily communicate with each other.
We've only been here for two days and we've learned so much from each other. I can't wait to see how much more we learn throughout this week.
-Lily
Sunday Morning
Hello friends, family, devoted fans-
We've had a relaxing Sunday so far! We woke up bright and early and enjoyed breakfast with the Corps Members and Assistants in Sherman House. One of the Corps Members, a total trouble-maker, stole three of the team's noses. Never fear, the appendages were returned.
We ventured to the nearby St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, a lovely church offering a lovely service. One of the Assistants accompanied us and oriented us more to the area of Hamilton.
So far we've been so completely welcomed here that it feels like we've spent a lifetime living with these wonderful people. The Corps Members in Sherman House possess lively and engaging personalities which remind us of the beauty of humanity.
We've had a relaxing Sunday so far! We woke up bright and early and enjoyed breakfast with the Corps Members and Assistants in Sherman House. One of the Corps Members, a total trouble-maker, stole three of the team's noses. Never fear, the appendages were returned.
We ventured to the nearby St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, a lovely church offering a lovely service. One of the Assistants accompanied us and oriented us more to the area of Hamilton.
So far we've been so completely welcomed here that it feels like we've spent a lifetime living with these wonderful people. The Corps Members in Sherman House possess lively and engaging personalities which remind us of the beauty of humanity.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Quotes of the Day February 28th, 2015
Laura- " They didn`t understand what was going on, but they understood happiness"
When talking about the core members and them not understanding why we were here.
Maureen- "she was wearing her nun gear... what is that called?" Katherine- " A Habit?"
"Do you need help breathing, we have a paper bag or a milk bag?"
When talking about the core members and them not understanding why we were here.
Maureen- "she was wearing her nun gear... what is that called?" Katherine- " A Habit?"
"Do you need help breathing, we have a paper bag or a milk bag?"
Welcome to Hamilton
Hello Family, Friends, and all those supporting us on our journey to L`Arche.
This is Allie, and we all have reached our first destination, L`Arch Hamilton safely. This morning as we left Gannon in a more than slightly packed car, and started our journey northward to Canada, while jamming to an arrangement of CDs made by members of our group in preparation of the trip.
Upon reaching L`Arche we were welcomed with open arms into the house, where the core members and assistants were very excited to have us staying for the next week. They graciously showed us to where we would be staying, and we got settled in. We all experienced dinner with the members of the house, and following we spent time with the members of the house. During the time we spent with the members of the house, we learned about each of the core members and their interests and what they do with their time in L`Arche. The members wanted to know what we did in Erie for fun, and we wanted to know what they did here in Hamilton.
We also discussed the cultural differences that exist between the two places which are not even three hours apart. One of the many things that we have learned about Canada is they sell their milk in bags and not jugs or cartons. We discussed language and speech differences, such as slang words, like click for kilometers.
After our fun discussion and many laugh, we settled down for a reflection and prayer. The reflection showed us how interconnected all the L`Arche homes are here in Hamilton, because many of the core members prayed for other members of the L`Arche community. The reflection was also about one of the members of the community and how they are an example of how others should live.
As an outside viewer, many of us thought it was a great way to keep the connection in the community and I personally enjoyed this because when the house did personal reflection I was able to learn from the members of the community. Many people do not realize what they can learn from other, and this is a very important thing in life, learning from observing how others act and seeing the good in others.
After the house reflection, we all went to our sleeping area to do our group reflection. We discussed how we all got here to L`Arche Hamilton. Many of us find ourselves here because because of the people in our lives, many of us because of our families or those or are close in our lives.
We are all very happy to be here and excited to be partaking in the experience!
This is Allie, and we all have reached our first destination, L`Arch Hamilton safely. This morning as we left Gannon in a more than slightly packed car, and started our journey northward to Canada, while jamming to an arrangement of CDs made by members of our group in preparation of the trip.
Upon reaching L`Arche we were welcomed with open arms into the house, where the core members and assistants were very excited to have us staying for the next week. They graciously showed us to where we would be staying, and we got settled in. We all experienced dinner with the members of the house, and following we spent time with the members of the house. During the time we spent with the members of the house, we learned about each of the core members and their interests and what they do with their time in L`Arche. The members wanted to know what we did in Erie for fun, and we wanted to know what they did here in Hamilton.
We also discussed the cultural differences that exist between the two places which are not even three hours apart. One of the many things that we have learned about Canada is they sell their milk in bags and not jugs or cartons. We discussed language and speech differences, such as slang words, like click for kilometers.
After our fun discussion and many laugh, we settled down for a reflection and prayer. The reflection showed us how interconnected all the L`Arche homes are here in Hamilton, because many of the core members prayed for other members of the L`Arche community. The reflection was also about one of the members of the community and how they are an example of how others should live.
As an outside viewer, many of us thought it was a great way to keep the connection in the community and I personally enjoyed this because when the house did personal reflection I was able to learn from the members of the community. Many people do not realize what they can learn from other, and this is a very important thing in life, learning from observing how others act and seeing the good in others.
After the house reflection, we all went to our sleeping area to do our group reflection. We discussed how we all got here to L`Arche Hamilton. Many of us find ourselves here because because of the people in our lives, many of us because of our families or those or are close in our lives.
We are all very happy to be here and excited to be partaking in the experience!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
The Day Is Almost Here!
Hello this is Allie, again!
Today was our last meeting before we leave for Toronto in
two weeks! We are all very excited to be going on this adventure and the
emotions are running high on anticipation.
During our meeting we discussed our travel plans and
packing. We also discussed the L`Arche Covenant for our trip. The covenant
covers the basic rules for our trip and how we are going to function as a
group. As we discussed the covenant, we found that for many of us, embracing
simplicity will be the hardest part of our trip. We will have to shorten our
daily routines and step away from the world of constant connection, but we look
forward to embracing the change.
We also talked to Father George about the history of L`Arche
and how to live at L`Arche during our time there. Father George talked to us
about his own experience and this gave many of us the knowledge we will need to
move forward on our journey. He stressed the importance of letting the life of
others change your heart and accepting the human aspect of L`Arche, which any
of us will be experiencing for the first time.
Many of us could relate about the human experience because
last week we went to the L`Arche homes in Erie.
The homes were a great experience. The people welcomed us with open arms
and many of them were very excited to share their lives with us.
I personally was touched, because the people in the L`Arche
homes had so many gifts and abilities and they were so willing to share them
with us. They openly let strangers into their homes and shared al they were and
their huge hearts with us. It amazes me, because this is something I myself
struggle with. It was one of the best experiences I have had in my life time.
The past few weeks have prepared us all very well, and we are all very excited to get going to Toronto!
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Our Journey Continues
Hello to all Family, Friends, and Supporters,
I just would like to start off by thanking you for all the love, support, and prayers you have already sent our way as we begin our journey. We are starting to really get moving with our plans and before we know it, we will be headed to Canada! At our last meeting, we actually go to go over what our itinerary will look like which was very exciting. We also had a chance to explore and reflect on the L’Arche Charter. This is a document that talks about the true pillars that L’Arche stands on. We discovered their welcoming spirit, exceptence for all, and love for the outskirts of society. I think I can say on behalf of all of us that this reflection made us even more excited to experience L’Arche for real very soon.
Our next step is to visit the L’Arche homes that are right here in Erie. We will get to really see what our trip will be like with the amazing core members that live here close to us. Stayed tuned for the details of this amazing experience!
Maureen
I just would like to start off by thanking you for all the love, support, and prayers you have already sent our way as we begin our journey. We are starting to really get moving with our plans and before we know it, we will be headed to Canada! At our last meeting, we actually go to go over what our itinerary will look like which was very exciting. We also had a chance to explore and reflect on the L’Arche Charter. This is a document that talks about the true pillars that L’Arche stands on. We discovered their welcoming spirit, exceptence for all, and love for the outskirts of society. I think I can say on behalf of all of us that this reflection made us even more excited to experience L’Arche for real very soon.
Our next step is to visit the L’Arche homes that are right here in Erie. We will get to really see what our trip will be like with the amazing core members that live here close to us. Stayed tuned for the details of this amazing experience!
Maureen
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