Sue Mosteller and Jocelyn Girard will give the Word.

SUE MOSTELLER is a Sister of St. Joseph and a long-time resident of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill. Sue’s L’Arche experience embraces work in the homes, as Community Leader, and work with L’Arche International. She worked closely with Henri Nouwen and others to vision the Dayspring at Daybreak. She gives retreats in and outside of L’Arche, and has written three books. Today Sue is retired, lives at Daybreak, and works mainly with Henri’s works as a member of the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.

JOCELYN GIRARD is the Community Leader of L'Arche Montreal. Jocelyn Girard was born in 1962 and has been married to Céline Therrien for 26 years. Together, they adopted five children, two of which with an intellectual disability. Jocelyn holds a doctorate in Theology, specializing in Pastoral Studies. He taught theology as a part-time lecturer for 10 years and worked in a computer service company, in Quebec and then in Paris. While in France, he and Céline felt compelled to join L’Arche, in 1998, in the L’Arche community of La Vallée, where from the very beginning Jocelyn was called upon to be a community leader. After a four years mandate, he chose to come back to Canada with his wife and children. He was then called to the leadership of L’Arche Montreal, where he became community leader in March 2003. Jocelyn will leave his role in L’Arche Montreal a few days after the June retreat. This retreat therefore has a very special meaning for him.

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Beginning with supper Monday June 14 through Sunday June 20 2010 after breakfast, there will be a Covenant Retreat held at Manoir D'Youville (Châteauguay).

The retreat is open to assistants who are intentional or confirmed members (or the equivalent if a membership process has not been lived), long-term board and associate members, as defined in the L’Arche Canada Membership document. This invitation is extended to those who have already announced a covenant in L’Arche, as well as those who desire to deepen their understanding of a covenant in L’Arche. This retreat is an opportunity to explore covenant and its meaning. It will begin with an exploration and sharing on this topic. There will not be an opportunity to announce a covenant at this retreat. 

 


First time participants should be aware that the retreat is in silence. This means that there is no talking in the retreat except designated times. If one is not aware of this, it can be a shock to realize this upon arrival.

The schedule of the retreat will include a daily talk each morning and a short introduction to faith sharing in the afternoon. There will be time for personal prayer, reflection and rest.

There is spiritual accompaniment during the retreat. Community accompaniment takes place within the context of one’s community.

In order to register for this retreat please:

1. Complete the on-line application form for each person who wishes to attend the retreat. Please ensure that this is returned to l’Arche Canada no later than May 8th, 2010.
2. Applicants will receive confirmation of their participation as well as additional information regarding the retreat. Confirmation will be sent one week after the deadline of May 8th. Please do not confirm your flight until you receive a final notice of acceptance!
3. As community leader, please give each person wishing to come to the retreat the pertinent information regarding the retreat. Community leaders can refer to the Directors’ Manual for Covenant Retreat and applicants can review ‘The Covenant in L’Arche’ (1999).

Thank you for extending this invitation to the members of your community.

Let us keep those preparing the retreat in our prayers that it may bear much fruit.


Peace,


Hollee Card
National Coordinator
L’Arche Canada


L'Arche Canada 2010