L'Arche celebrates with anniversary dinner
By Mary Collier Fleet
McKim House, the L’Arche community in Saint John, will celebrate its 
fifth anniversary this year. Most L’Arche homes in Canada receive full funding from their provincial governments. L’Arche in Saint John, however, receives only half its operating costs. To help meet this challenge, L’Arche Saint John is celebrating its anniversary with a fundraising dinner at the Kings Valley Wesleyan Church in Quispamsis on April 24. Guest speaker is our Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Graydon Nicholas.
I was introduced to L'Arche two years ago when I was invited to a Mckim open house. I wasn’t feeling particularly self-confident that day and the stress of introducing my frumpy self to new people was daunting — but when I stepped through the door of McKim House, there was Debbie.
“My,” she said, “you look beautiful. Do you mind if I give you a hug?” She stepped forward and put her arms around me, gently patting my back, the way a mother might pat a nervous child’s back in reassurance.
I lifted my face from Debbie’s hug and there was Stephane. “Welcome,” he said, arms outstretched. I had to fight back the tears. I think both Debbie and Stephane immediately sensed my vulnerability. They led me into the house and I had my first L’Arche lesson in what is important in this world, this life.
Jean Vanier met two men with developmental difficulties in an institution in France 46 years ago. He invited them to come and share his home. This simple transformative act of hospitality is the foundation of L’Arche — and it is why we continue to create homes, share our lives, and open our hearts to reveal the gifts in one another. Now L’Arche communities can be found in 30 different countries. McKim House is the first and only one in New Brunswick.
Tickets for the April 24 dinner are $75 each and available through the L’arch Saint John office (672-6504) or from Suzanne Buckley (847-1580). Tax receipts will be issued for a portion of the ticket price.
To learn more about L’Arche, visit our website or talk to director Jocelyn Worster at 672-6504.
