Holding to traditions that have stood the test of time
To the Expositor:
The gentleman in this picture with me is Eddy Howard. Born in Gore Bay, he is also core member in L’Arche Sudbury and we have a special friendship. Eddy and I share a unique identity as “Haweaters.” One lucky enough to be born on Manitoulin Island is dubbed with the title Haweater. There are things that happen on Manitoulin Island that make it distinctive. There are no franchises available, you won’t find Starbucks or McDonald’s and some stores even close before 9 pm! There are a lot of farms, open spaces and in general I would say the pace of life on the Island is just a bit slower than other places. The beauty of the Island though is world renowned. Famous actors and dignitaries have bought property on the Island just to have their own little piece of heaven.
When I think about L’Arche (an international organization where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together in over 147 communities around the globe), I view it a bit like this Island: we are part of something truly unique; we hold to traditions that have stood the test of time; and we are not easily swayed by the masses and don’t have the flashiest slogans or loot. What we do have is the foundation and the commitment to our Mission and Identity. We have strong leaders maintaining and continuing to ensure that the future of L’Arche is prosperous. People do look to us and admire the beauty of who we are, and we have each other. Each and every day, we learn a little bit about each other and the gifts that we share with one another. We have to move a slower to ensure that can happen. We have to be intentional about how we are with one another and we have to celebrate the little things that make each of us special; not so different from “life on the Island.”
If Eddy and I are identified as Haweaters, then we are equally L’Archie’s—two people who appreciate the sacred value in one other—and simply put, we are pilgrims on the journey together. Please learn more about L’Arche at www.larche.ca.
Jennifer McCauley
community leader
L’Arche Sudbury Inc.
