L'Arche: Called to Connection live event

In April, L’Arche Greater Washington, DC was going to hold our regularly planned spring fundraising breakfast. It’s a simple, joyful, one-hour event meant to bring old friends together, and introduce new friends to the community. Last year, I got to emcee the event alongside a core member from one of the Arlington homes, Kelly. We had a blast! And were looking forward to doing it again this year.

2020 being what it is, we have decided to move the event online. On Thursday, June 25, at 7 pm EDT, L’Arche will hosts its first ever live event, called Called to Connection. You can register here.

A few things in store: we will be debuting a brand new video about the life of a core member, Andrew (you can view the last special film made, about Fritz, here - I highly recommend, and bring the tissue box), an update on how community has fared (and had to make changes) through COVID-19, a message from Executive Director Like Smith who is a superb public speaker and communicator about L’Arche’s mission, and I still get to emcee - just virtually! So come to see me sort of read cue cards on my desktop, if nothing else.

The community has had a bit of practice with virtual events, as we have been having virtual prayer nights once a month. Tons of people from all over the country “attend,” and that has been a real blessing, to be connected to people who would not otherwise be able to be there.

Now, one other thing on this topic: people ask my why I love L’Arche so much. To begin with, it simply is a wonderful, pro-life organization doing God’s work and living the Gospel. To L’Arche, it really means something that blessed are the poor in spirit.

Personally, it is also that I see we as humans spend our whole lives trying to make peace with our brokenness. And I’ve seen how people with disabilities do this naturally, without a second thought. When I am around a person with intellectual disabilities, somewhat reliant on others, I think, Oh, that’s me. Only, they’re doing it better. Often, people with intellectual disabilities - especially those who live in loving, secure homes like L’Arche core members - are not stuck in the agony of overthinking identity. They just are. So I see myself in them and vice versa, and I see how I can learn something.

If that sounds confusing, maybe it is. I just know that I am drawn to this community, and have been from the beginning, and it is something I am still figuring out. I responded with a (hear it in a Bishop Barron French accent) cri de coeur, or cry of the heart. I ask other people to join me, as they may experience a similar cry.