A Community for my Brother and Others (December 28, 2004)
Last Sunday was an eye opener for me. I was glued and mystified by the L'Arche community interviews you carried out. They were both unbelievable as well as encouraging. Encouraging because I finally found hope for the people who have been labeled handicapped, mostly in the developing countries, and whom society has ignored. My eldest brother is one of these people.

He was born very smart, but he is not able to speak clearly; honestly I do not know his condition because he is not deaf, only that he has a heavy tongue which makes it hard for him to speak. Anyway, growing up he attended a school that was for the "physically and mentally handicapped." He had to go to school and I am sure my parents could not find an appropriate one for him because obviously he is not "mentally handicapped." As years went by, the school kicked him out saying he was now of age and should not attend anymore. This was devastating for him as well as the whole family. Having limited resources meant that any options for further studies were limited especially for him. So he stayed home and that was the end of it all.

My brother is deeply religious; he attends church with a passion, come sunshine or rain. After I moved away from home I heard from my family that they had found him a wife (this was a blow to me) according to the traditions, since he is a first-born. Now he has two sons on top of the two that came with their mom. After listening to your program I asked myself what can I do to help others like my brother? What can I do to help my brother? The answer was clear to me: start a L'Arche community. Now I need more information and any kind of help to start such a community in my home town. Thank you for bringing this to us.

Phoebe Omolo
Okemos, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

A Community Like L'Arche (December 26, 2004)
I listened to your segment on L?Arche with great interest and appreciation. My son Jeff, 33 years old, resides in a Mennonite community for the mentally handicapped near Charlottesville, Virginia. The setting at Faith Mission Home is very similar to your description of L?Arche — that of a community where the exceptional is normal.

I am appreciative that you captured the joy of simple living that can be experienced by those not encumbered by the baggage of ?normal? modern life. There is much joy at Faith Mission Home and I heard the voices of my son?s friends in your interviews. Over the 22 years that he has been at the "home," we have come to know many of the residents, and continually marvel at the uniqueness of each individual.

The Mennonite Community has provided us with a gift by creating an environment where these special people can flourish. There have been many times when I have thought that maybe I am the one who is handicapped (along with my surrounding world), when I watch the simple joys of life unfold on a daily basis at Faith Mission Home. The story of Faith Mission Home and the surrounding Mennonite community is an inspiring example of faith put to action. Thank you for highlighting this positive aspect of the world in which my son lives.

Bob Lacovara
Teldord, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Balance and Sympathy (December 29, 2004)
I caught the tail end of your program about The Arch this afternoon. Marvelous! I have seldom heard persons speaking of the spiritual life of those who happen to be mentally challenged with such balance, sympathy, and appreciation. I would like to send you a book my wife and I wrote in response to our ministry with persons who happen to be mentally challenged. It's called Emmau's Eyes: Worship with the Mentally Challenged and was published in 1996 by Eden Publishing.

David Trembley
Milwaukee, WI (WUWM, 89.7 FM)

The Small Things (December 26, 2004)
Your program about the charter of L'Arche was both inspiring and uplifting. It gives me peace to know that such an organization exists out there. My daughter, Samaa, was born with Down syndrome and I feel happy to have realized the gift from God that she represented and her humanity the day before I left the hospital after giving birth to her. Even though raising her now for six years has posed many challenges for me, my life has been enriched and I am a better person because of her. It also has made me appreciate the "small things" in life that so many of us take for granted. Thank you for this report.

Ana Castellanos
Miami, FL (WLRN, 91.3 FM)

The Small Things (December 28, 2004)
Your interviews with Jean Vanier as well as Jo Anne Horstmann, along with all the "core" members, were a pure delight. Of course there was an element of sadness for me as an individual as I too fall prey to the, at times, a certain amount of awkwardness within myself when dealing with another human being that has the "outward signs" of "disability." For me your story of the L'Arche homes brought up so many important challenges that I must continue to pray for guidance on a daily basis.

Thank you and your wonderful staff for providing so many interesting topics that inspire and bring hope to all who'll listen to your programs — and, in turn, to oneself.

John Michael McCarthy
Los Angeles, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Will Power and Faith (December 28, 2004)
I woke to the last few moments of your program and was spellbound. I had to hear more. The timing of the program was almost too much to bear. You see, six years ago, on Christmas day early in the morning my husband and I were taking our two-and-half year old son into the emergency room at our local children's hospital for what turned out to be his last admission to the hospital. He was dying of leukemia. Consequently, the Christmas holiday has been a challenging time of year for us.

The story that Dr. Komp told regarding a woman who had lost her first son felt somewhat familiar. Children with leukemia tend to spend a considerable amount of time in the hospital and death and dying is a very significant part of their reality. Consequently, my husband and I had a few conversations with our son. It was difficult to choose words and imagery that a two-year-old could understand. Or so I thought.

About one month before William died he shared some information with me that has forever changed my life. While sitting at the breakfast table watching Barney, Will popped up with a big smile on his face and said, "Me-Me (his word for I) go to heaven Mommy." I was shocked and that shock apparently had shown through on my face because Will's smile began to melt away as though he realized he had said something he shouldn't. When I saw this I tried to come up with a truthful yet reassuring answer. (Even though I wanted to say, "No, you are not. You are going to stay right here with me for a long, long time.) I replied, "That's right, William, someday you will go to heaven." Then he said, "Jesus be there." I agreed. Then he said, after a long pause, "Mommy and Daddy stay here."

I knew then that Will was going to be leaving us soon. I had always thought of myself as a faithful person, but it was not until years later that I realized that it was the faith of my child that I held onto as I grieved his loss. He clearly had a sense of reassurance and peace about his death that I could not have given to him, because I was so conflicted about the events of his life and impending death.

His questions about the mysteries of life and spirituality had been answered for him, not by me but by God. I agree so much with Dr. Komp. Children have the inside track on understanding the mysteries of spirituality and a higher power. What a wonderful show!

Mary Giesel
Carmel, IN (WFYI, 90.1 FM)

Your Masterpiece (December 28, 2004)
In this program you managed to so accurately present Vanier as a vision of Christ on Earth, and to (seemingly, perfectly) articulate Vanier's visionary presence regarding the L'Arche people and communities—enabling listeners to get a clear and insightful understanding, no small task, in a short time. Bravo! My late, great cousin Terry Murphy had to have been listening on his NPR station in heaven, compelling my fingers to type this, and I can assure you that WE together say GOD BLESS YOU, and THANK YOU!

Charles Markey
Jersey City, NJ (WNYC, 820 AM)

Prompting Me to Question (December 27, 2004)
Thanks for the wonderful, heart-stirring program on L'Arche this evening. I grew up with a younger sister (now 44) who has Down syndrome; so many of the themes you touched on are dear to me. Sharing life with Judy has prompted my most pressing and persistent theological questions over the years. I was moved by the authenticity of every voice represented in this broadcast.

Don Richter
Asheville, NC (WCQS, 88.1 FM)

Trying to Understand (December 26, 2004)
This is my first catch of your program. I am a Sister of Mercy, CT, and a published historian and an archivist. More importantly, I deeply believe in God and God's love. I love my faith. This was a brilliant show. I knew Henri Nouwen (from his days at Yale) and thus had followed him, from a distance of course, through his L'Arche days. Thus I was caught immediately by your production.

But the point is: I am one of those "repulsed" by the mentally retarded and in awe of those who can "handle it." I wanted to understand. Your production went a long, long, long way toward that understanding. Keep up the great work. Now that I know the website, I will listen to past programs and start catching new ones. Please keep up the great work.

Sr. Dolores Liptak
West Hartford, CT WPKT, 90.5 FM)

A Guileless Beauty (December 26, 2004)
I was powerfully moved by your show this morning. It was the first time I have heard this APM program. We have had mentally handicapped people in our family and so I marvel at them as those at L'Arche seem to do. Their guileless beauty really does defy the idea of what is normal and helps break the barrier of the other as Derrida has taught us so well. That Christ is a part of this group seems perfectly right. With gratitude for what you and all at L'Arche gave me this morning.

Charles Mchaley
Midvale, UT (KUER, 90.1 FM)

A Gift (December 26, 2004)
I am grateful to have been ill and slowed down enough this a.m. to have listened to this beautiful program. Our grandson, Zachary, has autism. He is nine years old and has taught me so much about important things, like really watching leaves fall from the trees. And wondering where the "sunny" is as night falls. When I pick him up from school on Tuesdays, his pure joy at seeing me is contagious and I am energized. I do not have his day-to-day care, and so, perhaps, it is easy for me to have stopped asking "Why?" and can say "Thank You" to God. I believe someday Zach would be blessed if he could be part of a L'Arche Community. Who wouldn't? Thank you.

Rosemary Lassiter
Wilmington, DE (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

A Multiplicity of Meanings (December 23, 2004)
Also, the word arche in classical Greek philosophy means "first principles," i.e., that notion that governs all phenomena. Perhaps in this context it means agape (also NT [New Testament] Koine Greek), caritas, karuna, compassion, love. Makes sense to me.

Steven Fortney
Stoughton, WI (Listens via Web Audio)

Clarification on Vanier (December 23, 2004)
I was looking forward to your comments on L'Arche and Jean Vanier. You speak of Vanier as French philosopher, which leaves the impression he is from France. In fact he is and was a Canadian citizen although the first community was established in France. His father was at one time the Governor General of Canada. I have had the privilege of meeting Jean Vanier on a number of occasions. The last time was a number of years ago when he visited the L'Arche community in Toronto. What expectation among the residents and what joy overflowed upon his arrival.

John Congram
Toronto, ON (Listens via Web Audio)

Similar Experience with Alzheimer's (December 28, 2003)
I've just listened to your program about L'Arche. I believe I've heard this program before, but today it took on special meaning for me. My husband is going into the last stages of Alzheimer's disease and it is becoming more and more difficult to deal with him 24/7. He is on hospice now and they have been a blessing for us both. But I am so tired; I am beginning to be unable to function from day to day.

Today your program helped me to see once again how lovable he is, how I can be Jesus to him. That this is an opportunity to live the beatitudes in my own feeble way. I've decided I will take the respite care offered to him for a few days so I can rejuvenate and keep him at home as long as possible. Thank you for all your programs, and especially for re-airing this one. It was meant for me to hear again.

Rose Henzler
Brooklyn Center, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Terrific, a Perfect Topic (December 27, 2003)
I am now teaching English as part of the medical faculty of Charles University in the Czech Republic. This is just a wonderful thing for them to learn about because this truly responds to solutions. This is a terrific topic, beautifully produced. I want to show it to my students as a good thing about America. This is authentic, honest, and really insightful. Many thanks. More please!

Mary Frances Hickey
New York, NY (WNYC, 820 AM)

A L'Arche Environment in the Home (December 28, 2003)
Wow! Thanks for the time you devoted to this wonderful organization. I have a son who is 16, has Down Syndrome and PDD. I would love to find him such a community in which to spend his adult years. I read about this years ago and my goal has always been to establish a "L'Arche environment" in our home. I often think my son, while cognitively delayed is spiritually precocious! He certainly has awakened something in me, and I think in our family. He is truly a blessing. I will continue to research this fine organization with the hopes of finding a wonderful home for my son in the future. I even wonder if a parent/child has ever come to live in a community together. Thanks again for a fantastic, informative show that really captured the essence of the organization.

Rebecca Neiger
Columbus, OH (WOSU, 820 AM)

Universal Contributions (December 29, 2003)
I was quite moved and happy to hear your piece on L'Arche. I am a Care Coordinator at REACH Haines Community Services, and I help organize both monetary and spiritual support for families of and for people with developmental disabilities. People with mental retardation are like children; honest, speaking from their heart, and in a sense "seers". Their concentration on one idea is much more thorough than people without mental retardation. Life is slower, life is better for us all if we could just slow down. Many of the people that we work with at REACH that have multiple disabilities seem to strangers to be "vegetables". They might be non-verbal, non-ambulatory, non-visual and depend on others for all needs...but I have learned many things from these people; how to laugh, love, and communicate clear emotion, communicate peace, communicate needs. They are a gift, sometimes disguised, but a gift for us all. Thank you.

Suzanne Vuillet-Smith
Haines, AK (KHNS, 102.3 FM)

L'Arche Community Program (December 29, 2003)
I have listened to your program for a long time and consider it one of the best things on radio. I also think that this past Sunday's program was the best I ever heard. A remark was made about the difficulty in a certain romantic relationship because the man in question was not at all responsive. It would seem to me that the longings of the heart for a loving relationship among adults of all ranges of mental development would be a central issue among any community such as L'Arche. It would have been informative to learn about this. Also, the topic of psychosis was briefly mentioned. What about the additional issue of the possibility of violence and of the training needed by volunteers to be able to be of help with either of these two central issues in life a L'Arche?

Ron Dale
Warren, MI (WUOM, 91.7 FM)

Reflection on L'Arche: Spiritual Perfection (December 28, 2003)
Excellent program put together by Krista and her group. She mentioned at the end the "design flaw" of the core people. Of course as Henry related in Toronto, in Adam, with his physical and mental imperfections he saw the spiritual perfection of peace, love and a fulfillment of the Beatitudes. Christlike spiritual perfection is the goal on earth, while we individually carry our crosses. For those core people and the Christlike founder of L'Arche and his disciples, the assistants, they are leading the way for all of us.

Andy Boemi
Chicago, IL (WBEZ, 91.5 FM)

Pilgrimage to L'Arche (August 2, 2002)
Wonderful program. Thank you. Terrific insights that should serve as a counter to the consumerist frantic lifestyle of too many Americans. I believe that God does not prevent such tragedies as severely handicapped children to remind us that we all need one another, and that all have gifts to give. These are the things that make for community, and for goodness. Thanks again. I could barely believe that there would be such a long program on L'Arche.

Nancy Jo Kemper
Lexington, KY (WEKU, 88.9 FM)

Excellent! (July 21, 2002)
I loved this program. Everyone of us is a community of brokenness and beauty. I would love more programs on this topic. Excellent work!

Sondra Otto
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Richer for the Experience (July 19, 2002)
Since the age of six when my younger brother was born with Downs Syndrome I have lived a life that is incredibly different from my peers. John brought us to view the world with an entirely [different] sort of vision. Yes, it was trying—incredibly so for my mother. But this vision has affected my immediate family, my husband, his family, and of course now my children. Would life have been simpler without John? Yes, but so much poorer.

Thank you for personalizing the world of the mentally retarded. They are real people. They are certainly not darlings of the politicians (but then they usually don't vote!), they are not of interest to the media (such a small number), and they are probably one of the last groups that someone can publicly make derogatory comments about and people still think it's funny. But, those that know and love these special people are much richer for the experience. We more than anyone appreciate these people that choose to spend their lives working and living with them … sometimes we need a rest! Thanks for the lovely program.

Peggy McKeon
Coronado, CA

Thanks! (July 19, 2002)
I'm a recent graduate with a degree in theology, and as I looked for some way to engage in a meaningful job after a lifetime of being a student, I was drawn to working with adults with disabilities. I've never been able to fully understand why working with these women nurtures something spiritual in me—but this program really helped me to discover that connection. Thanks for the inspiring, respectful, and thoughtful program.

Andrea Pearson
Ham Lake, MN

I Loved It! (July 18, 2002)
As we are searching for ways to be truly authentic and "let down the guard" of the professional world, I found this piece inspiring. I've already checked out your on line links and am purchasing Nouwen's books for more insight. As a person working with "at-risk" youth, there are so many parallels to our life's work. I'll be up early Sunday morning listening to the rebroadcast and dragging my husband out of bed with me to hear it as well. Continue the excellent work. This could soon become one of my favorite MPR programs.

Lori Zimmerman
Pine City, MN

Back into the Fold (July 18, 2002)
Thank you for presenting the program on L'Arche. I almost had forgotten L'Arche. Henri Nouwen, Jean Vanier, and Thomas Merton had moved far to the back of my mind. Your program brought them to the forefront again, where they belong. You helped me to feel my path again.

Alice Felicia
St. Paul, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

A Saint of Our Times (July 18, 2002)
What an excellent program! I have known about L'Arche through the writings of Henri Nouwen for a number of years. A year ago I had the good fortune to hear Jean Vanier at Augsburg College. I was so struck by his wisdom and humility. He is truly a saint of our times and for our times. This program so accurately portrayed the L'Arche community with realism and without sentiment. It powerfully reminded the listener that, in this country that idolizes wealth and power and reason, wholeness is found in poverty, weakness, and heartfulness. Thank you for a production so well done!

Dwayne Daehler
Cambridge, MN

The Gift in Everyone (July 18, 2002)
I would like to thank you for your story about L'Arche. For me the story about L'Arche brought back many memories and reminded me of valuable life lessons. I spent two years living in L'Arche Kent (the community in Canterbury, England). I was a 22-year-old American who was convinced that I was going to solve the world's problems. I thought in terms of what I would do to help "these people" and what I would teach them.

When I look back on the experience, I know that I was taught far more from all the people I lived and worked with. In discovering my own weaknesses (which was a challenging and sometimes painful process), I learned about my gifts and the gifts of others. Instead of seeing the weaknesses or limitations, I saw the gifts of the people I lived with. And still the memories I keep closest to me usually entail the tradition of sitting down together for dinner, enjoying a cup of tea afterwards, everyone talking about their day, and cleaning up afterwards.

It has been eight years since I left the L'Arche community. I am now 31 years old and contending with the typical issues of most people my age. As life goes on and I meet new people or face new obstacles, I draw on the lessons learned in my L'Arche experience to try to find the gift in everyone and take the time to celebrate life. However, this has its challenges in our society. While L'Arche is not a Utopia (nor does it claim to be), it can help bring some meaning—and more importantly peace—to a hurried and busy life.

Jill Naylor
Minneapolis, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

We're All the Same (July 18, 2002)
I enjoyed your most recent program on L'Arche. I first became aware of L'Arche several years ago. I was immediately fascinated. From 1989 to 1991 I served as a service coordinator for adults with developmental disabilities. In addition, my identical twin brother has worked for the last decade as a vocational coordinator supervising a sheltered workshop for adults with developmental disabilities. (His wife is also in the field, working as an apartment supervisor.)

Your program was very informative, and L'Arche is a great community. My only concern about programs and books and articles about L'Arche is that, while they seek to show the difficulties those with DD have, as well as their family members and caregivers, the impression can be given that people with DD are different from the rest of us. In the past, the tendency was to avoid or isolate people with DD; now there can be a tendency to put them on a pedestal. We need to realize that people with DD are just like every other human in that they have distinctive personalities, idiosyncrasies, etc.

I would encourage those who enjoyed your program on L'Arche to get involved with a local service provider for those with DD. There could well be a group home right in your area; many of those with DD just need a friend. Make a little L'Arche-come-true right in your neighborhood. Keep up the good work Speaking of Faith.

Brian Scoles
St. Paul, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

What is Really Important (July 18, 2002)
I really enjoyed listening to your program on L'Arche. It was a quiet and contemplative piece. It brought me back to what is really important in our lives, and that is caring for others and living in the present. Thank you.

Lynn Ketelsen
Falcon Heights, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)