Please be patient... photos sometimes take a few moments to download.

Listen to Jean Vanier's presentation (.wma files)!  Part I  -  Part II  -  Part III

On Sunday, June 22, 2008, we were privileged to welcome Jean Vanier to St. James Cathedral.  As the members of the northwest L'Arche communities joined the entrance procession, young L'Arche assistants lead us in "Circle Me O God," a L'Arche favorite. Signing the response, "Oh my loving God, oh my loving God!" Father Ryan introduces Jean:  "L’Arche really is a living gospel. In a world of competition, of self-promotion, of 'we’re number one'; a world where more is better, where beauty is confused with appearances, where wealth is confused with money and things; where truth is traded for what works, where individualism is exalted and prized above community, where poverty, brokenness, and vulnerability are an embarrassment, l’Arche points to the way of Jesus: the way of love, the way of acceptance, the way of humility, the way of communion. How blessed we are tonight to be able to see and read the living gospel of l’Arche at close range through the eyes and the heart of Jean Vanier.  I can think of no greater privilege for St. James Cathedral.  Welcome, Jean." Jean Vanier, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year, is the founder of the L'Arche and Faith and Light communities.  When he took in two developmentally disabled men more than forty years ago, he began a quiet revolution. Listen to Jean Vanier's presentation (.wma files)!  Part I  -  Part II -  Part III On behalf of the L'Arche communities, Jennifer Kelly presented Jean with a Native American blanket, asking him to remember his friends in the northwest during those cold French winters! An artist attempts to capture the spirit of Jean's talk in words and images. Thank you, Jean!