A Spring Update from Paula
Dear friends,
There is deep gratitude in my heart for the gift of L’Arche’s mission in greater St. Louis. It has been a source of life for so many people over the past ten years. Who could have imagined? Thank you, each of you, for your investments of time, money, and encouragement. Thank you for believing and trusting.
Two essential qualities will help ensure that L’Arche will continue to grow and do good in St. Louis over the next decade: Humility and boldness.
At the heart of L’Arche’s mission is the virtue of humility, opening our minds and hearts to others. It is what enables us to befriend a stranger or to forgive a friend. Humility means that sometimes I lead and at other times I follow. Humility allows everyone to speak, even if they cannot use words. Humility knows that I am not greater than anyone else and that everything I have is a gift. Humility leads us deeper into the place of compassion and generosity.
To thrive as a L’Arche community we also need to exercise boldness in service of the people at the heart of our mission. We need confidence and courage for L’Arche to flourish. Together we can push through our fears to boldly proclaim the value of all people, especially those whom society tries to diminish through isolation and prejudice.
It strikes me that the lives of our human and spiritual role models are often characterized by these two complementary qualities of humility and boldness.
One of my role models is Edward, a man who teaches me about both. Edward is unfailing in how he welcomes and engages people from all backgrounds. He is a man of service, proud of his abilities and always eager to lift up the contributions of others. His persistent smile and laughter are contagious, and they make the world a kinder, gentler place.
Since becoming a member of our St. James house several years ago, Edward has learned to boldly share his love for L’Arche. He is a clear and compelling spokesperson for L’Arche’s unique combination of care and community, sharing our humble and bold mission with students in classes and at career fairs. And he leads by example. Edward takes immense pride in landscaping at our three homes, making sure, “everything looks nice.” Knowing Edward makes me a better person.
We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support for our new community and activity center in Brentwood. It was a tired looking building and we have a long way to go, but we are making it our own! It takes seemingly endless work, patience, and the perseverance of many people to work toward this dream. We are energized by your encouragement and knowing that this space will allow us to serve more people through our Family Support Program and Community and Educational Outreach. And we are beginning to plan for our fourth home! Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
Each day those who are part of L’Arche make choices that support our precious mission to bring together people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. These choices require humility, tons of love, bravery in matters both small and big, and boldness.
Will you express your commitment to L’Arche’s people and mission by humbly making a bold financial gift to L’Arche today? Please be generous!
Your financial investment fuels our mission and, especially right now, our growth. One quarter of our needed revenue depends upon people like you whose hearts are stirred by L’Arche’s people and by our commitment to welcome more people. Our revenue goal by the end of May is $250,000. If each one of us gives according to our means, I am confident we will be able to fund the many dimensions of L’Arche’s mission. Thank you for sustaining and growing with us.
Our vision is humble and bold. Your financial giving matters, so give joyfully knowing that you are part of this vision. We can accomplish together what none of us can do alone.
With gratitude,
Paula Kilcoyne
Executive Director & Community Leader
