Faith and Light International

“Up Sails!”

Coordinators council Lourdes 2011 !

3 rue du Laos 75015 Paris France T + 33.1.53.69.44.30 - foi.lumiere@wanadoo.fr—www.faithandlight.org - http://fli-afoi.blogspot.com/

Occasional

March 2011

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Contents

Page

A huge first 3

Welcome to Lourdes! 4

Opening session 5

Message from Benedict XVI 6

Trip around the world 7

Five days of formation 11

Five days of celebrations 16

Five days of sharing 18

40 years old! 20

Sending ceremony 22

Small family album 24

Some powerhouses! 26

Thanks 27

So during each of our

pilgrimages, let us show that

our communities, which

remain as always like small

twinkling lights, with their

smallness and fragilities, can

shine in the world like stars

in the universe (Ph 2, 15),

like “stars that can laugh!”

(The Little Prince)

3

A huge first

All the province coordinators with about ten chaplains from various Christian

denominations and the International Coordination Team met in Lourdes at the end

of January 2011. In total, about one hundred people representing 79 countries from

five continents met with the theme: “I have come to bring fire on the earth and

how I wish it were already kindled!”

Henri Major, President, was also there because it was a unique opportunity for him

to meet the province coordinators.

This Council of Coordinators meeting was held at Cité Saint Pierre where we were

very warmly welcomed (despite the very, very chilly temperature!!); it is important to

remember that Mgr Jean Rodhain, the founder of Secours Catholique and of Cité

Saint Pierre, was one of the first to support the idea of Jean Vanier and Marie-Hélène

Mathieu to have a big pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1971!

Extra!

The main strength of this Council has been the love and friendship that prevails between

us all. I notice it at every meeting but this time, it was even more marked, extra, extra!

4

Welcome to Lourdes!

I am very happy to welcome you to Lourdes for the

meeting of the Council of Coordinators.

It is not new for Faith and Light to meet in Lourdes; we are

“at home” here! But to hold here a meeting of all the

provinces of Faith and Light, this is a first!

The new constitution has been in operation for a little more than two years and

already we already see how these new structures are well adapted to Faith and Light

today; how they can give life, how they allow for better accompaniment at all levels.

Today we bring into operation paragraph 65 of the constitution:

“The Coordinators Council gives life to the movement under the leadership of the

International Coordinator. The role of the Coordinators Council is to be a place of

sharing between the different coordinators in order to seek together the will of God

for the movement and to be of service to people with intellectual disabilities and

Faith and Light communities within the spirit of the Charter. The Coordinators

Council provides an opportunity for mutual support and formation for the provincial

coordinators. It is a time of reflection when coordinators have the opportunity to

deepen their understanding of the aims of Faith and Light and the ways in which the

movement operates. It is also a time where a true international community is

created.”

That is our aim over the next few days: to give life, to share, to seek together God‟s

will, to support each other, to form, to reflect, to deepen our understanding, to

create… What a program! And I believe that the Holy Spirit will be present to help us

and to support us in these tasks!

We will then each return to our provinces and to our communities to live the

festivities and celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Faith and Light, our hearts

full of messages of joy for all!

Ghislain du Chéné

International Coordinator

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Opening session

Ghislain du Chéné, the International Coordinator, and

Father Isaac Martinez, the International Chaplain, lit a

large candle with the 40 years of Faith and Light logo on

it. This candle remained lit until the end of the Council

meeting. And even afterwards… because we left it in cité

St Pierre. During each pilgrimage, it will be re-lit and will

burn there, in Lourdes, our birthplace, as a sign of

thanksgiving.

The opening session was held in the presence of

Monsignor Jacques Perrier, the Bishop of Tarbes and

Lourdes: he read the message from the Pope that we had

received a few days before and spoke to us about the

links between Lourdes and Faith and Light; in particular,

he told us how much the pilgrimage had changed minds in

Lourdes and that Faith and Light was now part of the

genetic make up of Lourdes! Ghislain thanked him for his

welcome and told him how much Lourdes was also part of

the genetic make up of Faith and Light!

Henri Major, the President of Faith

and Light International, told us his joy

at being able to attend this first

Council of Coordinators meeting. A

historic moment that will be a time of

reflection, training and exchange for

everyone.

Each person will leave on Wednesday February 2, the day

of the Feast of the Light, like a small flame to carry the

message of the joy of Faith and Light to the world in order

to give even more life to the communities across the

world.

I thank you all for your presence in Lourdes. Knowing that I belong to a large family reassures me… Now knowing all the

brothers and sisters has given me enthusiasm and enables me to always go more deeply into what unites us, our spirituality…

I hope you all have pilgrimages full of joy. May the flame carried from Lourdes light all hearts, may faith always be our

resort! Much love from everyone in Lebanon.

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Message of Benedict XVI

O n the occasion of the celebrations to mark the

40th anniversary of the foundation of the

international Movement Faith and Light, His Holiness

Pope Benedict XVI sends his warmest wishes to the

Coordinators Council and to all the members of the

Movement, assuring them of his prayer that God makes

the work, which began with the Easter 1971 pilgrimage

to Lourdes, flourish. Since then, many Faith and Light

communities have grown throughout the world. May

they repeat to the heart of each disabled person the

words of Pope Paul VI: “You are loved by God just as

you are” and help him to continue his pilgrimage in life,

with peace and joy within, surrounded by brothers and

sisters who are happy to share with them the love that

God brings in this blessed way to the smallest and

weakest! May the celebration of this anniversary be a

joyful message of hope for disabled people, for their

families and their friends!

His Holiness wholeheartedly sends all members of the

international Movement Faith and Light an affectionate

Apostolic Blessing. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,

Secretary of States to His Holiness

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Trip around the world

For most of the attendees, it was the first time that they had taken part in an

international meeting. The first evening was therefore dedicated to introductions.

Each Vice International Coordinator named the province coordinators that he guides.

A trip across the world given rhythm by dances, songs, laughing… The impression of

a trip was strengthened by showing a PowerPoint presentation that introduced the

locations of the province pilgrimages for the 40th anniversary celebrations.

A small tour of the province world

Agathe Desfossés, France, introduced:

Raymonde Mouro, France Sparkling East

Julien Marcel, “Ile de France Ouest”

Michel Tabbagh, “Paris et le Levant”

Michèle Coevoet, France North

Luc Bertrand, Belgium

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Lourdes,

Lisieux and Ars in France and to Banneux in

Belgium.

Anne-Marie Pike, New Zealand, introduced:

Gerardine Ryan, (South Korea), “Light of the

Orient” (South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and

Taiwan)

Valerie Jaques, (Malaysia), “Colours of

Asia” (Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore)

Mary de Leijer, (New Zealand) “Southern

Cross” (Australia and New Zealand)

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Waikanae in

New Zealand, to Nara in Japan and to Plentong in

Malaysia.

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Darius Chmieliauskas, Lithuania,

introduced:

Father Donald Lucey (Catholic) and

Reverend Marian Crawford

(Methodist), UK North. We were very

sorry that the Province Coordinator, Ann

Emmott, was unable to join us for

personal reasons.

Elisabeth Neame, UK South

Mary Grimes, Ireland and Father Ian Fee.

Uliana Roy, Ukraine, and Father Martin Chomiw.

Olga Gurevitch (Russia), “Between the Seas” (Georgia, Lithuania, Czech Republic,

Russia and Slovakia) was also absent for personal reasons. She was really

missed!

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Lourdes in France, Knock in Ireland and

Lviv in Ukraine.

Fred Seagren, United States, introduced:

Lise Thériault, Canada East.

Céline Lagace, Canada West, and Tim

Dobbin (Anglican priest).

Maggie Demco, USA East.

Eileen Hermes, USA West.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to

Our Lady of the Snows in the USA and to

Sainte Anne de Beaupré in Canada.

Joanna Koczot, Poland, introduced:

Marta Baryla, Poland North and Father

Dariusz Rilko.

Renata Nader, Poland Center.

Krystyna Pustowiak, Poland West.

Agnieszka Majek, representing Anna

Wolska, Poland South.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to

Gora, Krakow, Krolowej and Warsaw in

Poland.

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Lucia Casella, Italy, introduced:

Angela Grassi, ”Fiume di

Pace” (Italy North and Galilee)

Stefano di Franco, “Kimata” (Italy

Centre, Greece, Cyprus)

Carlo Gazzano, “Seas and

Volcanoes” (Italy South)

Rozi Ternik, Slovenia was

represented by Vesna Knuplež.

Rozi was unable to join us at the

last moment because of health issues but she was introduced into the heart of each

person.

Gabrielle Luchinger, Switzerland.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Paola, Loreto and Rome in Italy, to Saint

Maurice in Switzerland and to Celje in Slovenia.

Ludovic de la Quintinie, France, introduced:

Michel and Sabine Arduino, France “Entre Deux

Mers”

Benoît Chenut, Loire Rhône Auvergne

Stéphane Vacher, France Rhône Azur

Anne Cronier, France West

Jean-Régis and Andrée Boisdron, France Centre.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Paray le

Monial, Lourdes and Sainte Anne d‟Auray in France.

Maria-Silvia de Jesus Tavarez, Brazil, introduced:

Marilene Dantas, “Reborn” (Brazil North East)

Marcia-Terezinha Carlos, “Campo Belo” (Brazil Centre)

The “Bridge of Friendship” province (Brazil South) does

not yet have a coordinator. Maria-Silvia assumed this

responsibility before her recent election as International

Vice Coordinator.

Elsa Gonzales (Mexico) “Open Hearts” (Honduras,

Mexico, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua).

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Aparecida in Brazil,

Notre Dame de Guadalupe in Mexico and to Lima in Peru.

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Mirna Hayek, (Syria), introduced:

Alaa Khlaff, Syria and Fathers Calos El Haddad (Greek

Catholic) and Samer Awad (Orthodox).

Edward Amgad, Egypt North and Sudan

Sahar Rephat, Egypt South and Kuwait

Carla Waked (Lebanon), “ILA Trinity” (Iran, Lebanon

North West, Armenia)

Rita Awad (Lebanon), Lebanon South and Jordan.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to the Jordan Valley

in Jordan, Saidnaya in Syria, Der Dronka in Egypt and

finally in

Armenia.

Yves-Bertin Hirwa (Rwanda) introduced :

Daphrose Nikwigize (Burundi),

Eastern Africa (Burundi, Kenya,

RDC Kivu, Rwanda)

Elinata Tsalamadzi (Zimbabwe),

Capricorn Africa (South Africa, RDC

Lubumbashi, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

Judex and Marie-France Violette (Mauritius), “Rainbow” (Indian Ocean), (Reunion

Island, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles).

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Madagascar and Kibeho in Rwanda.

For the provinces that do not yet have an International Vice Coordinator to guide

them and whose discernment is underway, Ghislain du Chéné introduced:

Aslaug Espe, (Norway), ”Northern Lights” (Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden).

Hetty Gommans (Netherlands), “Heart of Europe” (Germany, Austria,

Luxembourg, Netherlands).

Csaba Meszaros (Serbia) for the Danube province (Hungary, Romania, Serbia).

Alice Cabral for the Luzitania province.

Unfortunately, the “Earth and Sea” (Spain North) and “Iberatlantic” (Spain South

and Gibraltar) provinces were not represented. Their coordinators had been unable

to attend for various reasons.

The provinces will go on pilgrimages to Steyl in the Netherlands, to Simuleu Ciuc in

Romania, to Saint Jacques de Compostelle in Spain, to Fatima in Portugal and to

Lourdes in France. The “Northern Lights” province is organising a travelling

pilgrimage in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia.

Some countries are not attached to a province and were therefore not present.

Special attention was given to them: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast,

Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Croatia, Martinique and French Guyana.

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Five days of formation

Whilst all the province coordinators were gathered for „their‟ Council meeting, it

seemed a good idea to give a few words of encouragement, messages and advice.

When Jesus gathered his disciples, the Gospel writers often add that he spent time

instructing them!

Also, in Lourdes, several workshops and discussion times had been suggested:

Ghislain proposed a reflection on authority, Henri Major led a workshop on finance, a

person from the Sanctuaries communication department came and gave a talk on

communication and Philippe de la Chapelle and Caroline de la Goutte came to talk

about the special edition for the 40 years of Faith and Light project. Finally, Amgad,

Mary and Sahar came to introduce their pilgrimage project in Egypt, the pilgrimage

sadly reported on in November…

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Authority

Ghislain recalled the main principles of authority that

are applicable in our movement. The authority coming

from the role of coordinator is an authority that should

grow, an authority that is at the service of the

communion that should prevail in our communities

(and we had a practical exercise in the evening with

the washing of feet).

Using the example of The Little Prince, Ghislain

explains that the authority that he is seeking to

exercise on his rose and his sheep should allow each

of them to blossom without restraint (no cloche for the

rose, no muzzle for the sheep); he is concerned about

each one. And the fruits of this authority are those

quoted by Saint Paul (Ga 5, 22): love, joy and peace.

Finances An enormous subject! Henri took the time to clearly explain

the general financial management at Faith and Light

(contributions, solidarity, Announcing and Sharing days…)

and this subject was reflected on in small groups before a

plenary session during which many questions and

suggestions were raised. There were not answers to

everything but that is going to nourish the reflection of the

Board of Directors.

The finance workshops that followed

Henri‟s discussion time were of great

importance for me. I became aware of

what international solidarity really is when

Yves-Bertin, from Rwanda, described the

life of communities in Africa. Yes, why are

we relying only on the efforts made by

Faith and Light International for

fundraising when we who have the

privilege of wanting for nothing, we drag

our feet or baulk at organising a Day of

Announcing and Sharing! Now, I am super

motivated… To work!

I have good and bad news to tell you! New

communities are born in the Indian Ocean

and it is a great joy… but it saddens me

also because that is going to be extra

expenditure for Faith and Light

International!

We were deeply moved when the Egypt

North leaders gave us 150 € for international solidarity. And when we had

paid what we should in solidarity to two provinces in Poland, the coordinators gave

back the envelopes: “Others need this more than us!

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An improvised round table!

Our founder, Marie-Hélène Mathieu was invited to come to Lourdes to meet the

Province Coordinators and the International Coordination Team: she didn‟t take long

to decide because I know that it was a double joy for her: coming to Lourdes and

meeting the Faith and Light Council of Coordinators.

She should have spoken to us on Monday 31 January and then, the evening before,

disaster, Marie-Hélène called and told us that it was no longer possible for her to

come; this decision had been really reluctantly taken.

How were we going to replace Marie-Hélène? Impossible, was our first reaction…

And then, everyone had been so looking forward to it that it was absolutely

necessary to organise something good to replace her, which appeared quite

impossible.

Finally, the option chosen was to organise a three

person round table with Martine Guénard (former

reception manager of OCH in Lourdes) to talk about

the links between Saint Bernadette and Faith and

Light, Corinne Chatain (General Secretary) to tell the

story of Faith and Light and I to talk about how the

spirit of Faith and Light is present in the pilgrimage

projects in 2011 and 2012.

The participants had been greatly disappointed, which made us tremble even more

as we climbed up to the podium… but… Martine spoke so well about little

Bernadette, about her life and her privileged links to the beautiful Lady who talked to

her “like one person to another”, Corinne told the story of Faith and Light so well that

disappointment was quickly replaced by the close and sustained attention of all the

participants who appeared fascinated by what they were hearing…

GdC

However… Marie-Hélène was close to us and we were able to read her warm

message:

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Very dear friends, very dear each and every one of you,

You know how sorry I was not to be able to join you

and spend at least a few hours with you, to see

once more the elders and to get to know, even if

only for a moment, the new ones… However, I am

able to tell you that in thought and especially in

heart and prayer, I am, despite everything, with

you. In particular, I was there this Monday

morning when Martine Guénard, Corinne and

Ghislain stepped up to the mark. “It was super” I

knew. They spoke with so much hope and love.

When you have the closing ceremony tomorrow, I give thanks for your humility,

courage and boldness for all these pilgrimages that are going to invite and help

the communities throughout the whole world and each of their members to

become messengers of joy. Messengers of the extraordinary gift that Jesus

entrusted to us forty years ago in Lourdes. In Lourdes, through the hands of

Mary, he has placed in our hands the disabled person so dear to his heart and

the community in order to welcome them. May our love and our joy call many

new families and new friends to join us, sustain our new communities so that the

poorest takes its place within the Church and society.

On Wednesday, at 'UNESCO, there will be the joy of meeting many of you with

Jean Vanier. For those of you who will be already on your way home, a good and

beautiful journey

With you, Magnificat! Alleluia! I hug each and every one of you.

Marie-Hélène

A beautiful project!

The friendship that we have with OCH is one of those that bear

fruit! Philippe and Caroline came and explained that the

anniversary of Faith and Light was going to be the subject of a

special edition of Ombres et Lumière appearing at the

beginning of 2013.

This special edition will not be a series of reports on the various

pilgrimages that are going to take place, but it will be a tool that

will allow the development of our mission and the continuing

calling and explaining of what Faith and Light is.

This edition will not be just an Ombres et Lumière composition,

it will be a co-production and several people will be asked to

contribute and write articles.

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Being good messengers

We have all, in our hearts, the great desire to experience

these two years of celebrations of our 40th anniversary as

good “messengers of joy”. But how? We are not “pros” at

communication, we do not know how or where we take it, we

daren‟t!

Joël Luzenko, a member of the Sanctuaries of Lourdes

communication team came to give us a few very useful hints

and tips on how to know who to inform, how and with what

aids: how to design legible and attractive posters and

leaflets… The qualities required: common sense, foresight,

imagination and humility.

A lecture particularly appreciated to teach us all to “Light a

fire on the earth…” given by a volunteer fireman! A big thank

you Joël!

To help each person, the

coordinators found in their

room on arrival, a small USB

key with the 40th anniversary

logo on it, containing all sorts

of support materials: file and

press release, poster project,

logo and bookmark, song “The

messengers of Joy” (words,

music and chords), a

PowerPoint presentation to

introduce Faith and Light, a

“fundraising” file with a small

book of easy formulas to

collect money, sample appeal

letters to friends and other

associations and movements…

I have brought home a quite small tool but it contains a mine of

information that I am going to communicate to everyone in the

province! I am going to begin with the song that has been composed

for our 40th anniversary and invite all the communities to learn as

quickly as possible so that we form a single voice across the world,

sharing the Good News that God is love and peace and that we are

his messengers.

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Five days of celebrations

These five days experienced in brotherhood, friendship and

sharing were strongly supported by prayer: morning prayer,

where the leaders carefully introduced the theme of the day and

the evening prayer of celebration that we had already sampled

at our own celebration: the festival of light.

The washing of feet A very important time in the life of Faith and Light is the washing

of feet ceremony. It took place during Sunday evening in an

atmosphere of silence, prayer, meditation and contemplation.

Each participant experienced this gesture of Jesus. Each person

renewed their commitment, their love of the next person to the

last one and their availability to serve all their brothers and

sisters especially the weakest and smallest with the same

tenderness and the same respect of Jesus.

The Eucharist celebrations The Eucharist celebrations each day helped us to live in

fraternal communion and to reflect on the mission of Faith and

Light.

Sunday, the choice of God: “God chose the foolish things of the world” (1 Co 1,

17) and the Beatitudes (Mt 5, 3-12)

Monday, announcing the miracles of God: “Go home to your own people and tell

them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you”.

(Mk 5, 19).

Tuesday, the attention of Jesus to each person individually: “Who touched my

clothes?” (Mk 5, 30).

Wednesday, Jesus, the light of nations (Lk 2, 32), who has been presented at the

temple by Joseph and Mary, was the time for us to recall that the family is at the

centre of our mission. This mission that ends when there is no more mourning or

crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (cf. Rev 21, 4).

17

For unity

I arrived at the International Provincial Coordinators‟ Meeting

at Lourdes, just in time for the Question Period on Monday

evening. The Rev. Marian Crawford, a Methodist minister

from Nottingham, courageously reminded our gathering of

the ecumenical vocation of Faith and Light. She was one of

only three delegates who belonged to denominations other

than Roman Catholic. I was touched not only by her courage,

but also by the graciousness of Ghislain du Chéné in

responding. The outcome was the finding of time the

following evening in an already tight schedule to hold an

„ecumenical Eucharist‟ as it was billed. Perhaps it might be

more accurate to term it a Methodist service of Holy

Communion with some Anglican input!

In Faith and Light fashion, in spite of the limited preparation time the service came

together beautifully. We were both moved by the willingness of delegates to be

involved in the service, as we sought by God‟s grace to represent those from

different language groups and cultures.

It was deeply gratifying to watch the chapel

fill before the service, and to be able to

bless or communicate the many who came

forward at the distribution. The ambiance in

our worship together reflected Jesus‟ desire

expressed in the prayer to his Father, „that

they may be one, as we are one‟ (John

17.11). It was a moment of grace for us, for

which I am truly thankful.

Perhaps there is some reticence around exploring further our ecumenical dimension

simply because it remains so fraught with tension for us. There is no obvious

solution. Jean Vanier uses the term „scandal‟ to describe our divisions in the church.

I am inclined to agree. We know that what unites us is so much greater than that

which separates, even as we seek to be faithful to the doctrine and disciplines of our

respective churches. Perhaps, it might help us as an international family to be more

clear with each other on how we propose to worship together and worship separately

at our larger meetings, even if non-Roman Catholics form only a tiny minority. In this

way, we honour the extraordinary gift that Jesus has bestowed upon us.

Tim Dobbin Chaplain Canada West

We took part in an ecumenical ceremony presided over by the Reverends Tim Dobbin

(Anglican) and Marian Crawford (Methodist). We were able to express again the pain caused by the breaking of our Churches as well as our commitment to find unity.

18

Five days of sharing

Every day, we met in small sharing groups. Each

group bore one of the names of the places of

pilgrimage: Aparecida, Fatima, Kibeho, Lourdes,

Gora… After the morning discussion time, we were

invited to meet in small groups of about ten

people. It was always a very favourite time where

under the leadership of a “anawim” (Hebrew for

“the poor ones”), each person was able to confide

a little of their life, their joys and sorrows, their

experiences and their thoughts.

It was not a place for discussions and debates but

a haven of peace and heart to heart. It was a place

where we discovered all the joys, the sorrows and

the hopes of Faith and Light throughout the world.

It was also a place of training where we learnt

about each other and where we discovered the

wealth of other cultures, other customs and other

faiths.

Whilst the province coordinators were working,

Father Isaac Martinez was twice able to bring

together the chaplains. Very good and rich

exchanges on the role of the chaplain in Faith and

Light and on ecumenism.

The first evening, at dinner, in the middle of a group of people from Martinique on a

retreat, we met Noëlla, a former leader for the island. We had not seen her for

years and we fell into her arms as if we had never left… Her husband, today a

deacon and chaplain to the communities on Martinique, was in my sharing group in

Quebec in 98… In small groups, bonds are created that will not be forgotten.

19

Two pigs and… a wild boar

Father Dariusz from Poland told us the pilgrimage is being actively prepared in his

parish. The parishioners are very enthusiastic, so enthusiastic that one of them has

promised to give two pigs and another will hunt a wild boar to feed the pilgrims!

Let us give thanks Just a quick word to tell you how much the Lord blessed us at the time of the

Council of Coordinators of Faith and Light. It was a time very rich in exchanges of

experiences, reflection, prayer and work.

Let us give thanks to the Lord for all that he has done in Faith and Light in la Cité St

Pierre.

Sam and Marie-Aurélie

It is a gift to be able to meet

and share all together our

vision of Faith and Light. It is

great to realise that across the

world, we are all working in the

same spirit. It really is the

“little one” who unites us. I

have enjoyed the presence of

Sam and Marie-Aurélie so

much, they are the “raison

d‟être” of Faith and Light.

20

40 years old!

Where are we?

The 40th anniversary of Faith and Light celebrations should

have started beautifully with a pilgrimage to Deir Dronka, a

monastery close to Assiut, where legend says that the Holy

Family took refuge after fleeing to Egypt. All the

preparations were well underway: from beautiful posters,

pamphlets, much communication in order for Faith and

Light to become better known and to get financial help…

Everyone was looking forward to taking part in this great celebration: the

Egyptians from 48 communities, the Sudanese, the Kuwaitis and

delegations from two other provinces (Syria and France Loire Rhône

Auvergne); I, too, was looking forward to going to this first pilgrimage of the

messengers of joy with Isabelle!

And then … after having fully analysed the local situation in their country

and after much prayer, the organisers of the pilgrimage made the difficult

decision to move the date of their pilgrimage to next November…

I know that it is a decision that has not been taken lightly and it has also

greatly saddened me…

It makes us remember that Faith and Light is not just about joy, it starts

with a lot of suffering and it is this suffering that God transforms into joy

within our meetings through shared friendship and real relationships.

GdC

With much emotion, Amgad came and presented

(with Mary his wife and Sahar who is the coordinator

of the second Egyptian province) the sketches

prepared to explain their pilgrimage project. Amgad

is an art teacher… Everyone listened with emotion to

their presentation, sensitive to the difficult times

being experienced in their country.

21

A communal song

A huge thank you to Louis-Marie Grimaud (France) for the

words and music of this beautiful song that will accompany all the pilgrims across the world and that we have been able to

learn all together. Thank you to the group “Totem” for the interpretation and recording of the song in three languages.

Messengers of all Joys, Jesus is for us the way.

Messengers of God's Peace, We are witness of his bliss. Messengers of pure Love, He guides our steps everyday.

Messengers of all Joys, God’s spirit is here to stay.

Each one of us is different, Each one of us is important. It's nice to talk, to learn, to hear, To smile to those from far and near.

Our arms reach out in love and peace From all countries, across the seas. May joy sing out all our delight! Let's all be messengers of Light!

Jesus has called each one of us That we may love and cherish friends

Yes, thank you Lord I feel secure. Among my friends, I feel true love. The Lord protects me from all harm, He gives us Hope and Love that calms.

No wonder we are called to be Faithful messengers of His peace.

If tears and wounds still haunt your past, For Jesus‟ friends, they do not last. Your fears will go and will not stay. Our lives are Joy to all to say.

Evil cannot prevail within, God's Love will always help us win. Let's go and sing for all to hear, Let's be the messengers of Joy!

To listen on line, go to http://www.foietlumiere.org/site/596.html

Michel Arduino, quite a new coordinator from the

France “Entre Deux Mers” province and a member of

the “Project 2011 Team”, spoke of how the 40

anniversary celebrations were going to unfold in 2011

and 2012.

Each province is called to invite another province to take part in its pilgrimage.

Thus, there will be a double movement: one of opening up, welcoming and sharing

and another of discovery and celebration of the characteristics of others. A beautiful

mix of people, languages and denominations but a single people of God on the

move, joyfully bearing the Good News.

19 pilgrimages will take place in 2011 and 25 in 2012.

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Sending ceremony

The high point of this Council meeting was the sending, the official

start of the two years of the 40th anniversary and province

pilgrimages.

The date of February 2, festival of light, was chosen as the best time

to carry out this ceremony: it is the day of celebration for Faith and

Light communities who were going to be able to include what had

been experienced in Lourdes in their meeting, it is still the beginning

of the year and before the first pilgrimage.

All began with a beautiful speech from Henri Major, punctuated by

“Amen! Alleluia!” that we all enthusiastically said together.

Then, with Father Isaac, we lit the 40 years

candle, decorated with the anniversary logo and

we handed:

a votive to each international vice coordinator.

a star votive and a banner for their province

to each province coordinator: this banner was

decorated on one side with a drawing of the

Faith and Light boat from which people are

leaving to spread the long awaited message

of joy and the other side is to be personalised

by the province.

Then we had the mass of the Presentation of

Jesus at the Temple: everyone entered in a

procession with the votives lit with the 40 years

candle, the Gospel was accompanied by a mime

where the parents of Marie-Aurélie came to

present their daughter and they were welcomed

by Michel representing Simeon; this was very

touching. The collection procession was done in

“African style”, with songs and dances.

.

23

About thirty of us were happy to get to Paris in the evening in time to attend Jean Vanier‟s conference at Unesco that was organised by OCH. For a lot of us, it was the first time that we

had the great honour of listening to him. Our interpreters followed and were able to translate into English and Portuguese…

It was so funny for all of us to disembark like that with our big suitcases!

Finally, after the mass, a large fire was lit outside and from this fire, the candle was

lit again and the votives, symbols of the Pentecost tongues of fire, were lit with the

candle, placed on the wheelchair of Marie-Aurélie, so as to represent the meeting

drawing where the stars joyfully fly away from the Faith and Light birthday cake.

Everyone left for their province with a heart burning from this big fire, to go and bear

the message of joy from this meeting. The anniversary song is now well known and it

will be able to accompany the pilgrimages that are going to happen over almost two

years!

The story does not stop there… indeed on February 2, there

was also a conference by Jean Vanier organised by OCH at

UNESCO! And many came to hear what he had to say! We

successfully took about thirty participants to UNESCO, and we

were a sensation because amongst those listening to the

conference, there were people from Lebanon, Brazil, the

United States, Malaysia, Mauritius, Rwanda and Syria… Marie-

Hélène was also there and everyone was happy to say hello to

her; some were also able to say hello to Jean. Everyone was

very happy but exhausted by all these events… Everyone got

back safely!

And now, time for pilgrimages!!

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Small family album...

25

26

Some powerhouses!

I would like to thank everyone for all

the effort that you have done to en-

sure a successful meeting in Lourdes,

it was a joy to meet up. May the power

of God help us all to be messengers of

joy in the whole world.

Thank you very much and may God

bless you.

Songs and music, led by Hetty, leader of the “Heart of

Europe” province

Hetty’s voice and talent helped to put me in God’s presence during the celebration time as well as the more spiritual times.

The interpreters, all volunteers,

who in their booths, ensured

translations into French, English,

Spanish and Polish… Whilst in

the hall, they whispered transla-

tions into Portuguese, Arabic…

The “lighters”, Michel and his team, they too were always working, ensuring

transport, arranging rooms, distributing and collecting the translation head-

phones, making photocopies, pinning up notices, opening the friendship bar,

serving coffee… and all that they did behind the scenes that we didn‟t see…

The International Secretariat, Corinne Céline and Guénaël, day and… night on

the go at the service of everyone. Working in what looked more like a fridge than

an office without their smiles faltering!

27

Thanks

A heartfelt thank you to:

Mr Lebrun, Director of la Cité St Pierre for his welcome and his help with the

international solidarity.

Members of la Cité St Pierre team who unreservedly served us and who so much

facilitated the successful running of this Council.

The Cité St Pierre volunteers who treated us with kindness and always had a

smile.

Our donor friends who through their generosity allowed all the coordinators from

poorer countries to be able to attend this first Council.

The provinces who took part in international solidarity.

The interpreters who voluntarily put their abilities at our service. Thank you to

Jose, Claire, Joanna, Joëlle, Oriane, Verena and Xavier.

Gisèle and Michel and the “Notre Dame du Bassin” community for decorating

the participant bags and for helping during the Council.

Michel and Damienne, Agnès, Vincent, Agathe, Margareth and Françoise for

welcoming the participants in Paris.

Michel for the logistics team in Lourdes, Chantal and Sabine.

Patrick for organising the transport to Lourdes, Pau and Tarbes, and Benoît for

his availability on site.

Father Jean-François and Stan who drove the van to and from Paris with all the

documents required for the Council.

Daniel and Janine for making the banners.

Maï, Claude, Jérémie and Evelyne for preparing the participant files and various

document ahead of the meeting.

Thank you to everyone!

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I came to bring fire

on the earth,

and how I wish

it were already kindled!

Lk 12, 49