Guided by the Guided by the SpiritSpirit

Presentation to the General AssemblyPresentation to the General Assemblybyby

Claude GravelClaude Gravel

LourdesLourdesOctober 12, 2008October 12, 2008

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Two poles of group lifeTwo poles of group life

Flexibility

/innovation

Rigidity/traditio

n

Boundaries of the group

Relationship between peopleCollaboration Control

Closed

Open

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Group Life CyclesGroup Life CyclesFl

exibi

lity/in

nova

tion Rigidity/tradition

Discernment on Identity and MissionDiscernment on Identity and Missionin Faith and Lightin Faith and Light

Steering CommitteeSteering Committee

Hervé CucheHervé CucheClaude GravelClaude GravelFranck JaninFranck Janin

Chantal de Jonghe Chantal de Jonghe

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List of zones who sent back a reportList of zones who sent back a report Europe Middle East(105)Europe Middle East(105)

Alps MediterraneanAlps Mediterranean Sub-MediterraneanSub-Mediterranean

Africa and Indian Ocean (93)Africa and Indian Ocean (93) Great LakesGreat Lakes CapricornCapricorn OtherOther Indian OceanIndian Ocean

Americas (252)Americas (252) North AmericaNorth America Central America and CaribbeanCentral America and Caribbean South America AndesSouth America Andes South America AtlanticSouth America Atlantic

Gate of Dawn (293)Gate of Dawn (293) Ireland and UKIreland and UK Scandinavia and EstoniaScandinavia and Estonia PolandPoland Between the SeasBetween the Seas

Europe Atlantic and Danube ((431)Europe Atlantic and Danube ((431) Europe AtlanticEurope Atlantic FranceFrance DanubeDanube

Asia Southern Cross (64)Asia Southern Cross (64) Other countriesOther countries South East AsiaSouth East Asia East AsiaEast Asia Southern CrossSouthern Cross

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The jungleThe jungle

Social success, going up the ladderSocial success, going up the ladder Inequalities, violence, povertyInequalities, violence, poverty The strongest winsThe strongest wins Competition and winnersCompetition and winners Individualism, isolation, solitudeIndividualism, isolation, solitude Autonomy, detachmentAutonomy, detachment

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The unique gift of Faith and LightThe unique gift of Faith and Light

Question #1Question #1

What is the unique gift of Faith and Light What is the unique gift of Faith and Light today?today?

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The Special Gift of Faith and LightThe Special Gift of Faith and LightWords given in answerWords given in answer

Reciprocity in equal relationshipsReciprocity in equal relationships:: Humility, fragility, simplicity, dignityHumility, fragility, simplicity, dignity The central role of the person with an intellectual The central role of the person with an intellectual

deficiencydeficiency Fruitful fragility which transformsFruitful fragility which transforms Beauty of everyone’s giftBeauty of everyone’s gift Discovering the presence of GodDiscovering the presence of God Option for the poorOption for the poor Equal relationships; learning from each other, Equal relationships; learning from each other,

breaking down barriersbreaking down barriers The weak confounding the wiseThe weak confounding the wise Perfection not necessaryPerfection not necessary Vulnerability which helps us to discover our own Vulnerability which helps us to discover our own

vulnerabilityvulnerability Belonging to a groupBelonging to a group

Welcome, warmth, being accepted, having a place, Welcome, warmth, being accepted, having a place, Being welcomed with their gifts into the community, Being welcomed with their gifts into the community, Agent of peace and unityAgent of peace and unity Being accepted despite difference, as we are, Being accepted despite difference, as we are,

without conditionswithout conditions Suffering which can be expressed, sharedSuffering which can be expressed, shared SolidaritySolidarity Lasting friendshipLasting friendship Overcoming rejection and blameOvercoming rejection and blame

Authenticity, transparencyAuthenticity, transparency Spontaneity, truth, sincerity, Spontaneity, truth, sincerity, Truth in relationships which brings joyTruth in relationships which brings joy Celebration, lifeCelebration, life Trust, God, Jesus guiding usTrust, God, Jesus guiding us

““Caring”Caring” Presence, being with, friendly relationships, Presence, being with, friendly relationships,

tendernesstenderness Attitude of helpingAttitude of helping CompassionCompassion Paradox of suffering and joyParadox of suffering and joy Consoling and being consoledConsoling and being consoled

Call of God, who accompany usCall of God, who accompany us Faithfulness, commitment, sense, God, Faithfulness, commitment, sense, God,

inspiration from the Gospelinspiration from the Gospel Call from God through disabled personsCall from God through disabled persons Depth of heart, relationship with GodDepth of heart, relationship with God In our patience, God guides us and gives us In our patience, God guides us and gives us

strengthstrength Permanence, dynamic of growthPermanence, dynamic of growth Vocation received from God, CALL: we are Vocation received from God, CALL: we are

called by Godcalled by God Give a meaning to lifeGive a meaning to life

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The gift of Faith and Light:The gift of Faith and Light: its spirituality and values its spirituality and values

  F&L is a gift which God has sown in our hearts. This little seed F&L is a gift which God has sown in our hearts. This little seed holds all the beauty of intellectually disabled people, all their value; holds all the beauty of intellectually disabled people, all their value; we have been asked to help this seed to grow and to show it to the we have been asked to help this seed to grow and to show it to the world. The intellectually disabled have asked us to join with them, world. The intellectually disabled have asked us to join with them, which allows us to discover our own fragility. This message of unity which allows us to discover our own fragility. This message of unity is universal; in this sense, the person with a disability is prophetic. is universal; in this sense, the person with a disability is prophetic.

This alliance entails reciprocity in relationships and equality among This alliance entails reciprocity in relationships and equality among people; a movement working both ways. And it implies patience, people; a movement working both ways. And it implies patience, humility, love, truth, transparency, generosity, simplicity, humility, love, truth, transparency, generosity, simplicity, accompaniment; these attitudes are the expression of our accompaniment; these attitudes are the expression of our spirituality. F&L transforms the lives of people and calls for change spirituality. F&L transforms the lives of people and calls for change in our hearts. in our hearts.

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Observations on answers to question #1Observations on answers to question #1

All the zones easily answered the question. All the zones easily answered the question. The question seems to have generated a lot of energy The question seems to have generated a lot of energy

and all the groups easily articulated what constitutes the and all the groups easily articulated what constitutes the charisma or the profound essence of Faith and Light. charisma or the profound essence of Faith and Light.

We could sum up by saying that the gifts of Faith and Light We could sum up by saying that the gifts of Faith and Light are are Its spirituality, its values. Its spirituality, its values.

The answers given to this question make Faith and Light The answers given to this question make Faith and Light an echo of the gospel in our societies.an echo of the gospel in our societies.

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The gift of Faith and LightThe gift of Faith and Light

Questions for discussionQuestions for discussion Is being a member of Faith and Light a Is being a member of Faith and Light a

vocation?vocation? What type of commitment are we looking for? What type of commitment are we looking for? What does being involved in Faith and Light What does being involved in Faith and Light

mean?mean?

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The Ingredient of the Faith and The Ingredient of the Faith and Light Ecosystem Light Ecosystem

Question 2Question 2

What are the essential What are the essential characteristics that make characteristics that make Faith and Light unique?"Faith and Light unique?"

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The Ingredient of the Faith and Light Ecosystem The Ingredient of the Faith and Light Ecosystem Words given in answerWords given in answer

CommunitiesCommunities Around people with an intellectual disabilityAround people with an intellectual disability With their families and friendsWith their families and friends Christian, where God is revealed and is incarnateChristian, where God is revealed and is incarnate Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their giftsSafe place where people can be themselves and practise their gifts Three times: Three times:

Sharing, where people can tell their stories and their sufferingSharing, where people can tell their stories and their suffering PrayerPrayer Fête, joy and celebrationFête, joy and celebration

Family, simple atmosphere: being withFamily, simple atmosphere: being with Where everyone is responsible for using their gifts for the growth of Where everyone is responsible for using their gifts for the growth of

the communitythe community ""The only place where we are always proud of our childThe only place where we are always proud of our child""

Family supportFamily support A presence to reduce isolation, suffering, blameA presence to reduce isolation, suffering, blame

Fourth time, meetings, holiday campsFourth time, meetings, holiday camps Developing friendship Developing friendship EcumenismEcumenism

Big international familyBig international family With the same spiritWith the same spirit Pilgrimages *Pilgrimages * Guidelines *Guidelines *

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Observations on answers to question #2Observations on answers to question #2

Question #2 doesn’t seem clearQuestion #2 doesn’t seem clear When we amalgamate the different When we amalgamate the different

answers we get a full picture of our answers we get a full picture of our situationsituation

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Our ecosystemOur ecosystem

Questions for discussionQuestions for discussion Is Faith and Light a Faith Movement?Is Faith and Light a Faith Movement? What is the place of the big spiritual What is the place of the big spiritual

events?events? Are communities who never Are communities who never

participate in the activities of the participate in the activities of the international family still a Faith and international family still a Faith and light community?light community?

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Our RelevancyOur Relevancy

Question 3Question 3

““To realize our identity To realize our identity and, so as to bear fruit in and, so as to bear fruit in abundance, what are the abundance, what are the calls that I perceive being calls that I perceive being made upon Faith and made upon Faith and Light today?”Light today?”

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CallsCalls Words given in answer Words given in answer

Imparting to people with a disability the fact that they are precious, that they Imparting to people with a disability the fact that they are precious, that they are loved by God and that they can open hearts.are loved by God and that they can open hearts.

Meeting families with young disabled people. Being attentive to the call of Meeting families with young disabled people. Being attentive to the call of these families, the hopeful parents. Welcoming new members.these families, the hopeful parents. Welcoming new members.

Creating opportunities to appreciate everybody’s gifts. Creating opportunities to appreciate everybody’s gifts. Being integrated in parishes. Being a sign of communion between God and Being integrated in parishes. Being a sign of communion between God and

Churches and men.Churches and men. Announcing that people with a disability are loved by God and that they Announcing that people with a disability are loved by God and that they

open our hearts. open our hearts. Work for peace both within ourselves and around us, announcing that the Work for peace both within ourselves and around us, announcing that the

person with a disability is a source of peace and unity.person with a disability is a source of peace and unity. Deepening, broadening ecumenism. Opening up to other religions.Deepening, broadening ecumenism. Opening up to other religions. Being present in places where there is a question of dignity and life, Being present in places where there is a question of dignity and life,

witnessing respect for life.witnessing respect for life. WitnessingWitnessing

Announcing and telling stories from real lifeAnnouncing and telling stories from real life Being witness to a possible relationship with all peopleBeing witness to a possible relationship with all people Imparting to the world the fact that we can live in a different way Imparting to the world the fact that we can live in a different way Witnessing the community. Witnessing in Church and societyWitnessing the community. Witnessing in Church and society

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CallsCallsWords given in answer Words given in answer

Reaffirming our identity, returning to our roots, deepening our Reaffirming our identity, returning to our roots, deepening our spiritualityspirituality

Developing leadershipDeveloping leadership Finding a way of decentralisingFinding a way of decentralising Finding chaplainsFinding chaplains Running a financial campaignRunning a financial campaign Announcing Faith and Light, using the media, inviting young peopleAnnouncing Faith and Light, using the media, inviting young people Placing ourselves in God’s handsPlacing ourselves in God’s hands Preparing the replacements, not lowering our arms, no longer being Preparing the replacements, not lowering our arms, no longer being

afraid, afraid, Living the Charter and the GuidelinesLiving the Charter and the Guidelines Living the spirit of Faith and Light in our daily livesLiving the spirit of Faith and Light in our daily lives Using our talents with loveUsing our talents with love

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The callsThe calls

Calls that move us forward and that really Calls that move us forward and that really respond to our contribution in our respond to our contribution in our Churches and our societies.Churches and our societies.

Calls concerning the ways and means to Calls concerning the ways and means to accomplish our mission accomplish our mission

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Observations on answers to #3Observations on answers to #3The calls and the relevanceThe calls and the relevance

The fact that the answers either highlight, The fact that the answers either highlight, albeit indiscriminately, what is moving us albeit indiscriminately, what is moving us forward or what is bringing us back to forward or what is bringing us back to ourselves, indicates a lack of focus in the ourselves, indicates a lack of focus in the interpretation of Faith and Light’s fundamental interpretation of Faith and Light’s fundamental contribution to our societies. contribution to our societies.

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The calls and the relevanceThe calls and the relevance

Question for discussion:Question for discussion: What do we mean when we talk about family What do we mean when we talk about family

support?support? What does it entail when we say that our call What does it entail when we say that our call

is is ""WitnessingWitnessing“?“?

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Elements of growthElements of growth

Question 4-Question 4-

« Today, what already helps us to answer « Today, what already helps us to answer these calls and to be beneficial? What these calls and to be beneficial? What should we put in place in the near should we put in place in the near future?future?

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Challenges, ways of implementationChallenges, ways of implementationWords given in answerWords given in answer

Revision of the structures, stability, light and flexible Revision of the structures, stability, light and flexible structuresstructures

Camps, exchanges, meetingsCamps, exchanges, meetings Finances, contributions as a sign of belonging and solidarity Finances, contributions as a sign of belonging and solidarity Reaffirming our identity, coming back to the charterReaffirming our identity, coming back to the charter Finding coordinatorsFinding coordinators Formation for leadersFormation for leaders Recruiting young peopleRecruiting young people Consistent and inclusive language, documents in SpanishConsistent and inclusive language, documents in Spanish Broadening and stimulating solidarity. Announcing and Broadening and stimulating solidarity. Announcing and

sharing dayssharing days Announcing, presentations in schools...Announcing, presentations in schools... Finding chaplains, clarifying their role Finding chaplains, clarifying their role Revising the election processRevising the election process Sharing experiences to hear the solutions used by othersSharing experiences to hear the solutions used by others

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ConcernsConcerns

The aging communities The aging communities and finding young and finding young members members

Attracting people who are Attracting people who are willing to take over willing to take over responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Fear of the proposed Fear of the proposed changeschanges

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General remarksGeneral remarks All the participants were enthusiastic and joyful about the All the participants were enthusiastic and joyful about the

Identity and Mission day even if the second part of the Identity and Mission day even if the second part of the process was sometimes more difficult. It is certain that Faith process was sometimes more difficult. It is certain that Faith and Light is part of their lives despite all the difficulties and and Light is part of their lives despite all the difficulties and suffering and paradoxically that is a source of happiness. suffering and paradoxically that is a source of happiness.

We also note a united view of our spirituality and values, as We also note a united view of our spirituality and values, as well as the quality of the tools and means available well as the quality of the tools and means available (pilgrimages, meetings, formations, guidelines). (pilgrimages, meetings, formations, guidelines).

It seemed to us: It seemed to us: That one of the zones is undergoing a painful situation. That one of the zones is undergoing a painful situation. That this Day should also be shared by the communities. That this Day should also be shared by the communities.

How? To be decided. How? To be decided. On re-reading the reports we see that there was unity among On re-reading the reports we see that there was unity among

all the writings. all the writings.

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Being a witnessBeing a witnessLiving our spiritualityLiving our spirituality

Reciprocity in equal relationshipsReciprocity in equal relationships Fruitful fragility which transformsFruitful fragility which transforms

Belonging to a groupBelonging to a group Being welcomed, having a placeBeing welcomed, having a place

Authenticity, transparencyAuthenticity, transparency Truth in relationships which brings joyTruth in relationships which brings joy

CaringCaring Being with, Consoling and being consoledBeing with, Consoling and being consoled

Call of God, who accompany usCall of God, who accompany us Patience, long termPatience, long term

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The EcosystemThe EcosystemNurturing the communitiesNurturing the communities

Around people with an intellectual Around people with an intellectual disability, their family and friendsdisability, their family and friends

Where God is revealed and is Where God is revealed and is incarnatedincarnated

Safe place where people can be Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their giftsthemselves and practise their gifts

Sharing, Prayer and CelebrationSharing, Prayer and Celebration Being with, in a family atmosphereBeing with, in a family atmosphere Activities together to build friendshipActivities together to build friendship