Hi everyone,

  I realize that many people are surprised to hear the news about me going on Sabbatical.  It happened rather quickly and I am grateful to Arbishop Andre for agreeing to it.  I have found that the year has been really difficult and I needed time to rekindle myself.  So what is L'Arche Daybreak and why there for a sabbatical?

  Well L'Arche is a movement founded by the great Jean Vanier for the developmentally disabled (formally known as mentally challenged) in France.  L'Arche Daybreak is located in Richmond Hill, Ontario and you can find out more about this wonderful community at www.larchedaybreak.com and have as much info as you need.

  I chose Daybreak because of my familiarity with this particular community and having visited it on numerous occasions.  I also was not interested in a sabbatical time involving studies.  I chose a radical break from my normal ministry.

  Well after one week here, I can tell you I am not disappointed.  I am not here in a priestly role as I normally have been.  I am spending the year as live in assistant at Centre Street which is one of the eight houses that comprise L'Arche Daybreak.  I am working with a Brazillian woman named Camilla who is another assistant as well as Carmen who is married, living off the property and who is our house leader.  We have Osamu from Japan who is a support worker as well as George who helps us in the same way.  Together we look after five people who are called "Core members", because Jean Vanier found the developmentally disabled to be at the core of the L'Arche experience.  We have Tom, Mike, John as well as Kara and Mary Anne who are the core members of Centre Street. 

  My daily routine works around helping the guys get ready for their daily routines of work at the Woodery, ARC, the craft Studio and other programs.  I also help with their personal hygiene according to their abilities.  Camilla is responsible for the ladies.  I also take my turn dispensing medication, doing log books, driving them to work, appointments etc. I also take my turn cooking and we prepare outings among many other things.

  Daybreak is also wonderful at celebrating the moments of life wether it is a birthday party, a baby shower, a goodbye, a community gathering, or the upcoming barn dance.  it seems like everything shuts down and the community comes to the meeting hall.  We also gather each Friday night for prayer at Dayspring which is a highlight already of my week.  We are an ecumenical community, so the prayer varies from Catholic Eucharist to Anglican Eucharist, United Church communion service or Taize Prayer.  These times of prayer are sacred and life giving and would blow you away.  I am on a high after these times together.

  I am one of three new assistants from Canada, along with four from Germany and three from Brazil.  We have just spent a week of orientation learning many things about L'Arche, the core members and our life here over the coming months. I am amazed at how young people are ready to take a year out of their lives to come in this capacity.  There are some of the houses where there are more severe cases and challenges.  My house has some interesting folks with their own challenges that I know will not always be easy.  Already I am being challenged to open my heart to this experience.

  I plan to make spiritual direction an important part of my journey so that I can tap into how God is calling me to new growth.  It seems so funny to be here, yet it is already so amazing and I know that God has calld me here for a reason.

  So I plan to use this blog to update you as much as I can according to my available time.  I hope you enjoy it and it helps you stay united in prayer with me.  I know this is not easy for many of you, but I need this time so badly right now.  My spirits are good and already I have entered into this year.

Much love and hugs!!!!

Jeff