Faith & Light

International Faith & Light Association

Faith & Light is an international ecumenical association with mentally handicapped people, their families and friends. We offer opportunities for friendship through the joys of being with one another. Faith & Light offers people with mental handicaps a real place within the human and Christian family. It shows that they have a gift to offer and a message to give because they have an ability to welcome other people and a gift of celebration. What can Faith & Light offer parents? It offers support and friendship to parents with sons and daughters with mental handicaps. Our communities show them that they are not alone in their difficulties but have friends to help and support them. It gives parents the opportunity to see their son or daughter as someone who has unexpected gifts to offer, no matter how profound their handicap. What can Faith & Light offer to friends? It offers the opportunity to learn from those who are often seen as in need of care and without gifts. Friends can discover their own gifts more fully. As the community takes root, every person, even one with a profound mental handicap, comes to know that they are LOVED! Fidelity to the community and to its members becomes a value for all. What Happens At A Faith & Light Gathering? Between ten and thirty people come together at least once a month. Approximately one third of the community are people with mental handicaps, one third are parents (as well as brothers and sisters), and one third are friends. All age groups - children, teens, adults - are welcome. At community gatherings, there are times for prayer, for spending time in sharing (perhaps in small groups), and a time for celebration together. During the month, members stay in touch wih each other on an informal basis. How is Faith & Light Organized? Faith & Light was founded in 1971 by Jean Vanier, founder of the l'Arche, Faith & Light as well as Faith & Sharing. Faith & Light communities do not exist in isolation. Each local community is part of a region, and the regions form the National Faith and Light. Several nations together form zones, and from them comes the International Council. Worldwide, there are over 800 Faith & Light communities in 60 countries. Our motto is 'The clouds opened up and your light, Lord, reached us.' This information has been presented by the only English-speaking Faith & Light community in Montreal: Holy Family Faith & Light, located in Dorval, Quebec. We meet every 2nd Saturday of the month, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Veronica Church Hall, on Carson Ave., Dorval, Quebec, Canada. For further information on our community or on Faith & Light please contact us by e-mail at the following address: richardlefebvre@sympatico.ca.