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As most parents of children with intellectual disabilities, Mr. Barathan was concerned about the future wellbeing of his son Ramesh. While seeking to establish a home, where Ramesh and other young adults could receive loving care and live up to their full potentials, Mr. Barathan revealed his hopes to Fr. Pierre Ceyrac, a French Jesuit living in Tamil Nadu. Fr. Ceyrac helped Mr. Barathan to connect with Jean Vanier, and the two visionaries developed a deep and lasting bond. Jean shared about the spirituality and mission of L’Arche, and with his support, Mr. Barathan remained enthusiastic and dedicated. On February 25, 1975, Asha Niketan Chennai became the third L’Arche community to be founded in India. Ramesh, Jayakumar, Shankar “Mama”, and Sundaram were welcomed as the first Core Members, and Marielle Robitaille served as the first Community Leader. Their home was a modest rented house on East Coast Road, and the community became a simple sign of hope for the neighborhood and the world. Over four decades have passed; while the community has grown and changed in many ways, members of Asha Niketan Chennai continue to live out the mission of L’Arche. While growing together in community, we are so thankful to all our sister communities and L’Arche International for holding us in prayer and contributing to fundraising efforts after Cyclone Vardah caused severe damage in December. We have been rebuilding over the summer and will continue to rebuild before the next monsoon season. We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Usha Venkataraghavan and everyone committed to Friends of Asha Niketan (USA) for their constant financial support. These generous donors make it possible to preserve our way of life and assist all our community members with their various needs. Fritz & Vincent (L’Arche GWDC) hosted an art show & donated all proceeds to our community. August 2017 ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI Photo by Lauren Palmer L’Arche communities throughout the world are united by a common Identity Statement and Mission. For this newsletter, we have included excerpts and themes to highlight our core values and practices within L’Arche. Thank you for all the support you offer our community. Our Founding Story L’Arche International Thank You! Friends of Asha Niketan (USA) நறி

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Page 1: ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI - larchefmrindia.orglarchefmrindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Newsletter-for-Asha-Niketan-Chennai...ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI Photo by Lauren Palmer L’Arche communities

As most parents of children with intellectual

disabilities, Mr. Barathan was concerned about the

future wellbeing of his son Ramesh. While seeking

to establish a home, where Ramesh and other young

adults could receive loving care and live up to their

full potentials, Mr. Barathan revealed his hopes to

Fr. Pierre Ceyrac, a French Jesuit living in Tamil

Nadu. Fr. Ceyrac helped Mr. Barathan to connect

with Jean Vanier, and the two visionaries developed

a deep and lasting bond. Jean shared about the

spirituality and mission of L’Arche, and with his

support, Mr. Barathan remained enthusiastic and

dedicated. On February 25, 1975, Asha Niketan

Chennai became the third L’Arche community to be

founded in India. Ramesh, Jayakumar, Shankar

“Mama”, and Sundaram were welcomed as the first

Core Members, and Marielle Robitaille served as

the first Community Leader. Their home was a

modest rented house on East Coast Road, and the

community became a simple sign of hope for the

neighborhood and the world. Over four decades

have passed; while the community has grown and

changed in many ways, members of Asha Niketan

Chennai continue to live out the mission of

L’Arche.

While growing together in community, we are so

thankful to all our sister communities and L’Arche

International for holding us in prayer and

contributing to fundraising efforts after Cyclone

Vardah caused severe damage in December. We

have been rebuilding over the summer and will

continue to rebuild before the next monsoon season.

We are extremely grateful to Mrs. Usha

Venkataraghavan and everyone committed to

Friends of Asha Niketan (USA) for their constant

financial support. These generous donors make it

possible to preserve our way of life and assist all

our community members with their various needs.

Fritz & Vincent (L’Arche GWDC)

hosted an art show & donated all proceeds

to our community.

August 2017

ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI

Photo by Lauren Palmer

L’Arche communities throughout the world are united by a common Identity Statement and

Mission. For this newsletter, we have included excerpts and themes to highlight our core values

and practices within L’Arche. Thank you for all the support you offer our community.

Our Founding Story L’Arche International

Thank

You!

Friends of Asha Niketan (USA)

நன்றி

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Priya attended L’Arche’s Federation Assembly in

Belfast, Ireland June 21-26. Members of 151

L’Arche communities were present from 37

different countries! Together everyone reflected on

common gifts that we share in L’Arche including:

WELCOME, UNITY, LOVE, TRUST, TRUTH,

TOGETHERNESS, and HOPE.

Seeralan and Sakthivel created artwork to send

along with Priya for the Federation Assembly.

Seeralan’s painting represents UNITY and

Sakthivel’s drawing symbolizes DIVERSITY.

While living with their families, Seeralan and

Sakthivel join us on weekdays to attend the

Development Centre and community activities.

Before attending the Federation Assembly, Priya

and Amit (Asha Niketan Asansol) were invited to

stay with L’Arche Bognor Regis in England. Priya

felt very touched by the hospitality she received.

She especially enjoyed sharing stories with

everyone during mealtimes.

Rani has served as Asha Niketan Chennai’s

accountant for 20 years. Her son Surya first visited

our community as a boy. In 2015-2017, Surya

joined Asha Niketan Bangalore as an assistant, and

in August 2017, he was welcomed to serve as an

Assistant in L’Arche Australia for one year. Before

leaving, Surya volunteered in our community for

three weeks. Everyone appreciated his positivity

and willingness to help wherever he was needed.

“We are people, with and without intellectual disabilities,

sharing life in communities belonging to an International Federation.”

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Jayaseelan & Umashankar

offer us Faith and Hope.

Sangeetha & Assiya

offer us Beauty and Welcome.

Seeralan & Manikandan

offer us Joy and Belonging.

Selvaraj, Sathyaseelan, & Vengadesh

offer us Honor, Tenderness, and Service.

Asha Niketan Chennai exists as both an NGO and a

faith community. As an NGO, we ensure our

community members with intellectual disabilities

(Core Members) receive professional care with their

unique needs. Core Members benefit from the

support of Assistants with their finances, hygiene,

medical needs, and achieving goals. As a faith

community, Core Members and Assistants live

together, share meals, foster a home life, and pray

together daily. We realize we rely upon God and

the compassion of many generous donors, and we

pray in thanksgiving for all the love and support we

receive. We are always touched when friends and

families reach out and ask us to hold them in prayer.

Every morning, in addition to helping with cleaning

needs within her home, Pachammal always creates

a new rangoli rice design on the prayer room floor

at Asha Jothi.

“Mutual relationships and trust in God are

at the heart of our journey together.”

Page 4: ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI - larchefmrindia.orglarchefmrindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Newsletter-for-Asha-Niketan-Chennai...ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI Photo by Lauren Palmer L’Arche communities

Peter, Priya, Lalitha, and Sasikala

during their birthday celebration

Anbu welcoming Mr. Tewari (National

Formation Coordinator) for an extended visit

Bharathi & Najim welcoming a guest for dinner

Celebrations are so important in our community;

they are always occasions of rejoicing and unity. In

his inspirational book Community and Growth, Jean

Vanier expresses, “Celebration is a moment of

wonder when the joy of the body and senses are

linked to the joy of the spirit.” Over the years, we

have developed traditions to honor our community

members and everyone who comes to share life

with us.

WELCOMES

One of our greatest gifts in Asha Niketan Chennai is

that we welcome well. Whether it is someone new

to our community, or more often a guest or meal

sponsor, we always try to make everyone who joins

us feel welcome. It is our custom to offer guests

and new members flowers from our garden.

Sometimes we also create colorful rangoli and rice

kolam designs and have prayerful welcome

celebrations.

BIRTHDAYS

So much could be expressed about our birthday

celebrations. They are delightful! We sing and

pray, those who are celebrated receive blessings and

gifts, we dance, and there is always cake and extra

sweets. We try to affirm the sacred value of each

person while sharing how much we appreciate their

gifts.

FAREWELLS (THANKSGIVINGS)

It is not often that we need to express farewell to

community members. Core Members seldom move

to new homes, and Assistants make commitments

every year as to how long they intend to remain

with community. When someone does leave, it can

be a sad time, yet we also regard farewells as

occasions to express our gratitude and well wishes.

“We celebrate the unique value of every person

and recognize our need of one another.”

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Ramesh and Marie painting gift paper in the

Development Centre and Srinivasan and

Sibasish planting a tree in our Garden

Community members working together in our

Handicraft Workshop to create a papier mâché

basket

Rohit planting flowers outside the office

Co

mmunity basket.

In June and July, Assistants participated in two

formations focused on recognizing and sharing the

gifts of Core Members. For the first formation,

everyone discussed moments of bonding with Core

Members. As Santhanayagi described a time when

Ramesh offered her consolation, and when

Sangeetha shared a joyful experience she had with

Franci, everyone resonated with their sharing. It

was a unifying experience to reflect on our way of

life and how the Core Members have touched our

hearts. For the second formation, we took turns

announcing specific gifts we recognize in the Core

Members and wrote them down in a large heart.

Marie’s brother Jean came to visit our community

for one week in July. While with us, he surprised

everyone with his incredible artistic abilities. In

addition to creating a watercolor painting of Jean

Vanier for our office, Jean used chalk to draw

portraits of Veeran, Franci, Pachammal, Lloyd, and

Bala on the walls of Asha Jothi. To take the time to

draw a person’s portrait is a beautiful way to honor

someone and emphasize her or his sacred value.

“Make known the gifts of people who have intellectual disabilities,

revealed through mutually transforming relationships.”

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This photo was taken as Franci and Sibasish

enjoyed a visit to the beach last year. Franci has had

significant health concerns in recent months. We

have been doing everything possible to support her

and ensure she receives the medical care she needs.

It has been a moving experience to join with her in

the healing process. When Franci smiles, she brings

joy to us all.

This photo is of Shuib (Asha Niketan Bangalore)

and Marie (our International Volunteer from

France). Marie was asked if she was willing to

support Asha Niketan Bangalore for two weeks in

April, and she accepted the request with an open

heart. As we reflect on the changing needs of our

members, sometimes Asha Niketan communities

need to reach out to additional communities in

solidarity.

As the eldest member of our community, Peter

D’Cruz (age 74) has remained remarkably healthy

throughout his life. Having joined this community

in 1976, one year after it was founded, Peter has a

lot of wisdom and shares many memories with us.

In July, Peter needed to have a second surgery to

treat his eyes for cataracts. He remained calm and

placed his full trust in God. This is a photo of Peter

and James before they attended Mass on a Sunday.

As our Core Members continue to age, we realize

the need to learn as much as we can to be able to

respond to their needs. Before joining Asha

Niketan Chennai in 2016, Santhanaygi studied

Special Education and earned her degree. With

experience an assistant for the past seven years,

Nadhiya continues to live in our community while

studying Special Education.

“Foster an environment in community that

responds to the changing needs of our members while

being faithful to the core values of our founding story.”

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Amudha has always wanted to visit a L’Arche

community in another country for an extended

period. In April 2017, she was accepted for a three-

month Solidarity Exchange with L’Arche Canada.

(When Amudha was the Community Leader of Asha

Niketan Chennai, she welcomed Nancy and Mary

Bee as volunteers. Now Nancy is a member of

L’Arche Arnprior and Mary Bee is a member of

L’Arche London. Amudha also worked with

Manonmani before Manonmani moved to L’Arche

Arnprior. While on retreat in France, Amudha met

Jeannette, the community Leader of L’Arche

Arnprior, and Jeannette extended the invitation to

come stay with her community.) While appreciating

these wonderful relationships, Amudha traveled to

Canada to experience community life in two

communities on the other side of the world.

In L’Arche Arnprior and L’Arche London,

Amudha was welcomed by everyone, and she felt

moved as the Core Members helped her to adjust.

Often after meals, Amudha and Core Members

would wash dishes together. Amudha particularly

enjoyed prayer times within both communities and

opportunities to go on group outings.

Amudha participated in formations with the

Assistants and helped everyone to prepare for

celebrations. She also attended the day program

where Core Members of L’Arche London work on

weekdays, and she learned some new handicrafts.

When Amudha returned to Asha Niketan Chennai

in July, she shared with everyone what a peaceful

and uplifting experience she had. “It was like I was

welcomed to a second family,” Amudha often

commented.

“Engage in our diverse cultures,

working together toward a more human society.”

Page 8: ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI - larchefmrindia.orglarchefmrindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Newsletter-for-Asha-Niketan-Chennai...ASHA NIKETAN CHENNAI Photo by Lauren Palmer L’Arche communities

What a year it has been! When I arrived at Asha

Niketan Chennai in November, I was welcomed

with open arms. As I received guidance and care, it

became possible to fit in and appreciate the positive

attitudes that our Core Members share with us daily.

When I look back at this volunteer commitment, I

can recall some challenges (adapting to the food,

dealing with the heat waves, struggling with

language, Franci being diagnosed with dengue fever

and typhoid, Kopika leaving the community, Gopi

having seizures, and the cyclone in December).

Even with these struggles, the main thing I realize is

how fortunate I am to have experienced so much

joy. These months have been filled with tenderness,

celebration, and love. I want to thank every Core

Member who has welcomed me as a sister.

Thank you Franci for your sincere smile that melts

my heart and makes the world around us look

brighter.

Thank you Lloyd for your unique dance moves and

for always caring for me like a big brother.

Thank you Ramesh for your irresistible charm and

funny words that make us forget about any tension.

Thank you Seeralan for your amazing and really

entertaining talent as a singer and guitar player.

Thank you Pachammal for looking after me like a

big sister that I can tease, hug, laugh with, and ask

for help.

Thank you Vengadesh for being willing to

contribute at any time and for your strong sense of

responsibilities.

Thank you Sathyaseelan for creating bonds

through your unique way of communicating.

Thank you Veeran for the tenderness and the care

we can see in your sweet eyes.

Thank you Umashankar for the fatherly way you

are having discussions with Sathyaseelan.

Thank you Bala for your warmth and slow-motion

greetings every morning.

Thank you Gopi for your laughter, caused by any

attempt at tickling, and your great singing skills.

Thank you Assiya for accepting me as your

roommate.

Thank you Rohit for your dancing and sense of

drama that always brings laughter in the room.

Thank you Sakthivel for your stand-ups during

celebrations and putting your full heart into them.

Thank you Sathya for your shy and lightening

smile that puts sparkles in your eyes.

Thank you Anbu and Sasikumar for your gentle

way of teasing each other and showing love like

brothers.

Thank you Najim for your practical jokes and for

your great memory.

Thank you Lalitha for the importance you give to

welcoming.

Thank you Peter D’Cruz for welcoming my

brother to stay with you and teaching me the

significance of fidelity in prayer.

Gratitude from Marie

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Thank you Peter Daly for your unconditional love

repeatedly expressed to each one of us.

Thank you Srinivasan for your loud and clear

laugh.

Thank you Selvakumar for your childish jokes

and always being benevolent in your actions.

Thank you all for reminding me to choose joy daily.

It is a great honor to belong to this family. I felt so

happy to introduce you to my siblings and parents

when they visited India in May. The way you

welcomed them with openness and affection was

amazing. You really embraced my family and gave

them a special place inside your heart. Your

generous hospitality is so inspiring.

I strongly believe in the greatness of L’Arche’s

Mission. It is a unique way to grow; by putting

aside everything we know, we discover that our

diversity makes life incredible. The mutuality I have

experienced in L’Arche is a precious gift that I hope

to preserve.

As a member of Asha Niketan Chennai, I grew in

compassion, humility, patience, and attention. Most

of all, community life has given me a sense of

belonging and beautiful friends to double my joy in

life. I’ll be always thankful for this opportunity.

~Marie Sadoux

(International Volunteer from France)

In June, I completed my first year serving as

Community Leader. I have witnessed community

members grow in so many ways. After the cyclone

in December, Core Members and Assistants who

work together in our Garden needed to reconsider

what to plant, and I felt very touched as they added

flowers outside the office. Community members

who attend the Workshop and the Development

Centre continue to discover new ways everyone can

be creative and enjoy meaningful activities. In

April, we evaluated needs in both our homes;

Santhanayagi, Manikandan, and Nadhiya moved to

Prem Jothi, and Marie, Sasikala, Lloyd, and

Selvaraj moved to Asha Jothi. I am amazed at

everyone’s willingness to embrace new

responsibilities. It has been positive to collaborate

with James and reflect on our way of life.

Governing Council members and generous friends

have been very encouraging and supportive as I

have embraced this role. Asha Niketan Chennai

currently has one staff quarters, and I was able to

welcome my wife and son in August. I feel very

grateful for all the trust that I receive, and I continue

to feel inspired to fulfill Jean Vanier’s call: “Carry

L’Arche forward.” Our Core Members remain such

a great source of joy and hope for us all. I am

thankful I still have many opportunities to bond

with them each day.

~Anthony Xavier

Growing in Community

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ASHA NIKETAN PRAYER

O God our Beloved Father,

Sole Helper of the helpless,

Protector of the weak, Star of the morning,

and Refuge of all sinners,

bless our homes, Asha Niketan, and make them abodes of

peace, of hope, of joy,

of Your eternal love and presence,

where poor in spirit and body may find You,

Source of all life, where afflicted may find

consolation, respect and love.

O Heavenly Father, teach us to be

true, humble and non-violent,

trusting in You, so that we may welcome

with compassion and tenderness those You send us.

Give us hearts of peaceful mercy,

to serve and to love our brothers and sisters,

to quieten passions, discords and violence

so that we may see Your presence

in our rejected brothers and sisters.

O Lord, bless us with the hands of Your poor;

O Lord, smile at us through the suffering faces of Your afflicted;

O Lord, receive us one day in Your eternal abode,

where you live in bliss with Your beloved children.

Thank you so much for your support! Please let us know if you would like to visit our community

and if you have any prayer requests to share with us.

1/288 East Coast Road Kottivakkam

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 600 041

[email protected] +91 044 24487798