Geneva, August 25–28
Southern European Faith and Light Region Gathering
Ninety people—parents, handicapped individuals, friends, and priests—representing nine countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland) came together for a meeting designed to embody the three dimensions of a Faith and Light encounter.
The gathering drew inspiration from a saying of Saint Augustine: "If you say 'This is enough for me,' you are already dead. You must always move forward, grow, progress."
The high points of each day were the Eucharistic Celebrations, especially the Sunday Mass at the Nyon parish church, followed by a warm reception offered to the delegates by the parish community.
Particularly valued were reflections by Marie Hélène Mathieu on "The Importance of the Leadership Team in the Life of the Community" and by Father Dario Madaschi on "The Handicapped Person as a Leaven of Life and Unity in the Parish Community."
A Guide for Parent Reflection
Parents are irreplaceable members of Faith and Light communities. Their experience, their wisdom, their suffering offer tremendous support to all community members. From time to time, they want to speak about their struggles, to find together how to address them, and to face the daily challenges that come their way.
For this sharing—whether at community meetings or elsewhere—to truly help, many parents have asked for guidance and ideas. A small group created a simple booklet that, for each monthly meeting, offers two or three questions and a passage meant to spark reflection, nourish the heart, and sustain the spirit.
Canada: International Council
The International Council of Faith and Light met in Aylmer, near Ottawa, from July 19–21, 1983. The Council consists of Jean Vanier, M. H. Mathieu (international coordinator), F. Gammarelli (vice-coordinator), and Father David Wilson (international assistant). Present were the regional leaders: Betty Renaud (North America), Zila Furtado (South America), Marianne Abrahamsson (Northern Europe), Roland Tamraz (Middle East), Kathryn Ward (Australia and Asia), Marie Vincente de Séverac as secretary. Mariangela Bertolini (Southern Europe) was unable to attend due to family reasons.
The agenda included: the status of Faith and Light communities in each region; the formation of leaders, one of the most pressing needs at this time; the launch of new Faith and Light communities; relationships with the Church; and preparations for the International Gathering, scheduled for Rome from March 19–25, 1984, bringing together delegates from forty nations.
"Lord, you are our hope. We trust that you will fill us ever more with yourself, that you will give us your joy. We know well that it is useless to torment ourselves trying to fathom the mysteries of life, and that we need only seek to know you better; in you alone we will find all that we need, because in you is the light."
(Prayer of a mother at the Geneva gathering)