Re: Re: Spiritual/what we've figured out for Pete

[Guest guest]

Elie LOVES mass on TV. Especially the latin ones!! And he likes the Gospel

Sings as well. I really think it is the rhythm and music which stirs his

spirituality. HE has the most beautiful expressionon his face when he

listens/watches these things.

Elie's favoarite religion shows are on EWTV where there are lots of relious

conducting programs. But the best is the mass conducted by religious for

religious.

On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 9:41 AM, Beth wrote:

>

>

> Sherry and All,

>

> Thanks for bringing up Faith and Light! I was trying for brevity-

> never my strong suit, LOL. But actually, in many ways Faith and

> Light groups are a much easier way for people to come together than

> the rigors of setting up a new l'Arche community.

>

> Knowing what l'Arche celebrations are like, it is easy to imagine

> what a great time you had. Are you still involved with Faith and

> Light? If so, how often do you meet? There was a little push here a

> few years ago to see about getting something started, but I didn't

> have the energy to make it happen and the other folks didn't either.

>

> As it stands, Pete doesn't do well attending Mass. One of the last

> times that I attempted to bring him was several years ago- he could

> barely talk, but was doing a lot of yelling at the time. Well, after

> the choir sang the Psalm, the lector was on to the next reading.

> Pete let out something really loud that I couldn't understand at

> first, but it was just way too disruptive. Well, some people were

> giggling and it hit me as I am furiously walking him out the door

> that he had yelled " SHUT UP " . Guess he wanted more music.

>

> On the other hand, he did well at Nonni's funeral, although he sat

> between his godparents and had his Vantage to explore (sound turned

> off.) He did well for about 45 minutes then pushed the " I'm bored "

> button. They took him out for a ride very discretely, and he was

> fine for the luncheon afterwards.

>

> God knows I don't have the energy to keep putting him into a large,

> crowded environment with very little wiggle room. Our church doesn't

> have a cry room, or whatever you want to call it; otherwise we would

> be trying that. It's one thing when a young child is disruptive, but

> when it's a grown adult who really is saying " I can't handle being

> here " , I decided to fight other battles.

>

> Good news is that Pete says grace before meals- very nicely, and

> loves the home rituals that we keep with an advent wreath, morning

> prayers (doubles as review of expected behavior!) and bedtime

> prayers. I decided a long time ago that if Pete could put out the

> Advent wreath candles with with a candle snuffer, he would have a his

> piece to contribute to the observance of Advent. I haven't been as

> good about such a visible thing for Lent, although a lot of times we

> just light a purple candle.

>

> I started saying bedtime prayers with him when he was just a baby,

> and he has responded over the years by naming people that he wants to

> pray for. It blew me away when it happened the first time- he named

> his aide at school. I realized that this was a way to find out who

> was on his mind.

>

> He recognizes pictures of Jesus, points out churches, angels, and

> somehow has soaked up enough that he has an expressive spiritual

> life. Yes, and even participated nicely at the Shabbat services at

> the Jewish camp he attended for several years. That has helped me

> get over the sadness that he just can't make it though Mass.

> Actually, when I remember, I put the TV mass on and he has begun to

> pay more attention. So who knows?

>

> Have a good week!

>

> Beth 19 y/o Pete's Mum Central OH

>

> >

> >Beth,

> >

> >>>>>>The first l'Arche community in the USA was in Erie, PA, my home

> >>>>>>town. I went to visit there and fell in love with the community

> >>>>>>life. There was need for an assistant at the l'Arche

> >>>>>>community<<<<<

> >

> >This must have been a wonderful experience for you. We hooked up

> >with " Faith and Light " when was about 4. It's kind of the

> >alanon to L'arche. For families and friends and members of the

> >communities. It was terrific. And I went on a reading spree of all

> >Vanier's and Nouwen's books. I get their daily email thoughts for

> >the day. The closest community is about 6 hours away tho...we've

> >never visited. I understand it is quite difficult to secure a

> >placement for your adult child there.

> >

> >I probably wrote about this already to the group ages ago but dh and

> >I renewed our wedding vows when was 5 and we had a Faith and

> >Light wedding and reception...full of DD kids and adults and their

> >families. It was quite a moment.....especially the one autistic teen

> >who barked thru the service LOL. It was a real eye opener for many

> >of our friends who had never been around special needs people.

> >Everyone danced and did the hokey pokey at the reception... had

> >a ball. She was fixated on coathangers at the time so we let her

> >have a pink one decorated with ribbons and rosebuds.

> >

> >Good to know that others of you are aware of L'Arche. Anyone with

> >more up to date info?

> >Sherry

>

>

--

Sara -To Life!