1. Guided by the Spirit Presentation to the General Assembly by Claude Gravel Lourdes October 12, 2008

2. 2 Two poles of group life Flexibility/innovation Rigidity/tradition Boundaries of the group Relationship between people Collaboration Control Closed Open

3. 3 Group Life Cycles Flexibility/innovation Rigidity/tradition

4. Discernment on Identity and Mission in Faith and Light Steering Committee Hervé Cuche Claude Gravel Franck Janin Chantal de Jonghe

5. 5 List of zones who sent back a report Europe Middle East(105) Europe Middle East(105) Alps Mediterranean Alps Mediterranean Sub-Mediterranean Sub-Mediterranean Africa and Indian Ocean (93) Africa and Indian Ocean (93) Great Lakes Great Lakes Capricorn Capricorn Other Other Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Americas (252) Americas (252) North America North America Central America and Caribbean Central America and Caribbean South America Andes South America Andes South America Atlantic South America Atlantic Gate of Dawn (293) Gate of Dawn (293) Ireland and UK Ireland and UK Scandinavia and Estonia Scandinavia and Estonia Poland Poland Between the Seas Between the Seas Europe Atlantic and Danube ((431) Europe Atlantic and Danube ((431) Europe Atlantic Europe Atlantic France France Danube Danube Asia Southern Cross (64) Asia Southern Cross (64) Other countries Other countries South East Asia South East Asia East Asia East Asia Southern Cross Southern Cross

6. 6 The jungle Social success, going up the ladder Social success, going up the ladder Inequalities, violence, poverty Inequalities, violence, poverty The strongest wins The strongest wins Competition and winners Competition and winners Individualism, isolation, solitude Individualism, isolation, solitude Autonomy, detachment Autonomy, detachment

7. 7 The unique gift of Faith and Light The unique gift of Faith and Light Question #1 What is the unique gift of Faith and Light today?

8. 8 The Special Gift of Faith and Light Words given in answer Reciprocity in equal relationships: Reciprocity in equal relationships: Humility, fragility, simplicity, dignity Humility, fragility, simplicity, dignity The central role of the person with an intellectual deficiency The central role of the person with an intellectual deficiency Fruitful fragility which transforms Fruitful fragility which transforms Beauty of everyone’s gift Beauty of everyone’s gift Discovering the presence of God Discovering the presence of God Option for the poor Option for the poor Equal relationships; learning from each other, breaking down barriers Equal relationships; learning from each other, breaking down barriers The weak confounding the wise The weak confounding the wise Perfection not necessary Perfection not necessary Vulnerability which helps us to discover our own vulnerability Vulnerability which helps us to discover our own vulnerability Belonging to a group Belonging to a group Welcome, warmth, being accepted, having a place, Welcome, warmth, being accepted, having a place, Being welcomed with their gifts into the community, Being welcomed with their gifts into the community, Agent of peace and unity Agent of peace and unity Being accepted despite difference, as we are, without conditions Being accepted despite difference, as we are, without conditions Suffering which can be expressed, shared Suffering which can be expressed, shared Solidarity Solidarity Lasting friendship Lasting friendship Overcoming rejection and blame Overcoming rejection and blame Authenticity, transparency Authenticity, transparency Spontaneity, truth, sincerity, Spontaneity, truth, sincerity, Truth in relationships which brings joy Truth in relationships which brings joy Celebration, life Celebration, life Trust, God, Jesus guiding us Trust, God, Jesus guiding us “Caring” “Caring” Presence, being with, friendly relationships, tenderness Presence, being with, friendly relationships, tenderness Attitude of helping Attitude of helping Compassion Compassion Paradox of suffering and joy Paradox of suffering and joy Consoling and being consoled Consoling and being consoled Call of God, who accompany us Call of God, who accompany us Faithfulness, commitment, sense, God, inspiration from the Gospel Faithfulness, commitment, sense, God, inspiration from the Gospel Call from God through disabled persons Call from God through disabled persons Depth of heart, relationship with God Depth of heart, relationship with God In our patience, God guides us and gives us strength In our patience, God guides us and gives us strength Permanence, dynamic of growth Permanence, dynamic of growth Vocation received from God, CALL: we are called by God Vocation received from God, CALL: we are called by God Give a meaning to life Give a meaning to life

9. 9 The gift of Faith and Light: its spirituality and values F&L is a gift which God has sown in our hearts. This little seed holds all the beauty of intellectually disabled people, all their value; we have been asked to help this seed to grow and to show it to the world. The intellectually disabled have asked us to join with them, which allows us to discover our own fragility. This message of unity is universal; in this sense, the person with a disability is prophetic. F&L is a gift which God has sown in our hearts. This little seed holds all the beauty of intellectually disabled people, all their value; we have been asked to help this seed to grow and to show it to the world. The intellectually disabled have asked us to join with them, which allows us to discover our own fragility. This message of unity is universal; in this sense, the person with a disability is prophetic. This alliance entails reciprocity in relationships and equality among people; a movement working both ways. And it implies patience, humility, love, truth, transparency, generosity, simplicity, accompaniment; these attitudes are the expression of our spirituality. F&L transforms the lives of people and calls for change in our hearts.

10. 10 Observations on answers to question #1 All the zones easily answered the question. All the zones easily answered the question. The question seems to have generated a lot of energy and all the groups easily articulated what constitutes the charisma or the profound essence of Faith and Light. The question seems to have generated a lot of energy and all the groups easily articulated what constitutes the charisma or the profound essence of Faith and Light. We could sum up by saying that the gifts of Faith and Light are We could sum up by saying that the gifts of Faith and Light are Its spirituality, its values. Its spirituality, its values. The answers given to this question make Faith and Light an echo of the gospel in our societies. The answers given to this question make Faith and Light an echo of the gospel in our societies.

11. 11 The gift of Faith and Light Questions for discussion Is being a member of Faith and Light a vocation? Is being a member of Faith and Light a vocation? What type of commitment are we looking for? What type of commitment are we looking for? What does being involved in Faith and Light mean? What does being involved in Faith and Light mean?

12. 12 The Ingredient of the Faith and Light Ecosystem Question 2 What are the essential characteristics that make Faith and Light unique?" Question 2 What are the essential characteristics that make Faith and Light unique?"

13. 13 The Ingredient of the Faith and Light Ecosystem Words given in answer Communities Communities Around people with an intellectual disability Around people with an intellectual disability With their families and friends With their families and friends Christian, where God is revealed and is incarnate Christian, where God is revealed and is incarnate Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their gifts Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their gifts Three times: Three times: Sharing, where people can tell their stories and their suffering Sharing, where people can tell their stories and their suffering Prayer Prayer Fête, joy and celebration Fête, joy and celebration Family, simple atmosphere: being with Family, simple atmosphere: being with Where everyone is responsible for using their gifts for the growth of the community Where everyone is responsible for using their gifts for the growth of the community "The only place where we are always proud of our child" "The only place where we are always proud of our child" Family support Family support A presence to reduce isolation, suffering, blame A presence to reduce isolation, suffering, blame Fourth time, meetings, holiday camps Fourth time, meetings, holiday camps Developing friendship Developing friendship Ecumenism Ecumenism Big international family Big international family With the same spirit With the same spirit Pilgrimages * Pilgrimages * Guidelines * Guidelines *

14. 14 Observations on answers to question #2 Question #2 doesn’t seem clear Question #2 doesn’t seem clear When we amalgamate the different answers we get a full picture of our situation When we amalgamate the different answers we get a full picture of our situation

15. 15 Our ecosystem Questions for discussion Questions for discussion Is Faith and Light a Faith Movement? Is Faith and Light a Faith Movement? What is the place of the big spiritual events? What is the place of the big spiritual events? Are communities who never participate in the activities of the international family still a Faith and light community? Are communities who never participate in the activities of the international family still a Faith and light community?

16. 16 Our Relevancy Question 3 “ To realize our identity and, so as to bear fruit in abundance, what are the calls that I perceive being made upon Faith and Light today?” Question 3 “ To realize our identity and, so as to bear fruit in abundance, what are the calls that I perceive being made upon Faith and Light today?”

17. 17 Calls Words given in answer Imparting to people with a disability the fact that they are precious, that they are loved by God and that they can open hearts. Imparting to people with a disability the fact that they are precious, that they are loved by God and that they can open hearts. Meeting families with young disabled people. Being attentive to the call of these families, the hopeful parents. Welcoming new members. Meeting families with young disabled people. Being attentive to the call of these families, the hopeful parents. Welcoming new members. Creating opportunities to appreciate everybody’s gifts. Creating opportunities to appreciate everybody’s gifts. Being integrated in parishes. Being a sign of communion between God and Churches and men. Being integrated in parishes. Being a sign of communion between God and Churches and men. Announcing that people with a disability are loved by God and that they open our hearts. Announcing that people with a disability are loved by God and that they open our hearts. Work for peace both within ourselves and around us, announcing that the person with a disability is a source of peace and unity. Work for peace both within ourselves and around us, announcing that the person with a disability is a source of peace and unity. Deepening, broadening ecumenism. Opening up to other religions. Deepening, broadening ecumenism. Opening up to other religions. Being present in places where there is a question of dignity and life, witnessing respect for life. Being present in places where there is a question of dignity and life, witnessing respect for life. Witnessing Witnessing Announcing and telling stories from real life Announcing and telling stories from real life Being witness to a possible relationship with all people Being witness to a possible relationship with all people Imparting to the world the fact that we can live in a different way Imparting to the world the fact that we can live in a different way Witnessing the community. Witnessing in Church and society Witnessing the community. Witnessing in Church and society

18. 18 Calls Words given in answer Reaffirming our identity, returning to our roots, deepening our spirituality Reaffirming our identity, returning to our roots, deepening our spirituality Developing leadership Developing leadership Finding a way of decentralising Finding a way of decentralising Finding chaplains Finding chaplains Running a financial campaign Running a financial campaign Announcing Faith and Light, using the media, inviting young people Announcing Faith and Light, using the media, inviting young people Placing ourselves in God’s hands Placing ourselves in God’s hands Preparing the replacements, not lowering our arms, no longer being afraid, Preparing the replacements, not lowering our arms, no longer being afraid, Living the Charter and the Guidelines Living the Charter and the Guidelines Living the spirit of Faith and Light in our daily lives Living the spirit of Faith and Light in our daily lives Using our talents with love Using our talents with love

19. 19 The calls Calls that move us forward and that really respond to our contribution in our Churches and our societies. Calls that move us forward and that really respond to our contribution in our Churches and our societies. Calls concerning the ways and means to accomplish our mission Calls concerning the ways and means to accomplish our mission

20. 20 Observations on answers to #3 The calls and the relevance The fact that the answers either highlight, albeit indiscriminately, what is moving us forward or what is bringing us back to ourselves, indicates a lack of focus in the interpretation of Faith and Light’s fundamental contribution to our societies.

21. 21 The calls and the relevance Question for discussion: Question for discussion: What do we mean when we talk about family support? What do we mean when we talk about family support? What does it entail when we say that our call is "Witnessing“? What does it entail when we say that our call is "Witnessing“?

22. 22 Elements of growth Question 4- « Today, what already helps us to answer these calls and to be beneficial? What should we put in place in the near future?

23. 23 Challenges, ways of implementation Words given in answer Revision of the structures, stability, light and flexible structures Revision of the structures, stability, light and flexible structures Camps, exchanges, meetings Camps, exchanges, meetings Finances, contributions as a sign of belonging and solidarity Finances, contributions as a sign of belonging and solidarity Reaffirming our identity, coming back to the charter Reaffirming our identity, coming back to the charter Finding coordinators Finding coordinators Formation for leaders Formation for leaders Recruiting young people Recruiting young people Consistent and inclusive language, documents in Spanish Consistent and inclusive language, documents in Spanish Broadening and stimulating solidarity. Announcing and sharing days Broadening and stimulating solidarity. Announcing and sharing days Announcing, presentations in schools... Announcing, presentations in schools... Finding chaplains, clarifying their role Finding chaplains, clarifying their role Revising the election process Revising the election process Sharing experiences to hear the solutions used by others Sharing experiences to hear the solutions used by others

24. 24 Concerns The aging communities and finding young members The aging communities and finding young members Attracting people who are willing to take over responsibilities Attracting people who are willing to take over responsibilities Fear of the proposed changes Fear of the proposed changes

25. 25 General remarks All the participants were enthusiastic and joyful about the Identity and Mission day even if the second part of the process was sometimes more difficult. It is certain that Faith and Light is part of their lives despite all the difficulties and suffering and paradoxically that is a source of happiness. All the participants were enthusiastic and joyful about the Identity and Mission day even if the second part of the process was sometimes more difficult. It is certain that Faith and Light is part of their lives despite all the difficulties and suffering and paradoxically that is a source of happiness. We also note a united view of our spirituality and values, as well as the quality of the tools and means available (pilgrimages, meetings, formations, guidelines). We also note a united view of our spirituality and values, as well as the quality of the tools and means available (pilgrimages, meetings, formations, guidelines). It seemed to us: It seemed to us: That one of the zones is undergoing a painful situation. That one of the zones is undergoing a painful situation. That this Day should also be shared by the communities. How? To be decided. That this Day should also be shared by the communities. How? To be decided. On re-reading the reports we see that there was unity among all the writings. On re-reading the reports we see that there was unity among all the writings.

26. 26 Being a witness Living our spirituality Reciprocity in equal relationships Reciprocity in equal relationships Fruitful fragility which transforms Fruitful fragility which transforms Belonging to a group Belonging to a group Being welcomed, having a place Being welcomed, having a place Authenticity, transparency Authenticity, transparency Truth in relationships which brings joy Truth in relationships which brings joy Caring Caring Being with, Consoling and being consoled Being with, Consoling and being consoled Call of God, who accompany us Call of God, who accompany us Patience, long term Patience, long term

27. 27 The Ecosystem Nurturing the communities Around people with an intellectual disability, their family and friends Around people with an intellectual disability, their family and friends Where God is revealed and is incarnated Where God is revealed and is incarnated Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their gifts Safe place where people can be themselves and practise their gifts Sharing, Prayer and Celebration Sharing, Prayer and Celebration Being with, in a family atmosphere Being with, in a family atmosphere Activities together to build friendship Activities together to build friendship