NEHALEM NEWSPAGE

L’Arche Nehalem, 435 SE 85^th Ave., Portland, OR 97216

Office: 503-251-6901 Fax: 503-251-6952 E-mail: mail@larche-portland.org Web site: www.larche-portland.org

MAY 2008

Our mission is to create a place to call home

for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them.

NEWS

Ì Congratulations to board member Cat Willett, who received the 2008 Extraordinary Contemporary Alumnae Award from St. Mary’s Academy. Cat was honored at the SMA Awards Ceremony for her passion and dedication to serving others. Cat views her commitment to endeavors that further peace and justice as her life’s calling. L’Arche Nehalem is blessed by Cat’s presence in our community!

Ì Amy Barcia attended a meeting of the L’Arche USA Zone Spirituality Commission in Chicago April 11-14. The Commission has been convened to provide support to communities throughout the zone in living L’Arche spirituality together and encouraging each community member to deepen in his or her spiritual journey. One highlight of the meeting was dinner and a moving time of prayer with members of L’Arche Chicago’s Angel House.

Ì Viola Cooper, a long-time beloved core member of the L’Arche Spokane community, passed away peacefully on April 8th.  She was 75 years old.  Viola was diagnosed with cancer just 5 weeks earlier, and was under hospice care in her community home, the Nazareth House, when she died. Please hold Viola and the L’Arche Spokane community in your prayers as they mourn her loss and celebrate her life. 

An Evening At The Coleman-Scott House

Please join the L’Arche Nehalem Board of Directors and the entire Nehalem community for a special evening at the beautiful historic Coleman-Scott House in the heart of the Irvington neighborhood, 2110 NE 16^th Ave near Tillamook St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and live music will be served. RSVP to the office (info in masthead above). See you there!

LIFE IN THE HOMES

H Adam Richards has started Special Olympics golf this spring and is very excited about it. He was also thrilled by a recent Portland Parks & Rec outing to the Belmont Fire Station.

H Marilyn Petruzzelli is participating in a Walk and Roll exercise program on Friday afternoons, walking trails in parks around the city.

H The end-of-school-year REX (Religious Experience with Exceptional People) picnic at the University of Portland happened on a beautiful 80° day in April (believe it or not!) and was enjoyed by all.

H Joni Smith loves her monthly lunch date with Patty McNally, former assistant and faithful friend who is also now a Regional Coordinator for L’Arche. Joni talks about seeing Patty for weeks leading up to their luncheon, and for weeks afterwards!

H Cindy Leonard celebrated her birthday this year with pizza and pop at Chuck E. Cheese.

CELEBRATIONS

Please join us if you can!

e Wednesday, May 7, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Dan Barcia’s 9th Anniversary

e Thursday, May 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m., 2110 NE 16th Ave (more details above): Spring Social

e Wednesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Prayer Night in the manner of Taizé

e Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 p.m., Nehalem House: Joni Smith’s 21st Anniversary

MEETINGS

¤ Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m., St. Peter & Paul Episcopal Church, 8147 SE Pine St.: Board Meeting

¤ Monday, May 12, 9:00 a.m., Park Ave. Café: Board Formation Committee

¤ Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 p.m., Neahkahnie House: Community Council

¤ Wednesday, May 21, 7:00 a.m., Peets Coffee: Executive Committee

¤ Thursday, May 22, 7:00 a.m., Peets Coffee: Finance Committee

BIRTHDAYS	ANNIVERSARIES
May 8: RoseMary Lyons	May 1: Dan Barcia (9 yrs.) May 3: Doug Westberg (9 yrs.) May 31: Joni Smith (21 yrs.)

THANK YOU

© Thanks to David Perry, who faithfully sends his great hand-stamped cards to everyone at Neahkahnie and Nehalem to mark birthdays and anniversaries.

© Thank you to Chet Gardner for the beautiful new tabletop he installed on the dining table at Nehalem House: a much needed and much appreciated improvement.

© Thank you to Tracy LeBlanc and her sons—Ben, Joe, and Noah—for bringing a delicious dinner to Nehalem House and sharing the evening with us.

© Many thanks to the youth group of Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church for the hours of yard work you contributed to Nehalem House. You gave us a great start on our garden for this year!

© Thanks also to Patrick and Maureen Wheeler, who cooked dinner for Nehalem House. Your menu is always a hit with the core members!

© Thank you and good-bye to Katelen Kellogg, a University of Portland volunteer who has been a buddy to Joni this year. She is heading abroad for fall semester and hopes to be involved at L’Arche Nehalem again next spring.

WISH LIST

ó Food processor ó Crockpot ó Gardening help

ó We need to replace our community flex car which is becoming high-maintenance, and we’re looking for a donated car. Our ideal car would be compact, 4-door, automatic transmission, and in good condition. ó We are again (still, always) looking for space for assistants to use on their days away: a room, an apartment, a vacation home, anything you might have to offer. Please contact the office at 503-251-6901 with leads on any of the above.

Celebrations are an expression of the ultimate purpose of humanity. We are made for communion and celebration, for the joy and blossoming of every person.

Jean Vanier, Our Journey Home (Thanks to L’Arche Canada)

RELATED LINKS

Printable Flyer: L’Arche Nehalem Spring Social: An Evening At The Coleman-Scott House

St. Mary's Academy 2008 Awards

Jean Vanier Books at Amazon.com

Getting a paper copy? Would you like to save us a stamp and receive the Nehalem Newspage electronically? Please drop us an email at doug@larche-portland.org or call us at 503-251-6901.

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