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 News  Year 2004
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International Council of Faith and Light
Letter of Viviane le Polain, international coordinator
Dear Friends,
In his last letter, Jean Vanier shared with you how much the international council in Syria was a moving experience : yes, our hearts rejoiced at the discovery of Faith and Light in Syria and everything that we experienced there : the communities are true families, conscious of their mission towards people with intellectual disabilities, open, united, integrated in their Churches (Orthodox and Catholic with different rites), close to and supported by their priests, bishops and patriarchs who are all working hard towards unity and who all welcomed us in such an extraordinary way!
 For a long time now Roy Moussalli has been accomplishing very valuable work for unity between Christians and for dialogue with the Muslims who represent more than 90% of the Syrian population. This patient work is certainly building up peace and is preparing the ways of the Lord. Today, the fruit of this work is becoming visible: through the public conferences that Jean has given, and the privileged contacts that were able to take place on numerous occasions during our stay, we were able to see to what extent the Holy Spirit is working away, and that this burning fire must be communicated in order for it to spread!
As at each council meeting, we take the time to listen to how Faith and Light lives and the challenges it is facing in each of your countries, zones and continents. This world tour is a very valuable moment in each of our meetings. Your questions, concerns and your joys become the questions, concerns and joys of the whole council.
I marvel at the way in which the continent coordinators accompany and support the life of their continent. I also marvel at all the things they take on within the international council! We are truly carrying the responsibility for Faith and Light together, all of us. I give thanks to Jesus for the special gift of each one of them.
In Syria, we also walked and prayed in the mountains. There are so many reasons for us to rejoice in seeing how God is watching over Faith and Light despite our fragility and all our shortcomings. Together, in the silence of the desert, we prayed for each of you, and especially for those of you who are going through difficult times.
In the council, some members have begun a daily prayer for Faith and Light. Each day they pray for a continent in particular. If you wish you can, of course, also be associated with this prayer, or entrust it to contemplative communities who are already praying for Faith and Light and to the members of your communities, especially to persons with intellectual disabilities who can be so committed in their intercessional prayers!
On Sundays we can pray especially for Faith and Light in the continent “Americas”
Mondays, for Faith and Light in the continent “Africa and Indian Ocean”
Tuesdays, for Faith and Light in the continent “Asia-Southern Cross”
Wednesdays, for Faith and Light in the continent “Northern and Eastern Europe”
Thursdays, for Faith and Light in the continent “Europe from the Atlantic to the Danube”
Fridays, for Faith and Light in the continent “Europe-Middle East”
And on Saturdays for the International Council and the Bureau!
You will soon be receiving the detailed minutes of the meeting of the international council but I would like to share some of the news with you already:
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Over the last few months the following persons have been re-elected for a new mandate: Darius Chmieliauskas for the zone “Between the seas”, and Antonio Carlos and Silvana Donega Aidar for the zone “South America”.
Mabel Vicaldo accepted to be the correspondent for the new zone of “South-East Asia” (Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines). May the Lord be their guide and their strength in exercising their responsibility.
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Our structures are becoming simpler! All of the sub-zones from now on will be known as zones, even if they are accompanied by a correspondent.
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The continent “Asia-Southern Cross” now has 3 zones (East Asia, South-East Asia ,Oceania-Southern Cross) and two countries that are directly attached to the continent (Pakistan and Bengladesh). In Africa a new zone has formed: the zone of the “great Lakes” with Rwanda, Burundi, Congo (Kivu). Faith and Light now consists of 6 continents and 18 zones.
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The project “A day for renewal in the community” announced for this autumn in the guidelines has got a bit behind. The council took into account the suggestions given by the zone coordinators who had tested the project this summer. The document will be shorter and the “journey” simplified. You’ll have to be patient a while longer before the present can be unwrapped!
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The WYD in Cologne in August 2005 is under preparation. Generally young people from Faith and Light accompanying a disabled person are invited to enroll with their diocese. A team composed of l’Arche, the OCH, “ A Bras Ouverts” and Faith and Light in France is making sure, on the other hand, that people get the best welcome possible and that the religious material is adapted for people with intellectual disabilities.
Official website WYD 
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The next guidelines for 2005-2006 will be based on the theme “A year for peace”. Thank you Jean for the monthly meditations!
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Spain has accepted to welcome the next international meeting in July 2006! Their “yes” is a great joy for us all. Thank you Spain!
And to end, here are a few “fioretti” from among all those that we heard during the course of the council in Syria:
In the spring, a “flash” visit by Marie-Hélène to her niece and nephew in Houston (USA) was considered as the sign they had been waiting for so a long time to launch Faith and Light. In just a few days, the parish has been mobilised, a conference organised at the last minute. Marie-Hélène’s prayer and contagious enthusiasm did the rest: the community was born!
In Equador, the first community of the country has been loyal and has followed the guidelines for the last 7 years, they had their first visit this year!
In just one month, thanks to the “Announcement and Sharing” days, Colombia which is a new country, managed to collect 900 dollars to participate in the South America Zone Meeting.
Faith and Light has also begun in Paraguay, there are contacts in Kuwait. A number of retreats and formation sessions will take place with Jean Vanier next year, among which is one in Saint Petersburg and another in Madagascar.
A recently ordained bishop in Brazil has chosen to include the Faith and Light boat in his emblem to signify the importance of Faith and Light in his ministry.
In the Northern and Eastern Europe continent, the countries have been twinned in pairs, to create even more unity in friendship and prayer.
The zone council for Europe Atlantic organised a formation camp this summer in Spain for about 100 young friends and a few persons with disabilities from each country, following in the footsteps of Moses. It was a moving time where each of them was able to renew their commitment. Ask them about the programme!
The Mexican National Council drew a big map of the world, each time that a new country is recognised, they colour it in on the map and pray for the country!
So many wonderful things happen in Faith and Light. I am sure that you also have some wonderful stories to share. If you wish, please send them to us!
Dear Friends, now I must stop, so that the letter is not too long, and so as not to discourage your translators! Let’s remain united to each other in prayer and in the love of Jesus.
With all my love,
Viviane le Polain
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