Life Is Good
by Marissa Manza, high school volunteer and founder of the L'Arche Club at Bellarmine Prep
In his book Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John, Jean Vanier states: “With all our beauty and brokenness, each one of us is important. We can be ourselves and let the beauty in us grow….We are part of a broken humanity, and in the company of others, we can stand up and continue the quest for freedom, truth, and peace.”
Through becoming part of the L’Arche family I have received a unique gift. Although initially apprehensive about volunteering at the farm as a junior high student, through spending many beautiful days there over the past few years, I have gotten to know the core members and assistants and grown in friendship with them. Because of these relationships and the joy they encompass I have fallen head over heels in love with the community of L’Arche and its mission. While many people’s favorite place is Disneyland, L’Arche has no doubt become the happiest place on earth for me. My growing relationship with L’Arche and the core members has opened up a new door in my heart and continues to teach me more and more about myself, others, and the world in which we live. L’Arche celebrates each and every person for the unique and valued individual they are and inspires me to strive to be the person that God is calling me to be.
Priceless times at the farm: inspirational morning prayer and check in, dance parties during lunch breaks with Tawna and Debbie, lively conversations with Les and Ricky, and never-ending friendly, warm smiles have taught me what life is all about - unconditional love. Through their determined and loving spirits, my friends at L’Arche have shown me that at our core, despite physical or mental disabilities or personal insecurities, we are all the same. We all possess the need to be loved, to be accepted for who we really are; and we are all beautiful.
The culture of L’Arche has enabled me to move beyond the typical teenage culture that centers around appearance, popularity, and possessions. L’Arche has taught me that despite what society says, we can grow together from our weaknesses and through compassion, acceptance, respect, community, and love, unite with one another to instigate positive change in our world. My growing relationship with the L’Arche community has blessed me with a tremendous gift of joy that makes me feel so alive; a kind of joy that fills my heart with the love of the Lord and continuously reveals to me the true beauty of life. L’Arche never fails to remind me that despite struggles and daily challenges, Life is GOOD - it’s a precious gift that should be celebrated each and every day.
L’Arche celebrates life!