Four core members and three assistants who are L’Arche Chicago live in a vintage brick two-flat on the west side of Chicago. The decor of the bedrooms are as diverse as the people who sleep in them. White Sox and Bulls memorabilia fill Elbert’s room. A menagerie of stuffed tigers, alligators and dogs not to mention model snakes and spiders “lives” with Jean. Christianne proudly displays family pictures and articles about her post-secondary degree. The best collection of hubcaps in the neighborhood hangs on Chris’s wall.

Artwork by the core members decorate the halls, along with photos of trips, special occasions, past assistants and friends. Elbert composes jazz on his keyboard, Christianne practices on the piano, while Jean hums along with her favorite CDs. Assistants accompany core members, help keep house, and balance a mountain of paperwork.

Three cats affectionately but aggressively assert themselves at every opportunity, in keeping with the rest of the household. The phone and doorbell ring often, and friends come to visit frequently.

Students from Concordia University help clean or head out for walks with core members. Columban and Jesuit seminarians help us paint walls and repair the house. Core members and assistants from other L’Arche communities stop in for rest and respite from their travels. Former assistants return to cook meals with a core member. In the evening, friends and family gather around the table to share nourishment, fellowship, and prayer and even the washing up.

At our monthly Community Nights, old friends join first time visitors to explore and celebrate life in L’Arche. Our community is far more than the seven people who live within our house.

Sometimes the house is empty. The community is often out worshiping at church, volunteering, visiting friends, exercising at the Y, biking on the Salt Creek trail, attending a concert or a movie, at the zoo, the botanical gardens or the Arboretum, checking out books from the local library or hanging out at one of our favorite coffee shops. Core members and assistants attend self-advocacy conferences in Springfield, go on retreats and make road trips to other L’Arche Communities in the US and Canada. Some have even represented L’Arche Chicago at L’Arche International Federation meetings in England and India.

But if we’re home, the door is open. Elbert will take your coat and your bag. Christianne will get you a glass of ice tea. Jean will introduce you to the felines and Chris will guess your height with a startling degree of accuracy.

The assistants will make sure a place is set for you at the table and there’s room to park you car. Sharing life and faith is what we do at L’Arche. Come share them with us.