Fonds F5 - Faith and Sharing Federation fonds

Identity area

Reference code

CA ON00389 F5

Title

Faith and Sharing Federation fonds

Date(s)

  • 1968-2012 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

-3.75 m of textual records
-189 audio cassettes
-7 photographs

Context area

Name of creator

(1968-)

Administrative history

The Faith and Sharing Federation /Foi et Partage is a bilingual Catholic organization with a mandate to deepen and foster the experience of Christian community through week long retreats.
The first retreat was held in Marylake, Ontario in 1968 and was led by Jean Vanier, internationally renowned spiritual writer and leader, and founder of other Catholic organizations, including Faith and Light and L'Arche. A retreat is usually a five or seven day excursion to a retreat centre or church that consists of time for personal prayer, a presentation based on biblical scripture by one or more animators and group meetings where people can share their experiences. Mediation, relaxation and silence are a primary focus of the retreats; music and song are also considered important and there is often a theme song chosen for a retreat. There are “happenings” where participation in dancing, singing or parlour games is encouraged, followed by a sharing of experiences by groups or individuals about the retreat through poems, sketches, imitations, and other forms of expression. A celebration of forgiveness is often followed by a feast known as the “celebration of Life”. The Eucharist is a central activity of the retreats. One of the aims of the retreats is to bring together a cross-section of people with an emphasis on those who are marginalized in society. Each retreat usually consists of priests, bishops, people with disabilities, members of religious orders and laity. The retreats take place throughout Canada and North America. Mini-retreats and week-ends are also organized.
The principal function of the Faith and Sharing Federation is to organize annual retreats however they are also active during the year through local communities. Each local community is part of a region which mirrors the boundaries of Catholic dioceses. There are seven regions in North America. Region 7 includes several communities in the United States. The activities of the local communities include regular gatherings for prayer and mutual support and the organization of regional meetings.
Faith and Sharing in North America is based in Ottawa, Ontario, which administers to local chapters throughout Canada as well as several communities in the United States. The organization currently remains active. Vanier continues to provide leadership at annual retreats.

Archival history

The records were transferred to the University of St Michael’s in May 2004. Prior to their transfer to St Michael's, the records were deposited in the Archives Deschatelets, Ottawa for ten years. During that time, Madeleine Seguin worked with archivists Father Andre Dubois, Father Romuald Boucher and Father Roland Leclaire to arrange and classify the records. In 2002, Sr. Sue Mosteller of the Henri Nouwen Literary Centre initiated the transfer to St Michael's with English Coordinator Marilyn Moore. A Deed of Gift was signed by Moore and Richard Alway, President, USMC, on February 12, 2004 and March 4, 2004 respectively

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

See custodial history.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

The fonds consists of administrative, organizational, summary and financial records relating to the Faith and Sharing Federation. The records range in date from 1968 to 2012. The fonds is composed of eight series:

  1. History and Spirit of Faith and Sharing
  2. Documents of the Secretary, North American Committee
  3. Correspondence of the North American Committee
  4. Documents related to participation in the Canadian Conference of Catholic Lay Associations
  5. Faith and Sharing Bulletins
  6. Financial Files
  7. Sound recordings of Retreats
  8. Secondary resources collected by Madeleine Sguin, Secretary of the North American Committee, related to Jean Vanier

The majority of the records are textual however, as indicated, the fonds includes almost 200 recordings of retreats, including many talks by founder Jean Vanier.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

Further accruals are expected annually.

System of arrangement

The fonds is arranged according to a classification scheme imposed by Secretary Madeleine Séguin and archivists at the Archives Deschatelets.
The classification numbers are retained in the note area of the file level description.
Records are filed chronologically.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

  • English
  • French

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Good

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

The source of the supplied title proper has been taken from the official name given to the charity when it became incorporated.

Note

A detailed content listing of audio cassettes from 1971 to 1991 was prepared by Sguin and is available in the Archives.

Note

In many cases documents are translated in both English and French.

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Description control area

Description identifier

faith-and-sharing-federation-fonds

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Dates of creation revision deletion

Revised by S Rogers, 28 November 2018.
Revised by S Rogers, 4 July 2019.

Language(s)

Script(s)

Accession area

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