“A Prayer for Africa”

“How does a young person decide that they can make a difference in the world? Does it begin unexpectedly in a Senior English class, when their teacher shares powerful stories and poetic images of devastation in Darfur?  Maybe it starts when they see a piercing documentary about child soldiers in Uganda during one of their Social Studies classes.  Perhaps the catalyst is a simple but life-altering sign at their school which reads "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve."  For some, the impetus might come from the stunning words of a local woman who has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the horrific treatment of women and children in parts of Africa. This past semester, at La Salle High School in Milwaukie, every one of these experiences has been a vehicle to inspire and motivate our students to raise awareness about the difficult crisis facing Africa each day….”

So begins “A Prayer for Africa,’ an account by Brian Devine, Director of Campus Ministry at La Salle High School in Milwaukie, Oregon, of the multifaceted activities undertaken at the school this year in what he calls a “widespread, unexpected, student–led call to action.” In concluding, Brian quotes La Salle President Denise Jones, who says, “That to me is what a Lasallian education calls us to -- to educate those entrusted to our care, resulting in their ability to see the presence of God in all and assume accountability to act with compassion and knowledge to make the world a better place. If that is not prayer...I don't know what is.”  A version of the article will be posted soon on the school’s web site www.lshigh.org. Those wishing to read the full text now, or to learn more, may contact Brian at bdevine@lshigh.org.

To see firsthand what Lasallians in Africa are doing, connect online through the web site of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Rome: at www.lasalle.org, click on Regions and Districts to see a map of the world, then click on the African continent to explore the schools and works of the “Région Lasallienne Africano-Malgache” (RELAF).

UPDATES FROM the DISTRICT

Twelfth District Chapter Concludes in Napa: The District Chapter, the quadrennial policy-shaping body of the District of San Francisco, completed its work on December 29, 2006, in Napa. Christian Brothers from throughout the District (thirty-six delegates and four alternates) completed the process for the designation of candidates for Visitor, as described in Chapter Act # 171. The three candidates that emerged were Brother Dominic Berardelli, Brother Christopher Brady, and Brother Stanislaus Campbell. The Brothers of the District in January took part in a preferential vote among these three candidates, with the results to be sent to Brother Alvaro, the Superior General, in Rome. The vote totals show a majority advising that Brother Stanislaus, who is currently serving as Visitor, should be appointed by the Superior General to another four-year term. The Brothers also worked to develop policy direction. Four theme groups – the themes were Brothers’ Identity; Brothers and Mission; the Region and the Institute; and Resources, Structures, and Personnel) -- generated nine priority statements that were presented, discussed, voted on, and prioritized. Upon approval by the General Council in Rome, these will help to guide the Leadership Team during the next four years. The Chapter also passed a legislative proposition that established the relationship between past Chapter legislative acts and these new Statements of Priority.

DO YOU SPEAK Lasallian? the Online Glossary IS HERE: For help with Lasallian terms and structures, there is a Glossary on the District web site with brief definitions of key elements and pertinent vocabulary. Go to www.delasalle.org and click on RESOURCES & LINKS for the Lasallian Glossary

The District Mission Council: In the District of San Francisco, there is an advisory body called District Mission Council (sometimes called for short the “Mission Council”). It was created in 2004 in response to Chapter Act #204 of the 11 th District Chapter. The founding of this body is called for in the Action Plan of the District for 2003-2007 in Item C.2, which reads: “Brother Visitor and the District Council will establish a District Mission Council which will provide advice to the Visitor and District Leadership regarding realization of the educational mission of the District.”

The District Mission Council has both ex officio members and members appointed by the Brother Visitor. Ex officio members are the Brother Visitor, the Director of the Office of Education, and the Director of Formation for Mission. Seven to ten additional members are appointed by the Brother Visitor. They are selected from the Secondary School Administrators’ Association, the District Council, and San Francisco District ministries, including Boards of Trustees. At least two appointed members are to be Christian Brothers, and the membership is to reflect a gender, ministerial, and geographic diversity. Mission Council bylaws and agendas are available for review from Jackie Berlogar in the District Office of Education.

As of January 2007, the members of the District Mission Council are William Krueger (chair), Brother Kevin Slate, FSC, Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, Gery Short, Greg Kopra, William George, John Scudder, Martin Farfan, Carole Swain, Cecilia Powers, Carrie Kiskila, and Angelica Garcia.

The Mission Council meets every two months at a different site in the District. The first meeting for calendar year 2007 was held January 8-9 at San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona. The first order of business was a tour of the school and a presentation by Elizabeth Goettl, President, and Brother Nick Gonzalez, Principal, on the school’s achievements and challenges. Other matters discussed included the Catholic Lasallian Assessment Process (CLASP) and how to evaluate its effectiveness; the work of the Regional Task Force, chaired by Carole Swain, that is exploring possible new structures across the U.S./Toronto Region; the District’s study of issues of family in choice in education and the study committee report now in its final stages; the Priority Statements from the District Mission Assembly of summer 2006 and the incorporation of these into a new Action Plan for the District; the joint project of the District of san Francisco and the New Orleans/Santa Fe District for increasing collaboration over the coming five years; the question of District involvement in assessing the feasibility of a middle school on the Nativity/San Miguel model being established in the Napa area; and the possibility of a ‘teacher exchange’ program among schools in the District.

The next meeting of the District Mission Council is scheduled for March 13, 2007.

HONORING LASALLIANS PAST; ENVISIONING THE LASALLIAN FUTURE: For deep reflections on what the Lasallian vocation is and who we are, a source unique to our District is the compilation edited by Brother Brendan Kneale and published twice a year called E-HORIZONS. The latest issue is now online at www.delasalle.org on the RESOURCES & LINKS page. Included in this issue are eulogies and homilies for two remarkable Lasallian educators from our District who died in 2006, Brother Christopher Bassen and Brother Robert Smith. There is also a history of adult education at Saint Mary’s College of California by Brother Dominic Ruegg, and the address to the 40 th anniversary celebration at Justin-Siena High School by Justin-Siena’s president, Brother Robert Wickman. Looking toward the future, there are excerpts from the opening addresses at the first-ever International Assembly – “Associated for the Lasallian Educational Mission” – that was held in Rome in the fall of 2006. The talks excerpted are the welcome address by Gery Short and the opening remarks by Brother Superior Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria.

Prayers Are Requested for Brother Antonio Gonzaga. Brother Antonio Gonzaga, beloved veteran teacher, most recently at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory and now a member of the Holy Family Community of retired Brothers at Mont La Salle, has been diagnosed with liver cancer for which he is receiving chemotherapy treatments. Prayers and good thoughts are requested. Brother Antonio is at the Holy Family Community at 4405 Redwood Road, Napa CA 94558-9708.

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NEWS BRIEFS from around the DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

MORAGA - At the web site of Saint Mary’s College of Moragawww.stmarys-ca.edu.there is always something worth reading. In Memoriam: Sister Clare Wagstaffe, longtime Saint Mary’s College fixture in the Parent Relations office and an Affiliated Christian Brother, who died in January, is remembered there for her contributions to the SMC community. You can also read how the men’s hoops team defeated major basketball power and conference rival Gonzaga; you can view a new informational video on the College which is airing during selected televised athletic events this season; you can browse the Winter 2006 edition of Saint Mary’s magazine…. All this and much more at www.stmarys-ca.edu.

LOS ANGELES - Cathedral High School’s web site has a Remembrance Page for two members of the class of 2006 killed in a car accident just before Christmas. A new gallery of photos from the latest work on the construction of the new athletic and science facility is on the web site at www.cathedralhighschool.org.

SAN FRANCISCO - Posted online at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory are two thoughtful and moving addresses given at the school’s Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service, one by Charles Love, an African-American civil rights activist parent of SHCP alums, and one by Sawson Zazour, a Palestinian-American peace activist and SHCP staff member. Visit the Press Room at www.shcp.edu.

YAKIMA - At La Salle High School, the community heard a presentation on “Islam and Christianity” by Father Patrick Baraza, a Catholic priest from Kenya who has been a chaplain at Saint Mary’s College of California and is now teaching at Gonzaga University. See the web site at www.lasalleyakima.com for much more information. While you’re there, you might want to order some coffee, a special blend of fair-trade beans the sales of which support the school. The name of the brew is “Liquid Lightning” and it boasts a uniquely Lasallian label that you might call -- electrifying.

BERKELEY - The web site of Saint Mary’s College High School has a new look and improved browsability. Among things to be learned there – if you click on ALUMNI -- is the latest SMCHS alum to achieve distinction: Russell Hornsby ’’92 stars in the new television drama Lincoln Heights on the ABC Family channel. Read the story and follow the link to a review in the San Francisco Chronicle. It’s at www.saintmaryschs.org.

MILWAUKIE - A stylish and informative new viewbook tells the La Salle High School story. To see it, go to www.lshigh.org, click News & Events, and look under Publications.

SAN FRANCISCO - De Marillac Academy has committed itself to the goal of having a waste-free campus. Read about the school’s plans for a greener educational community at www.demarillac.org.

CONCORD - Good news from De La Salle High School: It has exceeded its fundraising goal in its 40 th anniversary campaign. And the Spartans are in the movies: Recently released is an independently produced documentary titled "Perfect Effort," a full-length film offering an inside look at De La Salle's football program, the legendary 151-game winning streak – and the deeper educational meaning of it all. To learn more, go to www.dlshs.org.

TUCSON - An educational foundation that has received a federal grant for skills development in growing industries has chosen to provide $100,000 of the grant to San Miguel High Schools’ Corporate Internship Program. With the funds the school will subsidize small businesses and nonprofit groups that would employ teams of students in intern positions. Learn more at the school’s web site at www.sanmiguelhigh.com

SACRAMENTO - Art work by students from Christian Brothers High School is on display and for sale at a commercial gallery in Sacramento. CBHS art instructor Findlay McIntosh has been instrumental in securing this opportunity for exposure and sales for CBHS students. Read more in the Falcon Family Newsletter on the web site at www.cbhs-sacramento.org,

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NEWS BRIEFS from the U.S./TORONTO REGION

Christian Brothers Conference is the office for the U.S/Toronto Region.

Effective January 29, the new location of the Conference offices is:

Hecker Center , Suite 300, 3025 Fourth Street NE, Washington DC 20017-1102

The web site of Christian Brothers Conference remains www.cbconf.org.

Among items of interest currently posted there are these:

MONTHLY MEDITITATION by Brother Tom Johnson: Brother Tom Johnson offers a brief reflection -- with the help of Saint John Baptist de La Salle -- on January, its meaning as a time of renewal, a season of starting over, and an opportunity to give – and to get -- second and third chances.

GRANTS FROM THE FSC FOUNDATION: Listed are recipients of grants totaling over $225,000 for this year. Ninety-two different programs, half in the U.S. and half overseas, have been beneficiaries. The list of programs supported throughout this country and around the world is in the CURRENT NEWS at www.cbconf.org.

Toronto Delegation begins A new ERA: Starting January 17, 2007, the Toronto Delegation will be under the pastoral care of the New York District, marking the beginning of a new era in the history of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in North America. The full story is at www.cbconf.org under CURRENT NEWS.

LASALLIANS CONFER ON RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION: Saint Mary’s Press and the Brothers Visitor of the U.S. Districts invited Lasallian educators from across the Region to an intentional conversation on catechesis in the Lasallian tradition. Some of the papers given at that September 2006 meeting in Wisconsin are now published on the web site of Christian Brothers Conference. (A final report is to follow.) Among the papers now available are two by the participants from our District, Greg Kopra and Brother Michael Sanderl. They are downloadable in pdf format and well worth reading. Visit www.cbconf.org and look for the link under CURRENT NEWS

Lasallian Volunteers Has A Cool New Web Site: Did You Know --- That the Lasallian Volunteer Program responds creatively to the educational needs of the poor by providing Volunteers who are generous and talented, well trained and supported, from diverse backgrounds across the United States? --- That Volunteers undertake a commitment of between one and three years – but more than one-third of the Volunteers return for additional years of service? --- That a unique dimension of the Lasallian Volunteer Program is that Volunteers live in Community with Brothers and other Lasallian Partners, fully sharing in their daily Community and apostolic activities? --- That to date more than 350 men and women have participated in this intense program of faith, community and service?
You can hear Volunteers tell their story in their own voices, you can sign up for the LV newsletter, and find out all you need to know at www.lasallianvolunteers.org.

□ For more news of the U.S./Toronto Region, go to the Web site of the Christian Brothers Conference at www.cbconf.org □

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NEWS BRIEFS from the INTERNATIONAL LASALLIAN MISSION

A regular visit to the web site of the international Institute in Rome is always worthwhile. News from around the world is regularly posted there, the latest items being from Argentina, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Florida – and our very own San Francisco. One’s understanding of the Lasallian mission is always deepened, and one’s sense of belonging to a diverse family that spans the globe is always enhanced. You can sign up at www.lasalle.org for e-mailed updates.

The web site is currently rich in important new documents:

- The report of the International Assembly of 2006 , titled “Associated for the Lasallian Educational Mission,” is now available in pdf format on the international web site. The Brothers and Partners gathered from all around the world shared their varied experiences of what it means to be “associated” and looked toward a future in which new forms of association are continuing to develop in the service of the mission. Gery Short of our District Office of Education chaired the Assembly’s steering committee and the final writing committee.

- The Pastoral Letter of Brother Superior is online. Each year at Christmas the Brother Superior writes a summary of the year and a pastoral reflection on what it means to live the Lasallian life. The 2006 letter, “Associated with the God of History: Our Formative Life Journey,” is a quick review of events throughout the Lasallian world and a challenging reflection on life as continual formation for vocation: “The most important thing is to let God act in us and realize his will in us. This is the ultimate purpose of all formation.” This rewarding letter can be downloaded. It can also be heard, in audio files. The English version of the Pastoral Letter in audiobook format is read by Brother George Van Grieken of Christian Brothers High School, Sacramento.

- Documents for the General Chapter that will convene in Rome in April 2007 are also available on the web site. Click on “Documents for the 44 th General Chapter” to familiarize yourself with the concerns to be addressed at this highest-level gathering of delegates from all the Districts of the world. Included is the series titled “Being Brothers Today” which has served as the basis of a process of discussion and discernment among the world’s Christian Brothers during the past year.

LASALLIANS WEST - JANUARY 2007

A monthly newsletter
De La Salle Christian Brothers ● District of San Francisco

For information, contact
J. A. Gray
Director of Public Relations and Information Services
De La Salle Institute, Napa, California
707-252-3739