"Self-sacrifice and loving deeds"
A Lenten-Easter message from Brother Stanislaus Campbell, FSC

[This is an excerpt from a reflection for the Easter season 2007 by Brother Stanislaus Campbell, FSC, Visitor. The full text can be read on the NEWS page at www.delasalle.org.]

The heart of the Church’s liturgical year is upon us again with its preparatory phase in Lent, its climax in the Paschal Triduum, and its extended fifty-day celebration in the Easter Season. Surely, this year as in every year, there is much to ponder and assimilate regarding our participation in Christ’s Paschal Mystery, the focus of this season…. At the close of the recent International Assembly, Associated for the Lasallian Educational Mission, Brother Á lvaro Echeverr í a, Superior General, offered a challenge, the response to which could well be a way of living out what we celebrate in the Eucharist and engage us significantly in the three major, traditional activities of the Lenten season. He said:

"In the past few days, the meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations concluded in Rome and issued its final report on October 30 th concerning hunger in the world. It noted that we have lost 10 years and that the current situation is actually much worse. The document deals with the bitter failure of the plan proposed in 1996 that has put 854 million people at risk of malnutrition…. The annual report of the FAO indicates that 17,000 children, under the age of 5, died daily of hunger in 2004. If children are the very heart of our Lasallian mission, what is the "sign of the times" telling us? What can we do? What should we be doing when we claim that the defense of their rights is a distinctive concern of our Lasallian Family, as was asked of us in the last General Chapter and that we recalled in this Assembly?”

I suggest that in our communities, our families, our schools and other apostolates, we take up this challenge, as many of us have in the past, but with renewed awareness and vigor and with the motive of realizing in our lives and in the lives of others something of the Mystery we celebrate symbolically in our Eucharists and throughout this season. There are, undoubtedly, many ways to do this. One that has received wide acceptance in the past is to forgo or minimize a meal or two a week and donate the money saved to some organization that provides for the alleviation of hunger such as Bread for the World (www.bread.org) or Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl (www.crs.org). May God give us the grace to participate more fully in the Mystery of Jesus’ dying and rising throughout the Lenten Season, the Triduum, and the ensuing Easter Season not only through the liturgies of these days but especially in actions prompted by our prayerful participation in liturgy that engage us in self-sacrifice and loving deeds especially on behalf of starving children.

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LENTEN MATERIALS AVAILABLE FROM SAINT MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL:

 Saint Mary’s College High School of Berkeley’s Campus Ministry office has a set of Lenten resources, including a beautiful Season of Lent brochure with reflections, prayers, readings, and guidance. On the school’s web site at http://www.saintmaryschs.org under CAMPUS MINISTRY.

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UPDATES FROM the DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

BROTHER STANISLAUS ACCEPTS SECOND TERM AS VISITOR

Brother Stanislaus Campbell has been appointed by Superior General Brother Alvaro to a second term as Visitor of the District of San Francisco. In his letter of January 31 to Brother Stan confirming his appointment, Brother Alvaro wrote (in part),

"I would like to take advantage of this occasion to thank you for all the work that you have done over the course of the past four years. Thank you for your effective service and your limitless dedication for the good of your District. I am especially appreciative of the steps taken by your District in the field of education, shared with lay partners and in association with them, and the priority that has been given to service of the poor. I am also grateful for the generosity of the District in its managing of financial funds by means of a policy of interdependence and aid for those who need it the most. Thank you especially for the continued support for the Superior’s Fund. Thanks, too, for the fraternal support which the District is giving in the field of education to the District of New Orleans-Santa Fe. There is no doubt that a very important challenge is to keep hope alive in the Brothers as well as their trust in the Lasallian charism, in that, with its new forms and openness to others, it will continue to be an instrument of salvation for the young. I hope that you will be able to give a new thrust to the pastoral ministry of vocations in spite of the difficulties of recent years. May God reward your generous dedication in service of the Institute. Please know that you can always count on my friendship and my prayers.”

BROTHER THOMAS JONES ACCEPTS SECOND TERM AS AUXILIARY VISITOR

Brother Thomas Jones has served for the past four years as Auxiliary Visitor, and at Brother Stanislaus Campbell’s request his name was submitted to the Superior General for appointment to a second term. As Brother Stanislaus wrote to the District, “I received word from Brother Superior that, after consultation with the General Council, he has re-appointed Brother Thomas as Auxiliary Visitor for a four-year term beginning July 1, 2007. I wish to thank Brother Thomas publicly for his willingness to continue to serve in this office. He has been of very great assistance to me throughout the term we are both concluding especially in the areas of formation, working with Brother Directors, attending to the individual needs of Brothers, and collaboration on the District Leadership Team. I look forward to working with Thomas in the years ahead as we both strive, together with the other members of the Leadership Team, to serve as best we can the many needs in the District and to meet successfully the great challenges ahead.”

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UPDATE ON BROTHER STANISLAUS CAMPBELL'S HOSPITALIZATION

Brother Stanislaus Campbell has been hospitalized since late February for surgical treatment of an esophageal ulcer and the resulting convalescence, including treatment for respiratory difficulties. He continues to make good progress, and prayers for his continued recovery are appreciated. Cards and notes may be sent to:

Brother Stanislaus Campbell, FSC
De La Salle Institute
P O Box 3720
Napa, CA 94558-0372

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DISTRICT CONVOCATION OF BROTHERS HELD IN NAPA

The annual Convocation of Brothers of the District of San Francisco took place at Mont La Salle March 3. Part of the meeting was a wrap-up of the process of reflection and discussion being carried out by all Christian Brothers worldwide during the past year under the rubric “Being Brothers Today.” The Brothers in Convocation were charged with expressing in brief formulations the characteristics they find to be most descriptive of the Brother’s life and vocation today. These were the ten descriptive formulations that received the most approvals:

As Brothers we are men of faith, consecration and prayer; God is the center of our life; we are faithful to the Founder, his charism and spirituality.

Faithful to the Lasallian charism and spirituality.

As Brothers we are committed to an educational apostolate with preference for the poor.

Service and availability – Brothers to our students and Brothers to one another.

As Brothers we are men of integrity.

The fraternal nature of our communities overflows into our being true Brothers to all, but especially being Brother to our students.

Witnessing – making the Gospel accessible.

Flexibility.

Faith in action – Service to the poor.

Brother-student relationships: Brothers to our students and Brothers to one another.

The essential characteristics of the Brother’s life and vocation today, as discerned by Brothers worldwide, will be communicated to the General Chapter that convenes in Rome April 30. For more on the upcoming General Chapter in Rome, including the text of “Being Brothers Today,” visit the international web site at www.lasalle.org and click on “Documents for the 44 th General Chapter 2007.”

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JUBILARIANS IN 2007 IN THE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

The District Convocation also honored Brothers of this District marking their Jubilees.

Jubilarians for 2007 are:

75 years -- Brother Columban Derby

70 years -- Brother Felix Masson

60 years -- Brother Casimir Reichlin, Brother Timothy Rapa, Brother Mel Anderson,
Brother LaSalle Bossong, Brother Haig M. Charshaf

50 years -- Brother Richard Moratto, Brother Martin Ash, Brother Peter deGroot.

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A SUMMER MISSION to THE PHILIPPINES:
BROTHER DAN FENTON and
ALUMS of DE LA SALLE NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

 
Brother Dan’s summer 2006 mission to a center for youth offenders in the Philippines was mentioned in last April’s issue of LASALLIANS WEST. Brother Dan writes:

"I just wanted to let you know about this year's project for Bahay Pag-asa in the Philippines.  (Your note last year in the newsletter was helpful for us.) I will be traveling again to Bahay Pag-asa in June to help out with the educational programs there.  The students at San Miguel High School are raising money for a "Sky Scout" - a device that identifies stars and planets and provides an astronomy tutorial.  Along with the telescopes we brought previously, the kids should have a great time and learn much about the night sky.  In January, our students at San Miguel shipped over 200 lbs. of new and slightly used books to Bahay Pag-asa.  They are on a slow boat and should arrive in April.
 
“This June I will be accompanied by two graduates of De La Salle North Catholic High School, Ben White and Jordan Winkel.  Both of them helped me raise money for Bahay Pag-asa several years ago and, as they are finishing their first year of college, they are ready to make the journey to the Philippines and volunteer for a month of teaching and helping out with the programs there.  However, they need help in raising the airfare for the trip.  Mr. Chris Patiño, who will be entering the novitiate next year and who spent two summers in Bahay Pag-asa, has contributed $250 to each of their flights and both Ben and Jordan are working to raise money at their respective colleges.  We would certainly welcome any donations toward this effort - both Ben and Jordan are working to finance their college education so this extra summer expense is significant for them.  I am hoping that, with the help of many, we can make this possible.”

Brother Dan Fenton can be contacted at

San Miguel Brothers Community
PO Box 22199 , Tucson, AZ 85734
brdanfenton@hotmail.com

● You can read about how Bahay Pag-asa was founded with the support of our District in Signs of Faith magazine, Fall/Winter 2001 (go to www.delasalle.org, click on RESOURCES & LINKS for the “Signs of Faith” archive and index).

● For the latest on Bahay Pag-asa, visit its Web site at www.bahaypagasa.org.

SUMMER EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

 The Lasallian Youth Assembly, June 24 - 29: The 8 th Annual Lasallian Youth Assembly will be held in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University. The theme for this year’s Assembly is “Lord, the work is Y ours!”   For complete information and to register, visit the District web site at www.delasalle.org and click on the YOUNG LASALLIANS button. Questions? Contact Marilyn Paquette at mpaquette@dlsi.org or 707-252-3858.

Lasallian Student Leaders, July 22 – 27: The annual summer program for secondary-school students to develop leadership skills will be at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga. Students from schools in both the District of San Francisco and the New Orleans-Santa Fe District will attend. For complete information and to register, visit the District web site at www.delasalle.org and click on the YOUNG LASALLIANS button. Questions? Contact Robert Jordan at rjordan@dlsi.org or 707-252-3722.

VENAVER in Mexico and Documentary Film Project, Summer 2007: Visit the web site www.delasalle.org to find out about a VENAVER Documentary Film project and other activities for Lasallian Collegians this summer. Click on the YOUNG LASALLIANS button.

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AFFILIATED CHRISTIAN BROTHERS INDUCTED AND HONORED

Robert Gardner, veteran teacher in the Collegiate Seminar Program and other programs in the School of Liberal Arts at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, was honored as an Affiliated Christian Brother in ceremonies at the College on February 24, 2007 . The official commendation to Bob Gardner said, in part, “The Founder’s encouragement to be involved with your students so as to work miracles by touching their hearts, to be an ambassador of Christ, to write His letter in their hearts, to see God in all things, and to value learning – these have been and continue to be present in your life and ministry.” For a photo and story, visit the Saint Mary’s College News archive at http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news_events. Our District’s other honoree, Pat Bonacci, principal of La Salle High School in Pasadena, was officially affiliated in November 2006. For the full story and photographs, visit the La Salle High School web site http://www.lasallehs.org  and click on NEWS & EVENTS.

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NEW PRESIDENT, NEW PRINCIPAL FOR DISTRICT SCHOOLS

Mark DeMarco at De La Salle High, Concord: Mark DeMarco will succeed Bruce Shoup as president of De la Salle High Concord in July 2007. a graduate of De La Salle (class of 1978) and a former member of the Christian Brothers, Mark has served since 2002 as the Superintendent of the Department of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Oakland. For more information, visit the school web site www.dlshs.org and look in the archive of RECENT NEWS.

Noel Laird Hesser at Justin-Siena High, Napa: Noel Hesser will become principal at Justin-Siena High school in July. Noel has most recently been assistant principal for curriculum and instruction at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. For complete information, visit the Justin-Siena web site at www.justin-siena.com and look under IN THE NEWS.

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THE DISTRICT MISSION COUNCIL MARCH MEETING

The District Mission Council of the District of San Francisco met at Justin-Siena High School on March 13. • Members present were Angelica Garcia, Bill George, Brother Thomas Jones, FSC, Carrie Kiskila, Greg Kopra, Bill Krueger (chair), Cecilia Powers, John Scudder, Gery Short, Brother Kevin Slate, FSC, Carole Swain, and, Brother George Van Grieken, FSC. • The Council had a tour of the high school and a presentation by Justin-Siena’s President, Brother Robert Wickman, FSC. The first item for discussion was a report from the Office of Education on the feasibility of establishing a middle school on the Nativity/San Miguel model in the Napa area; though there is some local interest, the report concluded that the situation is not conducive to proceeding at this time. Other items discussed were the CLASP and Religious Education Assessments; the preliminary plans for collaboration between the District of San Francisco and the New Orleans/Santa Fe District; the shape and substance of the new Action Plan for the District now under development; the new leadership discernment program commencing this summer; the possibilities for exchanges of teachers among Lasallian schools; the work of the Regional Task Force on regional structures (chaired by Carole Swain); and the question of how best to disseminate to the District important information about activities on the District, Regional, and international levels.

NEW ORLEANS/SANTA FE DISTRICT AND DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO BEGIN NEW COLLABORATION

A co-sponsorship agreement between the two Districts is now complete and has been signed by both Districts. The co-sponsorship agreement calls for the expansion of Lasallian Education Corporation (LEC) to include Members and Trustees from the New Orleans Santa/ Fe District. The new LEC bylaws allow for continued oversight of the schools by each District through District representatives named by their respective Brother Visitors. A plan for the sharing formation and support services between the Districts began with a meeting of representatives from the six schools of the NO/SF District and members of the SF District Office of Education in San Antonio, Texas, on March 2.

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NEWS BRIEFS from the U.S./TORONTO REGION

New postings on the Regional web site include news of the recent Chief Administrators meeting in San Antonio, the new web site of the International Association of Lasallian Universities, a reflection on Lasallian education (“The Chrysalis”) by Brother Jeffrey Calligan, and the latest issue of Regional magazine De La Salle Today in PDF format. Visit www.cbconf.org.

Brother Jeffrey Gros of Memphis Theological Seminary addressed the National Workshop on Christian Unity in Arlington, Virginia, on January 30 on the problem of “religious illiteracy.” For the full text of his talk, see the NWCU web site at www.nwcu.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. You can sign up at www.lasalle.org for e-mailed updates when news is posted. Recently posted is a story, with photos, on the canonical transition of the Christian Brothers of English-speaking Canada into the New York District.

Important publications are available now online at the Institute web site at www.lasalle.org, including:

• The report of the International Assembly of 2006, titled “Associated for the Lasallian Educational Mission,” is now available in pdf format and can also be ordered in printed, bound copies.

• Also available are documents for the upcoming General Chapter (April 3 to June 2 in Rome), the 44 th General Chapter in the history of the Institute, which is charged with setting direction and naming leadership for the coming years.

• Also new is a Thematic Vocabulary of Lasallian Association by Brother Antonio Botana, which is a thorough investigation of key terms connected with the Lasallian “association for the educational service of the poor.” Association is a term with many meanings that exhibit both ambiguity and opportunity, writes Brother Antonio. This is worthwhile reading for those engaged in seeking to understand the nature and direction of this educational mission and ministry.

TIME Magazine Writes about Lasallian Education:

The February 15, 2007, issue of the European edition of TIME magazine has an article titled “A School Puts Faith in Harmony,” about the Jean-Baptiste de la Salle school in a multi-ethnic suburb of Paris. The author is Bruce Crumley, TIME’s Paris correspondent. Find the article at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1590194,00.html

LASALLIANS WEST - MARCH 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