In Rome this summer, Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echevarría, Superior General of the Christian Brothers, spoke with delegate to the second International Symposium for Young Lasallians, which had for its theme “Mission Possible: A Shared Dream.” Here is an excerpt from Brother Álvaro’s talk:

“THE ROLE OF YOUNG LASALLIANS
IN THE LASALLIAN EDUCATIONAL MISSION” [an excerpt]

“To surrender one’s life is the secret of finding life and of full human fulfillment. Life is only worth the effort if it is surrendered. To surrender one’s life is to make an impossible mission possible and to make our shared dreams a reality. To surrender one’s life, to surrender your lives, is to see to it that all have life, and it seems to me that this is the most wonderful and important contribution that a young Lasallian can make to the Lasallian educational mission. It is certainly not about a light commitment, and it is very possible that given the magnitude of the task and the obstacles that society presents to us today, we could very quickly throw in the towel. A young German boy, sixteen years old, said to G ü nter Grass during one of his famous Love Parade concerts, Since there is no way we can save the world, why not just have a party? This is understood to mean that given a world that is difficult to save, it would be easier to take up the view of some young people who act irresponsibly without even giving the future a chance. But young Lasallians should not fall into that trap. It is up to you to sow the seeds of your dreams and make them bear fruit so that they become real.”

The full text of Brother Alvaro’s very interesting talk is at www.lasalle.org on the Young Lasallians page, as are many other documents from this Symposium and from the Young Lasallians movement.

THE YOUNG LASALLIAN CREED (an excerpt)


As Family…

We understand the need for us to participate within the Lasallian Family.
We consider growth through shared experience moves us closer to our mission.
We promote sharing in each others experiences for greater understanding.

In Union…

We understand together we can build a Civilization of Love (Pope John Paul II).
We consider our calling to come together to build a better world.
We promote strengthening our bonds of communication.

With Humility…

We understand De La Salle freed his heart and humbled himself before God.
We consider that only with a humble spirit can we share what we are.
We promote touching the hearts of others.

 

EVENTS in THE District of San Francisco

ASSEMBLY ON MISSION IS ON THE WEB: Share the experience. Visit www.delasalle.org to browse a photo gallery, read keynote addresses, check breakout sessions, and ponder the priorities expressed by , the delegates to the District Assembly on Mission (July 30 to August 4, 2006).

TOM ENGLISH is named LASALLIAN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR: Tom English of Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento has been named the District’s Lasallian Educator of the Year. “To watch him te ach is to see the Founder’s words put into action,” says principal Ray Burnell. For more on Tom, visit the web site at www.delasalle.org or www.cbhs-sacramento.org.

12 th DISTRICT CHAPTER BEGINS THIS MONTH: The canonical legislative meeting of the Brothers of the San Francisco District has its first session October 18 to 21 and its second session in December. The District Chapter is responsible for setting direction and leadership for the District.

FALL FORUM on ‘The Pivotal Formation Experiences in My Life”: Brothers from throughout the District will gather at the Conference Center at Mont La Salle on November 4 for the annual Fall Forum. This year’s forum is “A Conversation: The Pivotal Formation Experiences in My Life”. The conversation will be facilitated by a panel including Brother James Ash, Brother David Caretti, Brother Timothy Ford, Brother Donald Johanson, and Brother Dominic Ruegg.

NEW OFFICE OF EDUCATION BOOKLET IS ONLINE: A newly revised brochure describing programs, services, and activities of the District Office of Education is on the web site in pdf format at http://www.delasalle.org/dlsi.shtml

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NEWS BRIEFS from schools and works of the DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

PORTLAND - A story on the planned move of De La Salle North Catholic High School to its new larger quarters can be found at the IN THE NEWS button on the school’s web site, www.delasallenorth.org

LOS ANGELES - Cathedral High School’s Lasallian Youth group has its own Lasallian Youth Pages up on the school’s web site at www.cathedralhighschool.org.

SAN FRANCISCO - A successful Walkathon for fundraising is held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park; an SHCP alumna now a college journalist wins a prestigious national journalism award; these news stories and more are at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory’s web site at www.shcp.edu.

YAKIMA - At La Salle High School, the week of Oct 16 – 20 is Faith in Action Week, with a focus on the crisis in Darfur. For the activities, and links, visit www.lasalleyakima.com.

MILWAUKIE - La Salle High School’s 40 th anniversary celebration kicks off October 18 and a yearlong series of great events is planned. For complete information, visit www.lshigh.org.

CONCORD - De La Salle High School’s new Hofmann Student Center is officially open as of September 25. Read about it on the school’s web site. Meanwhile, the Spartans football team has been ranked No. 1 prep team in the nation and have played two games televised nationally by ESPN. Great photos of football action are on www.dlshs.org.

TUCSON - A new computer lab for students has been dedicated at San Miguel High, thanks to donors Art and Patricia Fernandez. Photos of this event and more are at www.sanmiguelhigh.com

SACRAMENTO - New assistant principal Noel Hesser was named a 2006 National Distinguished Principal for his prior service as principal of Gloria Dei Lutheran School, one of only 65 such honorees nationwide. Read about it at www.cbhs-sacramento.org,

NAPA - The 40 th anniversary celebration at Justin-Siena began with a Mass and Celebration on October 15. A front-page story on the school is in the October 15 edition of the Napa Valley Register at www.napavalleyregister.com. The school’s “Braves on Broadway” evening featuring professional show biz alums singing along with current students was a great success also. For all the news, go to www.justin-siena.com.

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NEWS BRIEFS from the U.S./TORONTO REGION

• REgional TASK FORCE BEGINS ITS WORK -- What new structures may be needed to support our Lasallian mission in the U.S./Toronto today’s context? The Region has established a task force to study this question. The task force is chaired by Carole Swain of Saint Mary’s College and includes members from throughout the Region.
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• FINAL REPORT FROM THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ON MISSION: Important documents emanating from last November’s historical Regional Assembly in Utah, including the Final Report, are on the Regional web site at http://www.cbconf.org/regionalassembly/page1.html

□ 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

VIETNAM PROJECT CELEBRATES SUCCESS: August 15, 2006 was the Mass of blessing and dedication of the Post-Detoxification Center in Ho Chi Minh City. As part of our District’s longtime support of the Lasallian mission in Vietnam, we contributed to the construction and founding of the center. Brother Valery Nguyen Van An of La Salle Vietnam House in San Jose has been the principal contact and conduit for U.S. benefactors.

The International Assembly on Association for the Educational Mission : On October 23 the delegates gather in Rome for this important assembly. Check the web site at www.lasalle.org for complete information on the Assembly, including its purpose and all preparatory documents.

GET E-MAIL ALERTS FOR INTERNATIONAL NEWS -- at the web site of the international Institute, you can sign up to receive an e-mail alerting you to new postings. Go to www.lasalle.org, click on Current Events, and hit the NOTIFY ME button.

DATES IN LASALLIAN HISTORY
October 18, 1670 - John Baptist de La Salle enters the seminary of Saint Sulpice in Paris to begin his training as a candidate for priesthood.
October 21, 1984 - Brother Miguel Febres Cordero, FSC, is named a saint of the Catholic Church.

LASALLIANS WEST - OCTOBER 2006

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