From Our Readers
The Editorial Board offers a sampling of letters from readers to encourage and stimulate comments, discussion, and suggestions.

When considering the "Twelve virtues of a good teacher" isn't it essential to discuss the virtues of faith, hope, love and a higher wisdom?

It has been a pleasure to see the first few issues of Signs of Faith. It is good to let our light shine before men, as the Lord urged, provided that we are not doing so only to get the praise of the populace. Do none of our readers express reservations, however? In his January 2000 Pastoral Letter, Superior General John Johnston stresses the need to give priority to catechesis in our work with the poor, putting the emphasis on "Christian" in our mission to provide a "human and Christian education...." Thus, when considering matters such as the "twelve virtues of a good teacher" - many of which seem mainly secular - isn't it essential for us to discuss the virtues of faith, hope, love, and a higher wisdom? Should we not give more than good example when, say, we do construction work in India? Isn't there a personal good as well as a social good to be achieved in our schools? I think the answers are clear, and our new magazine needs to find ways to say so.

Brother Brendan Kneale, FSC Provincialate Community Napa, California

Good News from Tijuana

I want to say that all the students and the Patronato people are very happy with the article on Centro La Salle (Winter 2000), and we received it at a wonderful time, because in this part of the year we collect money, here in Tijuana and in other parts of the country. We showed the magazine to many people, and they answered our work with the poor people and gave us wonderful donations. I think it's a great way to explain our mission with the poor.

Brother Alejandro Bunsow, FSC, Director, Centro La Salle Tijuana, Mexico

The Lasallian Adventure

Signs of Faith is yet another "formation tool" helping the Lasallian family to understand itself and its rich possibilities. The feature on Brothers LaSalle, Bertram, and Timothy ("Lasallian Legacy," Winter 2000) helped me to appreciate the quality of the men who have shepherded us to our present-day richness. The feature on Mr. Brady and Mr. Keating and their affiliation with the Institute ("Profiles of Service," Winter 2000) spoke well for the quality of the Partners who have cast their lot with the Lasallian adventure. And the publication of the article on Centro La Salle in both English and Spanish speaks well for the magazine's global involvement and sensitivity. You have an avid reader here.

Brother Jeffrey L. Calligan, FSC, Regional Director of Religious Life Services, Christian Brothers Conference, Landover, Maryland

Newcomers Respond to the Lasallian Mission

As a newcomer to the Lasallian world community, I was inspired and energized at the 1999 Convocation, which you covered in your article "I Am Lasallian!" (Winter 2000). I recently joined Saint Mary's College as Director of the new Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA). CILSA officially opened its doors on September 1, 1999, and is a dynamic reflection of the mission and vision of a Catholic, specifically Lasallian, college like Saint Mary's. Brother Craig Franz, FSC, President, has called on the college to "find ways to provide students with opportunities beyond the classroom to transform understanding into action," and to "model compassionate service that is at the heart of Catholic social thought." In the short time that it has existed, CILSA has galvanized student, faculty, and staff energies for social action projects and ideas. I have been heartened by student involvement in service and by the level of faculty interest in community-based research and social justice coursework. I feel blessed indeed to be part of the Lasallian network.

Janet Luce, Director, Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action, Saint Mary's College of California

. . . another newcomer

I was lured into reading the entire Winter 2000 issue when I opened the magazine and saw the impressive picture of La Salle Pasadena teacher Annie Johnston ("Our Everyday Work"). That story, as well as the features on Centro La Salle and the legacy of three of the District's "heroes," accurately conveys the sense of commitment and zeal I've encountered among Brothers and Partners alike in my short time with the District of San Francisco. The magazine is rapidly becoming an important vehicle for sharing the good news that characterizes all of the District's ministries.

Richard Gray, President, La Salle High School, Pasadena

"Come and See"

In the Convocation article ("I Am Lasallian!" Winter 2000) I was struck by Brother Michael Corry's saying, "You can't love and serve what you don't know." For me, the Convocation was a way in which the Brothers extended their hands and said to us Partners, "Come and see." The role of lay people in the Church is changing dramatically, as evidenced in Lasallian education; successful change will depend on both Brothers and Partners taking initiative to create a vision together. Reading the Convocation article reminded me that we are being called to identify our individual gifts (and limitations) so as to realize how we can each take action to support our Lasallian mission in new, creative, and perhaps radical ways.

Karin McClelland, National Director Lasallian Volunteer Program, Landover, Maryland

From the International Family

Signs of Faith has been read and appreciated by the Brothers and Lasallian Partners here in our sectors of PARC (Pacific-Asian Regional Conference). The beautiful photography and first-person narratives tell "the story" most effectively. We especially appreciate the growing sense of the international Lasallian family you foster by featuring several of our locations and works in past issues. We are equally encouraged and impressed by the accounts of all the various ways in which the District is truly living the Lasallian mission in your context. It is with genuine admiration that we see the efforts being made in so many different ways. The recent featuring of Brothers Timothy, LaSalle, and Bertram (with understandable family bias!) was very well done and provides the example we "younger" members need to be as faithful and zealous as these Brothers continue to be.

Brother Mark Murphy, FSC, for India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar

Where the Real Toil Happens

As a former editor for six years of Contact, the District's old quarterly publication, I applaud Signs of Faith for its depth, quality, and promotion of the Christian Brothers' mission. I like the series on "Our Everyday Work" because it gets down to where the real toil happens -- interaction with students in and out of the classroom. The Winter 2000 article emphasizing the work of the irrepressible Brother Camillus Chavez and lay Partners Annie Johnston and Marshall Foletta reminded me of the contributions of so many, many people working quietly and unselfishly in the mission. Keep up these wonderful sketches; you have many to choose from in the schools. As a member of Les Amis des Freres (former Brothers), I urge you to keep up the good work.

Pat O'Brien, Retired Educator, Christian Brothers High School, Sacramento, California

Editor's Note: Learn more about Les Amis des Freres on the District Web site at www.delasalle.org.