Our
cover story celebrates a new miracle in the District of San Francisco
– nineteen youngsters in new school uniforms, and the teachers,
administrators, staff, and community who care for them and educate them
as the first sixth-grade class of De Marillac Middle School in San Francisco.
A visit to the Tenderloin area of that city will evidence why De Marillac
is a sign of hope and promise in these childrens' lives. Truly, this
new school is a sign of faith, and I ask for the prayers and
support of every Brother and Lasallian Partner in the District for the
success of the new venture.
Half
a world away, miracles are taking place in Vietnam, despite significant
obstacles. In a visit to that country in December 2001, I was privileged
to witness the great faith and zeal with which the Brothers and Lasallian
Sisters continue to bring the Good News to the people of Vietnam through
the education of young people.
"Live,
Jesus, in our hearts, forever," resounds from the Tenderloin to
Vietnam, from Bethlehem to Pakistan, from Central America to Australia,
from New York to California. The San Francisco District is blessed to
be able to provide needed support to help ensure that miracles continue
to happen.
Our
dedication to the Lasallian mission continues to move our District forward.
The Vision Wallcreated at our October 1999 District Convocation,
and included in this issue, reminds us of our hope for what could be,
and celebrates what has been accomplished.
New
facilities on virtually every District campus are testimony not only
to our strong heritage of quality education, but to the hard
work of many, the generosity of donors, and not least, to the patience
of teachers and students whose teaching and learning takes place in
the midst of bulldozers and cement mixers. On these campuses and in
these buildings, the real miracle of our schools and ministries takes
place every day – the miracle of education.
To
provide even greater access to education in the Catholic, Lasallian
tradition, District schools have committed to increased financial and
academic assistance for young people whose family and socio-economic
circumstances would otherwise keep them from it. The response of school
administrators in fulfilling this commitment has been tremendous, in
spite of incumbent challenges.
During
the next several months, the District will be further animated by the
historical traditions of the De La Salle Christian Brothers as the Eleventh
District Chapter convenes in October 2002, and the appointment of a
new Visitor takes place in January 2003. History will be made in July
2002, with the first-ever District Assembly on Mission at Saint Mary's
College of California in Moraga. In keeping with directives of the Brothers'
43rd General Chapter in Rome in 2000, delegate Brothers and Partners
will come together to assess the needs of our District and the ways
in which we will respond to those needs over the coming years. As representatives
of all who minister in the work of Lasallian education on the West Coast,
Assembly delegates will work to secure the future of the Lasallian educational
mission in the District of San Francisco. Together, we will prepare
the way for new and greater miracles.
