Lasallian Reflections
First Sunday of Advent
How fitting that the Scripture for this First Sunday of Advent contains the words of Jesus to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert!” And it is in this spirit that we remind ourselves of our dependency on God and that God is so closely involved in our lives. The unknowns in our life make us aware of just how much of our life is lived in the context of mystery – outside our control.
Advent is also the beginning of God’s dependency on us for bringing the divine Word to life. Jesus invites us in Advent to be alert to the signs of his presence in the unfolding mystery of our own lives. In his Third Meditation for the Time of Retreat, De La Salle tells us “All the good that you are able to do in your work for those entrusted to you will be true and effective only insofar as Jesus Christ gives it his blessing and as you remain united with him.” How important it is for us to get into the habit of watching for Christ in his daily comings. Keeping vigil for Christ’s coming may be difficult at times and we may be tempted to give up hope that Christ can or will come. And we may feel keenly the absence of God. But, in our patience through the darkness, we have the spiritual strength to stay alert and wait for the dawn of Christ’s coming.
And we must be alert. God needs us to keep our eyes wide open so that we can see those who are discouraged and help them by being a light in the dark of their night; a comforting hand on a troubled shoulder; a guide to one who is lost.
Let us pray…
Lord Jesus,
help me to stay awake,
to look at what I have and be grateful for it.
Let me see myself
for what I really am and celebrate – or reform.
Let me be sensitive to the realities around me
so that I may live the present moment
watchful and alert
and thus be more at peace
about the unknown next moment. Amen
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus
Prepared by Brother Timothy Dean, FSC
Advent, 2008
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Brothers of the Christian Schools
District of Baltimore
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BROTHER MICHAEL PHILLIPS, FSC
1912 - 2008
Born John Joseph Phillips, Jr. in Youngstown, OH on August 7, 1912.
Died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ on November 3, 2008.
Entered the Ammendale Novitiate on September 2, 1930.
Received the Religious Habit and Name Festus Michael on December 7, 1930.
Pronounced perpetual vows in Ocean City, NJ in 1937.
ASSIGNMENTS:
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1931-1932
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Eddington, PA
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Scholasticate
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1932-1938
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Philadelphia, PA
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West Catholic Boys High: teacher
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1938-1940
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Ammendale, MD
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Novitiate staff
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1940-1941
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Quebec, CANADA
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District of Quebec: teacher
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1941-1942
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Ammendale, MD
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Novitiate staff
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1942-1943
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Philadelphia, PA
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West Catholic Boys High: teacher
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1943-1945
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Washington, D.C.
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St. John’s College High: teacher
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1945-1946
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Philadelphia, PA
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West Catholic Boys High: teacher
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1946-1950
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Eddington, PA
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St. Francis Vocational: prefect
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1950-1953
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Washington, D.C.
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St. John’s College High: teacher
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1953-1954
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Eddington, PA
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St. Francis Vocational: prefect
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1954-1955
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Orange, NJ
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St. John’s School: teacher
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1955-1970
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Ammendale, MD
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Chauffeur
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1970-1993
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Pittsburgh, PA
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Central Catholic High: driver education
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1993-2004
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Ammendale, MD
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Retired
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2004-2008
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Lincroft, NJ
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De La Salle Hall: retired
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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Viewing at La Salle Hall, Ammendale: 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Thursday, November 6, 2008
9:30 am Viewing at La Salle Hall, Ammendale
11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial
Followed by interment at the Brothers’ cemetery
SUFFRAGES FOR OUR DECEASED BROTHER:
District: 100 masses
De La Salle Hall community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Michael died peacefully at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft. For the past month he was kept comfortable by the De La Salle Hall staff and hospice personnel. May he rest in peace.
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Brothers of the Christian Schools
BROTHER LEWIS MULLIN
1927 – 2008
Born John Joseph Mullin, Jr. in Philadelphia, PA on January 3, 1927.
Died at Sanctuary at Holy Cross, Burtonsville, MD on October 19, 2008
Entered the Ammendale Juniorate on June 18, 1943.
Entered the Ammendale Novitiate on June 11, 1945.
Received the Religious Habit and Name of Geffrey Lewis on September 7, 1945.
Pronounced perpetual vows at Ammendale, MD on August 29, 1952.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1946-1950 Washington, D.C. De La Salle College: scholasticate
1950-1962 Washington, D.C. St. John’s College H S: teacher, guidance
1962-1965 Miami, FL La Salle-Immaculata H S: teacher, guidance
1965-1966 Canton, OH Central Catholic H S: teacher, guidance
1966-1977 Wyndmoor, PA La Salle College H S: teacher, guidance
1977-1982 Philadelphia, PA La Salle College: admissions director
1982-1984 Jersey City, NJ Hudson Catholic H S: guidance
1984-1993 Radnor, PA Archbishop Carroll H S: guidance
1993-1994 Ammendale, MD Holy Family Community: retired
1994-2003 Philadelphia, PA La Salle University: retired
2003-2008 Ammendale, MD La Salle Hall: retired
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Viewing at La Salle Hall, Ammendale: 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
9:30 am Viewing at La Salle Hall, Ammendale
11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial
followed by interment at the Brothers’ cemetery
SUFFRAGES FOR DECEASED BROTHER:
District: 50 masses
Ammendale community: 30 masses
Each community in the District: 1 mass
Brother Lewis died peacefully in his sleep at Sanctuary at Holy Cross after a lengthy illness from complications due to diabetes. Lew has no surviving relatives. His brother, Frank, died exactly two weeks before Lew. May they rest in peace.
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