2002 News Archive

The annual tri-District Lasallian Chief Administrators Workshop, held for the first time from September 22 to 24 at the Split Rock Resort in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, received rave reviews from those in attendance. The attendance was up over 20 % when compared to the last two years. A total of 36 administrators (17 from the Baltimore District, 11 from the Long Island—New England District, and 8 from the New York District) benefited from the timely and excellent presentations on legal issues in Catholic education, opportunities to share concerns and best practices and to hold individual District business meetings.

Several reasons for the positive praise can be noted. First, the presenter, Sr. Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D., was outstanding. Sr. Mary Angela is a Sister of Charity of Nazareth who has taught at all levels of Catholic Education from elementary through graduate school. She has served on several White House Committees through the U.S. Department of Education, and in 1997 was named one of the 25 most influential persons in Catholic education over the past 25 years. A much-sought-after speaker and author of over twenty books, Sr. Mary Angela highlighted during her four sessions the most recent cases affecting Catholic education, pointed out dozens of areas administrators often overlook as potential legal liabilities and entertained numerous specific questions of the administrators.

Additional reasons for the increased interest in this workshop this year include the location, which was switched from Ocean City to the Poconos, and the time of the year, which was moved from July to September. The remarks on every single evaluation supported a continuation of this tri-District gathering and numerous Participant commented on the tremendous value of cross-District networking.

Permalink

Brother Lawrence J. Colhocker, FSC
1936-2002

Born Lawrence Joseph Colhocker in Pittsburgh, PA on June 7, 1936. He entered the Ammendale novitiate on Jun 15, 1954. He received the Religious Habit and Name of Dominic Lawrence on September 7, 1954 and pronounced perpetual vows at La Salle High on August 17, 1961.

He died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ on December 16, 2002.

Assignments:

1955–1959, Elkins Park, PA—Anselm Hall scholasticate

1959–1966, Washington, DC—St. John’s College High: teacher

1966–1972, Cumberland, MD—Bishop Walsh High: principal, director

1972–1973, Philadelphia, PA—Study; Spring Garden residence

1973–1974, Philadelphia, PA—West Catholic; Spring Garden residence

1974–1979, Audubon, PA—St. Gabriel Hall; community director

1979–1981, Philadelphia, PA—Study; La Salle Univ. residence

1981–2002, Philadelphia, PA—La Salle University: teacher

2002, Lincroft, NJ—De La Salle Hall: convalescence

Funeral Arrangements:

Thursday, December 19, 2002
Viewing at La Salle University chapel: 2-4 and 7-8 PM
Mass of Christian Burial: 8 PM

Friday, December 20, 2002
Viewing at Ammendale: 11 AM, followed by burial in the Brothers’ cemetery.

Brother Lawrence entered hospice care at De La Salle Hall after undergoing cancer treatment for several years. He died peacefully in mid-morning. He is survived by his sister Nancy (Mrs. Samuel Proco).

May he rest in peace.

Permalink

When the members of the Regional Education Board, during their fall 2001 meeting, began tossing around the idea of focusing on the arts for the 2002 Huether Lasallian Workshop, they couldn’t have possibly imagined what an uplifting celebratory event it would be.

From November 21–23 in Chicago, the Huether Lasallian Workshop came alive thanks to an extremely creative planning team, the over 200 teachers of the arts and administrators, and dozens of student performers. The theme of “Visual and Performing Arts Education and the Lasallian Mission” provided the context to make the annual U.S./Toronto Region workshop an unforgettable and inspirational experience.

Traveling from as far away as Berkeley (CA), Providence, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and as close as the Southside of Chicago, the student performers and their directors dazzled their audiences with performances of energetic dance, lively music, melodic choirs, humorous drama and even eye-opening performance poetry. In a makeshift gallery, art enthusiasts were treated to magnificent student work, including pieces from Calvert Hall, West Catholic (below, right; from Leonard Raines) and La Salle University (below, left; from Melissa Comber). La Salle College High School’s Jazz Band and strings section played to rave reviews on several occasions.

An extremely valuable exchange of best practices with regards to arts education took place both during formal breakout sessions and particularly as arts educators and administrators networked informally throughout the three days. The Best Practices Sessions were broken down into five groups: Visual Arts, Drama and Dance, New Media, Music, and Administration of Arts Programs.

Members of the Baltimore District conducted three of the breakout sessions. “Put Yours Hands On. This is a Flick UP” was the title of a presentation by Br. Gerry Molyneaux, FSC, and Sidney MacLeod, AFSC, both from the Communications Department of La Salle University. They led the participants through a creative examination of ways to integrate film and TV clips into a stimulating learning experience.

La Salle University also supplied the presenters for another breakout session, entitled “Envisioning the Future.” Sandy Camomile, an Assistant Professor in the Digital Arts and Multimedia Design Program, and Sabrina De Turk, the Assistant Provost, employed stunning examples of student work and an effective hands-on exercise to introduce the innovative concepts of La Salle University’s Digital Arts and Multimedia Design program, which integrates arts and technology curriculum with the liberal arts core of the institution.

At still another session, Joseph Ciccimaro, the Director of Music at La Salle College High School, shared his wealth of experience accumulated throughout his more than forty years as a music educator and professional muscian. He spoke onwhat it takes to initiate, develop and sustain an instrumental performance program.

At the workshop, the Region officially recognized Br. Richard Buccina, FSC, from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, as the Baltimore District’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator for 2002-03. Br. Richard is the chairperson of the Fine Arts Department and art teacher at West Catholic, as well as an outstanding accomplished artist himself. (He is pictured seated above, with Br. Bob Schieler, FSC, standing to the left and Br. Kevin Dalmasse, FSC.) He was honored for, among other things, his firmness and compassion in his interaction with his students, his ability to motivate his students to gain an appreciation for and develop a talent in the arts, his tremendous involvement in school programs and activities, and his characteristic unceasing generosity and even-temperedness.

The keynote address, which began to bring closure to the event, was given by Br. Michael McKenery, the President of La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. His insightful and informative words produced an eruption of applause and an echo of requests for a copy of his speech. It has been posted at the Christian Brothers Conference website. (Click here to download a copy of the address: http://www.cbconf.org/cbc.nsf/newsview/E0203F14ED88261686256C7D000DD95F.)

By the end of the three days, no participant could refute that the arts are or should be essential components of an authentic Lasallian education. (For additional photos, click here: http://www.cbconf.org/cbc.nsf/PhotoAlbum?OpenPage.)

Permalink

The consensus of the participants at the 16th annual Lasallian Educator Workshop, which took place from November 4–6, 2002, was that the workshop was, to borrow a few words from the evaluations, “valuable,” “reaffirming” and very “relaxing.” Some of the positive feedback certainly is the result of the comfortable setting of the Christian Brothers Spiritual Center in Adamstown, MD. The participants ended up relishing the opportunity to rejuvenate by getting away from their busy lives to reflect on working in a Lasallian school or agency and simply winding down.

Nevertheless, the stellar presenters, Br. Brian Henderson, FSC, the Director of St. Gabriel’s Hall, and Mr. Ray Ricci, the Vice-President for Enrollment Services at La Salle University, deserve the bulk of the credit for the superior evaluations. Br. Brian and Ray (pictured above from left to right, respectively) addressed a wide-range of topics from an overview of St. La Salle’s story, the Christian Brothers and the Lasallian Mission, to Lasallian Association, to the Characteristics of Lasallian schools, and the “Twelve Virtues of a Good Teacher.” With colorful examples and complementary presentation styles, the Henderson/Ricci team affectively informed, formed and challenged the participants. Their unquestionable passion for and faith-filled belief in the Lasallian mission was contagious.

The diversity of the eleven paricipants, in terms of the schools or agencies they represented and number of years in service to those schools or agencies, brought interesting perspectives and increased the awareness of the breadth of the apostolates in the Baltimore District. In the photo below, pictured from left to right, Jeremy Bryant (the San Miguel School in Washington, DC), Mary Ann Lloyd (Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh), and Bob Spear (De La Salle Vocational) share their reflections on their varied experience.

Permalink

[In the photo above, presenter Sr. Maria Ciriello, O.P., is surrouned by six Baltimore District participants: seated, from left to right, Ann Hilgartner (Calvert Hall), Br. Patrick Cassidy (Hudson Catholic), Sr. Maria, Jeff Mancabelli (St. John’s), and Phil Forte (Cardinal Gibbons); standing, from left to right, Chris Barczak and Lou Heidrick, both from Calvert Hall.]

Sr. Maria Ciriello, O.P., Dean of the Education Department at Portland University, led the Lasallian Leadership Institute participants through an in-depth analysis of the survey instrument found in the book Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. Prior to the October 25–27 session at the Mary Immaculate Center in Northampton, PA, the participants read the book and then took the on-line survey called the Strengths Finder Profile. The essential point of the book and Sr. Maria’s presentations was that one ought to identify and maximize his or her authentic strengths to achieve his or her fullest potential.

In addition to this very introspective element of the session, the particpants spent a significant amount of time in groups arranged by local school or agency, by similar institutions from the three east coast districts and then by individual district too. Successes, struggles, and challenges were discussed as the participants continued to strive to integrate their formative LLI experience into thier personal and professional lives.

This completes the second session of the third year of the LLI. During the summer week-long session, Br. Fred Mueller, FSC (LI-NE District), and Br. Peter Bray, FSC (New Zealand), effectively kicked off the third year theme of “Lasallian Leadership in the Educational Community”. Br. Fred is pictured to the left in the photo above.

Permalink

Br. Nicolas Capelle, FSC, the Secretary for the Educational Mission for the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, toured a few sites in the Baltimore District in mid-October. He first visited St. John’s College High School and the new San Miguel middle school division of St. John’s. A few days later he toured the San Miguel School in Camden, NJ and Br. Rousseau Academy, a component of the St. Gabriel’s System.

The primary purpose of his visit was to become better acquainted with the education mission in the United States/Toronto Region, especially with regards to new initiatives. Br. Nicolas is particularly interested in the success of the San Miguel schools and other schools or agencies in direct service of the poor. (For more information about the San Miguel Schools, check out this website: miguel-schools.org.) Br. Nicolas also visited schools and Brothers communities in the Long-Island New England, New York and Midwest Districts. He finished his tour by attending the Lasallian Leadership Institute’s fall weekend session in the Midwest.

In the photos, Br. Nicolas creates an instant rapport with the 8th-grade students from The San Miguel in Camden. They are facinated by Br. Nicolas, a French Brother who speaks fluent Spanish and resides in Rome.

Permalink

All twelve participants at the Vice-Principals for Academic Affairs Workshop took full advantage of the annual mid-October gathering in Ocean City, NJ. The excellent guest speaker this year was Mr. Paul Homer, the Director of the Christian Service Program at the Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, NY. (Paul is the last person on the right in the photo above.) Paul shared the wisdom he has gained through his thirteen years as Director of the program and his role as the current National Chair of service programs for Jesuit high schools. He thoroughly explained the details and philosophy of Fordham Prep’s stellar service program, which includes a four-year service requirement for all students and culminates with a 70-hour requirement during the senoir year. Though types of service project vary tremendously, the approval of a project is always based on the Gospel definition of helping others who are in remarkable need. He affectively described the profound impact the serivce has on the students as well as the active faculty who are involved. Finally Paul stressed the critical importance of reflection, especially with regard to relationships developed, in achieving the goals of the personal growth and learning about social justice issues.

During the business meeting, Br. Kevin Dalmasse updated the administrators on the developments of the District’s strategic plan. Also on the agenda were discussions on academic integrity, advanced placement courses and how they fit in, required number of courses per year, SAT/PSAT preparation, incorporation of writing across the curriculum, academic advising and scheduling. The opportunity to share ideas and best practices, to socialize with colleagues from across the District, and to enjoy the Jersey shore in early fall, makes this workshop particulary popular.

Before departing, Mr. Paul Homer led the administrators in reciting St. Ignatious Loyola’s Prayer for Generosity.

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous;
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and nnot to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.
Amen.

Permalink

Brother Stephen F. Paul, FSC
1910–2002

Born Francis Joseph Paul in Wheeling, WV on August 19, 1910. He entered the Ammendale Juniorate on June 26, 1923 and later entered the Ammendale Novitiate on June 28, 1926. He received the Religious Habit and Name of David Stephen on September 7, 1926 and pronounced perpetual vows at Ocean Rest, NJ in 1935. He died at De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ on October 5, 2002.

1927-1929, Ammendale, MD Scholasticate

1929–1931, Washington, DC De La Salle College: scholasticate

1931–1937, Washington, DC St. John’s College: teacher

1937–1938, Ammendale, MD La Salle Hall Juniorate: faculty

1938–1939, Rome, Italy Second Novitiate

1939–1941, Eddington, PA St. Francis Vocational School: teacher

1941–1947, Philadelphia, PA La Salle High School: teacher

1947–1962, Audubon, PA St. Gabriel’s Hall: perfect, teacher

1962–1999, Cumberland, MD Bishop Walsh School: teacher

1999–2001, Ammendale, MD La Salle Hall: retired

2001–2002, Lincroft, NJ De La Salle Hall: convalescence

Br. Stephen is survived by Br. Herman Paul, FSC—his brother, and his sisters Betty Smith of Wheeling, WV and Martha Carl of Shadyside, OH, and by four nieces and nephews.

May he rest in peace.

Permalink

 

On Saturday, September 21, 2002, nearly 150 Brothers, lay colleagues, friends, and family gathered at La Salle University for the annual General Assembly of the District, or GAD. The focus of the meeting was the strategic planning process underway since January, with particular emphasis on the Mission and Ministry of the Baltimore District.

The day began with a morning prayer that incorporated a ritual formally welcoming Brother Peter Thang Nguyen to the scholastic residency program at Jeremy House. Brother Robert Schieler, the Visitor, greeted the day’s participants and introduced the keynote speaker for the morning, Father Anthony Gittins, CSSp. Father Gittins, a professor of missiology at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, gave an inspirational address challenging all Lasallians to be faithful to our ministries because they are God’s work, God’s mission.

The afternoon plenary session provided an opportunity for the Brothers and 15 of their lay colleagues to discuss more thoroughly the report of the Mission and Ministry task group, and to provide helpful feedback. Rob Peach, a sophomore at La Salle University and an aspirant, brought the afternoon session to closure with an excellent report on his summer activities that included his participation in Quebec 2002, a gathering of young Lasallians prior to World Youth Day in Toronto.

The day concluded with a joyful Eucharistic Liturgy celebrating the first vows profession of Brothers Don Alger and Owen Schugsta. Among those who attended the Mass were members of the Alger and Schugsta families, some Brothers from the San Francisco District, and several affiliated members. Following the Mass, the participants enjoyed a very fine social and dinner served capably and well by La Salle University’s catering department.

Permalink

The six task groups (Vocations, Mission and Ministry, Community Life, Association, District Structures, and Development) gathering data and analyzing our current situation met at St. Mary Immaculate Center in Northampton, PA last August 12-14, 2002. The purpose of the gathering was to hear and critique the group’s preliminarly reports and recommendations. Joining the task group members for this important session were eight guests, including six board members: General William Burns (La Salle University), Robert Lepczyk (Calvert Hall), Michael McCarthy (La Salle High), Robert Moran (La Salle High), and Philip Mudd (St. John’s).

Based on the two days of discussion, including a panel discussion with invited board members and guests, Dr. Marisa Guerin, the consultant to the District on this project, surfaced four fundamental themes or issues that appeared to emerge from the collective reporting:

1. Embracing Shared Mission;
2. Continued dedication to serving the poor
3. Vitality of Community Life
4. District Apostolates as sponsored ministries rather than corporate commitments.

The next major gathering where the strategic planning process will be discussed is the General Assembly of the District in September.

Pictured below from left to right are Br. Tim Ahern (Hudson Catholic), Br. Visitor Bob Schieler, Br. Colman Coogan (Cental Catholic), Mrs. Mary Jo Smith (La Salle High) and consultant Dr. Marisa Guerin.

Permalink

On April 25–27, 2002, the Brother Community Directors from the Baltimore, Long Island/New England, and New York Districts, and the Delegation of Toronto gathered in Eatontown, NJ for their annual workshop. In attendance were forty-two directors, the three District Visitors and the President of the delegation. (Pictured in the photo above are Br. Mark Brown, FSC, from the West Catholic Community; Br. Brendan Garwood, FSC, from the La Salle High School Community; Br. Martin Zewe, FSC, from one of the St. John’s Communities; and Br. Bob Schieler, FSC, Visitor of the Baltimore District.)

The theme of this year’s workshop was The Dynamics of Effective Community Life; The Role of Leadership. Br. Loughlan Sofield, S.T., an international speaker and author of several books on community and collaboration in ministry, was the presenter. He offered the Directors many useful suggestions and new approaches to enhance community living. Among the topics he addressed, included: management, faith-sharing in community, and intimacy as the heart of community. the Directors found him to be “on target; very practical, based on theological and psychological insight—and lived experience”.

On the last day of the workshop the De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ hosted the Directors to a superb lunch.

Permalink

A workshop for the senior Christian Brothers was held April 10–12 at the Golden Inn in Avalon, New Jersey. What started out as a Baltimore District workshop developed into an East Coast workshop. There were two participants from the Toronto District, two from the New York District, five from the Long Island—New England District, and fifteen from the Baltimore District.

The presenters were Br. Peter Iorlando, Auxiliary Visitor of the LI-NE District, and Dr. Frank Ladato, a psychologist and former professor at Manhattan College. Both presenters were excellent. They were able to give a lot of substance in a very non-threatening manner. Both presenters were very skilled at getting maximum participation by all the Brothers.

Some of the comments on the evaluations by the Brothers were: “great”, “very good”, “excellent style and mannerism was outstanding”, “a great learning experience,” and “insights were very helpful.”

Dr. Ladato suggested that his phone number be sent to all the participants, and he would be glad to assist them in any way he could.

Since the four districts were represented, one suggestion was that future sites could be more conveniently located.

(Submitted by Br. Hugh Maguire, FSC)

Permalink

Eleven Lasallians from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh spent an unusual “retreat” weekend in the Laurel Mountains. Designed by Mary Ann Lloyd, a Buttimer Institute ‘01 graduate, the weekend was billed as a “getaway” and made available to all faculty and even spouses. Partially underwritten by a grant from District’s McShain Endowment, the weekend allowed time for relaxation, educational dialogue, community building activities, and a focus on key concepts of Lasallian spirituality.

The model, now in the process of being refined, will eventually be available for interested Lasallian groups. Final adaptations and additions will then be able to offer a handbook or resource for those interested in activating and/or initiating our Shared Mission in the Lasallian community.

What does a “getaway” weekend look like Pittsburgh-style? “Lots of food,” Mary Ann said, “and a variety of activities that are both interesting and carry a message.” A walk in the highlands for the Stations of the Cross was very meaningful to many. Each person was asked to write a brief personal anecdote relative to the assigned station, following by a prayer. When to stop along the way was the choice of each person as well. “The whole thing took less than an hour but the richness of each person’s connection to the passion was both humbling and inspiring”, she said.

Participants were able to enjoy a tour of the museum and chapel at the Antichian Village complex that is sponsored by the Orthodox churches of America. Learning about icons proved to be a surprising treat. The “Masks We Wear” was actually a study in St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideas concerning self-abnegation and mortification. Another Central teacher, Mary Ann Shablousky guided folks through a mask-making session replete with plaster of Paris casts done for each person. “We addressed the issue of ‘dying to oneself’ as a process of eliminating the many masks that we are called to wear in our lives,” Lloyd stated.

“A shared mission is both personal and apostolic. The acceptance of ourselves as Apostles or ambassadors of Christ occurs in and of the world we live in. That world is replete with the ‘junk’ of our lives. Sometimes we just have to begin with a mental housekeeping that asks us to ‘get away’ from that life by ‘going away… We’ll do it again.’”

Permalink

The second year of the three-year Lasallian Leadership Institute concluded after a mid-March weekend session at the Don Bosco Retreat Center in West Haverstraw, NY. The presenter was Br. Michael Meister, the Assistant Academic Vice President at St. Mary’s College of California. He passionately broke open the 1967-document A Declaration and stimulated numerous small-group and large-group conversations. As the smiles above and below indicate, this very tight-knit group is looking forward to their third and final week-long summer session this July at La Salle University.

In this photo, Janice Beitz (La Salle University), Phil Forte (Cardinal Gibbons), John “Doc” Holiday (De La Salle in Towne), Gary Meyerl (Cardinal Gibbons), Fred Assaf (La Salle High), Marianne Gauss (La Salle University), Chris Barzack (Calvert Hall), and two other fellow Lasallians from the Long Island-New England District show off their spirit with a spontaneaous “LLI” hand gesture.

Permalink

Congratulations goes out to Br. Kevin Erb who on March 16, 2002 celebrated the 50th anniversary of his religious consecration! The jubilee was held at Nativity Catholic Church in Washington, DC, with a reception following at St. John’s College High School. Br. Kevin continues to serve the Baltimore District as the Director of the Ammendale Community of retired Brothers.

Permalink

From La Salle High’s website—www.lschs.org:

On March 17, 2002, La Salle College High School dedicated it’s new music and athletic building (shown above), and new science labs, and re-dedicated the original campus classroom building to Brother Francis Mc Lean, Founding Principal of the Belcroft Campus.

More than 300 faithful La Salle Family, Friends, & Alumni gathered to celebrate the dedication of the new building. Msgr. John C. Marine, Vicar for Montgomery County, brought greetings from Cardinal Bevilacqua. Brother Robert Schieler, Visitor of the Baltimore Province of the Christian Brothers, gave the call to worship. Br. Rene Sterner thanked members of the Board of Trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends for their efforts during the campaign. John Paul spoke for the Board of Trustees in thanking the entire community for their hard work.

Permalink

The President of St. Mary’s College of California, Br. Craig J. Franz, FSC, a Brother of the Baltimore District, conferred a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership, Honoris Causa, upon Brother Miguel A. Campos, FSC, S.T.D., also a Brother of the Baltimore District, at the College’s annual Convocation on Tuesday, February 19, at noon in the Saint Mary’s Chapel.

Click here to read an expanded article in SMC On-Line Magazine about Br. Miguel Campos.

Permalink

Brother James Miller, FSC
(1945–1982)

February 13, 2002 will mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Brother James Miller, FSC. Born in Wisconsin in 1945, he taught high school in the Midwest for several years before going to Nicaragua. Then he went to Guatemala where he taught English, religion and Guatemalan art to secondary students. Aware of the oppression of the indigenous peoples of Guatemala and of their need to be trained both in job skills and leadership skills, Br. James helped to begin an experimental farm where indigenous students learned agricultural methods and improvements. More importantly, Br. James prepared native leaders for rural areas who would work for collective development in their villages.

On February 13, 1982 Br. James was shot and killed by four masked gunmen while mending a wall outside the Casa Indigena Huehueteca where he worked.

At the website for the Midwest District of the Brother of the Christian Schools, one can find available for downloading a prayer service to celebrate the life of Br. James, an icon available for purchase, and additional information including what some schools are planning in commemoration of the anniversary.

The Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, sponsors annually an event during which a special award is given out to someone from the diocese: The Brother James Miller Social Justice Award. This year the event will take place at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point on Brother James Miller Day—February 10, 2002.

Brother Paul Joslin, FSC, a Baltimore District Brother, will be a guest speaker during a panel discussion at that event. Br. Paul lived and worked with Br. James in Guatemala at the time of his assassination. To dowload Br. Paul’s speech, which celebrates the life of Br. James and chronicles his untimely death, click here.

Br. Paul concludes his speech by quoting Archbishop Roach who said that Brother James (Santiago) “took young people from the hills that had no chance and gave them a combination of hope and life…I hope that others (like you and I) will rise up to take the young by the hand and lead them to freedom.”

Permalink

From January 10–13 over 55 aspirants, Brothers and Brothers in formation from all the Brothers’ Districts in the United States, gathered at Mt. Alvernia Retreat House in Wappinger Falls, NY for the annual Regional Vocation Assembly. 17 aspirants and Brothers from the Baltimore District participated in the weekend assembly.

Each year, young men considering the Brothers’ vocation gather with Brothers who are new to formation as well as with Brothers who are active in the mission to discuss and pray together as part of the discernment process. This year the assembly focused on the theme of the rights of children and the Lasallian mission of education. Participants gathered for small group discussions that allowed for reflection on the topic and how it speaks to everyone’s faith journey. Each of the aspirants was paired with a Brother for individual mentoring sessions to help with the discernment process.

Through the presentations, prayers, discussions and fraternal sharing all who participated gained a fresh perspective on God’s call to service as a Brother of the Christian Schools. There was even enough time for a game or two of pick-up basketball!

Permalink

In the photo above and to the right, Br. Pat shares a laugh with a few students from Centro La Salle.

During Vocation Awareness Week, Br. Bob Schaefer and Br. Pat Duffy were invited by the Lasallian Alumni Association in Miami to come to the Archdiocese to make presentations on the Brothers’ vocation. (In the photo above, Br. Bob, on the right, and Br. Pat, on the left, pose with Bishop Roman, auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami, at the Vocation Congress.) The two Baltimore District Brothers were joined in Miami by Br. Emiliano Diez, vocation director for the District of the Antillas, which is centered in the Dominican Republic and includes Puerto Rico and Cuba. The three Brothers participated in a variety of activities: the vocation congress with the Archdiocese of Miami, visits to youth and young adult groups in parishes, presentations at Belen Jesuit Preparatory and two days at Centro Educativo De La Salle. Centro Educativo De La Salle is an after-school tutoring center located in the South Dade Labor Camp and serves the children of migrant workers, most of whom are from Mexico. The center is sponsored and operated by lay men who are alums of the Brothers schools in Cuba and are committed to the Lasallian charism of educational service to the poor.”

Permalink

Br. Erminus Joseph Melofchik, FSC, the Dean of the U.S./Toronto Region, celebrated his 98th birthday on January 23rd. Not only is he the oldest Brother in English-speaking North America, he is the fourth oldest De La Salle Christian Brother in the world! Br. Erminus Joseph is the former long-time Director of Novices for the Baltimore District and former Secretary General of the Region. He is now in residence at the De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, NJ. He is pictured here in a 1995 photo.

Permalink

On 7 December 2001, the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) hosted the 4th annual U.N. Student Conference on Human Rights. Six students from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and their moderator, Br. Ernest Miller, FSC, travled to Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia to participate (via a live video hookup organized by Global Education Motivators) in the conference.

The six students from Central Catholic are members of the Central Catholic Amnesty International chapter, CCHRIST (Central Catholic Human Rights Initiative for Societal Transformation). CCHRIST aims to animate their local community by increasing awareness and understanding of human rights in the world, and in the end, aims to inspire others to believe that they can make a difference, and leave the world a little bit better than they found it.

Why did CCHRIST participate in the conference? First, this conference was an opportunity for human rights education. The experience provided students with an opportunity not only to learn about issues but also how to advocate in the public square. Second, it is a part of our on-going response to the Gospel’s call to the worldwide Lasallian community to make the defense of the rights of children an integral part of the educational mission.

The theme of the one-day conference was “Acknowledging Diversity and Promoting Respect: Fostering a Dialogue Among Civilizations”. The conference provided the opportunity for the students to learn more about the United Nations, to find out what other young people around the world are doing to promote human rights, and to develop a Plan of Action related to this year’s theme that will be distributed to young people around the world.

Thirty student delegates from the United States, Canada, and Mexico were chosen to meet at U.N. Headquarters in New York City on December 6th to draft a Plan of Action related to this year’s theme. On December 7th, student participants worlds apart were connected by high-speed telephone lines on video monitors to the student drafting committee and U.N. personnel in New York. Among the countries represented were Egypt, Mexico, Canada, Sierra Leone, and the United States.

Two Central Catholic students, both team leaders for CCHRIST, addressed all the global participants during two different sessions. 

To read Joe Balestrino’s ‘03, speech, click here.

The entire conference is archived, including video webcasts, at http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/.

Permalink

Brother Patrick Ellis has published a book that is both memoir and advocacy, pleading the cause of teaching, while building on the sacredness of the human person. The framework of this book is two-tiered, American and Catholic. Though far from perfect, our teaching practice is a great gift to the world, and its Catholic component crowns it with unique completeness.

Any good school is a wonderful human phenomenon. A good school animated by faith is much, much more. This book is recommended for those considering teaching, and for those long since immersed in it who may relish new insights.

Brother Patrick has been an active educator since 1951. After graduating from Catholic University, as a Christian Brother in training, he began teaching at West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys, at the same time attending the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Ph.D. in English in 1960.

In thirty years at La Salle University and six years at Catholic University, Brother Pat never fully left teaching. He served as President of La Salle (16 years) and President of Catholic University (6 years) while serving on many boards and associations (religious, academic and civic).

For a copy of the book Called To Educate: The Person is Forever (120 pages—$10.00) by Br. Patrick Ellis, FSC, order directly from Key of David Publications.

Mail check or credit card number to:
Key of David Publications
204 Haverford Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096

Permalink