27 June 2008

Dear Lasallians

 

On 26th June, at the conclusion of the Sub-District of Myanmar Chapter, Brothers John and Moris professed their First Vows in a ceremony witnessed by the Brothers, their families, priests and religious. First Professions remind us of the fruits of vocations ministry. It is indeed a joy to see candidates professing vows having been on vocations programmes and concluding the postulancy and novitiate stages of formation.

 

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT OF THE PHILIPPINES

 

Summer Camp 2008: 17 young men from 5 District schools and 1 parish participated in the 2008 Summer Camp. La Salle Green Hills, De La Salle University - Manila, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde, De La Salle University - Dasmarinas, De La Salle - Health Sciences Institute were represented in the 3-day event. Brs. Marc Macatangay (La Salle College), Arian Lopez (USLS) and Dominic (Thailand) accompanied the group with the incoming novices from Thailand and the Philippines (Benilde, Francisco and Inigo Riola).

Day 1 and half of Day 2 were spent climbing up, sleeping on and going down Mt. Daguldol in San Juan, Batangas. The rest of Day 2 and the morning of Day 3 was spent in the La Salle Novitiate in Lipa, Batangas. 

The rest of Day 3 was spent in Dasmarinas, Cavite. The Brothers of Dasmarinas hosted the group for lunch at the Residencia. Brs. Gus, Mario and Ceci were there to talk with the participants. The group went around the Museo de la Salle and proceeded to the Health Sciences Institute campus for a short tour of the medical school.

The 2008 Summer Camp was supported by the following schools: De La Salle Zobel, De La Salle Lipa and La Salle Green Hills (transportation); De La Salle Canlubang and La Salle College Antipolo (camping equipment).

 

New Aspirants: Just after a year of existence, the Dasmarinas Brothers' Community recently welcomed two young men into the aspirancy program: Michael Manguerra, 2008 St. La Salle Awardee of DLSU-D and Arch. Tony Gutierrez, College of Engineering and Architecture faculty member. Dan Sanding, a graduate of DLS - Health Sciences Institute, joined the aspirancy program of the Taft Brothers' Community. Francis del Rosario, LSGH alumnus, joined the LasallianFormationCenter* aspirancy program. 

 

Vocations Awareness Activities: Br. Arian has been going around the District Schools for the start-of-the-year orientation sessions with different groups of Lasallians. For college Freshmen, he's visited and talked to the incoming first year students of DLSU-M, DLS-CSB, USLS, DLS-HSI. More than 90% of incoming freshmen are from non-La Salle schools and are not aware of the De La Salle Brothers and their charism. In his sessions with the Freshmen, Br. Arian talks about the Brothers, their origins and roles the play in the Lasallian school. 

Br. Arian also talked to the different college student publication groups, teachers of District and Supervised Schools and student leaders about the Lasallian Mission and Vocations   

During the first few weeks of school, the Brothers have gone around the District schools to welcome the students. The Brother Presidents in several fora have welcomed teachers and students to the new school year. Brs. Ceci, Alex, Sockie, Dante, Dennis and Marc have been going around different year levels visiting classrooms and saying hello to the students. (Pictures may be viewed at lasallebro.multiply.com, arweefsc.multiply.com, broceci.multiply.com)

 

On-line promotions: The De La Salle Brothers are on Multiply.com (lasallebro.multiply.com), Facebook and Friendster. Aside from the official website (www.lasallian.ph), various social networking sites have proven very useful in getting in touch with students. Given the large disparity between the number of Brothers (around 48) to students (close to 100,000), these sites have enabled the Brothers to reach a wider range of students and to make themselves "present" to them.

 

Thanks to Br Arian for the above report.

 

VOCATIONS PROGRAM 2008

Miguel House, Faisalabad.

June 8th to 11th.

 

The annual “Come and see” program was conducted at Miguel House of Formation from 8th to 11th of June 2008. This program, which was organizes by the Formation staff with the assistance of the Novices and Aspirants, was attended by 18 young men from different parishes in Punjab. They assembled in Miguel House on the evening of Sunday 8th of June. They were welcomed by Br. Shahzad, Delegation President and Director of Formation, and the program which followed was both enlightening and successful.

 

On Monday morning Br. Shahzad introduced the three program leaders, Br. Shahid, Br. Qumar and Br. Moon, to the group. Our thanks are due to those three young Brothers for their contributions, which made the entire experience so successful. Br. Shahzad explained the nature and purpose of the program – to discern the will of God and what God wants from each one and to learn about the mission of the Brothers worldwide and in Pakistan in particular. For this purpose a variety of topics were chosen for discussion and reflection:

 

 

In addition to these classes a variety of activities were organized for the evening, which gave the participants an opportunity to explore their knowledge and display their talents. These included a singing program, speeches on different topics, dance etc. They all enjoyed these events very much.

 

Before the end each of the participants had an opportunity to talk individually with Br. Shahzad. Each was given a form to fill and what information they required.

 

On the Wednesday 11th they left the Formation House having experienced a new way of life and explored the mission of the Brothers.

 

Thanks to Br Shahzad for the above report.

 

Inspiring Vocations; the Power ... Live

De la Salle Reaches Out to Internet Generation

SYDNEY, Australia, JUNE 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- As most religious orders, the De la Salle Brothers of Australia have identified World Youth Day as an opportunity to inspire possible vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

But unlike some, they have taken it one step further by launching an interactive Web site -- www.delasallebrothers.com -- to present themselves to the Internet generation.

The site uses technology and evocative imagery to speak directly to youth, raising awareness of the extraordinary work done by the brothers, while offering insight and inspiration to those who may consider it as a life choice.

In a bold new approach for a religious order, it tackles tough questions regarding vows such as poverty, celibacy and living in community. It also offers a section for frequently asked questions and an interactive personality quiz that helps an interested applicant ascertain their suitability to life of a De la Salle Brother.

There is extensive information on the two-year training process to become a brother. There is also information on opportunities to work with the brothers in remote communities across Western Australia and Papua New Guinea, which provide candidates a real sense of the life and work of the order.

“It's reported that [Benedict XVI's] visit and World Youth Day activities will generate more attendance than New Year's Eve, the Olympics and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation put together,” says Brother Mark McKeon, who is leading the campaign for the De La Salle Brothers.

“Much of this interest will come from youth who have shown more regard for spirituality and enrichment through unique life experiences," he said. "Although not for everyone, the life of a brother can be extremely fulfilling and can offer the sort of rewarding experience a young man may be looking for.

"Traditionally, our culture has been as such that many don't know about the work we do. We felt that this would be the best way for us to open our community on a wider scale and share some amazing life stories.”

The new Web site will be supported by an awareness campaign using posters, leaflets and small print ads that will contain thought-provoking imagery depicting the incredible adventures, exciting challenges and adverse situations brothers face when working in remote communities or dealing with troubled and disadvantaged youth.

It will challenge young men to consider the life of a brother in an age where career and life options are endless.

“Although rewarding and one to be proud of, the life of a brother takes some deep consideration,” admits Brother Mark. “It's imperative that the option is presented to young men in an informed and honest way so that they can make an educated decision about taking this extraordinary path.”

In the 320-year history of the De La Salle Brothers, thousands of men have accepted the challenge to support and work with underprivileged youth and the marginalized.

Today, there are over 5,000 brothers across the globe actively working in 80 countries in education and welfare.

“With a new generation of brothers deciding to take on this challenge, we're very excited about a future that will see them maintaining the tradition and identity of the order, while continuing the vital work that the we currently carry out in communities far and wide,” says Brother Mark.

But the brothers are not doing it only for themselves, but say they want to offer the same strategy for consideration by other religious orders whose vocation numbers are dwindling.

In this vein they're conducting an online survey on youth and spirituality in the modern world. In order to entice more participants in the survey, the order is offering each participant the chance to win a shopping voucher or a Nintendo Wii.

Results from this survey should be ready by World Youth Day for all to learn fro

 

Keep the news flowing for the next edition. Please send your contributions directly to me on parcdls@singnet.com.sg. Mark Murphy will take over the responsibility for Hearts in Fire once he takes up residence in Singapore in January 2009.

 

May you be blessed and encouraged in your ministry.

 

Kind regards

David Hawke FSC