LEAD Story 404

PHILIPPINES - “Everything is gift, all is grace.”

One might find the above mentioned difficult to fathom, which is why people always stick to whatever it is they planned—down to the smallest of details. For the De La Salle Brothers, there are conventional ways of doing things. Usually, one must enter the brotherhood at a relatively young age. After years of formation and discernment, they must prepare to live out their lives as a De La Salle Brother in perpetuity after their “Final Vows” ceremony, which often falls on a weekend. But then, there was Br. John…

“Now, why did Brother John break tradition and choose a Thursday instead of a weekend for his final vows? His choice goes beyond the 4th Joyful Mystery, or Mary’s Purification, or Candelaria. It’s because today is the World Day for Consecrated Life,” Br. Victor Franco FSC, Br. John’s mentor, mused in his homily during the said event.

The supposed Final Vows of the Senior Young Brother was set on the third Sunday of January, but for some reason was postponed. His second option was unconventional in itself—a Thursday, February 2 which celebrated the consecrated lives lived by people akin to Simeon and Anna in the Bible. Like them, Br. John has spent his life waiting on God’s call and finally, his “heart was ready”.

“Today, February 2, The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is significant not because of me but “It is the Lord” as the responsorial psalm reminds us. Colossians 3:11 - Christ is all and in all. Y Kristo ing sabla ampong atiu ya king sabla,” the Pampanga-born Brother expressed.

Br. John’s journey is a perfect manifestation of how God orchestrates every little detail in a person's life. Plans might get foiled and paths might derail, but God is always intentional. No matter where Br. John is led from here on, it is exactly a part of God’s grand masterplan, because indeed, everything is gift and all is grace. (Text: Ms. Kristine Anne E. Villarosa - SJS-LS Vice Principal; Photos: DLSP-CORE)

THAILAND - From January 9-14, 2023, the Brother Superior General, Vicar General, and General Councilors attended the PARC48 at the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya, Thailand. This is the first time in the history of the Thai Sector to welcome the Brother Superior General, Vicar General, and all General Councilors worldwide. After a series of meetings, Brother Armin and his Council visited the Lasallian Schools in the Thai Sector. They divided themselves into 3 groups and visited three La Salle schools on January 15-17. Br. Armin, Br.Joël, Br. Sergio, and Br. Donald visited La Salle Chotiravi Nakhonsawan School. Br. Anatole, Br. Carlos, and Br. Chris visited La Salle Sangklaburi and Bamboo School. Br. Ricky, Br. Martin, and Br. Alfonso visited La Salle Chanthaburi School. They spent time with the Brothers in the community, visited projects for the poor, and graced the school activities.

On January 17, 2023, the Thai Sector hosted a simple dinner at La Salle School, Bangkok to conclude the visit. On this special occasion, the Thai Brothers, Sisters, and Postulants joined this momentous event and thanked the Institute leadership for visiting their country. (Text & Photos: Br. John Pongpat Khasochan FSC)

2022 was a year filled with international meetings at the Institute level, beginning with the 46th General Chapter (the highest decision-making body in the Lasallian Family) and many others, such as the 3rd International Assembly for the Lasallian Educational Mission (AIMEL).

Around 75 participants joined LOC 9 on 20 January 2023.

Ms. Ces Tirona, Vice Chancellor of Lasallian Mission and Linkages at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (Philippines) and LEAD representative for the 3rd AIMEL and participant in the 3rd LEAD Mission Assembly (LMA), led us in understanding the overall direction of the next seven years for the Lasallian Mission.

The result of many millions of minutes and local to international gatherings are reflected in our Institute documents.

During the small group sharing at the LOC gathering, it was a common idea that our Lasallian heritage is rich, and the proposals and aspirations on how to care for the world through education are abundant.

The subsequent LOC meetings will focus on some of the proposals so that our LEAD District can start living and joining the Global Lasallian community in implementing the GC resolutions. (Text: Br Antonio Cubillas FSC; Screenshots: Br Vince Paildan FSC)

MALAYSIA - The January 2023 Happenings video of SXI is now live on YouTube! Click the image to view the video.

Watch, comment, like and subscribe to our channel for updates and happenings at SXI.

(St. Xavier's Boards of Governors Official Facebook Page)

The Brother Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) appoints

Br. Peter Foo FSC

as the Brother Director of the La Salle Centre (Ipoh) Brothers’ Community from 2023 February 1 to 2023 May 14

PHILIPPINES - CERTIFIED. The University has reached another important milestone as our Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of Secondary Education programs successfully passed assessments and are now ASEAN University Network- Quality Assurance (AUNQA) certified. AUN-QA is an international body that promotes quality higher education and collaborates with global institutions for the benefit of the ASEAN community.

Notwithstanding the pandemic, the University will continue to deliver its mission of providing quality education that is at par with local and international standards

Find out more: https://usls.edu.ph/news/view/USLS-BS-Accountancy-Secondary-Education-programs-nowAUN-QA-certified?fbclid=IwAR1TWaajW8l2DM5ZyZL7PL4CI7yuPLE2V-B53te3s4JLSrdWKitqwQiuVeY

#AnimoLaSalle #AnimoUSLS #aunqacertified (University of St. La Salle Official Facebook Page)

PHILIPPINES - De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas and De La Salle University lead the country's green campuses recognized among the world's best universities in sustainability practices. (De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Official Facebook Page)

“De La Salle University-Dasmariñas marked its 10th year as the Philippines’ most sustainable university.” (Good News Pilipinas)

Full article: https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/10-philippine-universities-listed-in-ui-greenmetricsustainability-world-ranking/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1tr66ww9Ownv2QQgsLyEq-4GUvaJnLu2kRUfuN5f-FMJJpsdK-FzPBDw

Photo courtesy of Good News Pilipinas

From 16 January 2023 to 20 January 2023, Postulants Jose Ruben A. Garcia and Lemuel A. Asuncion spent their 5-day silent retreat at the Abbey of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The postulants reflected on their vocation in the silence of the monastery, guided by Rev. Fr. Paco San Juan, OSB, the spiritual director of the Abbey. The solitude of the monastery was an opportunity to appreciate nature and its creator, discerning the will of God in the majesty of the stars at night or in the serene surroundings filled with trees and farm animals.

Night sky last 18 January 2023, as seen from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Philippines. Photo by Lee Asunción.

Lemuel Asuncion reflects on the majesty of creation and our place in God’s divine will: “Disconnecting from the world created much space and time to desire God, and in those five evenings, I’ve seen His presence through the stars in the sky over Malaybalay. When creation unfolds like this, one can’t help but have a deep reverence for God, who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. The experience of quiet isolation helped me re-evaluate my spirituality, improve on meditation, appreciate the present, and reframe my priorities. At the conclusion of my retreat, with a renewed spirit, I felt much more ready to continue my journey towards more ardently desiring God and becoming a Brother.”

The Abbey of the Transfiguration of the Lord at dusk. Malaybalay, Bukidnon. 17 January 2023. Photo by Jose Ruben A. Garcia

The postulants participated in praying the Divine Office, joining the Benedictine monks in praying Matins, Lauds, Sext, Vespers, and Compline. These determined set times for prayer gave the postulants an opportunity to reflect on scripture (through the chanting of the Psalms and the reading of scripture) and hear from the wisdom of the Church Fathers (through the second reading at Matins). Furthermore, it was also an opportunity to hear spiritual insights from the monks. Jose Ruben Garcia recalls and reflects on a homily given by the abbot of the Abbey of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Rt. Rev. Fr. Savio Ma Siccuan, OSB from the morning mass of 18 January 2023: “‘If we try to find ourselves in religious life, we hit a dead end.” I was, to be honest, baffled by this message. I have always understood meditation as a journey to an authentic self that lies within. However, the abbot’s message led me to understand what it meant to deny oneself and follow Christ. As someone discerning the Brother’s life, this is something I must constantly remember.”

The postulants returned to Ozamiz on 22 January 2023.

Jose Ruben A. Garcia
Postulant

JANUARY 2023 | 31NLYC NEWSLETTER (PDF)
Official newsletter of 31st National Lasallian Youth Convention

The 31st National Lasallian Youth Convention held from 12 to 17 December 2022 was a success. We had a total of 51 participants from 13 schools all over Malaysia.

The Convention had as always, input sessions, a creative workshop & an exposure. The sessions were facilitated mostly by the Convention Alumni who are professionals today in their own fields of work. They inspired the young boys and girls by the facilitation, input and stories. The creative workshop is always enjoyed by the participants as it involves movement and some dancing. The exposure programme at the Orang Asli Community was an eye opener for the participants and each one walked away with a new learning experience.

Our sincere THANK YOU and APPRECIATION to the facilitators of the 31st NLYC: Brother Carlo Rementilla FSC, Mr. Leong Kah Hon, Ms. Wong Pui Yi, Mr. Ryan Chua Yumin, Mr. Aaron Chan Chee Kin, Mr. Eric Bryan Amaladas and Mr. Michael Voon.

THANK YOU to the ORGANISING TEAM (OT) for your tireless commitment in ensuring a smooth and successful convention.

TO OUR DONOR'S, BENEFACTORS AND WELL WISHES we THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE your GENEROUS AND KIND CONTRIBUTION to make the 31st National Lasallian Youth Convention A SUCCESS!

Isaac Stephen Anthonysamy
La Salle Centre