LEAD Story 431

Serving and reaching out to the peripheries continues, especially during this CHRISTmas season.

The Lasallian Volunteers Batch 25 participated in their Mid-Year Activity-Program Management, which took place from December 11-14, 2024, at Sitio Mclen Ville, Malabon City. This immersion activity was organized by the De La Salle Brothers, Inc. – Social Action Unit

A total of 125 simple Noche Buena packages were distributed to the residents by the volunteers as a gesture of gratitude to the community.

The activity not only opened the hearts and minds of the volunteers to the realities that exist beyond what we usually see, but it also highlighted the importance of service. A special thanks to individuals like Nanay Alma, the President of SMV Homeowners Association, who is dedicated and always willing to go the extra mile in serving her community. May her commitment inspire us all to fulfill our roles and responsibilities as active members of our own communities.

#lasallianvolunteers #lsvp25
 

From November 17th to 23rd, the Grade 10 Lasallian Catholic Youth students of St. Joseph’s Institution International (SJI International), Singapore, embarked on their first mission trip to La Salle Bamboo School in Sangkhlaburi, Thailand. This journey was a remarkable opportunity for students to connect with fellow Lasallians, witness the Lasallian educational mission in action, and reflect on their roles as members of a global Lasallian family.

The trip’s purpose was multifaceted. It aimed to help students build meaningful relationships with other Lasallians, understand and respond to the real needs of the community, and experience firsthand the mission of providing quality human and Christian education, especially to those on the peripheries. Additionally, it encouraged participants to grow in self-awareness, deepen their relationship with God, and witness His presence in their encounters.

By the end of the mission trip, students were tasked with creating a service learning plan and proposing a long-term partnership between La Salle Bamboo School and SJI International to ensure the continuation of learning and service. 

Here’s a heartfelt reflection from one of the student participants, Marie Kinze, which beautifully encapsulates the spirit of this transformative experience.

During the Bamboo School Mission Trip, I learned and experienced so many things—about service, resilience and the Lasallian mission. Yet, what stood out to me the most was the love shared by the children at the Bamboo School in Sangkhlaburi. Their warmth and joy, despite the challenges they face, left a lasting impact on me and reshaped my understanding of connection, gratitude and community.

From the moment we arrived, the children greeted us with an openness that was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite the language barrier, they were eager to express their love—through never-ending hugs, jumping on us, putting flowers in our hair, covering our faces in stickers and offering us whatever they had. Their genuine excitement to connect with us reminded me that love is a universal language, transcending all boundaries. It didn’t matter that we came from different backgrounds or spoke different languages; in their eyes, we were family, brought together by the shared values of faith, service and community that define the Lasallian spirit.

The children’s enthusiasm during our activities—whether it was the mushroom project, playing games, or simply spending time together—showed their hunger for connection and their readiness to give so much of themselves. Every hug, every laugh and every attempt to communicate reinforced the truth that we are called to see one another as brothers and sisters in the Lasallian spirit.

Their openness inspired me to reflect on myself. Before this trip, I often found it difficult to open up to others, keeping my emotions and thoughts to myself. However, the children’s ability to give and receive love so freely encouraged me to do the same. Slowly, I found myself opening up—not only to my peers on the trip but also to God. Through our nightly reflections and quiet moments of prayer, I felt my faith deepening. I began to see God’s presence in the love the children shared, in the support of my peers, and in the simple yet profound joy of being part of this mission.

Even in moments of stillness, like sitting together after playing around or walking with them through their village to their home, I was struck by their openness and generosity. They reminded me that love is not about material possessions or perfect circumstances; it’s about sharing your heart with others. They lived out the Lasallian value of community in a way that was pure and unfiltered, creating a space where we could all feel connected and cared for.

This trip was a powerful reflection of the Lasallian mission in action—a mission to touch hearts, build relationships, and foster a sense of belonging. The children’s capacity for love reminded me that we are never alone. As Lasallians, we are one global family, united in our shared purpose of bringing light and hope into the world.

I return from the Bamboo School not just with memories, but with a renewed sense of what it means to live out the Lasallian values in my own life. This experience has inspired me to approach the world with greater compassion, gratitude, and openness, and to continue deepening my faith and commitment to serving others.

The LEAD Joint Councils Workshop (JCW) 2024 took place last 20-22 November 2024. The six District Committees together with the LEAD personnel came together in this collaborative exercise to respond to the essential question: “What good news does the Lasallian Family in East Asia wish to share to the world?”

In his opening remarks, Br. JJ Jimenez FSC (LEAD Visitor) challenged the participants to start imagining LEAD as part of a global movement, continue building a Lasallian culture in our communities, and begin consolidating the District’s knowledge and financial resources. Coreen Paul (LMC Chair), Kenny Rebeira, and Fritzie De Vera reinforced this message in their plenary sharing by locating LEAD in the context of the global Lasallian family and presenting their insights from their recent benchmarking visit with the Districts of LA SALLE, France and La Salle Arlep. The remainder of the morning was reserved for joint Committee meetings where accomplishments from the past year were discussed and presented. In the afternoon, Jose Boncodin (District Secretary) introduced the Institute’s new District Annual Report template and steered the Committees to begin assessing how LEAD has been responding to the commitments of the 46th General Chapter and proposals of III AIMEL and II IYBA.

On the Day 2 of JCW 2024, participants were led to reflect on the good news our District wants to share and our hopes for each of the seven Sectors in LEAD towards developing a communications plan. In the first session, members of the District Council and LEAD Mission Council were asked to choose a photo that resonated with them from a selection taken from past issues of LEAD Story and Facebook posts, and see what good news our District are sharing. This was followed by three rounds of Sector-station rotation wherein participants were able to know more about the state of Sectors other than their own. At the end of this activity, they were asked to post what their hopes are for the Lasallian mission and family in the Sectors they visited. In the afternoon plenary, the conversations and activities in the morning were summarized by those who held the Sector-stations by giving three headlines from their Sectors. Br. JJ then shared his reflection on the common threads that were evident from the hopes of the Sectors and possible points for collaboration between the Committees. The last session for the day was the presentation of the proposed Communications Plan for LEAD. Day 2 of JCW 2024 was capped off by a Eucharistic Celebration, during which participants renewed their vow to be true to God’s call as a Lasallian educator.

The third and final day was a time to reflect on the call to be leaven to those in peripheries, with the Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission (2020) as reference. Br. Jorge Gallardo de Alba FSC (Auxiliary Visitor for Mission) began the session with a brief introduction on the Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission (2020). He touched on the historical context and evolution of the document, its core principles, and the challenges that it poses to the global Lasallian family. Jerald Joseph (Chair of the Commission on Justice and Peace) followed, and shared new and emerging forms of poverty that we as Lasallians are invited–not just to see–but to act on with compassion. The last resource speaker was Br. Dante Amisola FSC (Director of the Office of Solidarity and Development), who reminded us that the pathways we can take towards solidarity with those in the peripheries are already outlined for us in relevant Institute documents that needs to be read together with the 2020 Declaration: The Rule, the Report of the III AIMEL, the Documents of the 46th General Chapter, and the Leavening Movement. Both Jerald and Br. Dante joined via Zoom.

Participants of the LEAD JCW 2024 had lunch at The Farmer’s Table, Tagaytay after the morning sessions. In the afternoon, much deserved rest and recreation activities were offered at Nurture Wellness Village and master conservator Eddie Jose’s art studio.

Last 23 November 2024, members of the District and Mission Councils as well as staff of the District returned to their home Sectors bringing with them new hopes and paths for the Lasallian educational mission in LEAD and the world.

You may view more photos of the LEAD Joint Councils Workshop 2024 here: https://bit.ly/4fkxxi9

On 25-26 November 2024, Singapore witnessed an exciting development: the first Becoming Brothers vocation evening, marking a significant step in revitalizing local interest in the De La Salle Brothers’ life and mission. This inspiring gathering brought together four passionate participants, all of whom were young professionals keen to learn more about the path of brotherhood.

The event kicked off with warm camaraderie as participants joined the Brothers and members of the Signum Fidei for a relaxed social gathering and dinner. The atmosphere was alive with conversations, laughter, and a sense of shared purpose. Following this, an opening prayer service set the tone for the night, transitioning into an engaging discussion on the Declaration, facilitated by Br. Kelvin with the Signum Fidei group. This session gave participants a glimpse into how the Brothers work alongside their lay partners to advance their shared mission.

One of the evening’s highlights was the personal dyads, where participants paired up with Brothers to exchange stories and share personal experiences. This intimate setting allowed participants to hear firsthand the journeys, challenges, and deep-rooted faith that define the life of a Brother. The night wrapped up with a screening of the powerful film Father Stu, followed by a reflective night prayer that deepened the sense of community and introspection.

The following day, participants dove into two key sessions. Br. Luke led the first session, providing a comprehensive introduction to the history, charism, and mission of the De La Salle Brothers as well as a glimpse of his life as a Brother. This was followed by Br. Carlo’s session on discernment and the stages involved in becoming a Brother, offering practical insights for those considering this path. The program concluded with a heartfelt closing prayer and a shared meal, giving participants a final chance to reflect on their experiences and connect with one another.

The Brothers are hopeful that this revitalized Becoming Brothers initiative will ignite a renewed interest in vocations and foster a supportive community for young men discerning their paths. This event marks the beginning of what they hope will be a sustained effort to inspire and guide future generations in Singapore.

The sense of hope and unity felt during this gathering sets a promising tone for what lies ahead, sparking conversations and connections that could lead to a stronger, more vibrant vocation culture.
 

Reflection by Hayden Yu (St. Joseph's College)

I think all the events throughout the camp were truly impressive; I can’t pick which one was the best.

Each event offered different types of leadership skills for us to discover.

For city tracing, it really helped boost the friendship within our team and allowed us to understand more about working with teammates we weren’t familiar with.

The lifeline activity provided us with a great opportunity to reflect on what we learned that day. It helped us realize that there may not always be people to support us in our lives, but we could gradually learn to tackle problems on our own. Meanwhile, it also taught us that we need to cherish those who assist us along the way.

Additionally, Day 2’s mass games further enhanced our leadership skills, allowing us to work as a team instead of as individuals. We engaged in discussions and applied various skills introduced throughout the camp.

Last but not least, the talks by the Brothers were surely very inspiring and valuable to our lives. Their introduction to Lasallian Spirituality helped us understand how we should approach life – as the Brothers mentioned, it can become a part of our lifestyle. The “5 roles of being a leader” also inspired me to become a better person in general on top of being a leader.

Overall, I really enjoyed the camp. It brought together student representatives from different schools, allowing us to make new friends and gain a better understanding of their cultures.

It was truly inspiring and meaningful, helping me grow into a better person for the future. It’s a great pleasure to have been a part of this camp, and I thank you for this wonderful opportunity!

The Christian Brothers’ Schools Leadership Camp 2024 was held on 19-20 October 2024 at La Salle College. This two-day camp provided participants with a valuable opportunity for interaction and communication among Lasallian students.

Br. JJ Jimenez FSC, LEAD Visitor, and Br. Nicholas Seet FSC visited De La Salle School and attended their End-of-Year Thanksgiving Mass held in the school hall.  Br. JJ gave a short address at the end of Mass reminding the students of being grateful for their teachers and what it means to be Lasallian and caring for each other.  

On a separate note, the principal, Mrs Cheryl Tan, also gathered the students who were present at their parish church on a Saturday evening where they witnessed their parish priest being stabbed during a children’s Mass.  Mrs Tan invited Bro JJ to say a prayer for the students before they were asked how they were two days after the shocking incident. School counsellors were also present if the students wanted to share more about their experiences.
 

St. Anthony’s Primary School celebrated its 145th anniversary of its founding on 10 November Saturday with the celebration of Holy Mass and a dinner organized by its alumni. The theme song for the event is “Light the way” (https://youtu.be/QQxmBdYYmO0).

The school was set up by the Portuguese Mission under the auspices of the Bishop of Macao in 1879 and was handed over to the La Salle Brothers in 1939. Their 145th anniversary activities included a 20km symbolic walk from their old site to the present school located in the western part of Singapore.  The fiesta held on 16 November 2024 was its students’ efforts to exemplify the Lasallian value of service for which funds were raised for HopeHouse.
 

In preparation for the setting up and inauguration of the Lasallian Trust of Singapore (LST), a local expression of the Lasallian Education Mission Council, a gathering of stakeholders in the Lasallian family in Singapore gathered on Friday 9 November at SJI International for a formation session at which Br JJ Jimenez FSC, LEAD Visitor, presented on the forming of a one Lasallian identity  where everyone works together and not in silos. Br. JJ also shared on the various LEAD outreach programs in the neighbouring countries and in South Sudan. The participants shared enthusiastically, first in groups and then later in the bigger assembly, about what the Lasallian mission means to  them in the local context.

To further increase awareness of the LST, the next day, Saturday 10 November, a larger number comprising school leaders and members of governing bodies of different Lasallian entities in Singapore gathered to discuss the setting up of the LST which will be inaugurated on 15 May 2025. Mr Tan Tee How, the Chairman of the LST, presented the structure and governance of the LST while Mr Kenny Rebeira, Deputy Chair of the LST presented a program of Lasallian activities in 2025, together with a budget for the setting up of a secretariat for the LST as well as for its activities and continued efforts for fund raising. 

On behalf of the Brothers, Bro Larry expressed heartfelt thanks to the many dedicated Lasallians who are committed to work together in the LST to further the Lasallian mission in Singapore, the district and beyond.
 

By Br. Luke Thatsaworn Nonthiboot FSC

As part of St. Joseph’s Institution Junior (SJIJ) Careers for primary 6 students on 17 October 17 2024, I was invited to share about the Lasallian family and the De La Salle Brothers. The session was held for the whole cohort of primary 6 students in the school hall.  The boys were interested and curious to more know about the De La Salle Brothers and Lasallian Family around the world.  Amidst the enthusiasm, I had to share briefly the Founder’s life and the Brothers in the different schools in Singapore. They were also interested to know about the Brothers and schools in Thailand. The quiz that was held after drew a rousing response with Lasallian souvenirs that were handed out.  Many wanted to know about the life of a Brother as well as about Thailand.  The biggest surprise was that they were happy to see a Brother coming back to SJIJ and giving him a warm welcome and applause. Thank you and see you next year!

Last 22-23 October 2024, the members of the International Commission on Youth, as well as the Office of Vocations and Volunteers, visited the Philippine Sector to visit and engage with student leaders and Lasallian partners from different schools and ministries. 

The visit is focused on strengthening the network of Young Lasallians and Partners, understanding the needs, concerns, and the challenges and difficulties facing the youth movement, and identifying potential collaborative programs that could benefit youth across the district and region.

The group had meetings with the Social Action Units from De La Salle University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde as well as check-in conversations with student leaders from different organizations. On their second day, the group also met with the Lasallian Mission Services of the De La Salle Philippines- Central House Administration, the Social Action Unit of the De La Salle Brothers, and postulants from the Lasallian Formation Center. 

The three-day visit centered on conversations and ideations that fuel the future of the youth movement in the Sector and District. We are hopeful that this will bear fruit that will encourage our Young Lasallians to take the lead! 
 

The Lasallian Research Seminar was held at Generalate in Rome from 28 October 2024 to 1 November 2024.  It was coordinated by the Office of Lasallian Heritage and Research and by the Association Commission of the Institute.  The main theme is `Lasallian association for Mission, its development for the future’. The document “From the Vows to the Community – Living the Lasallian Heritage Today” by Br. Pedro Gil served as the basis for discussions in the seminar. During the Seminar, there were a lot of presentations and inputs from Br. Pedro and Br. Santigo, including “From one world to another: The great desires of humanity, opportunities for association and the pedagogy of fraternity in the world and in societies for the latest 50 years and the latest 50 years in the Church and the Institute”, “The initial story: Monsieur De La Salle discovers association for the educational service of the poor”, and “Association finds an institutionalized form” and “The Story of the Bull of Approval and its subsequent path”.  Ms. Heather Ruple also presented “the Stories of association for mission in recent years” and “The system and structures of association we know: is this system valid for current institutions of association for mission?”  Participants were divided into groups and then shared their reflections on the presentations and discussed the Challenges at different levels of Lasallian life for “the entities and institutions or structures of association for mission” and for “Lasallian formation in relation to the experience of association for mission”.  Finally, individual district or region would make a draft on the guiding ideas for action.

It should be understood that an era of change and a change of era are not the same thing.  In Br. Pedro’s work, they organized the process into two blocks, each with three elements.  Between the six of them they constitute a system that defines the Lasallian Community as it has emerged over the last century.  The first block is “Evidence” and the second one is “Questions”.  The three elements in the first block are the dynamics of History, the New Evangelization and Vocational awareness. The second block revolves around the Mission, consisting of Mission, The soul of the Mission and The Face of the Mission.  Between Evidence and Questions, three axes appear, the one between History and New Evangelization, then between Vocation and Mission and finally between Interiority and Community.  The three axes can further be refined into three concepts.  The first axis, History and Gospel could be called This World.  The second, which brings together Vocation and Mission could be called the Call; and the third, Interiority and Community could be called Belonging.  It is very clear how close it is to the system that appeared in the Lasallian institution at the 1966-67 Chapter.  Then it was said Consecration, Community and Mission. 

For the journey of Association for the Lasallian family, Heather shared views on increasing the appreciation of the role of laity in Church and in Church ministries. The focus would be inclusion, communion, Church as People of God.  Partners could share and make the Mission possible.  Lasallian Spirituality is oriented towards community.  It is lived together in the faith of zeal, together for mission in association for the education services of the poor.

Below are some insights from Mr. Alan Li (HK) and Ms. Christine Soe Hlaing (MM)--members of the LEAD Mission Council--who attended the Lasallian Research Seminar.

"It was the valuable contribution of Br. Pedro, from his research. The point of his sharing approached through two perspectives: considering the past from the present and considering the present from the past. When we encounter new experiences, we often interpret them based on what we have already known from the past. This natural tendency leads us to compare current situations with past experiences. We can look at the past through our present-day experiences, projecting our current values, beliefs, and emotions onto historical figures and events. This perspective allows us to be surprised, inspired, or even challenged by the past. The historical commitment to education was that people in the past, like us, were driven by a strong sense of commitment to education, especially for the less fortunate. Early educators believed in their work as a divine calling, dedicating themselves to teaching not for material gain, but for a higher purpose, guided by faith.

He continued talking about the role of Association. What is the role of association today?  Today, educators are asked to dedicate themselves to the same higher purpose—serving the less privileged and faith-driven communities. It challenges us to recognize that today's educational mission is rooted in the same values and Lasallian traditions as those of the past, despite the changes in society and education over the centuries. As the last point, the Lasallian family across the world has grown deeper and deeper into the experience of Association. Associating for a common purpose and working together as one. Taking our own bit and draw our own part to create a better picture of the world." -- Ms. Christine Soe Hlaing

Some insights from Mr. Alan Li:

1. Element and Dimension. Br. Pedro mentioned about the six elements and their interactions in his work.  Elements are something we focus on but it is more important if we look at from the point of view of Dimension.  Dimension is from where we can get something.
2. Limit or Border. For Lasallian family, limit is an organization concept and border is referred as Community.  Community means a set of permeable borders at once maintained and at the same time disappearing. There should be no limit to Lasallian Community.  Each member of a community is a person, responsible, capable of initiative, and also part of others to exercise responsibility.
3. System and Culture. The dynamics of the six steps mentioned in Br. Pedro’s work is the System.  This is to form the new community.  The fundamental criterion that shapes the Community is its nature as a Sign of God.  At this point of history, it is the primary task of the Community to care for the formation of its members in fidelity.  The religion is the substance of the culture.  The culture is the form of religion.  Culture is the way looking and watching life.  So far as in our sector/district level, unlike other regions where Catholicism is the dominant religion or where the political systems are relatively free, the sector/district comprises countries that vary in terms of religion, politics and level of economic development.  These pose great challenges in pursuing the mission in societies.  Despite of these challenges, our sector/district are doing quite well and even expanding and deepening in our work as our primary mission to provide a human and Christian education to our youth, especially the poor and marginalized.
4. Person and Relationship. Br. Santiago emphasized that “Person” was important in our Lasallian mission and there should be good relationship between Brothers and Lay people in order to create new model for the Community.  Brothers and lay Lasallians see themselves as being called together and united by God, each in their own individual vocation, to respond to the needs of society.  Today the number of Brothers is decreasing while the laity increases.  Motivated by the lay people’s commitment, together with the Brothers they can declare themselves the heart, memory and guarantor of the shared mission.  Besides, women, alumni, retired persons and youth can be new Agents in the mission.  As in many other spheres of society, the contribution of women has brought great richness an enormous possibility in the implementation of the Lasallian Educational Mission. Young Lasallian and Volunteer have a great capacity for contacting those people in our society who are the most vulnerable, and also their work and contribution ensure the sustainability of the Lasallian Mission.
5. Formation. Formation programmes can be carried out at various levels: local, district, regional and international; and from initial to ongoing formation that have supported Lasallians.  They can be tailor-made for different stakeholders in schools.  Some guiding ideas for actions about Formation were drafted by the LEAD group and stated as below.

This October, five Brothers Communities in LEAD hosted inspiring Brothers Live-In Programs, welcoming young men from Hong Kong and the Philippines to experience community life for five days. We pray for an increase in Lasallian Vocations, especially among the Brothers. 

HK: St. Joseph's College Brothers Community
9-13 October 2024

PH: De La Salle Brothers Bacolod Community
9-13 October 2024

PH: De La Salle Brothers Ozamiz Community
9-13 October 2024

PH: Lasallian Formation Center
16-20 October 2024

PH: De La Salle Lipa - Brothers Community
16-20 October 2024

If you know a young man interested in the Brothers’ way of life, contact br.jeano@delasalle.ph.

#YesBro #LasallianVocations

The District's Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and the Youth and Vocations (Y&V) Committees co-organized the LEAD for Peace closing ritual in celebration of the International Lasallian Days for Peace last October 19, 2024. The virtual gathering was entitled Day of Solidarity Prayers to Act with Courage and Vision, recognizing the diverse faith traditions and highlighting the various experiences promoting peace and justice in the District.

The prayer started with a reflection on Nelson Mandela for young people, inviting them to act with courage and vision to overcome injustices and poverty. This was followed by participants' reflections on their experiences in building peace, solidarity, and promoting justice. They shared their reflections on a pallet (link here: LEADforPeaceReflections), identifying persons and experiences that had an impact on their lives. 

Young people from the sector of Malaysia shared their service learning projects. They highlighted how their experiences in the refugee education centers exposed them to local communities' diverse realities and needs. At an international school, they shared that students come from comfortable backgrounds, and service learning instills a sense of social justice, deepens awareness of societal inequalities, and inspires action to contribute to a more just and equitable world.

Br Mico de Leon FSC, Vocations Director for the Sector of Malaysia, gave the closing remarks encouraging the members of the Lasallian community, especially the young people, to reach out and look for those who are in the peripheries and take the lead in creating new responses to address their needs. 

The closing ritual was also followed the LEAD for Peace launch and  gathering last August 29 which also featured experiences and initiatives of young people in the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Myanmar.

Here is the link to the Zoom Recording of LEAD for PEACE: http://bit.ly/3DiE9jF (Passcode: 2O$SM=5k)