In many ways, Brother Thomas was an extraordinary missionary. Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect is that his first assignment was to St. Joseph’s College, Hong Kong, and there he remained to the end of his days. Fifty-three years of unbroken service to the same school is an achievement in itself. The Brothers used to joke that he had married his first love and remained faithful to her all his life.

Patrick Blake was born to Thomas and Mark Blake and was number 10 in a mountain farming family of 12 (4 girls and 8 boys) in the townsland of Glenkeen, high up on the Slieve Bloom mountains of County Laois, Ireland. Large families were the norm in those days and there were then over 20 families in the mountain area where there are now only a few. Paddy, like the rest of the family, received his early education at Clonaslee National School, about 3 miles’ walk from his home.

The La Salle Centre, represented by Mr. Isaac Stephens (Centre Director), Br. Mico de Leon FSC (Vocations Director), and Mr. Adrian David (Programme Coordinator), went on a vocation promotion visit to Sabah.

On 7 November, the team visited La Salle Kota Kinabalu. Br. Mico engaged Catholic students in learning about Lasallian identity and the core values of faith, service, and community, while also guiding them in the Lasallian Prayers and sharing the inspiring story of St. John Baptist de La Salle and his own vocation journey.

A Journey of Reflection, Creativity, and Ecological Commitment

The 1st Lasallian East Asia District International EcoCamp 2025 brought together young Lasallians from across the region for four days of learning, community, and care for creation. From their arrival in Manila, participants were welcomed into a serene, green environment that embodied the spirit of faith and stewardship.

This year’s LEAD Joint Councils Workshop (JCW 2025) has opened at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, carrying the theme “We Are Pilgrims of Hope to the Peripheries.”

This joint initiative between the De La Salle Philippines-Lasallian Mission Services and the LEAD Life of the Brothers, and LEAD Youth and Vocations Committee gathered youth formators, ministers, and educators for a three-day program that consists of plenary sessions and workshops. 

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 64 (March 2016)

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 49 (November 2013)

‘Principal of Principles’ declares one.
‘A tough cookie’ says another.
‘Order and discipline’ says another.
‘A man of steel’ says another.

One thing for sure. When it came to learning, Brother Alphonsus never took no for an answer. All pupils could learn; all pupils would learn; and all pupils did learn.

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 48 (September 2013)

Originally published in The Gateway Issue No. 47 (June 2013)