Faith and Mission

APLEC Reflection

So very often, you can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain that you are in.

This is life. No matter whether it is with work, family or friends, we should always try to understand each other. To try to learn to think differently, to be more patient, tolerant and mindful of others and especially each other. Perhaps be more open, clear, honest and to think about how we might communicate better. 

Maybe, we need to learn to “listen with the ear of our hearts.” Learning to “listen with the ear of our hearts” was a common theme, a recurring thread at the recent Asia Pacific Lasallian Educators Conference (APLEC) that I attend with my fellow De La Salle Colleagues Jessica Alger (Deputy Principal-Students) Joan Ferguson (Chaplain), Courtney Walton (Teaching Staff) and Kathryn Holewa (LATL-RE).

As Lasallians, we must be faithful to the charism and committed to focusing on human flourishing. Humans flourish when we listen, but when we “listen with the ear of our hearts”, relationships grow and we are reminded that these relationships are the most sacred and central in any Lasallian organisation. And we develop these relationships through accompaniment. Again, because relationships are central to who we are as Lasallians and we need to be present to one another and exercise our willingness to journey and support. 

Like Jesus on the road to Emmaus, we enter on a journey with the walker, (be it the student, a colleague, a family member or a brother or sister in need), to encounter with them a living God through our Catholic Faith and a Lasallian Spirituality. It is to be in community, to be brother, to be sister to all those we accompany.

So in this year of the Tercentenary, when we commemorate 300 years since the death of St John Baptist de La Salle, let us listen with the ear of our hearts, let us proceed with open hearts as we reflect on the words of our Founder, on the words of his meditation that reflect the importance of relationships and unity within our communities;

Union in a community is a precious gem. Which is why Our Lord so often recommended it to his apostles before he died. If we lose this, we lose everything. Preserve it with care therefore, if you want your community to survive.


St John Baptist de La Salle Med. 91.2

Lasallian Youth Gathering 2019

Our four Lasallian Captains attended the Lasallian Youth Gathering, held in Melbourne from 13 to 16 April in this Tercentenary year. With a special emphasis on the theme One Heart, One Commitment, One Life, our students joined with their Lasallian brothers and sisters to reflect on the significance of what it means to be Lasallian.

Please enjoy reading these reflections by St Leo’s House Lasallian Captain, Taine Krogh, and Lasallian Youth Minister James Biviano. 

2019 — Tercentenary Founders Day Celebrations 

All families will have now received communication and details regarding this year’s Tercentenary Founders Day celebrations. As you know, throughout 2019, all Lasallian schools and works worldwide will celebrate the life and legacy of our Founder, St John Baptist de La Salle, as we mark 300 years since his death. This is a highly significant milestone in the story of Lasallian education.

With all Lasallians around the world we will use this Tercentenary year to:

  • Celebrate and give thanks for all Lasallians and their good works
  • Renew our commitment to looking after the poor and others in great need
  • Be positive and hopeful about the future

Here in Melbourne, the four Lasallian Colleges have planned to celebrate this year’s Founders Day on Friday 17 May 2019, as a combined Lasallian Colleges event — simultaneously but across four different venues. 

The day will be structured to include:

  • Travel time from De La Salle College to the host College/venue via bus 
  • Mass
  • Guest Speakers and Entertainment
  • Travel time to return back to De La Salle College 
  • (Please note that Year 9 students will be dismissed from the city) 
YEAR LEVEL HOST COLLEGE / VENUE
Year 5, Year 6, Year 7 and Year 8
St John’s Regional College, Dandenong 
Year 9St Patrick’s Cathedral, East Melbourne 
Year 10 and Year 11St Bede’s College, Mentone
Year 12De La Salle College, Malvern

Families are asked to please read details carefully on the consent forms. We remind you that attendance is compulsory for all students. Details outlining expectations around attendance are outlined in the consent forms. 

We value your continued support of your son’s education and formation at De La Salle College and we look forward to sharing this unique experience of Founder’s Day in 2019.

Reminders

Year 7 Reflection Days 

DATE MENTOR GROUPS R.E. CLASS TEACHERS
Thursday 2 May 7 Benilde
7 Dunstan
Mr Adam Jacobs
Mr Chris Fleming 
Friday 3 May 7 Hegarty
7 Jerome
Mr Paul Maxted
Ms Kathryn Holewa 

Mrs Rana Brogan
Deputy Principal — Faith and Mission 

Back to The Duce Issue 2019 06 - 2 May 2019