An Official OSA publication
Volume 1
Issue 12
JULY 2003
THIS MONTH
THE BROTHERS IN MALTA
FEATURED WEBSITE
INTERNATIONAL YOUNG LASALLIANS (UPDATE)
(ENGLISH, ESPANOL, FRANCAIS, ITALIANO)
A THOUGHT
SONG
REFLECTION
FINAL WORD
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--- THIS MONTH
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A year has passed since the Quebec Symposium was held. Rest assured that all the discussions that took place are already bearing fruit. In fact last month the youth council met up in Rome. In this edition of the youth link we are reproducing in English, French, Spanish and Italian the latest works and developments.
In the beginning of July the OSA organised a social activity: a bbq for parents and teachers of Stella Maris College. The event was a very successful one.
Towards the end of July a delegation from Malta also participated in the European youth meeting held in Krakow Poland. More about this next month.
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--- THE BROTHERS IN MALTA
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De La Salle Brothers face extinction
(Excerpts reproduced from The Times of Malta)
The De La Salle Brothers are this year marking their
centenary in Malta with the grim reality that they are
a dying breed.
There are just 18 Maltese Brothers left, all of whom
are well into pensionable age - a far cry to half a
century ago when several young enthusiastic men formed
part of the community.
The last man to take the plunge into the Brotherhood
for good did so well over 20 years ago.
The few young men who chose this path in recent years
have left the order to concentrate solely on teaching.
Others could not handle the thought of celibacy and
started a family.
Brotherhood is no longer a popular vocation, three
long-serving Brothers admitted with The Times.
The situation has become so desperate that the
Brothers recently had to take the difficult decision
to shift powers to lay persons in what is being
described as a "shared mission" or a "vow of
association".
For the first time ever, a long-serving teacher was
appointed headmaster of De La Salle College. Shortly
there will be new junior and senior school heads at
Stella Maris College and a junior head at De La Salle.
All assistant heads are lay persons.
There are now nine brothers at De La Salle College in
Cottonera, six at Stella Maris College in Gzira, one
at the Brothers' home at Mellieha, one is currently in
Rome and the other in Kenya. There are no more
Brothers at St Benild's - an offshoot of Stella Maris
College.
DLS director Bro. Martin Borg believes the shortage
problem boils down to the fact that nowadays people
shun commitment of any kind. "People don't even want
to commit themselves to marriage, let alone
Brotherhood," he said.
"At 25 we make perpetual vows for life. That's a big
decision for any young man to take. The Brothers' life
is not easy. So people will question why they should
become Brothers when they can still be teachers and
earn money, start their own family, and live freely,
while being good Christians."
The Brothers are descendants of French Priest John
Baptist de la Salle who, in the 17th century, felt
there was a need for good and sound education, based
on a Christian background. He was canonised in 1900
and proclaimed patron saint of teachers 50 years
later.
Sadly though, the Brotherhood remained shrouded in
misconceptions and many still believed Brothers were
"half-baked priests", individuals who could not make
it to the priesthood, Bro. Martin said.
Brothers were first and foremost religious people,
even before becoming teachers and practically all kept
on studying well into their old age, while keeping in
touch with their students.
Bro. Martin said it still remained to be seen to what
extent the La Sallian spirit would live on if there
were no Brothers occupying the top positions.
"Brothers are renowned to have a certain charisma that
cannot be compared to others. But we hope this spirit
will live on through our teachers," Bro. Martin said.
He said the Brothers had broached the subject of
transferring powers to lay teachers in the past but
never had the courage to do it.
The crisis of vocations is hitting all of Europe, to
the extent that there is just one Brothers' novitiate
for all of the continent when in the past there used
to be a novitiate or two in each country.
DLS junior school headmaster Edward Galea says the
blame can be laid squarely with the existing Brothers
themselves. "We did nothing to lure people into the
community," he said in a frustrated tone.
People were also apprehensive about being Brothers
because they did not want any close ties to religion,
Bro. Edward said.
Bro. James Calleja, 85, one of the longest serving
Brothers, said the fact that Brothers could not say
Mass could act as a deterrent for anybody wanting to
join the community.
It was Bro. Benoit Constant who founded De La Salle
College back in 1903 when the Brothers set up house in
Strada Buongiorno, Cospicua.
In 1936, the Brothers acquired a large plot of ground
known as Il-Hawli which houses De La Salle College.
A total of 1,500 students attend De La Salle and
another 1,100 at Stella Maris, both employing 168 and
92 teachers respectively.
Financing remains a major problem. Ever since the
school debacle of the 1980s, when the government
insisted on free schooling for all, and the subsequent
introduction of the donation system, the school's
finances have been drained.
The money the school receives in donations barely
covers the salaries to the extent that another
Lm125,000, which should be going to maintenance, is
invested in personnel, Bro. Martin explained.
Each term, a letter is sent to every parent detailing
the costs faced by the school which make it possible
for parents to work out the donation they feel they
should make.
However, the system is often abused, Bro. Edward says,
to the extent that some parents pay a measly Lm5 for
their son's education.
Still, despite such hurdles, the Brothers strongly
believe the school has a solid foundation and that the
community's touch had been ingrained in their
teachers.
Evidently, not everybody is convinced of a bright and
rosy future.
Asked how he saw De La Salle in 15 years' time, Bro.
Edward paused, smiled, and uttered: "It will be just
another private school... hopefully they won't change
the name."
______________________________________________________________
--- FEATURED SITE
______________________________________________________________
http://www.professionalfundraiser.org.uk/facts/index.htm
A very useful site that has loads of tips on anything related to fund raising activities: the planning, organisation required, training and good tips for success.
______________________________________________________________
--- INTERNATIONAL YOUNG LASALLIANS –AN UPDATE
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ENGLISH
The international Council of Young Lasallians
International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL) : The
first International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL)
met in the Generalate this 21-27 June 2003. Present in
the Council are representatives from the Americas,
Africa, Mid-East, Asia-Pacific, Australia & Europe.
The Council is a direct response of the Institute of
the Brothers of the Christian Schools to the
propositions made by the delegates of Quebec 2002
Conference to Superior General Álvaro Rodríguez
Echeverría, FSC and the General Council. The ICYL is
the next step of young Lasallians working passionately
towards building a Civilization of Love.
As a result of the meeting, four teams within the
Council were formed:
COORDINATION TEAM: Bro. William Mann, FSC & Andoni
Rodríguez Blas (Coordinators), Rebecca Belton, Diane
Leutgeb
FAITH TEAM: Matthieu Hétroit (Coordinator), Bro.
Moses Abunya, Toni Moussa
SERVICE TEAM: Cecilia Ruiz Herrera (Coordinator),
Yanick Chamberland-Richer, Jeb Myers
COMMUNITY TEAM: Diego Téllez Rodríguez (Coordinator),
Davide Smaldone, Anny Rocha Lutz, John Pallasigue,
Gwendoline Nogue, Diego Aguirre
The ICYL seeks to encourage efforts of young
Lasallians towards the global mission of the Lasallian
family to:
work for the continuous education of the poor
help young people find meaning in their lives
defend the rights of children
serve the marginalized youth of society
create links of community among the youth of the
world
become peacemakers and initiators of inter-religious
dialogue.
Also, meetings with Br. Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría,
FSC (Superior General), Br. Nicolas Capelle, FSC
(Secretary for the Lasallian Educational Mission) and
Br. Antonio Botana, FSC (Secretary for Lasallian
Associated Commission) were held with the ICYL members
to mutually establish links of cooperation among young
Lasallians and the international Lasallian family.
The ICYL meeting covered matters concerning the
upcoming young Lasallian gathering in Poland this
22-27 July 2003 and the initial coordination work for
the International Colloquium of Young Lasallians
provisionally proposed for 2005. Other concerns of
young Lasallians in the world were discussed as well.
The schedule of the meeting had many activities to
create community, strengthen the life of faith, and
share the diverse service experiences of all the young
Lasallian members. Such activities as having meals
together, a short trip to Assisi and the city of Rome,
communal prayers, and a Lasallian „museum‰ created by
the members were done to strengthen relationships
between all.
The spirit of faith, service and community that moves
us young Lasallians is alive! Let us all be part of
this universal movement of young people striving to
make this world a better place in which to live, share
and serve.
Live Jesus in our hearts!
ESPANOL
El Consejo Internacional de Jovenes Lasallistas
(CIJL): El primer Consejo Internacional de Jóvenes
Lasallistas (CIJL) se reunió en la Casa Generalicia
del 21 al 27 de Junio del 2003. Presentes en el
Consejo estuvieron representantes de las Américas,
África, Oriente Próximo, Asia, Oceanía y Europa.
El Consejo es una respuesta directa del Instituto a
las proposiciones que los delegados de Quebec 2002
hicieron al Hno. Superior General, Álvaro Rodríguez
Echeverría. El CIJL pretende ser el siguiente paso de
los Jóvenes Lasallistas y de los HEC para trabajar, de
modo conjunto, apasionadamente, por la construcción de
la Civilización del Amor.
Como resultado de la primera reunión del CIJL, se ha
producido la formación de 4 equipos de trabajo:
Equipo Coordinador: Hno. William Mann y Andoni
Rodríguez Blas (Coordinadores), Rebecca Belton, Diane
Leutgeb
Equipo de Fe: Matthieu Hetroit (Coordinador), Hno.
Moses Abunya, Toni Moussa
Equipo de Servicio: Cecilia Ruiz Herrera
(Coordinadora), Yanick Chamberland-Richer, Jeb Myers
Equipo de Fraternidad:Diego Téllez Rodríguez
(Coordinador), Davide Smaldone, Anny Rocha Lutz, John
Pallasigue, Gwendoline Nogue, Diego Aguirre
El CIJL busca fomentar el trabajo de los Jóvenes hacia
la realización de la misión global de la familia
Lasaliana:
Trabajar para la educación continua de los pobres.
Ayudar a los jóvenes a que encuentren un sentido a
sus vidas.
Defender los derechos de los niños .
Servir a los jóvenes marginados de la sociedad.
Crear vínculos entre los jóvenes Lasallistas del
mundo.
Convertirse en promotores de la paz y del dialogo
interreligioso.
TLos jóvenes tuvieron una serie de reuniones con el
Hno Superior General; el Hno. Nicolas Capelle
(Secretario de la Misión Educativa) y el Hno. Antonio
Botana (Secretario de la Asociación); con la
posibilidad de intercambiar impresiones con cada uno
de ellos. Así se buscaba fortalecer los lazos de
cooperación entre los jóvenes y la familia
internacional.
Los miembros del CIJL trataron numerosos puntos de
importancia para los jóvenes lasalianos, como lo
concerniente al próximo Encuentro Europeo de Jóvenes
Lasalianos, que se celebrará en Polonia del 22 al 27
de julio del presente año, así como la iniciación del
trabajo de coordinación para el Coloquio Internacional
de Jóvenes Lasallistas propuesto provisionalmente para
el 2005.
El esquema de la reunión incluía muchas actividades
para crear fraternidad, fortalecer la vida de fe y
compartir las diversas experiencias de servicio.
Dichas actividades, como el comer juntos, peregrinar
por Asís y por la Ciudad de Roma, las oraciones
comunitarias y un "museo" Lasallista creado por los
miembros, fueron planeadas y realizadas para
enriquecer las relaciones entre todos, logrando su
objetivo.
¡El espíritu de fe, de fraternidad y de servicio que
nos mueve como jóvenes Lasallistas esta vivo! Seamos
todos parte de este movimiento universal de gente
joven luchando por lograr que este mundo sea un mejor
lugar para vivir, compartir y servir.
¡Viva Jesús en nuestros corazones!
FRANCAIS
Le Conseil International des Jeunes Lasalliens (CIJL)
: Le premier Conseil International des Jeunes
Lasalliens (CIJL) s‚est réuni à la Maison Généralice
du 21 au 27 juin 2003. Des représentants des
Amériques, d‚Afrique, du Proche Orient, d‚Asie,
d‚Océanie et d‚Europe étaient présents.
Le Conseil est une réponse directe de l‚Institut des
Frères des Écoles chrétiennes aux propositions que
les délégués du colloque Québec 2002 firent au Frère
Supérieur Général Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría et au
Conseil Général. Le CIJL se veut l‚étape suivante pour
que Jeunes Lasalliens et FÉC travaillent ensemble et
passionnément pour la construction de la Civilisation
de l‚Amour.
Comme résultat de la première réunion du CIJL, quatre
équipes de travail furent mises en place :
Équipe de coordination: F. William Mann et Andoni
Rodríguez Blas (Coordinateurs), Rebecca Belton, Diane
Leutgeb
Équipe de foi: Matthieu Hetroit (Coordinateur), Hno.
Moses Abunya, Toni Moussa
Équipe de service: Cecilia Ruiz Herrera
(Coordinatrice), Jeb Myers, Yanick Chamberland-Richer
Équipe de fraternité: Diego Téllez Rodríguez
(Coordinateur), Davide Smaldone, Anny Rocha Lutz, John
Pallasigue, Gwendoline Nogue, Diego Aguirre
Le CIJL cherche à encourager le travail des jeunes en
vue de la réalisation de la mission globale de la
famille lasallienne:
Travailler pour l‚éducation continue des pauvres
Aider les jeunes à trouver un sens à leur vie
Défendre les droits de l‚enfant
Servir les jeunes marginaux de la société
Créer des liens entre les jeunes Lasalliens du monde
Se faire promoteur de la paix et du dialogue
interreligieux.
Le Conseil a tenu une série de rencontres avec le
Frère Supérieur Général Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría,
le Frère Secrétaire à la Mission Éducative, Nicolas
Capelle, et le Frère Secrétaire de l‚Association,
Antonio Botana, qui donnèrent lieu à d‚intéressants
échanges sur notre mission commune et raffermirent les
liens de coopération entre les jeunes Lasalliens et le
reste de la famille lasallienne.
De plus, les membres du CIJL travaillèrent à de
nombreux dossiers concernant les jeunes Lasalliens
dont la Rencontre Européenne des Jeunes Lasalliens qui
se tiendra en Pologne du 22 au 27 juillet prochain de
même que le futur Colloque international des Jeunes
Lasalliens qui est prévu pour l‚instant à l‚été 2005.
En plus de travailler à des dossiers précis, les
membres du Conseil purent pas à pas former communauté,
fortifier leur vie de foi et partager leurs diverses
expériences de service. Cela fut aidé par de nombreux
temps de prière organisés par les jeunes, un
pèlerinage à Assise et dans la ville de Rome ainsi
qu‚un „musée lasallien‰ maison pour découvrir la
diversité des projets des Jeunes Lasalliens dans le
monde.
L‚esprit de foi, de fraternité et de service qui nous
anime comme jeunes Lasalliens est bien vivant! Puisse
chaque jeune contribuer à ce mouvement universel qui
aspire à un monde où chacun puisse vivre, partager et
servir avec engagements.
Vive Jésus dans nos coeurs!
(Le Conseil International des Jeunes Lasalliens, CIJL
ITALIANO
Il Consiglio Internazionale dei Giovani Lasalliani
(ICYL): Recentemente il Consiglio Internazionale dei
Giovani Lasalliani si è incontrato per la prima volta
a Roma (dal 21 al 27 Giugno), alla Casa Generalizia.
Presenti a questo primo appuntamento erano i
rappresentanti di: America (nord e sud), Africa, Medio
Oriente, Asie e pacifico, Australia e, infine, Europa.
Il consiglio risponde direttamente al Superiore
Generale Fr. Álvaro Rodríguez e al suo consiglio ed è
stato creato in risposta alle necessitá emerse durante
il primo Simposio Internazionale dei Giovani
Lasalliani, tenutosi in Quebec nel 2002. Il ICYL è il
passo successivo lungo il cammino dei giovani
lasalliani di tutto il mondo che lavorano ogni giorno
per costruire la civiltá dell‚amore.
Il consiglio è stato strutturato in quattro differenti
gruppi di lavoro:
COORDINAMENTO: Fr. William Mann (Coordinatore),
Andoni Rodriguez Blas (Coordinatore), Rebecca Belton,
Diane Leutgeb
FEDE: Matthieu Hetroit (Coordinatore), Fr. Moses
Abunya, Toni Moussa
SERVIZIO: Cecilia Ruiz (Coordinatore), Yanick
Chamberland-Richer
COMUNITÁ: Diego Tellez Rodriguez (Coordinatore),
Davide Smaldone, Anny Rocha Lutz, Gwendoline Nouge,
Diego Aguirre
Il ruolo di ognuno di questi gruppi di lavoro è quello
di incoraggiare e di indirizzare gli sforzi dei
giovani lasalliani di tutto il mondo verso la missione
della Famiglia Lasalliana in tutto il mondo, per:
Lavorare per l‚educazione continuata dei poveri
Aiutare i giovani a dare significato alle loro vite
Difendere i diritti dei bambini
Essere al servizio dei giovani emarginati dalla
societá
Creare legami di fratellanza tra i giovani lasalliani
dei paesi di tutto il mondo
Diventare costruttori di pace e promotori del dialogo
interreligioso.
Il consiglio ha avuto anche l‚onore di poter avere
come ospite il Superiore Generale Fr. Álvaro
Rodríguez, Fr. Nicola Capelle (segretario della
Commissione Educativa Lasalliana), Fr. Antonio Botana
segretario della Commissione delle Associazioni
Lasalliane). È stato proprio durante questi incontri
che è stato possibile stabiliire legami comuni di
cooperazione tra i giovani lasalliani e la Famiglia
Lasallliana Internazionale.
Durante questo primo incontro il Consiglio si è
occupato anche dei prossimi importanti eventi a
livello internazionale come il Raduno Europeo dei
Giovani Lasalliani in Polonia (21-27 Giugno 2003) e il
coodinamento del prossimo Simposio Internazionale dei
Giovani Lasalliani, per ora previsto nel 2005. Oggetto
del di questo primo incontro sono stati anche altri
argomenti di particolare rilevanza per il mondo
giovanile.
Le nostre giornate, qui in Roma, sono state pensate
per creare, tra i membri del consiglio, quel senso di
comunione che solo la vita vissuta insieme riesce a
dare, riforzare la vitadi fede di ognuno e condividere
le diverse esperienze di tutti noi 16 giovani
lasalliani. Attvitá come avere i pasti in comune,
alcune piccole gite insieme nel centro di Roma e nella
sempre bella Assisi, le preghiere comunitarie, e la
creazione di un piccolo museo con tema „il Movimento
Internazionale dei Giovani Lasalliani‰ hanno
contribuito a rafforzare i legami, giá forti, tra i
vari rappresentanti di ogni regione.
È quindi questo spirito che ci fa sentire vivi come
giovani lasalliani! Vogliamo davvero essere parte di
questo movimento internazionale giovani per provare,
in modo concreto, a costruire un mondo migliore in cui
vivere, condividere e servire.
Viva Gesu‚ nei nostri cuori!
(Il Consiglio Internazionale dei Giovani Lasalliani,
ICYL
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--- THOUGHT
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Be someone
Be someone who listens, and you will be heard. Be
someone who cares, and you will be loved. Be someone
who gives, and you will be blessed. Be someone who
comforts, and you will know peace.
Be someone who genuinely seeks to understand, and you
will be wise. Be someone kind, someone considerate,
and you will be admired. Be someone who values truth,
and you will be respected. Be someone who takes
action, and you will move life forward.
Be someone who lifts others higher, and your life will
be rich. Be someone filled with gratitude, and there
will be no end to the things for which you'll be
thankful.
Be someone who lives with joy, with purpose, as your
own light brightly shines. Be, in every moment, the
special someone you are truly meant to be.
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--- THIS MONTHS' SONG
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El Shaddai
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.
Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by Your might,
You set Your children free.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonia,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.
Through the years You've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be.
Though Your Word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
I will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.
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---FINAL WORD
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Hope all of you enjoyed this edition of the Lasallian Youth Link.
As always we welcome any suggestions, comments or articles and experiences you would like to share. If you are going to change your e-mail address kindly inform us of your new details.
Regards
Ivan , Mark and David.