Worth 99 Link
Volume 2
Issue 22
JUNE 2002
THIS MONTH
WELCOME ON BOARD
QUEBEC 2002: PREPARATION ROAD
FEATURED SITE
PRAYER
THOUGHT
THIS MONTHS' SONG
FUTURE ISSUES
FINAL WORD
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--- THIS MONTH
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This month has been a relatively busy one for most of you who shall be participating in the Quebec symposium and World Youth days. Well we are no exception! Both Ivan and David shall be having an active role in the symposium: as a team leader and as a note taker. As a delegation we shall also be organising one of the prayer sessions.
We would like to thank Yanick for all the effort he has put into organising such an international symposium. We are sure that all the effort of the past two years will result in a very successful gathering.
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--- WELCOME ON BOARD
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Some of you may have received the Worth Link for the first time today and might be asking what it is all about and from where the name came!
Well it all started in July 1999 when at the Lasallian youth gathering which took place in Worth Abbey in England, the Maltese delegation took a commitment to try and keep in touch through a regular publication with the participants of that gathering. The aim was to prepare together for the Jubilee and the Rome World Youth days. (WYD's)
After WYD's the Worth link kept on being issued month after month. The number of recipients was now double that of the original number. We have received numerous positive comments and we have now reached the 22nd issue since world youth days and the 32nd issue since the Worth gathering.
We are now welcoming to our Worth link all the delegates of the Quebec symposium.
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--- PREPARATION ROAD
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All the delegates of Quebec 2002 have been asked to give their views on 4 segments of the preparation road. We are going to share with you all, our view on the points raised.
Segment One
This first segment questions what it means to be lasallian and why we continue to make commitments with other lasallians. It also asks for a portrait of the association we belong to. (in our case it is the OSA:Old Stelmarians association- a past pupils association)
As Lasallians, we see our brand loyalty mainly in the very sense of the phrase "Touching hearts". We identify a true, practicing Lasallian, as one who is of continuous service to others. One would ask, "...but who's hearts do we need to touch?" Over the years, by getting closer to the readings of our founder and by living the experience with other Lasallians -friends, brothers and teachers - we have realized that we need to tackle the problems of the new poverty. By the new poverty we mean, the single parents, the students who return home from schools finding no one at home, ............ Our main aim is to try and get ourselves organised to be of service to this part of society.
One might ask why we should go through this hassle, when it is easier to enjoy a beer at a local pub or go to the movies rather than finding that extra hour or two on your hand to spare it to the others, who at the end of the day you are not so close. However, with the right education and with De La Salle being the backbone of your upbringing, one would get a kick from being of service to others. It seems that the more one gives the better he feels. This might be the opposite of what the world is projecting where we are being bombarded with the idea of the more one gets the better off s/he is. The satisfaction from giving seems to have a ripple effect because, as we got this upbringing and urge of helping others in our Lasallian schools, by being of service to others, others will instil in themselves the idea of them helping others.
As a Lasallians, we keep on working in this field because the ripple effect phenomena, gives us enough energy that the few with the spirit lead the many who are willing to receive the Lasallian charisma.
Our association has been around for 54 years, it all started by helping the College organising fund raising activities. Eventually it went a step forward and become more of a social, further on, philanthropic and later on cultural. In the last eight years it has been trying to concentrate more on the spiritual and character formation aspects. Part of this apostolate is done through celebrating Holy Eucharist on the First Sunday of every month for parents of schools children and past pupils, preparing Lenten Sermons for various ages of ex-alumni, organising live-ins for students, and, supporting other Lasallian Associations. We are also active on the international scene, where we show solidarity through the world wide web on special events like the 43rd General Chapter and the 11th September events, while on a monthly basis, we keep up to date our Lasallian friends around the world through the Worth Link; a commitment taken in the Worth Youth Gathering in July of 1999. Of particular importance we find that the Live-in which we organise to the students and the International Gatherings give us the boost that we really need from time to time to keep us going strong.
Segment Two
In this section the areas where lasallian youth can play a part in having a better world are discussed.
After some debate we came to the conclusion that it is not feasible to create yet another organisation and/or pressure group to the many that exist all around the world tackling different aspects such as, child labour, the right of education to the child, famine etc., we are of the opinion that as Lasallians we should create an alliances with different pressure groups and or organisations and helping them out in what they are trying to achieve. The rights of children is one of our top priority as a field of action, where it is part of our statute and which has been given much importance by the former Bro. Superior Bro. John Johnston. This may take various forms such as through our network, we could lobby in different countries where there is a presence of Lasallian charisma. An idea that came to mind for example is to lobby for the distribution of food worldwide.
We firmly believe that there is a wealth of knowledge that needs to be instilled in our children and this is the Lasallian Pedagogy, further still we are to teach the parents about our Founder so that they can strengthen this Pedagogy which starts from the schools through the brothers and teacher and then it is consolidated at home.
Segment Three
This segment is about certain technical aspects of the international lasallian youth association.
We would call such association Lasallian Youth World or International Lasallian (World) Youth Organisation In Quebec the most important thing is to agree on the vision of the association and based on such vision a mission statement. As an example the vision (where the association is going) of the association could be to create an environment where young Lasallians can carry out the charisma of St. John Baptist De La Salle on an international scale . From this vision we can arrive at the mission statement (what is the association for): The International young lasallians association is committed to creating a framework through which work being carried out by lasallian youth on a local basis is helped and ecouraged by international lasallians. If general assembly is taken to mean when all the "members" should meet than we recommend that this should be made every two years and ensuring a fair rotation system between the continents. Such assembly can also link up with the World Youth days celebrations. Delegates of each region can meet on a yearly basis. In the case of associations all current lasallian youth movements should be considered as members and their representatives should have the opportunity to be part of the executive committee. With respect to individuals from a particular region they can join the international association through their local young movement. Where such movement has not yet been established a structure can be recommended to ensure such individuals become members of the international association. Once the association sets out to reach its goals, individuals will start seeing the work being carried out. This in itself will motivate young lasallian people to become members of the association.
In the case of individuals who still do not know anything about the charisma of our founder, it is only if through the work we carry out we give witness to such charisma that they will be motivated to join the association and become themselves lasallian.
The following are various forms of sources of finance for the international association:
* Membership fees from all individuals
* Membership fees from organisations represented in the association
* Proceeds from a yearly activity by each of the organisations
* Sponsorships
* Sales of promotional material
* Budgeted yearly amount from the Motherhouse
A statute can detail the lines of reporting the association will have to the various organisations.
For technical information one can look at how UMAEL operates as well.
Segment Four
This segment deals with the future structure of the association.
The initial Team
The mini JLI could be made up of team of 32 consisting of 2 representatives from each of the 16 regions. It is best to leave it up to the region to decide on how the members should be chosen.
Preferibly such members should have participated in the Quebec Symposium. The mission of the initial team could be to consolidate all the ideas gathered during the Quebec symposium and make a plan of action on how to start up the association. Use of the internet will be very crucial as the representatives will basically be from all over the World.
The initial Structure
A website can be set up to help in the "publicity" of the international association. Local associations will also find such website useful to post their projects and what kind of help they need.
www.netaid.org is a very good example.
The current structure in place for the organisation of The Quebec Symposium can be suggested as well.
Organisation's mission on the international level The first project to be taken in hand should be one which gives encouragement to continue working on an international basis. The first project will also help to attract more members especially those who do not know about the lasallian charisma.
In view of this, a general agreement should be reached on what the first project to handle is going to be about. This could be the task of the mini JLI.
Next Meeting of young Lasallians If such meeting will coincide with World Youth days in 2004 we encourage that for World youth days we will remain together as one international lasallian family and we will not be divided according to our parishes and countries. (it is ok to be divided according to languages only) The Mini JLI can set up a sub committee whose task will be to organise the participation of international lasallian youth in the next world youth days.
A European country close to Germany can be suggested to host the lasallian youth gathering before the WYD's ( eg France ....OR MALTA!!!!!!)
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--- FEATURED SITE
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quebec2002/ Did you enjoy reading our answers to the preparation road? We strongly suggest you visit the above website so you will be able to read the views of other delegates who shall be participating in the Quebec symposium. You can also read the questions of the preparation road and it would be interesting for us to read your views as well.
If you have a do not have yahoo ID don't worry it is fairly easy to obtain one and it is free of charge.
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---PRAYER
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A Prayer to Padre Pio
Beloved Padre Pio, today I come to add my prayer to the thousands of prayers offered to you every day by those who love and venerate you. They ask for cures and healings, earthly and spiritual blessings, and peace for body and mind. And because of your friendship with the Lord, he heals those you ask to be healed, and forgives those you forgive.
Through your visible wounds of the Cross, which you bore for 50 years, you were chosen in our time to glorify the crucified Jesus. Because the Cross has been replaced by other symbols, please help us to bring it back in our midst, for we acknowledge it is the only true sign of salvation.
As we lovingly recall the wounds that pierced your hands, feet and side, we not only remember the blood you shed in pain, but your smile, and the invisible halo of sweet smelling flowers that surrounded your presence, the perfume of sanctity.
Padre Pio, may the healings of the sick become the testimony that the Lord has invited you to join the holy company of Saints. In your kindness, please help me with my own special request: (mention here your petition, and make the sign of the Cross).
Bless me and my loved ones. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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--- THOUGHT
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The following is one of the spiritual counsels of Padre Pio which were gathered from the writings of Padre Pio before the year 1922.
Love of God
You must speak to Jesus also with the heart, besides the lips; indeed, in certain cases you must speak to him only with the heart.
Do not worry over things that generate preoccupation, derangement and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God.
The heart of our Divine Master has no more amiable law than that of sweetness, humility, charity. Often place your confidence in Divine Providence and be assured that sooner heaven and earth shall pass away than that the Lord neglect to protect you.
Thank and sweetly kiss the hand of God that strikes you, because it is always the hand of a Father who strikes you because he loves you.
My past, O Lord, to your Mercy; my present, to your Love; my future, to your Providence!
God loves man with an infinite love and when he punishes he does so with reverence, almost fearing to hurt.
God can reject everything in a creature conceived in sin and which bears the indelible impression inherited from Adam. But he absolutely cannot reject the sincere desire to love him.
Have you not for some time loved the Lord? Do you not love him now? Do you not long to love him forever? Therefore, do not fear! Even conceded that you had committed all the sins of this world, Jesus repeats to you, "Many sins are forgiven thee because thou hast loved much!"
You are trying to find the highest good but, in all truth, it is within you and holds you stretched out on the naked cross, instilling strength to sustain the insupportable martyrdom, and also to love Love bitterly. Say to our sweetest Lord, and say it always: "I want to live by dying, because from death comes life which does not die and assists life to raise the dead."
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---STAY WITH ME LORD
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Stay with me Lord (Resta Con Me)
Stay with me Lord, Thou know'st how Thee I can forget,
Stay with me Lord, Thou know'st without Thy strength I fall
Stay with me Lord, for without Thee my fervour fails,
Stay with me Lord, Thou art my light, Thou art my Life
Chorus: Resta con me,* O nostro Signore, Resta con me.*
Stay with me Lord, and show to me Thy holy will,
And let my soul a place of consolation be,
Stay with me Lord, for I desire to follow Thee,
Stay with me Lord, that I may always stay with Thee
Stay with me Jesus, now for it is getting late,
Stay with me Lord, the day is ending life will pass
Stay with me Lord, so I don't falter on the way
Stay with me Lord, I need Thee now as journey ends
Stay with me Lord, since death is near remain with me
Unite my soul at last with Thee, through grace and love
Stay with me then, thou undeserving, comfort me
And grant me then the gift of knowing Thou are near
Stay with me Lord, for Thee alone I seek and love,
I ask Thy love, Thy grace, Thy heart, Thy holy will
Stay with me Lord, for Thee I love and Thee alone,
I ask no more... to love Thee now, and evermore.
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---FUTURE ISSUES
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No no the Worth Link is not going to stop! However for this volume this is going to be the last issue as in July there is going to be the Quebec symposium as well as World Youth days.
After Quebec we will decide on how the format of this monthly e-mail will be and on other technical matters. However this publication is going to continue, though it may have a different name!
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---FINAL WORD
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We would like to thank you all for the support and positive comments you have always given. Feel free to forward this e-mail to all your lasallian friends and if you want we add them to our mailing list kindly forward us their e-mail address.
Our final message to you comes from the themes of world youth day and the Quebec symposium:
"You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world" Mt. 5, 13.14
"Hand in hand lets build the civilisation of love!"
Regards
Ivan , Mark and David.