Worth 99 LinkVolume 2
Issue 21
MAY 2002
THIS MONTH
BRO. FELIX AGIUS FSC: A TRIBUTE
PRAYER
THOUGHT
THIS MONTHS' SONG
FEATURED SITE
MESSAGE FROM THE POPE
FINAL WORD
______________________________________________________________
--- THIS MONTH
______________________________________________________________
As we promised in the last issue, we are dedicating the major part of this issue to the memory of Bro. Felix Agius who passed away last month. His work and dedication to the Brothers and students of the Brother's schools should be shared among our friends around the world.
The MUT (Malta Union of Teachers) has organised a Mass on 25.05.02 to all Teachers on the Island to commemorate the Feast of the Patron Saint of Teachers. Both local Lasallian schools celebrated founders' day on the 15th May.
______________________________________________________________
--- BRO. FELIX AGIUS FSC: A TRIBUTE
______________________________________________________________
(From an interview conduced by the OSA in 1997)
Br. Felix was born in Sliema on the 20 November 1927 and received his education at Villa Schinas. He was always inclined to a religious life, but was mainly inspired by the Brothers way of life when seeing them all gathered round a table in the common room loaded with piles of copybooks in front of them, correcting homeworks or preparing lessons for the following days.
His Vocation.
On choosing to become a Brother, he asked Bro. Robert to join their community. In September 1946 he left Malta to start his novitiate at Assington Hall, near Colusture, and was given the habit fifty five years ago on the 5th January 1947.
As a young Brother, Br. Felix continued his studies until 1950. Two years later he returned to Malta and thought Grade 6 students at Stella Maris College until 1964. He then moved to De La Salle College were for four years he was responsible for the boarders.
In 1968 Br. Felix obtained a B.A. Degree in History from the University of Malta.
Between 1975 and 1990 he taught students at De La Salle College then moved to St. Benild's where he taught religion to Grade 2 students and prepared them for their First Holy Communion.
The Stella Maris Parent Teacher Association.
Br. Felix recalls the setting up of the Stella Maris Parent Teacher Association. He had helped a great deal especially in fund raising activities. At that time the main objective was to set up a Science Laboratory. This was mainly the idea of Bro. Roger, who unfortunately did not manage to see its completion since he died at the age of 42. It was for this reason that the laboratories were named after him.
Br. Felix also recalls the annual New Year's Eve Dinners. - A grand school activity at the time. He helped in the preparation of the food, which by that time, had become very much at heart for him. It was such a popular event that he recalls an attendance of over 300 people.
A Different Malta
Bro. Felix also remembers a very different Malta. He remembers poverty very clearly and it was very common for people to beg for money in the streets. Another typical scene was that of shepherds walking in the streets followed by their herds and stopping every now and again to sell the goats milk at the people's doorsteps.
The War Years.
Bro. Felix was 13 years old when Mussolini declared war between Great Britain and France. He still had a very clear picture when on 11 June 1940 there was the first air raid on Malta. He believes this to be one of the most terrifying times especially when his family had to leave Sliema and take refuge at Attard (little knowing, at the time, about an airport at Ta' Qali). He also recalls one of the biggest raids on Sliema when the police station had collapsed and a student of Stella Maris was killed. He also remembers the arrival of Santa Maria Convoy, when the situation started to improve and finally when the war ended in 1945.
A Decline in Vocations.
After 50 years as a Brother, Bro. Felix looked at the decline in vocations as one of his greatest disappointments in life. Whilst, on the other hand, he is very proud to have had the opportunity to teach a great number of boys who later became Brothers or joined other religious orders, he strongly believes that he was of great influence to these students.
Bro. Felix ended his interview by wishing 'Memor Et Fidelis' to all his many friends, former students (today Old Stelmarians and Old Lasallians) of the Brothers and hope that they try to put it into practice during their ever day life.
Bro. Felix Agius fsc. 54 years of service to the community...
* Born in Sliema on 21 November 1927
* Educated at Stella Maris College
* Proceeded to UK for Novitiate in 1947
* Teacher at Beulah Hill London 1950 - 52
* Teacher at Stella Maris College 1952 - 64
* Teacher at De La Salle College 1964 - 68
* Teacher at Stella Maris College 1968 -73
* Student at the University of Malta 1973 - 75
* Teacher at De La Salle College 1975 - 90
* Teacher at St. Benild 1991 - 2002
* 2002 Retired in a Home for religious people
* Sunday 28 April 2002 at age 74 joined the Good Lord to eternal life.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE! AMEN.
____________________________________________________________
--- A PRAYER
______________________________________________________________
PRAYER - The Presence of God
To be present is to arrive as one is and open up to the other. At this instant, as I arrive here, God is present waiting for me. God always arrives before me, desiring to connect with me even more than my most intimate friend. I take a moment and greet my loving God.
______________________________________________________________
--- A THOUGHT
______________________________________________________________
A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!! To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!
______________________________________________________________
--- I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
______________________________________________________________
You can link up to the following url to hear the music of he following song
http://www.alighthouse.com/tomorrow2.htm
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
And I don't borrow from the sunshine,
'Cause the skies might turn to gray.
And I don't worry about the future,
'Cause I know what Jesus said;
And today I'm gonna walk right beside Him
'Cause He's the one who know what lies ahead.
There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand.
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
And each step is getting brighter
As these golden stairs I climb
And every burden is getting lighter
And all the clouds, they're silver lined.
And, Over There, the sun it's always shining.
There no tears, will ever dim the eye.
And at the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.
There are things about tomorrow
That I don't seem to understand,
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
Yes, I know Who holds my hand.
______________________________________________________________
--- FEATURED SITE
______________________________________________________________
http://www.unicef.org/teachers/action/quiz1.htm
Why so Child friendly? An Activity in Two Parts: Facts & Reflection
This website gives a number of facts that exist in our so called modern World. A typical example is that Children's environments are contaminated by more than 110 million landmines in over 68 countries, with mines in fields, temples, and even schools. These mines kill or maim 26,000 people every year. Children make up roughly 45 percent of those victims.
After going through these facts one can then proceed to the personal reflection and gaol setting part.
Links are also given to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
______________________________________________________________
---MESSAGE FROM THE POPE
______________________________________________________________
Pope Speaks About WYD 2002 in Ischia
On May 5 at a youth rally in Ischia, an island near Naples in Italy, the Pope mentioned WYD 2002 many times. "You are the salt of the earth ... You are the light of the world," the Pope told the young people. Give "taste and beauty to life," and show "with concrete actions and the conviction of words that it is worthwhile to live and to live together the love that Jesus came to reveal to us and to give us." Spread the light of Christ in every realm, "especially where he is not known or loved, or even rejected."
"Make them understand with your life that the light that comes from above does not destroy what is human; on the contrary, it exalts it, like the sun that highlights shapes and colors with its brilliance," the Pope said. "God is not man's competitor, but his real friend, his most loyal ally."
______________________________________________________________
---FINAL WORD
______________________________________________________________
Although the world is welcoming this summer with the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, we are working towards the other side of the world.
Preparations have been underway and we are preparing ourselves to be on the runway on our way to Canada, where we are look forward to meeting some of you in Quebec.
We hope to get some first hand opinions of this Worth link as we intend to strengthen our ties with such a powerful means of communication.
Regards
Ivan , Mark and David.