Lasallian Youth Link
An Official OSA publication
Volume 1
Issue 2
September 2002
THIS MONTH
A THOUGHT
FEATURED WEBSITE
THE LIFE OF A BROTHER
THE LORD's PRAYER
SONG
REFLECTION
FINAL WORD
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--- THIS MONTH
_______________________________________
During this month most of us spent some time thinking about the 11th
September tragedy and how the world has changed since then. Whilst it
is
important to keep commemorating such an even it is even so important
to
think about all those who in the past gave up their life so that we
can
live in peace.
On a very positive note we are pleased to see world leaders coming to
an
agreement about a plan to relief debt of poor countries. This
initiative
started back in the Jubilee year and it seems that now action is
about
to be taken.
"The era of promises must be replaced by the era of implementation,"
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown declared.
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--- A THOUGHT
_______________________________________
Self Preservation
Many things have been done - or words were said
That pierced the heart - like a bullet of lead
And though the event came - and soon was gone
The sting of it all - lingered on and on.
Dwelling on the past - though time has marched on
Will make us miserable - no mood for a song,
Because peace and joy - Satan is stealing
Thus, he alone prospers - if we hold an ill-feeling.
We must forgive others - in a way that is right:
Leaving their flaws - for only God's sight.
Sometimes it's impossible - to humanly do
So we call on the Holy Spirit - to see us through.
When the Lord forgives us - our slate is wiped clean.
God doesn't hold grudges - or see us as mean.
Yes, He gives us a chance - for a whole new start.
He holds no memory - of our mistakes in his heart.
If we can't forgive - like the Lord intended
We have a miserable life - which can't be mended.
Because an unforgiving heart - is real devastation
And forgiving completely - is self-preservation.
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--- FEATURED WEBSITE
_______________________________________
http://usafreedomcorps.gov/
President Bush, joined at the White House by former Republican presidential
nominee Robert J. Dole, announced a Web site to help people find ways to
meet a White House challenge to perform two years or 4,000 hours of public
service during their lifetimes.
Bush says in nearly every speech that he is determined to foster a culture
of service, a bit of good that can come out of the evil of Sept. 11. The
redesigned site, www.usafreedomcorps.gov, lets people use their Zip codes to
find out where to help in a soup kitchen, volunteer for the Boy Scouts or
coach youth soccer.
"Our nation is the greatest force for good in history, and we show our
gratitude by doing our duty," Bush said, with Dole at his side in the East
Room. "We express our love for America by loving Americans."
Dole, the former Senate majority leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee,
stars in a new public service advertisement for USA Freedom Corps, the
council Bush announced during his State of the Union address to coordinate
the federal service programs -- the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps
and the new Citizen Corps.
Marking the creation of the Freedom Corps six months ago, Bush said the
response "has been strong, and it can get stronger." The White House
said
that since the Jan. 29 address, 66,000 potential Peace Corps volunteers have
requested applications, a 40 percent increase over the same period in 2001.
Bush has posed for a photo with a local volunteer during 35 of his trips
around the country, often with Air Force One in the background.
The Advertising Council's campaign includes a flag-emblazoned newspaper
advertisement urging people to "Answer the President's Call to Service."
Radio and television spots feature former senators Dole and Glenn, and two
celebrities: "Law and Order" actress Angie Harmon, filmed teaching children
to spell "habeas corpus," and New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera,
who
also appears in a Spanish-language version.
The Web site links to a private coalition's database that includes 50,000
organizations around the world, including the Peace Corps, which needs 3,500
people a year for some types of jobs, and church pantries that need five
helpers a year.
"One of the main reasons people give for not volunteering is that no one has
asked them to do so," Bush said. "I'm asking."
_______________________________________
--- THE LIFE OF A BROTHER (part 2)
_______________________________________
The Life of Prayer (Chapter 5- The rule of the brothers of the Christian
schools)
The Brothers find in the daily examination of conscience, in spiritual
direction, in the frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation and
in the time of retreat, particularly the annual retreat, opportunities to
grow strong in charity and to persevere to the end in fidelity.
Every day in God's presence the Brothers examine their conscience by
reflecting on their lives in the light of the gospel.
In order better to discern the will of God in his regard, each Brother is
invited to seek an experienced spiritual director, especially in the most
decisive moments of his life, as a companion for his spiritual journey.
The Brothers make frequent use of the sacrament of reconciliation. There
they meet Christ and learn from him how to be forgiving towards everyone.
They willingly take part in penitential celebrations that emphasize the
community aspect of this sacrament.
Each year the Brothers take part in a spiritual retreat of adequate length
in order to renew their union with God and their zeal in the apostolate.
Periodically they spend some time in recollection for the same purpose. The
Districts and communities determine how these periods for renewal are to be
organized.
On these, and all other such occasions, it is for the Brother Visitor or the
Brother Director, as the case may be.
_______________________________________
--- THE LORD'S PRAYER
_______________________________________
(person): 'Our Father who art in heaven ...'
(God): Yes?
(person): Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.
(God): But you called me.
(person): Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our Father which art
in heaven..."
(God): There you did it again.
(person): Did what?
(God): Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven. " Here I
am...What's on your mind?
(person): But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my
prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good,
kind of like getting a duty done.
(God): All right. Go on.
(person): "Hallowed be thy name..."
(God): Hold it. What do you mean by that?
(person): By what?
(God): By "hallowed be thy name"?
(person): It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means.How
should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it
mean?
(God): It means honored, holy, wonderful.
(person): Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed"
meant
before. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
(God): Do you really mean that?
(person): Sure, why not?
(God): What are you doing about it?
(person): Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if
you got control of everything down here like you have up there.
(God): Have I got control of you?
(person): Well, I go to church.
(God): That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've
really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend
your money--all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?
(person): Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those
people at the church.
(God): Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that
is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.
Like you, for example.
(person): Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you
mention it, I could probably name some others.
(God): So could I.
(person): I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would
like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really
free.
(God): Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I.
Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.
(person): Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer
than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."
(God): You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.
(person): Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I
was
doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of
all my hang-ups.
(God): Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know.
That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am.
It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of
your prayer...(pause). Well, go on.
(person): I'm scared to.
(God): Scared? Of what?
(person): I know what you'll say.
(God): Try me and see.
(person): "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."
(God): What about Ann?
(person): See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's
told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the
debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!
(God): But your prayer? What about your prayer?
(person): I didn't mean it.
(God): Well, at least you're admitting it. But it's not much fun carrying
that load of bitterness around inside, is it?
(person): No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got
some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this
neighborhood.
(God): You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.
Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that.
(person): You can? How?
(God): Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be
Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.
(person): Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to get
revenge on Ann, I want to be right with you....(pause)...(sigh). All right.
All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord.
She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who
goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Some
way, some how, show her the right way.
(God) There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?
(person): Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first
time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm
not getting enough rest.
(God): You're not through with your prayer. Go on.
(person): Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil."
(God): Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where
you can be tempted.
(person): What do you mean by that?
(God): Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and
the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend coffeeing
with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive
things, perhaps you should rethink the value of those friendships. Another
thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping
up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch.
(person): I don't understand the last part.
(God): Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad
situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord,
help
me out of this mess and I promise you I'll never do it again." You
remember
some of those bargains you tried to make with me?
(person): Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.
(God): Which bargain are you remembering?
(person): Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and
I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go
any minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh, God, if
you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."
(God): did you?
(person): I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I
just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I
didn't expect anything to happen like it did.
(God): Go ahead and finish your prayer.
(person): "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
forever."
Amen.
(God): Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me
happy?
(person): No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what
a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really
be one of your followers.
(God): You just answered the question.
(person): I did?
(God): Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you
truly love me. And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these
old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we
can do together.
~By Ruth Carter-Bourdon~
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---Song
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The following was the official theme song of the lasallian youth leaders
symposium which was held in Quebec last July. Go through the words and share
the mission with all your friends.
Que suerte es tener un corazon sin puertas
Que suerte es tener las manos siempre abiertas
Manos abiertas para estrechar las de un amigo
Manos abiertas para ayudar en el camino
Manos abiertas para buscar un mondo nuevo
Manos abiertas para crecer en amor nuevo
Construisons un amour sans frontiers
Pour que notre coeur soit toujours sans barrieres
Ouvres tes mains pour Dieu, notre Seigneur
Ouvres tes mains pour celui qui est dans ton coeur
Ouvres tes mains pour les Jeunes Lasalliens
Ouvres tes mains pour renforcer nos liens
How wonderful is having the heart prepared
How wonderful is being the brother of the brother
Being the brother of he other one who is in need
Being the brother for making the youth association
Being the brother for working all us hand-inhand
Being the brother to make the love's civilization
(to be inserted)
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--- REFLECTION
_______________________________________
Go out into the world and take with you
The hope of God our creator who in love
Created a world where all would be whole
and longs for that wholeness to be restored.
The hope of Jesus who touched and ate with the broken
And offered them healing as he offers us now.
In the hope of the Spirit who inspires and guides and energises
us in times of apathy and despair
To work to bring all God's people into oneness and health.
Eildon Dyer
_______________________________________
---POST QUEBEC 2002: FIELD OF ACTION
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http://www.mertonai.org/amina/
You have probably heard about Amina Lawal, the
Nigerian woman convicted of adultery and having a
child outside marriage, who has been sentenced to
death by stoning by the court. It is particularly
shocking that the judge has decided that she should be
stoned to death as soon as her eight month old
daughter is weaned - what a tragedy for her and for
her baby. Amnesty International have organised a
petition which you can sign online and which will be
forwarded to the President of Nigeria - you can sign
it by clicking here: http://www.mertonai.org/amina/
I hope that you will sign it, and pass this on to
other people - it seems the least we can do for her.
Back in October 2001, 35-year old Safiya Hussaini was
condemned to death, by stoning, for allegedly
committing adultery. International outcry led by
Amnesty International ( the Merton Amnesty Group
campaigned for Safiya - see campaign archive) helped
save her life; she was acquitted on technical grounds
by an appeal court.
Now 30-year old Amina Lawal (right)faces the same
death sentence. Amina Lawal was sentenced to death
by stoning by a Regional Court in Katsina State,
Nigeria for having a child outside marriage. Her
sentence was announced on 23 March 2002, three days
before the day of Safiya's acquittal.
When unmarried, Amina became pregnant. Local villagers
had her arrested and she was brought before a Regional
Court where she was charged with the crime of
adultery. Like Safiya, she had no legal representation
and there are serious questions about whether the
nature of the charges was adequately explained to her.
In Nigeria, laws can be introduced by Regional States
which may be contrary to Federal Nigerian Law. Under
the Regional Law of Katsina State, a death sentence
can be imposed on any man or woman who has sex outside
of marriage.
Under Federal Nigerian law, Amina has the right to
have her life and personal dignity respected. This
right is enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution,
which confirms the sanctity of human life. This right
is also recognised by all the international and
regional human rights declarations and conventions to
which Nigeria is a signatory.
These cases created a political storm in Nigeria. The
Nigerian Federal Government recognises that laws which
discriminate against women are unacceptable, and that
the death penalty is inhumane and inappropriate.
This will entail burying Amina up to her waist and
stoning her until she is dead.
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---FINAL WORD
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We would like to thank you all for the comments you sent us after the
first issue of the youth link. Keep your suggestions flowing so the
communication between us will be even stronger!
If you have friends who would like to receive this
e-mail kindly tell them to forward us their e-mail address on
[email protected]
We remain yours in St John Baptist De La Salle
Ivan, David and Mark