CENTRAL HOUSE BULLETIN - De La Salle...

CHB0814 INDIVISA MANENT

CENTRAL HOUSE BULLETIN of 8 August 2014

READING— MATTHEW 18:1-5,10,12-14“In the same way, it is is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

REFLECTIONIn response to the disciples’ question : “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”, Jesus places a child in their midst and reminds them of their calling as disciples to look after the weak and the vulnerable. This then is the measure of greatness that Jesus invites us to adopt.

I suppose our human hearts always seek for some kind of validation of our own self-worth. Too often, our positions and the privileges that go with it can be the easiest way to validate if what we had decided to give our lives to is worth it after all. Jesus’ words today challenge us to root our lives - not in the privileges or positions that we hold - but in the sincerity and depth of our love for those who are poor and defenseless. If at all, any authority or privilege we claim need to be exercised to serve those who are weak and vulnerable.

As educators, it is our desire to build up this community of disciples who are rooted in God’s special love for those who are poor. In our work of teaching and leading, let us place young people, especially those in difficult circumstances, at the center of our community. May their needs and vulnerabilities lead us to discover the range of power and creativity that is in each of us.

RESPONSEReal wealth consists in being freeIn not being possessed by possessionsIn sharing and lovingChildren know thisThere is no class distinction among themIf I can open their minds and let the sun enter inIf enough of us can do thisIf we can lead them beyond the boundaries that enslave themThen the world will become a brighter placeAnd people will live closer to justiceCloser to happinessAnd closer to peace

Leo Burkhard, FSC

OFFICIAL ENGLISH AND FILIPINO VERSIONS OF THE LASALLIAN PRAYERAs we celebrate Buwan ng Wika, we are happy to share with you the official English and Filipino Versions of the Lasallian Prayer.

The video is about an ordinary day in the life of every child. It is an invitation to discover God’s presence everyday and to make each act - no matter how ordinary - an affirmation of our loving response to His goodness. This is the invitation we impart to our faculty, students and staff each time we gather in prayer.

Watch Video: http://youtu.be/LdeyZhjUBvA?list=UUT2u-DcZe2o8Z_xJ0P-Ebwg


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AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

1 Bianes, Roda Alfonso (JHIS-LS)

Chavez, Arlene (JHIS-LS)

De Vera, Fritzie (DLSU-M)

3 Fugoso, Ophelia AFSC (LASSO)

4 Bermejo, Arturo II (CHA-ICT)

8 Contreras, Roselle Muldez (JHIS-LS)

Fernandez, Cherrylyn Apuada (CHA-CPU)

Manguiat, Marichelle Yapchiongco (CHA-LAU)

9 Chua, Edgar (NMC)

10 Manalo, Sr. Cora AFSC

12 Dacanay, Sr. Digna RSCJ

14 Magno, Christian Gregory (Postulant)

15 Leaño, David Millares (CHA-CoRe)

16 Garais, Sovie Dorado (JHIS-LS)

Nuqui, Joseph Conrado Marion III Domagas (CHA-ASU)

17 Viroomal, Edmon nFSC (Novice)

19 Abarquez, Razel Jane Villazorda (JHIS-LS)

Rafiñan, Consuelo Corazon (LSVP)

20 Sy, Cliff Ferdinand FSC

24 Perez, Carmelita Cagutla (LS Novitiate)

Rivera, Ma. Shieralyn (CHA-ASU)

25 Scheiter, Joseph FSC

Weeratunga Arachchilage Sameera Madusanga nFSC (Novice)

Diaz, Michelle Barrameda (JHIS-LS)

Manlunas, Ma. Cecilia Carolynne (CHA-LMS)

29 Sellner, Martin FSC

BR. DAN FENTON FSC & VOLUNTEERS FROM THE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO VISITS THE PHILIPPINESDuring the months of June and July, Br. Dan Fenton, FSC (from the District of San Francisco Neo Orleans) traveled to the Philippines with college student volunteers to assist at the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Centers in Bacolod and in Dasmariñas. These volunteer trips began in 2004 with two such volunteer groups led by Br. James Joost, FSC. Br. Dan (who participated in the first two trips) continued bringing volunteers until the

Photo Courtesy of DLSU-D Marketing Communications Office


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present – this is the 11th year of these service trips. Volunteers participate in the life of the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Centers by teaching classes, tutoring individual students, organizing games and activities, and traveling with residents of the centers as they visit their families.

This year’s volunteer team members (as they appear from left to right in the photo) are Albert Ahedo from Pasadena College, Hermes Ruiz from Loras College, Franklin Muñoz from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Br. Dan Fenton. A fourth volunteer, Valerie Purcell from Saint Mary’s College of California, was with us for the Bacolod portion of our service trip only. The travel expenses of the volunteers were covered by donations from Brothers’ communities, faculty and staff members at our Lasallian schools in the US, and (in Valerie’s case) a grant from Saint Mary’s College. The volunteers have been deeply affected by their experience and note especially the difficulties faced by CICLs (children in conflict with the law), the dedication of the Brothers and the staff members of the Bahay Pag-asa Youth Centers, and the desire of the resident CICLs to learn, train for careers and help their families. As always, we are deeply impressed by the hospitality shown us during our entire stay.

This year, in addition to our volunteer work, we were able to provide (through donations we gathered from Club Pag-asa in the US and individual donors) the following items:To Bahay Pag-asa Bacolod: • an LCD projector, sound system and screen • DVDs and educational supplies • basketball and net, volleyball net, table tennis

supplies, billiard cues • jackets, swim trunks and boxer shorts for the

residents • water bottles for residents and staff • towels and bathroom supplies for the

residents • T-shirts for the residents • two home-visit trips (including meals on the

road) for groups of residents • a field trip to Campuestohan Highlands Resort

for the residents (swimming & zip-lining) • US$4200 for the scholarship program to

provide continuing education and training for residents and former residents.

To Bahay Pag-asa Dasmariñas: • backpacks for all the residents • an electric guitar • two amplifiers • two sets of effect pedals for guitars • 2 small terraria for pet reptiles • a laptop computer to be used to connect with

the weather station • an overnight trip for the residents to the

Double V Resort (swimming and videoke) • US$1000 for music program and/or

educational programs • a nebulizer and medications for a resident

with asthma

The three volunteers are returning to the US on August 3rd. Brother Dan will be returning to Bacolod where he will join the Brothers’ community of the University of Saint La Salle and work at Bahay Pag-asa. - Br. Dan Fenton FSC

JOURNEYING TOGETHER AS LASALLIANS: INTER-LUZON ASPIRANTS WORKSHOP The Aspirants and the Contacts of the 1911 and the Residencia Community took part in the Inter-Luzon Aspirants Workshop (ILAW) held at the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall of De La Salle University, Manila last 19 July 2014. The facilitators of the event were Sir Jose Ritche Bongcaron, from De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, and Br. Rey Mejias, FSC, from the House of Studies. The main aim of the workshop was to mold and enhance the ideas of the Aspirants and the Contacts about vocation, and to develop their knowledge about the Brotherhood and being a Lasallian.

Entertaining God’s call to be part of the Church can be a scary moment for some, because of the sacrifices that needs to be lived out when one choses a vocation, but the session with Sir Ritche helped us clear our minds with the fears and think less of the sacrifices, and think more of a healthy vocation towards discovering ourselves as an individual and discovering our vocation towards God. The session reminded each of us that there will be moments in our journey that will make us think about our egoistic personal desires, and it is normal to experience such-- that even persons in the Bible experienced such because of frailty. But guided by our strong faith to God, any kind of journey that we will venture into will be fruitful. We were reminded to maintain and enhance our solidarity because, the journey of aspiring to be a De La Salle Brother is not just a journey that we take individually, but it is a journey that we take with one another.

The session delivered by Br. Rey was an educating session for everyone, because he talked not just about the roots of the De La Salle Brotherhood, but also essence of being a Brother and Lasallian. The session started with the Reddition, a traditional activity of the Brothers to share stories to other Brothers about the self, and to build relations with the other Brothers. As the session progressed, Br. Rey instilled in us the mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle to “provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor”; this is to remind about the ministry we are trying to be part of helps in the transformation of our


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society through education. Moreover, one of the major teachings we got from the session was to be proud Lasallians-- to live the Animo. Because being a Lasallian is being part of a community, it is about being knitted in a community that is close together. Being a Lasallian is more than just the brains, but it is what is inside heart. It is not about finishing something first, it is about

finishing something together, that is the true Lasallian spirit. Undeniably, this session ignited the Animo in us. Br. Rey also gave us a glimpse of the life of the De La Salle Brothers. More than the tasks they do at school, they also play sports, they are also updated with the latest movies and TV shows and they also support the De La Salle Green Archers. It made me realize that they are also humans inside their habits, wearing their rabat, trying to share their life they have to people who is in need every day. It is like they are the modern superheroes of education.

The feedbacks of the Aspirants and the Contacts about this term’s version of ILAW were positive. Jan Aguas (BS Information Systems), a contact from DLSU shared that “(I) was able to learn what being a Lasallian truly is for.” On one hand, the starting Aspirant Miguel Tamina (BS Information Systems, DLSU), said that “As

someone who’s just started to discern, ILAW helped me understand what it’s like to be an Aspirant --how the journey’s going to be like. It also helped me to know myself better through the reflections and also helped me to be more open to people. In short, it helped me grow as an Aspirant.” Ed Mark Pagdato, (Junior Intern, De La Salle University, Medical Center) shared

that “ILAW primarily helps me to find who am I as an aspirant. The camaraderie is also one of the highlight of ILAW each year because it gives the chance to meet all the 2 communities and sharing what each community is doing in terms of promoting the vocations to their schools. ILAW also give me that extra push to keep the flame of my vocation alive towards being a Lasallian Brother someday.”

Truly, ILAW is an activity that Aspirants and Contacts of different communities have been looking forward each term, because it does not only help us in developing our vocation, our ministry, and our individuality, but also the camaraderie of the Aspirants from the different communities, because it is a journey that we will take with one another towards one vision—to be a De La Salle Brother. - Jose Carlos G. Ocampo


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BLESSING OF THE NEW BROTHERS’ HOUSE AT LA SALLE ACADEMYOn August 9, 2014, the Brothers, members of the Board of Trustees of La Salle Academy, representatives of the School, benefactors and guests gathered together to witness and celebrate the blessing of the New Brothers House in Iligan.

The first Brothers’ House was built sometime in the early 60’s. It was the third community of the Brothers that was opened and it is one of the oldest houses in the Sector that is still in use. This year, 2014, a new chapter opens for the Brothers in Iligan. Through the support of the Directors’ Association and the contributions of the

various Brothers Communities, a new 2-storey house, a new home is opened.

The gathering began with the remarks of circumstance delivered by Br. Felipe C. Belleza, Jr. FSC, Director of the Community. This was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony graced by the presence of Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC and Br. Thomas Lavin FSC, along with other Brother Directors and Brothers who represented the different communities in the Sector. A Mass was celebrated by Most Rev. Elenito Galido, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Iligan. This was immediately followed by the blessing of the house and a thanksgiving dinner. The new house showcases pieces of history. It


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highlights one of the tables first used by the Brothers when they came in the late 50’s and the original register signed by the Brothers who have been in community since 1958.

In his remark of circumstance, Br. Felipe shared that the official name of the Iligan Community is the Holy Infancy Community. This information can be found in the original register where one can also find the entry of the first three Brothers in Iligan: Br. Crescentius Richard Duerr FSC, Br. Leander Fidelis Leddy FSC and Br. Raymond Jeffrey FSC. In that same book, one would also find the entry of the current Brother Superior General, Br. Robert “Bob” Schieler FSC. Today, along with Br. Felipe, Br. Allan Buenavista FSC, Br. Dan Sanding FSC and Br. Paul Mata FSC form the community in the new Brothers House. - Br. Paulo Mata FSC

DLSP-LJPC TURNS-OVER TEMPORARY HOUSING The De La Salle Philippines – Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission (LJPC) formally turned over temporary shelters to victims of typhoon Pablo which hit Mindanao in December 2012. A total of twenty-six (26) temporary shelters were given to families left homeless by the typhoon in Barangay Dapnan, Baganga, Davao Oriental.

In partnership with the Sacred Heart Parish in Lambajon and the Diocese of Mati, the DLSP-LJPC through the De La Salle John Bosco College located in Bislig, City, Surigao del Norte assisted and funded the construction of 26 temporary shelters for the typhoon victims especially the most vulnerable like the elderly, widow and those with small children.

The beneficiary families had been staying in their houses since March 2013 when the shelters were completed, however had wanted a formal turn-over. Because scheduling problems the formal turn-over was held only last July 25, 2014. The LJPC National Coordinator Mr. Gladstone A. Cuarteros represented DLSP in the occasion together with officials from De

La Salle John Bosco College like Mrs. Elena Tabat, Dr. Restie Ugmad, Dr. Corazon Mangubat, Mrs. Lalaine Gamora and Mrs. Lucia Cacho. The parish Priest of Sacred Heart in Lambajon - Fr. Darwey Clar was also present and assisted in the turn-over.

Temporary shelters were provided so that they a place to stay while waiting for government assistance of permanent housing. Some of them have since received permanent shelters but they opted to retain the temporary house given them in order to have additional dwelling space. The government housing assistance, while concrete structure is only twenty-five square meters, which is not sufficient space for all the household members to stay.

Incidentally the design of the temporary shelter was adopted by international organizations and NGOs in their shelter program in the typhoon Yolanda affected areas.


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FLV 2014: FRENCH LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS EXPERIENCE THE LASALLIAN MISSION IN THE PHILIPPINESTwenty-seven French Lasallian Volunteers (FLV); students and adult partners, from Aux Lazariste Lyon – La Salle of the Akwaba, Les Enfants came to the Philippines and experienced the Lasallian Mission in our country through various exposure, immersion and participation in variety of service learning programs from July 12 to August 1, 2014.

They were able to understand the life of Filipinos through the three-week program in the Philippines which provided them chance to learn the culture and lifestyle of Filipinos through various encounters and experiences in different communities and Universities. Among the Sector schools that they’ve visited were De La Salle University and De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in Manila, La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas and De La Salle Health Sciences Institute in Cavite, Jaime Hilario Integrated School La Salle in Bagac where they lived with foster families, conducted classes in arts, sports

and French language. They also helped in cleaning and clearing operations after the typhoon Glenda in JHIS-LS.

Their significant engagements in communities provided them an experience beyond the typical day-to-day life of a Filipino. Some communities they have visited are Kuya Center (Quezon City) for street children, Gawad Kalinga (give care) Enchanted Farm (Bulacan) imparting social entrepreneurship to the poor. Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) Camp (Zambales), and Bahay

Pag-asa in DLSU-D, a center for youth in conflict with the law. They also conducted activities among Senior Citizens and visited the families who benefited in the Green Light for a Better Life- A liter of light project, both in Barangay Zone 1A in Dasmariñas. Another significant experience for them is to be able to provide help and assistance in the rehabilitation programs in the communities affected by typhoon Haiyan in Trinidad Elementary School (Guiuan, Samar), where they provided school supplies for the students and diverting activities in the Tent City (Tacloban City).


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COMPLIANCE & INTERNAL AUDIT COMMISSION

The compliance and internal auditors of the DLSP network of schools were invited to attend the Compliance & Internal Audit Commission last 30 July 2014 at the Marlina Fagela Conference Room of De La Salle Philippines- Central House Administration. The different compliance officers of a number of schools, mostly in Luzon met regularly in the past. The invitation was intended to revive this group and to include the internal auditors of the schools.Br. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC, President of DLSP welcomed the participants. He shared the practices of the founder St. John Baptist de La Salle which are consistent with good compliance. Our founder ensured that the Brothers obtained proper authorization and recognition for their schools. of the Christian Brothers were recognized and accredited by the Church and the King of France at that time.

“Patent Letters, official authorization granted in the name of the King of France, recognizing the free school of Saint Yon-les-Rouen (1724). Even prior to obtaining Church recognition via the Bull of Approbation, the Brothers received various authorizations from the royal government, for specific houses, institutions and works within a particular municipal jurisdiction.”

“26 January 1725. A document vital for the Brothers. The Bull of Approbation by which Pope Benedict XIII officially recognized the Institute. The crowning achievement of long arduous efforts, it is also the crowning work of the Founder, who died six years earlier.”

Br. Jj emphasized that compliance has always been an essential concern of our founder to ensure that our schools are able to continue its operations. He underscored the importance of the work of the compliance and internal audit commission so that schools are run well.

The business meeting focused on reviewing the objectives of the formerly known Compliance Committee and came up with the new objectives of the Compliance & Audit Commission. There is also a move

AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEMPhilippine District Council, 1997The prophet Isaiah (Is 11:6-9) presents to us a vision of childhood lived in a world reconciled. We do not live in such a world; but we are called to live towards it by doing our utmost to stand by youth at risk wherever we encounter them. We are called to help build a world where people, most especially the young, can attain the freedom of the children of God. The call to minister to youth at risk is a universal call; but for us disciples of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the oppression and abandonment of youth takes on a poignant urgency, for it is the same condition that led to the birth of our own Institute more than three hundred years ago.

Risk your life for youth at risk. Perhaps this signifies at the deepest level our Lasallian response to God’s loving initiatives in our lives. We hope this focus opens up new and exciting possibilities for ministry. We believe that such a focus is capable of inspiring men and women to greater generosity and heroism. perhaps, we will discover a mission that young people would gladly give their lives to accomplishing - one worth the total consecration of their lives.

to review the Audit and Compliance charters of the schools. Also in the agenda is the discussion of the role of the commission members in the implementation of the Modern Conduct of Schools in the different Lasallian Institutions.

CENTRAL HOUSE BULLETIN - De La Salle...

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