News Notes

De La Salle Christian Brothers * 7650 S. County Line Road * Burr Ridge, IL 60527 __________________________________________________________________________________________

September 2014

Youth strengthen Lasallian bonds throughout region The summer months offer opportunities for Lasallian Youth to come together in their Districts and grow in association with others of similar faith, engage in activities and projects, listen to knowledgeable speakers, and work together to strengthen their bond in the Lasallian mission. This year, hundreds of youth, moderators and Brothers, including some international students, participated in the assemblies. The Midwest District held its annual Lasallian Youth Gathering centered on the theme “We Are One,” on June 22 – 27 at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona. Ninety-eight students participated in a week packed with prayer, activities, small-group discussions, and service projects in the community. Participants shared their school traditions and were able to grow closer to one another through walks in the bluffs, a bonfire, canoeing and more. The District of Eastern North America (DENA) gathered for the 20th annual Lasallian Youth Assembly at La Salle University in Philadelphia on July 13 – 18. The theme was “Here I am Lord,” and involved one hundred twelve youth and moderators, including nine from Rome, Italy. The week started with a celebration of Mass followed by a cookout. Students listened to keynote presenters, visited the National Liberty Museum, and did community service at several local sites. The first of two gatherings for the District of San Francisco New Orleans (SFNO) took place at the University of Portland in Oregon. This Lasallian Youth Assembly held June 15 – 20 consisted of one hundred high school students partaking in the theme “We are Lasallian S.T.A.R.s” which stands for See a need, Tell God about it in prayer, Acknowledge your gifts and talents, Respond. Using this as the framework for discussions on vocation, daily prayer and two Eucharistic liturgies, the students ventured out in the community to provide service to others. Also held in the SFNO District and marking the new District’s first official event was the Lasallian Student Leaders Conference at St. Mary’s College of California on July 13 – 18. A total of two hundred participants, including high school students from the District and a delegation from Singapore, spent the week in sessions and activities focused on the Five Core Principles of a Lasallian School and how they are called to act these out in their communities. Brother Larry Schatz elected to CMSM Board The annual assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), whose leaders represent more than 17,000 Catholic religious brothers and priests in the United States, was held August 6–9 in Pittsburgh. During the elections which were held at the membership meeting of the assembly, CMSM members chose the Very Rev. Brother William Boslet, OSF, Superior General of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, as Vice President of the Conference. He begins a two year term. Brother Larry Schatz, Provincial for the De La Salle Christian Brothers of the Midwest Province, was elected to a three-year term as an At-large Board Member.

Three Brothers profess vows On August 2nd Brothers David Deradoorian, Roberto Martinez and Patrick Martin pronounced first vows as members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Brother Patrick and Brother Roberto, from the District of San Francisco New Orleans (SFNO), pronounced vows at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, California, while Brother David, from the District of Eastern North America (DENA), pronounced vows at St. Mary’s Church in Colts Neck, New Jersey, a short distance from Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. All three were surrounded by family, friends and Brothers to support, celebrate and

welcome them. Congratulations, Brothers! Lasallian Education Council elected new Officers The Lasallian Education Council (LEC) elected new officers at its June 24 – 25 meeting in Washington, DC. Chair of the LEC is Charles Legendre, AFSC, Director, Office of Education – Covington, District of San Francisco New Orleans; Vice Chair is Loras “Red” Sieve, AFSC, Consultant to the District Council, Midwest District; and Secretary is Charles “Skip” Gaus, Jr., AFSC, Director of De La Salle Vocational in Bensalem, PA. The LEC is a structure that was established by the Regional Conference of Christian Brothers (RCCB) in 2011 with the purpose of sharing the responsibility for the Lasallian mission among the Brothers and Lasallian Partners in the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). LEC oversees mission formation/education programs and mission-related activities and ministries. Other membership changes include the term conclusion of Brother Kevin Convey, Former Director of Education and Mission, Midwest District, and the resignation of Brother David Sinitiere, former Director of Education, NOSF. Brother Thomas Harding appointed to St. Joseph H.S.

Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, has appointed Brother Thomas Harding as the next president of St. Joseph H.S. in Westchester, IL. Brother Thomas succeeds David McCreery who served as president for the past 14 years. Brother Thomas brings to his new role more than 37 years of experience in Catholic education. He was principal of Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, IL, from 1987-1991 before serving as president of the school from 1991- 2004. Most recently, he was the director of community, foundations, and corporate relations, as well as an instructor on staff at Montini. Brother Thomas is also a 1972 graduate of St. Joseph. Other transitions include Brother James Gaffney and Brother Konrad Diebold joining the St. Joseph board of directors. Brother James will step into the role of chairman, succeeding John Vosicky. Congratulations Brothers!

Happy Birthday Brother! This feature supports a Brother in Skilled Care. Send a card or letter; make a visit or a phone call.

• Brother John Wozniak will celebrate his 70th birthday on September 19. 1381 Oak Park Pl., #220, Dubuque, IA, 52002. (563) 585-4933

Dates for Huether Conference were announced The 2014 Huether Conference will take place November 20-22 in Chicago at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza with the theme “The Lasallian Mission: Word, Witness & Invitation.” This 41st Huether Lasallian Conference will feature speakers John Allen, Associate Editor at the Boston Globe; Dr. Carole Eipers, Vice President, Executive Director of Catechetics for William H. Sadlier, Inc.; and John Donahue-Grossman, Director of Retreats at La Salle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL. Huether 2014 will also include musical contributions and a concert from singer/songwriter David Haas, Director of The Emmaus Center for Music, Prayer and Ministry; Campus Minister and Liturgical Choir Director, Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, MN. Huether 2014 follows a powerful 2013 Huether that broke attendance records with more than four hundred people gathered for engaging speakers, innovative breakout sessions, and inspiring fellowship. Prescription drug subsidy verification may be coming Those Brothers who have the prescription drug subsidy (reduced prescription costs) under Medicare Part D, may be receiving the annual verification of eligibility to complete for the Social Security Administration. It often arrives in September or October. Brothers should follow the instructions carefully and submit by the due date. Brothers who might have questions after receiving the form should contact Brother Joe Saurbier at the Provincialate Office. LSJI provided experiential program on immigration realities With a focus on immigration and the tough journey migrants often face, nineteen participants and three staff members immersed themselves in the 2014 Lasallian Social Justice Institute (LSJI) from July 6 – 11. This year concentrated on the experiential program entitled El Otro Lado, Spanish for “the other side,” that is offered by San Miguel High School in Tucson, AZ. Through first-hand experiences, participants gained a sense of the challenges surrounding illegal immigration, while also being exposed to varying perspectives. They took a tour of the U.S. Border Patrol station, hiked a migrant trail, and visited the Kino Border Initiative in Mexico where they served meals to deported migrants and heard immigration stories. Twelve Virtues bookmarks available in three languages Start the school year off with inspirational bookmarks! This new version of the 12 Virtues bookmark is available in English, Spanish and French. The laminated bookmark features the 12 Virtues of a Good Teacher on one side and the Teacher’s Prayer on the other. They are available in packets of 100 with discounts offered for orders of two or more. Christian Brothers Conference, 3025 Fourth Street NE, #300 Washington, DC 20017 Phone: (202) 529.0047 | Fax: (202) 529.0775 | Email: info@lasallian.info New community Directors were appointed Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor, has made the following appointments of community Directors. Brother Kenneth Arnold, Director of the newly established Westmont North Community Brother Rob Veselsky, Director of the newly established Westmont South Community Brother Dominic Ehrmantraut, Lambert Hall Community Brother William Brynda, La Salle Institute Community Brother Pierre St. Raymond, La Salle Community Brothers will be on sabbatical Brother Larry Schatz announced that these Brothers will be on sabbatical this year: Brother Mark McVann, Brother Ray Bonderer, and Brother Thomas Johnson.

Two Lasallians affiliated to the Christian Brothers Two dedicated colleagues at Saint Mary’s University, Tony Piscitiello and Mary Catherine Fox, Ph.D., were recently affiliated to the Institute. On August 4th the two longtime champions of education on Saint Mary’s Winona campus became affiliated members at a special ceremony held in Saint Thomas More Chapel. Affiliation is the highest and rarest honor bestowed by The De La Salle Christian Brothers. Fox is a well-respected graduate of Saint Mary’s and has been employed at her alma mater since 1990, serving as dean of the School of Business, Computer Science and Media Communications; vice president for University Relations; and professor of Interdisciplinary

Studies. Also a graduate, Piscitiello has helped the presidents of the university to ensure the future of the Lasallian Catholic educational mission at Saint Mary’s. He has served on numerous committees and task forces of the university and has been for generations the welcoming face of the university. In addition, he has served on the boards of directors of Cotter High School, Saint Mary’s Elementary Catholic School, and the Winona Area Catholic Schools Foundation and on the board of advisers of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. Year of Consecrated Life will be celebrated

The celebration of the Year of Consecrated Life will take place from November 29, 2014 to February 2, 2016. Initiated by Pope Francis, the year offers an opportunity to pray, express gratitude, raise awareness and educate people about consecrated life and the ways it is lived out today. Some of the objectives for the year include integrating the celebrations in the life of the local (arch) diocese, increasing collaboration between religious communities and other church groups, educating clergy and laity, and nurturing a culture of vocation awareness. Brothers could

contact their local diocesan offices to learn about events and gatherings. The Archdiocese of Chicago will plan a celebration in spring 2015. A Center for the Study of Consecrated Life will open in February 2015 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The National Religious Vocation Conference has created a logo for the year and offered suggestions on how to celebrate. www.nrvc.net The NRVC has given permission to use the logo. Rest in Peace

• Brother Frank (Jovian Francis) Walsh, 90, died on August 5th in Winona, MN. A De La Salle Christian Brother for 72 years, he was born James Raphael Walsh in St. Louis, MO, the son of Francis A. Walsh and Helen C. Dolan. He graduated from La Salle Institute in Glencoe, MO, and entered the novitiate of the Brothers in 1941. He professed his first vows in 1942 and his final vows in 1948. Brother Frank earned a B.S.S. degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, an M.A. from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Ph.D. from St. Louis University. During his years as an educator he taught at high schools in Chicago; St. Paul; Amarillo, Texas; and St. Joseph and Jefferson City, MO. He also taught at Saint Mary’s University and at St. Louis University. From 1983 to 1990 he was Auxiliary Visitor for the Christian Brothers of the former St. Paul/Minneapolis District. He retired in 1993 and recently lived at Callista Court in Winona. Survivors include his brother, Rt. Rev. Raphael Walsh, OSB, of Elkhorn, Neb., and the Christian Brothers of his community. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 9th at the St. Thomas More Chapel on the Campus of St. Mary’s University in Winona. Interment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona.

Lasallian Days will be soon Invitations for Stevens Point and the Twin Cities Lasallian Days should already be arriving in mailboxes. Lasallian Days Twin Cities includes an Affiliation ceremony and luncheon, honoring Richard Engler and Maria Ramirez! Invitations for Memphis and Chicago will be mailed soon. Those who have not received an invite and would like to attend any of the Lasallian Days, please contact Megan Davison at 630-323-3725, ext. 218 or mdavison@cbmidwest.org . For more details and a complete list of check the web page: www.cbmidwest.org/formation/upcoming-lasallian-days . Thanks to the Brothers who have responded

Thanks to Brother Tom Hetland, Brother Charles Kelly, and Brother Chris Buck for committing to join this year’s golf outing at the Old Orchard Country Club on September 22nd. This year’s outing will begin at 11:30 am and includes lunch on the course and dinner following the conclusion of play. Those who are unable to join in the day’s full activities may still RSVP as guests for the dinner and social. Join others and spend some time with the alumni who are eager to see the Brothers and hear about what they have been up to! To RSVP, contact Megan Davison or Alex Vasiliades at the Midwest District Office – (630) 323-3725.

The Development Office is looking for Brothers The passing of alumni, friends and benefactors will be an all-too-common occurrence in the months and years ahead. While representatives are not able to be present at every wake or funeral, having a Christian Brother attend the service can be a profound comfort to the family, especially when gifts to the Brothers are requested in lieu of flowers. The Development Office requests some Brothers as volunteers for occasional service in this new ministry. The time commitment would be no more than once or twice a year. As the Office becomes aware of the death of a benefactor, someone will contact a Brother to ask if he is able to attend whether in Chicago or throughout the District. Brothers who could volunteer for this new project may contact Rob Cummings in the Development Office at 630-323-3725 or rcummings@cbmidwest.org Auxiliary and Memorial cards are available For those looking for a special way to remember a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion, the District Office has a variety of auxiliary and memorial cards available. For more information or to request samples, contact Paula Noreiko at (630) 323-3725, ext. 201.

Health Notes

The Purpose of Life after Retirement

We know what our purpose for life is when we have an occupation, job, career choice, but what do we do with our life after retirement? With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can review our life and our life story and share with the next generations. We can write our legacy. We can become a letter writer to future Brothers, retired Brothers, Adopt a Grandparent, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, prisoners, soldiers, or POWs. If we can’t physically write, we can type on the computer, or use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, Skype). We could even record a voice message and send it through a phone or CD through the mail. The technological options are almost limitless. We can visit shut-ins, nursing homes, retirement homes. We could run errands for residents in the homes. We could be a companion for an elderly person by helping to write letters, play cards, make cookies, or share a fond memory. We can volunteer at school by tutoring, judging activities, advising students, or listening to readers. We can become a volunteer by joining the Volunteers of America (www.voa.org) or volunteer in our local communities. VOA helps more than 2 million people in over 400 communities. We can pray for people. We can set goals for our retired life in short achievable steps. We can make our days meaningful so that we are able to live each moment to its fullest. Include random acts of kindness in our lives. www.randomactsofkindness.org We can listen to what others are saying. This is a valuable service and cannot be underestimated. Actively listening makes us feel worthy, appreciated, interesting, and respected. We can make crafts that give back to others: Relay for Life Bags, Kits for food shelves, Mailings for non-profit organizations. We can start a new hobby: house plants, crossword puzzles, photography, gardening, travel, Scrabble, exercise, cooking, yoga, scrapbooking, biking, chess, candle-making. We can use our God-given talents to help others. If we are musical, play an instrument/sing at a retirement home. If we can still drive safely, we can volunteer to be a driver for shut-ins or older adults. Each community has unique opportunities to stay actively healthy in the later years, so I encourage you to seek them out and become actively involved. Disclaimer: This article is not meant to be an all-inclusive answer to how to live your retirement years. I hope that you find it to be a stepping stone to start thinking about, praying for, and preparing for the later years of your life. Kelly Borck RN, BSN Winona District Nurse