March 2014 DENA Dispatch Vol. VI Issue III

Meet the Contact Carlos Agurto is from Brooklyn New York. He is a graduate of Xaverian High School and Pace University. Carlos has a degree in Finance and is working at Century 21 in the Wall Street area. He is very active in his parish, St Mary, Mother of Jesus. Carlos coaches the 6th grade boys basketball team. He is a member of the Parish Advisory Board and teaches religion to the students preparing for Confirmation. Carlos frequently visits the La Salle Academy Community. He enjoys being with the Brothers. He attended the January retreat at Jeremy House and found the time with other Contacts and Brothers to be a big support in his discernment process. Carlos (left) is pictured here with Br. Anwar Martinez of the La Salle Academy Community.

The New Me - Concierge - Brother Raymond Schell by Brother Ed Phelan Any guest dropping by at 61 Fairfax Crescent in Toronto this winter is in for a treat. Sisters, Brothers and priests live there in the Lasallian tradition and like any Lasal- lian family, you can tell its quality by the reception you get at the door. Guests, employees and members all get the same warm reception from Brother Ray Schell - concierge. He is a man of few words but in that short space he helps, directs, af- firms, welcomes, shares a thought, and always inspires a smile. What a guy! It all began several months ago with his offer to Mary McCrorey, AFSC, Administrator at La Salle Manor, to pinch hit at the front desk, and today he hardly has a moment during the day for a short nap. Asked what is quitting time for him, he is quick to say: “I never had a quitting time.” He loves it. Ray is proud to add “concierge” to all his other titles in life - teacher, director, visitor, administrator, and archivist. Ray has little regard for the word “retired” because of its traditional meaning and so does not refer to himself as such. But, after spending several days with him recently, I dare say he would be proud of our definition of retirement as the time to reinvent ourselves. That is exactly what Ray has done with his life over and over again. On May 27 Ray will be 84. Share your story with Ray at [email protected] or with me at [email protected] Brother Ghebreyesus Habte Appointed Visitor of Lwanga Upon hearing the word “Eritrea,” many seasoned Lasallians in DENA re- call the stories Brother Louis Ruch used to tell about his community having only a bowl of turnip for each meal or Brother Greg Flynn being taken hostage by the Tigre Liberation Front. After hearing these and many other accounts, it was very clear that the people of Eritrea must be loved by God in a very special way due to their long standing suffering at the hands of many aggressors. Hope lives in the people, and is daily encour- aged by many Lasallians. One very special Lasallian born in Eritrea, Brother Ghebreyesus Habte, has recently been named by Brother Alvaro to be the next Visitor of the Lwanga District. Being one of 12 children, he knows the need for education for the young people of Eritrea. His vision is not limited to existing Lasallian schools only. He is keen that all the youth of Eritrea re- ceive the best possible education. Over the years, he has gained the confidence of government officials, and he is now a voice in the media for the importance of education for the youth. His “yes” to this new position will mean leaving the ministry he believes in and loves and moving to a new country and culture. Our reporter embedded in Lwanga, D Lee, alerts all of us that Brother Ghebreyesus is quite good in basketball. Together and By Association Upcoming Gatherings-Please Spread the Word! LAMM: Lasallian Association of Metropolitan Ministries Lenten Gathering, March 13 @ 4:00pm Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School Contact: Bill Gault at [email protected] LAAST: Lasallian Association of Albany, Syracuse and Troy Lenten Gathering, April 8 @ 4:00pm Details TBA Contact: Irene Cronin at [email protected] PALM: Philadelphia Area Lasallian Ministries Lenten Gathering, March 12 @ 5:00-7:30pm West Catholic Preparatory High School Contact: Kate Ward-Gauss at [email protected] RILAG: Rhode Island Lasallian Association Group Lenten Gathering, March 27 @ 6:30pm-8:30pm The San Miguel School- Providence Contact: Bro. Fred Mueller at [email protected]

De La Salle Hall - Tops Again! US News and World Report has given DLSH a 5 STAR RATING in their Best of Nursing Homes Rankings. Congratulations to the staff of the Hall for making it such a warm, wel- coming and acclaimed community! A DAY IN THE LIFE OF BR. DENNIS LEE Day 9 in Nairobi – Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2014 1. The Setting. I live on the campus of the De La Salle Centre where there are 18 Scholastics (from Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Burkino Faso, and Rwanda). My community consists of five Brothers. Pictured here are (left to right): Ocbamarian Bekit, Joe Schmidt, Finbarr Murphy, and Paulos Welday. We pray each evening at 6:30 (Joe led the prayer tonight, as he does each Tuesday), 2. I’m not in Kansas – or the Bronx – any- more. Let me count the ways: a. Here on Day 9, I had my first hot shower. While the first days of cold showers were refreshing, it is soothing to have hot ones now. b. We eat very well in our community, with much fruit and vegetables. Our milk comes from our compound’s cows. Talk about fresh! [Our entree this evening was kuku (chicken), prepared by Eunice, our outstanding cook (and housekeeper).] c. I was traveling with Simon Wachira (CTIE Registrar) to do supervision of student teachers on the other side of town. i. We left 2 hours early but with the usual traffic jam, we inched along for one hour, but never even got out of our neighborhood, so we had to abandon that plan. There are only a few road routes into center city, so this is a challenge at rush hour every day. Kind of like the Cross Bronx Expressway - just much worse. ii. Simon stopped at the petrol (i.e. gas) station, where he pulled up to the pump only to find out that there was no petrol today. iii. As we stopped to take pictures of the first Ameri- can fast food restaurant in Kenya (KFC), a guard came rushing to me to inform me that taking pictures “is not allowed.” By whom? 3. CTIE. My assistance these months is with Christ the Teacher Institute for Education. As part of that, Simon and I had a second at- tempt to visit schools in the early afternoon. I was dropped off at St. Aloysius Secondary School, about 15 minutes from CTIE. There was no traffic so I arrived early and was stunned to see a most beauti- ful school (see the attached photo). Founded by the Jesuits ten years ago. This school has 8 classes of 35 students, virtu- ally all of whom live in Kibera (a slum with some estimates of 1 million people) and who are orphans or children of a parent with AIDS. Almost all St. Aloysius students are on complete scholarship. The class I attended was amazing – very at- tentive students, who even have access to E-readers! Talk about giving the econom- ically poor an opportunity to a bright future. And nine of the St. Aloysius graduates of 2012 are freshmen here at CTIE.

4. The Work is Ours. I have had the pleasure over these first days to get to know the work of CTIE all the more. Amazing ministry. Many people doing great work with the current students and with paving the way into the future. My time in the office today was spent fin- ishing a proposal for purchasing Smart Boards for CTIE. Other projects will keep me busy while I am here, so I am very happy to have a few months here to be part of the CTIE team. Senior Brothers Motor Coach Excursion June 16th to 20th Ottawa : Canada’s Capital The District of Eastern North America is home to two Na- tional Capitals: Washington, DC & Ottawa, Canada. In order for the American Brothers of the District to familiarize themselves with and learn more about the history and culture of their Canadian Confreres, the next planned Senior Brothers Excursion is a cross- border motor coach trip to Canada’s Capital, Ottawa, in the Prov- ince of Ontario. From a base on Parliament Hill the Brothers will have a series of guided and independent tours affording them the opportu- nity to visit the following: Parliament Buildings; RCMP Stables; Prime Minister’s Residence; Rideau Canal (World Heritage Site); Canadian Museum of History; Royal Canadian Mint; and the Canadian War Museum. The Brothers have set aside time to take a side trip and pilgrim- age to Vieux Montreal to visit St. Joseph’s Oratory and Notre Dame Basilica. During the return trip to the United States the Brothers will make a stop at Kings- ton, Canada’s First Capital, which is a World Heritage Destination. The excursion is sponsored by the District of Eastern North America under the direction of the Office of Senior Brothers. Br. John Loehr - Equestrian John is hitting the track these days not as a betting man but as an equestrian. Weekly he represents De La Salle Hall in the SPURS program with Monmouth County Parks. John is an inspiration to all of us be- cause he has no fear of riding even as he is recuperat- ing from two serious strokes. Thanks to his personal stamina, supportive community members, and skilled staff support at DLSH, John will walk and ride before opening day at Monmouth Park. Brothers Health spot Mrs. Beth Vandercar, RN I would like to recommend two books I have recently read: Live Long , Die Short , A Guide to Authentic Health and Successful Aging by Roger Landry, MD and Knocking on Heaven’s Door, The Path To A Better Way of Death by Katy But- ler. In Live Long, Die Short, Dr. Landry brings us back to our ancestors, way back to our nomadic, hunter-gathering ancestors whose DNA we carry. He believes that there is a disconnect between our genetic programming and the lifestyle we now live because of ad- vancements, industrialization, and computerization. Dr. Landry lays out a roadmap to find authentic health and successful aging in today’s world. He includes a “Lifestyle Inventory” to assess your current lifestyle and then provides a customized, guided plan with Ten Tips for healthy aging. 1) Use it or Lose it – the importance of using and growing our skills, capabilities and talents in order to remain resilient physically, intellectually, or socially. 2) Keep moving. Our hunting gathering ancestors moved a lot, we need to move. No need to jog, just do more than you currently do. 3) Challenge your brain. It is now known that new pathways (neuroplasticity, neuro- genesis) occur. Mental stimulation, learning new things and keeping brain level up en- courages brain health. 4) Stay connected. The link between social connectedness and health is well estab- lished. We are better together. 5) Lower your risks. Have an annual physical, follow a balanced diet, and avoid stress. 6) Never act your age. Don’t let the numbers get you down. Make a commitment to grow, to get a little better physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. 7) Wherever you are, Be There. Quiet your mind, decide what is important in life, explore your spiritual life. 8) Find your purpose. What is it that brings you contentment and joy? What gives you meaning? It does not have to be grandiose, your purpose should be yours. 9) Have Children in your life. The value of intergenerational exchange is recognized in the healthcare community. 10) Laugh to a Better Life. Laughter releases stress hormones, seems to boost our immune system, improves mood, reduces pain, and increases relaxation. Dr. Landry focuses primarily on living long but does not actually discuss how to die short. For a frank discussion of death, I recommend Knocking on Heaven’s Door, The Path To A Better Way of Death by Katy Butler. She tells the story of her 79 year old father who suffered a debilitating stroke and who at the age of 80 was advised to have a pacemaker implanted. The family was given little time or advice prior to the procedure which kept his heart beating but did not stop his decline into dementia, incontinence, and total care. When years later, they requested re- moval of the pacemaker, doctors refused. She documents many similar case histories. She contends that advanced medicine often creates more suffering than it prevents. An alternative is the Slow Medicine move- ment which values restraint, calm, and time that promotes care over cure. She offers infor- mation we will need to navigate the world of our procedure and technology driven health care. She states that “we don’t want to die but one day we must”. She offers information and guidance on how to die a natural death, avoiding prolonged suffering. Her own mother, a care-giver for her husband for 6 years, when faced with her own illness, refused open-heart surgery and prepared for her death. She died within a year under hos- pice care. THe Art COrner Brother Michael Dundin - In January, De La Salle Hall hosted an Art Show, showcasing Br. Michael’s many pieces of artwork, from paint- ings, drawings, charcoal, and sculpture. Residents and visitors were treat- ed to some snacks while they purused binders and displays, and chatted with the Brother artist.

Brother William Wilcox - At La Salle Manor in Canada, we witness Br. William wittling away wonderful, whimsical, wood carvings (Like the illiteration?) They are appropriately named “Wood by Willy.”