Lasallian Summer 09 Edition
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LTahe sallian Great Britain and Malta Issue 1, Summer / Autumn 2009 for people inspired by St John Baptist De La Salle Pupil Listening Out ....? Service see page 20 page 29 Br Benet RIP Kintbury Volunteers LDWP Volunteers Education at RTU page 6 page 12 page 22 page 26 Contents Front Cover 3. A Word from Brother Aidan 4. News page 6 Brother Benet Conroy, 1943 - 2009 by Br Owen Smith 8. John Baptist De La Salle - inspires many educators today by Br Nick Hutchinson 10. Being a Lasallian Educator De La Salle School, St. Helens What it means to Gery Short, San Francisco - see page 29 12. The Kintbury Volunteers 2008 / 2009 The nine volunteers reflect on their time at Kintbury Poster 14 Signum Fidei Association, Malta 16. “Teachers called to be visible angels” says De La Salle Br Nick Hutchinson reflects on these words “Take even more care of the young people entrusted to you 18. Getting to Know .... Interviews with two headteachers than if they were Frank Micallef (Stella Maris) and Brendan Wall (St. Augustine’s) the children of a king.” Photograph by Claire Arni 20. De La Salle Humanities College, Liverpool - see article on Education at RTU, India, page 26. 22. Lasallian Developing World Projects by Br John Deeney Each issue of Lasallians will contain a poster . 25. Brother Austin raises £30,000 26. Lessons in Love - Education at RTU in India by Oriole Henry Next Issue 28. Coatbridge, Our Most Northerly Community Please send all contributions for by Br Livinus the Winter / Spring issue to 29. The Pupil Listening Service - De La Salle School, St. Helens Br Michael Curran by Anna Back, Head of Modern Languages St. John’s House 7 Wokefield Way 30. De La Salle, Zapallal, Lima, Peru St. Helens by Br Mark O’Rourke WA10 4QP tel: 01744 22275 32. Bethlehem University by Br David Scarpa email: [email protected] 34. ASSEDIL Congress - St. Joseph’s College, Ipswich by Br Terry Collins Mailing List If you wish to be on the maga - 36 Being a Lasallian Today - A report on the Lent Lasallian Day zine’s mailing list, please send by Br Ben Foy your details to the above address. 37. Brother Rafael-Louis to be Beatified in Madagascar Web Edition 38. Ideas for an End of Term Service www.delasalle.org.uk 39. Publications: John Baptist De La Salle - a new CTS booklet © Lasallian Publications Lasallian Charism - Lasallian Studies No. 13 140 Banbury Road Restorative Justice Oxford, OX2 7BP A Word from Brother Aidan The publication of this first edition of “ The Lasallian ” opens a new window on the reality of the Lasallian Network in the District of GB and Malta. As many of you are aware, for many years the District publicised its activities through a Newsletter which went through a number of “makeovers” since the formation of the single GB District in 1988. However, in the main, that Newsletter was essentially an “in-house” publication by the Brothers for the Brothers. This new publication breaks new ground in attempting to respond to the changed Lasallian reality in our District. Today, the mission confided to the Institute by the Church in Great Britain, as in many other parts of the world, is almost completely in the hands of dedicated Lasallian partners. As the late Superior General, Bro. John Johnston, never tired of affirming, a crucial consequence of this profound change was the transition from ‘Brothers’ Schools’ to ‘Lasallian Schools’ . This new publication therefore reflects a complementary movement from a specifically Brothers’ publication to one that addresses the whole Lasallian Network in Britain and Malta. Hopefully, the commitment, creativity and dynamism clearly evident in the many Lasallian centres throughout the District will be reflected in the new publication as it gradually takes shape over the coming months. It offers an opportunity both to celebrate good practice and support those actively involved in the wonderful, if challenging, ministry of “touching hearts” which, as our Founder tells the Lasallian educator in his meditation for the feast of St. Peter, is “... the greatest miracle you could perform and the one God asks of you, for this is the purpose of your work” . I am very grateful to Brother Michael and his team for taking on the publi - cation of the magazine but all of us are aware that the long-term success of a venture such as this is dependent on the collaboration of many in the network. Accordingly, I hope that all our centres will respond positively to the invitation to contribute to future editions so as to ensure that we have a publication which worthily reflects the Lasallian reality in Britain & Malta. The Lasallian - Summer / Autumn 2009 | 3 News page T he Dist rence rict Confe Sec Cou nual tor ncil ers’ An Cou me teach y 2009 nci etin Head anuar in M g wi sallian ury - J alta th th La t Kintb , Ma e M a rch alta 2009 De La Salle School, Liverpool, celebrate Founder’s Day. The final hymn of the Mass was signed by a group of students Lasallian Leadership Course The Lasallian Leadership Course, based on the Aus - tralian on-line programme, began this year. The two year course is a multi-media programme of four units, tutored by Brothers Ben Foy and John Deeney. During the course, which is only for experienced teachers and Lasallian leaders, students reflect upon different aspects of Lasallian ethos and pedagogy. Much of the work in - volves collaboration with pupils and staff in the students’ own schools and a sharing of their insights with the other students on the course. People wishing to folow this course should contact Brother Ben: [email protected] 4 |The Lasallian - Summer / Autumn 2009 Potential Take my little twig and grow a tree through me; my single snowdrop can become a grove, my sentence blossom to a book. Transform my single string into a cello. Brother Se an being pre That tiny note I try to sing: a leav sented with ing gift by t may it become a 4-part choir. Joh he staff of S n’s House, t. My scrape of bow you make a symphony. St. Helens. now beco He has That single dot of paint: me a memb LAMB er of the transform into a masterpiece. Communit y in Bristol. The blob of clay: mould to a stately pot. Take my candle, start a lighthouse, take my torch and light a city, take my e-mail: start a network, take my smile and give a million hugs. But in my heart I know unless it's You I am condemned to finger paint, to pat cold clay, and plink upon the keys. Give me a chord or two for in that chord the heart will show: not mine, but Yours. St. Josep h’s Colle Spring T ge, Beula Br Benet Conroy erm ski t h Hill rip to Ton ale, Italy 1943 - 2009 The above poem, written by Benet, was read at his funeral on 29 April 2009. See obituary on page 6 Signum F idei Asso meeting ciation, with Bro Malta, ther Aida n, Visitor The Lasallian - Summer / Autumn 2009 | 5 Brother Benet Conroy 1943 - 2009 A tribute given at Brother Benet’s funeral by Brother Owen (abridged) What Benet remembered most about his 3-classroom Northum - brian primary school was that there was a vegetable garden where stu - dents were encouraged to grow all kinds of things. In years to come Benet would spend many happy hours gardening and, in his latter days, he still tended an impressive collection of bonsai trees. Benet began his teaching ministry development, for his own sanity in Ipswich in September 1965, and in the interests of students teaching English and RE and from 11 to 18. He loved working in Games. Before the end of that first the garden, particularly in the year he was responsible for 50 flower beds where, invariably, there Junior Boarders, and he would be would be some sunflowers. He there for 12 years. Benet was a loved birds and would spend much wonderful teacher. For him and his time on his aviary in Ipswich, students, learning was an adven - speaking with students and imitat - ture. There was an excitement in ing the calls of the various breeds. his manner which was contagious, He became a member of the St and his students were made to feel John Ambulance Brigade and significant. Benet’s dedication to helped run first-aid classes. He helped set up a Diocesan Retreat House, near Norwich, and even had a slot on a local radio station. In Southsea he joined a dramatic In 1954 Brother Dennis Robert vis - society and took the leading role in ited Benet’s school and then his ‘A Man for all Seasons ’. home. Benet would move to St. Joseph’s, Ipswich, as a boarder, to In Oxford he became involved in begin his education for joining the the parish of the Sacred Heart, Brothers. After a year there, he Blackbird Leys, in much the same moved to the Juniorate in way as he had in London. In both Bournemouth, and he spoke of his places he was involved with Cate - wonderful teachers there. Benet chetics, Confirmation Programmes, developed impressive skills in soc - Baptism Preparation Programmes, cer, cricket and rugby and also his students was unquestionable. Children’s Liturgy and Reconcilia - took up boxing, basketball and ath - Yet he always found time to en - tion Services. He wrote that: “ The letics. He was a competent fast gage in further interests and activi - people and children of the parish bowler and he made many friends ties.