ISSUE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016 05 ANZPPNG Think highly “of your work - Meditations for the Feast” of Saint Matthew Welcome Back! It’s a pleasure to offer words of welcome on behalf of my colleagues in the Lasallian Mission Services’ (LMS) team. I hope the Christmas vacation was just that- an opportunity to rest, retreat, recreate, Dear Lasallians escape, or various combinations of the above. Late last year the Brothers received wishing to deepen the knowledge of The year past, 2015, was a terrific (Lakemba); Mr Jonathan Byrne the 2015 Rule which was approved the Founder revealed in his life, spir- building one for LMS, and we’re (Acting Principal, Oakhill); and Mr by the 45th General Chapter and the ituality and work. rightly proud of a number of Gerard Tonti-Filippini (Acting Holy See. Whole the Rule is written developments which took place Principal, Balgo Hills). Sincere In the growth of association with men specifically for the Brothers, it con- during the year. First and foremost, welcome is also offered to all new and women who walk side-by-side textualizes their life in today’s realities as always, was the building of the staff members who have joined with them and identify themselves as and emphasises that collaboration team itself, which was always Lasallian schools or works for the sons and daughters of John Bap- between the Brothers and Lasallian going to be fundamental in helping 2016. I hope your association with tist de La Salle, they see a sign of the Partners is paramount. Throughout serve the needs of the District. As us is rich and rewarding, times which fills them with hope. this revised Rule the role and signif- Br Garry Coyte reminded me at personally and professionally. (Rule 157)” icance of Lasallian Partners in the LLG15, ‘’…it was time for action, Lasallian educational mission is noted “The Brothers with the Partners base not words”. And so, the arrival in We’ve planned a great year ahead, in several places. However it is in the their pastoral ministry of Lasallian Australia of Ms. Amanda Proulx highlighted by events such as the final chapter; “Brothers Today” that vocations on the conviction that the from the USA to commence her Lasallian Leaders’ Gathering (LLG16 the Brothers affirm the collaborative Lord still calls today labourers to role as Assistant Director (Young in Melbourne) and the inaugural mission in which we are all engaged. work in his vineyard. (Rule 159)” Lasallians), now completes the Lasallian Educators’ Conference I quote from the Rule for your infor- team. Despite Amanda arriving in (Perth). Our Formation team has “Today, the Founder still calls to mation and reflection. Sydney separate from her luggage worked hard at developing its us, continuing to inspire all men (one bag found its way to Paris, programs and will continue to seek “Today, with their Partners, the Broth- and women who identify with him. and the other is still missing in feedback in refining courses and ers wish to respond in a creative way (Rule 160)” action after more than two weeks), services to best serve your needs. to the educational and spiritual needs she has been quickly and quietly of young people, especially of those As 2016 unfolds may we be mindful familiarising herself with the who are most vulnerable. (Rule 153)” that across our four District countries I hope everyone has a we respond to the needs of young peo- ‘Downunder’ Lasallian culture. terrific year ahead. “With no thought of turning back, ple and others mindful of the inspiring John Baptist de La Salle and his Broth- words of the Rule quoted above. We also welcome the following Enjoy the ride! ers opened a path to holiness for all new Principals to the ranks of our educators. The Brothers, the first leaders: Mr Brett Horton Merv McCormack guardians of the Lasallian charism, Br David Hawke FSC (Scarborough); Mr Craig Mooney Executive Director are happy to see numerous Partners Visitor (Cronulla); Mr Philip Scollard Lasallian Mission Council texts in our district from the urban U-S Campus Minister joins Lasallian team centres of Melbourne and Auckland through to remote communities in Youth ministry programs have been Amanda holds a Master’s degree in Western Australia and the Highlands greatly enhanced through the appoint- Pastoral Ministry from the Boston region of Papua New Guinea. ment of American theologian and College School of Theology and Min- campus minister Amanda Proulx as istry and has extensive experience as “But there are universal principles Assistant Director of Formation for a campus minister and religious stud- which unite all youth ministers no Young Lasallians. ies teacher at La Salle Academy. matter where they are working”, Amanda explains. Amanda, who was campus minister Amanda has also played a key role in at La Salle Academy in Providence, vocations ministry for the School Sis- “We are all called to value the indi- Rhode Island, has taken up her posi- ters of Notre Dame over the past three viduality of each young person no tion in Sydney today. years and is a former youth minister matter what culture or context we are at St Mark’s Parish in Sutton, Maine. working in around the world and I’m “I’m excited to be working in such a looking forward to building upon the dynamic district of the Lasallian fam- Amanda has also completed studies great work that is being undertaken ily”, Amanda explains. through the Buttimer Institute of in our district and bringing some fresh Lasallian Studies and has taught “I’m really looking forward to visit- insights and perspectives to it based Christian Scriptures, Lasallian Dis- ing schools and meeting with Young upon my own background in campus cipleship and Vocation. Lasallians from across Australia, ministry in the United States”. New Zealand, Papua New Guinea She greatly admires the way the Young and Pakistan in my new role”. Lasallians work in such diverse con- JOURNAL LA SALLE ISSUE 5 Summer Volunteer Program Thriving at Balgo A group of Young Lasallians have The team is being led by Madeleine Henry says the volunteers felt “And yet at the same time, the spent a fortnight of their summer Ewin and Henry Jones who have spiritually uplifted after attending residents here are struggling to get holidays engaging with the local both travelled to Balgo on two a Vigil mass with the community by with a lot of the young children community and helping with previous occasions through the which incorporated aspects of walking around without shoes and volunteer projects at Balgo Hills in Volunteer La Salle program. Indigenous spirituality into the with poor clothing.” the remote Kimberley region of ceremony. “We’ve gained a great respect and a Henry says the program has had a Western Australia. deep appreciation for Indigenous But he says they have also seen marked impact on the volunteers, The eight volunteers have been culture and everyday life in a remote first hand the struggles faced by many of whom have indicated they helping with general maintenance community”, Madeleine explains. the local community at Balgo. would like to come back to Balgo projects and lawn mowing around to help again in the future. “Some of the young children have “The cost of living can be very the Luurnpa Catholic School, the shown us the local rock art and we’ve expensive here and you see that in “Some of them have told us they Kutjungka Trade Training Centre learned about Indigenous law and the high price of groceries”, would like to come back for the and the Brothers Community at customs including initiation ceremonies Henry explains. next volunteer program in July”, Balgo Hills. for the young people here”. Henry adds. During their visit to the St Bede’s Students and Staff region, the students and staff also visited an rebuild homes in India orphanage and a hostel which offers support for A group of 12 senior students and the building project in G HIV positive children. four staff members from St Bede’s Kallupatti and Genguvarpatti on College Mentone have used part of 21 December. They earned great praise their summer holidays to help from members of the local They worked hard at every stage rebuild five homes in India’s Tamil community for the hard of the project from laying the Nadu state. work and support they foundations through to ensuring have provided to some of The St Bede’s team arrived in India the communities had access to the most disadvantaged in early December and completed septic tanks. areas of India. BoysTown program Through the program, BoysTown effective the program has been at to set up their own businesses as a works with employers to identify combating intergenerational result of this program”. reaching out to their labour needs and training unemployment. Indigenous jobseekers requirements. “I saw a father and son who were BoysTown’s Employment Service is The agency then provides practical both looking for work end up helping to generate long term work preparation programs for running a family-run construction opportunities for Indigenous job 180 Indigenous jobseekers to help business on the Gold Coast”, he seekers around the country them meet each employer’s explains. through a carefully targeted requirements and ongoing “The program caters for such a program run in conjunction with personal support, mentoring and broad age range of jobseekers. I’ve Indigenous service provider coaching during their first six seen everyone from 15 to 55 years Generation One and the federal months in the job. government. of age benefiting from it”. BoysTown has recruited many Another Indigenous mentor Renee Run across 23 sites around Indigenous staff to work as Mann says she has been amazed at Australia,the Vocational Training mentors on the program who can the swift progress made by many of and Employment centres provide provide culturally appropriate the participants.