LASALLIANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD MEET DOWN UNDER

The International Lasallian Youth Gathering and
World Youth Day are now on in Australia.
Some 600 Lasallians from around the world gathered in Melbourne last week prior to World Youth Day in Sydney this week. Among them is our own Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, who reports on the events on his web log. Go to http://georgevangrieken.blogspot.com for frequent reports, galleries of great photos, and links to video.  Next stop for Brother George and the Lasallian Youth – World Youth Day.  At the blogspot you can sign up to be e-mailed when a new report is posted.

Lasallian Photo Exhibit Is on Australian web site.
A photographic exhibit online tells the story of the Brothers' work in three areas:  a remote indigenous Kimberley community, impoverished parts of Papua New Guinea, and an urban neighborhood in New Zealand. This stunning pictorial journey through three countries shows how the Lasallian educational mission has benefited local communities remarkably and has made a difference to many young people’s lives. See the exhibition at www.delasallebrothers.com/gallery.

NEWS of the DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO

Visit www.delasalle.org regularly to see what’s happening.  The latest stories posted are these:

Lasallian Youth Assembly Photos and Story:  The annual Lasallian Youth Assembly, in San Francisco this year (June 22 to 27) was covered by the Catholic San Francisco newspaper.

Valedictorian Challenges Class of 2008:   “We are privileged individuals.  We have had wonderful educations in a supportive environment.  We have an obligation to make the world, at least our part of it, a better place for others and ourselves.”  Read valedictorian Mairead Johnson’s address to her classmates in the class of 2008 at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco.

Lasallian Alum Now a Priest Speaks to His Alma Mater:  “If you want God’s blessings, do you know who you should hang out with? Our Gospel this morning makes that clear: spend time with the poor in spirit — and with the poor. Choose to be with those who suffer and mourn, with the meek; you’ll never be the same.”  So said Father Mike Gilson, S.J., in a homily at Mass at his alma mater (class of 1984) De La Salle High School in Concord.  Read the whole text, and see photos.

Lasallian Educational Opportunities Center Secretary Mildred Dill’ard, 90, Is Named Affiliated Christian Brother:  The story of her service and the recognition of her service by the Christian Brothers and photos of Miss Mildred in action are online.

Renowned Scholar, Translator, and Priest Matthias Lu, AFSC, Has Died.  Affiliated Christian Brother Father Matthias Lu, 89, native of China and a scholar, teacher, translator, and chaplain, has died in Napa. Learn more about the life and achievements of this extraordinary man..

For all this, visit www.delasalle.org. The news is on the home page.

New downloadable full-color informational materials are online.
What is Lasallian Education?  What is the District of San Francisco? Who was John Baptist de La Salle? What is the vocation of the Christian Brothers?  What is Lasallian spirituality?  Where are Lasallian institutions in the United States?  What is a Lasallian Volunteer?  All these questions and many more are answered in newly posted materials on the WHO WE ARE page at www.delasalle.org.

The 140th Anniversary of the District of San Francisco is coming up.
It was on August 10, 1868, that eight Christian Brothers, dispatched from New York at the urgent request of the first Archbishop of San Francisco, stepped ashore in San Francisco to take over the operation of Saint Mary’s College. In August they discovered that the college was deep in debt; in September they had only two-thirds of the registered students show up for class; and in October they were rocked by their first California earthquake. History records, however, that by the second year of the Brothers’ administration the enrollment of the college had tripled, the faculty had expanded to suit, and feeder schools were being established throughout the area.  During the 140 years since then this western province of the De La Salle Christian Brothers – the District of San Francisco --  has achieved a rich history, including the growth of a small sacramental-wine-making business into a vintner of national prominence. The District continues to make history, having founded four new schools in the past ten years.  Updated historical materials for celebrating the 140th anniversary of Lasallian education in the west will be distributed throughout the District for use the 2008-2008 academic year. Meanwhile, history buffs can find lots of information and photographs on the District web site www.delasalle.org.  Go to the WHO WE ARE page and find ‘History and Heritage.”

Brother Chris Patiño will make first vows in August.
Brother Chris Patiño, FSC, an alumnus of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, a graduate of the University of Arizona, and the former Director of Admissions at San Miguel High School in Tucson, will take his first vows on August 9, in the chapel at Mont La Salle in Napa.  A report will follow on the web site. Brother Chris will be assigned in the academic year 2008-2009 to Cathedral High School.

West Coast Lasallians Are Bound for the Olympic Games in China.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep graduate Shannon Rowbury will represent the USA in the 1500-meter run.  Go to www.shcp.edu to see Shannon’s photo and link to the full story.

Saint Mary’s College High School graduate and national judo champion Sayaka Matsumoto will represent the USA.  Go to the USA Judo web site to see Sayaka and read the full story. Click on http://www.usjudo.org/seniors_bioSMatsumoto.asp

Saint Mary’s College Basketball player will represent Australia in the Olympics.  Point guard Patrick Mills of Saint Mary’s College of California will represent his homeland, Australia, in the competition for Olympic gold. For the complete story visit www.SMCGaels.com.

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LASALLIANS WEST - JULY 2008
A newsletter of the
De La Salle Christian Brothers ● District of San Francisco

For information, contact
J. A. Gray
Director, Office of Communication
De La Salle Institute, Napa, California
707-252-3739