YOUNG AUSSIE STEPS UP TO THE DE LA SALLE BROTHERS’ LIFE

On 7thAugust, Lewis Harwood will depart Sydney to join four other Novices in Napa, California.

His long 15-hour flight to the Golden State will mark the beginning of a year-long journey he is about to commence as he enters the final stage of the De La Salle Brothers’ training program.

“I’m really excited about the Novitiate in the USA. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen my relationship with God and to deepen my understanding of the Lasallian tradition. Going to the Novitiate is a big step and it’s not a decision that I reached without careful consideration. But I’m definitely ready for it,” Lewis said.

Lewis, 24, has been living and working with the De La Salle Brothers since mid 2009. As a qualified teacher, he has worked at the Brothers’ schools in Mentone, Victoria and Bankstown, New South Wales.  He first made contact with Br Mark McKeon, Director of Vocations, in 2008 and since then he has been learning more about himself, the Brothers’ life, and considering whether or not it is something that is right for him.

“In the last two years I have seen Lewis grow in his determination to become a De La Salle Brother. It’s certainly a life which is not suited to everyone, but he has gone from strength to strength in being able to connect with the life of a Brother and the Lasallian mission. I have no doubt that he will shine as a De La Salle Brother,” Br Mark said.

The Novitiate is at Mont La Salle, the Brothers’ 338 acre [...]

Br Denis Loft: named one of the 100 most influential people in Melbourne

The Age (Melbourne) Magazine has Br Denis Loft nominated as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Melbourne because of his ‘Coolies’ programme.

Schoolies Week is synonymous with excited 17 and 18 year olds letting loose and having a good time. But, while the majority of school graduates may choose to celebrate doing nothing other than sun baking on a beach, Br Denis Loft offers  graduates an opportunity mark their time after school as more than just a few weeks of self indulgence.

Since 2006, Br Denis Loft,  a teacher at De La Salle College in Malvern has been taking a group of Year 12 graduates to India to work as “Coolies” (unskilled labourers) to assist the work of the Brothers in Tamil Nadu, India to build houses for poor families in rural villages.

This year 12 students from De La Salle College Malvern will head to India for the six week program.

In the last three years, Br Denis and his volunteers through Coolies have built  30 houses and 2 school block.  

The Coolies program started by Br Denis has had a far and wide influence with a number of schools now offering volunteer programs as alternatives to the the Year 12 schoolies celebrations.

Br Paul Rogers’ return to OZ marks the end of an era in Singapore

De La Salle Brother Paul Rogers will take up the position of Principal at De La Salle College Malvern in Melbourne in Term 2, 2010.

Since 2001, Br Paul has been the Headmaster at the Catholic Junior College in Singapore, one of eight pre-University matriculation level Colleges in Singapore. His work in turning around the academic, pastoral and physical circumstances of the Catholic Junior College is well known and admired. 

His departure  marks the end of an era in which Catholic nuns and brothers helmed the schools founded by their predecessors.  In 2010, the leadership positions of all 35 Catholic schools in Singapore will be held by lay people.

FULL STORY: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20091023-175398.html

Heroes Live Forever – New DVD

The story of John Baptist de La Salle has inspired milions across the world for centuries. His work with the poor and marginalised has led to honouring this man through thousands of statues which have been erected in his memory world wide. Two young Australians recently journeyed to Europe to honour this man by making a film about his life. Tom McIlroy and Dave Collins recently launched their DVD titled “Beyond Statues and Doors: in the Footsteps of De La Salle.

Filmed at various sites which were significant in John Baptist’s life in France and Italy, the DVD provides insight into the challenges he faced in establishing free and Christian schools. Anyone who is interested in learning about de La Salle’s life, will find this fast paced modern production good viewing! The DVD is available for a small fee which covers production and postage costs. Visit www.beyondstatuesanddoors.com

Assistance in India

Today a group of students and staff from Oakhill College in Castle Hill, Sydney flew to India for the school holiday period. There they will work with the De La Salle Brothers at an orphanage in a small village in Tamil Nadu, South India. The main purpose of the visit is to provide materials, teaching assistance and a program to make simple furniture (specially designed). A great deal of fund raising, training and time has gone into the preparations for this volunteer experience. The generosity of the volunteers serves as radical way of living the Christian message to assist those in need.