Dear Friends,
As you receive this newsletter, parts of the District will be in immediate preparations for the start of a new school year and other parts will be enjoying the last gasps of summertime before hearing the ring of the school bell to mark a new year.
The start of a school year is an exciting time for Lasallian educators and Brothers. It always has the feeling of a new beginning. The start of the school year offers hopeful optimism for what lies ahead—new lessons, new groups of students and
new opportunities for transformation and growth.
The start of a school year is also a wonderful time for all of us to think about the teachers who have made an impact on our lives—even if we have to look back many years to recall those memories. The teacher’s role in the life of a student is one of the most consequential. De La Salle was so right when he urged the Brothers to always be mindful of this holy calling to teach minds and touch hearts.
In this issue of Lasallian Notes, you will read of some new and renewed initiatives in the District that hope to breathe new energy into the mission and ministry of teaching. The Adrien Nyel Project takes its name from the older man who arrived in Reims in 1678 and had a providential encounter with the young and newly ordained John Baptist de La Salle. As a result of this encounter at the doorway of the Sisters’ convent, De La Salle was gradually led into the world of schools and education. There he found his true calling and launched his educational movement which continues today. Our hope through the Adrien Nyel project is to create similar encounters with young people and invite them to engage in the mission of Catholic education.
The District recently appointed Br. Paul Avvento, FSC, to be the Director of Vocation Ministry. Br. Paul will bring a deep commitment to our vocation along with an ability to engage many people in new and creative ways to invite young men to discern a vocation to the Christian Brothers. The need for our Institute is great and we believe God still calls men to this way of life in the Church. Brother Paul will lead all of us in finding ways to help young men listen for this possible call.
The new school year and new initiatives in support of our Mission: It is an exciting time of the year!
Thank you for your support!
Respectfully,
Br. Robert Schaefer, FSC
Visitor/Provincial
rschaefer@fscdena.org