Living Lasallian – March 2012

Dear Brothers and Partners,

March Madness consumes the airwaves and basketball arenas this month, but surely March sanity prevailed on the weekend of March 9-10, when the 52 Brothers of the District Chapter voted unanimously to affirm the work of the first-ever DENA Mission Assembly (from November, 2011), as well as voting on some other Brothers’ matters.

Special thanks must go to all those Brothers and Partners who have devoted time to the creation of the documents that will guide all of us in DENA into the future, as we continue to provide a human and Christian education to all those entrusted to our care.

Mindful of this Lenten season, a special thanks to all who are devoted to Twinning at this time, and best wishes for a renewing journey towards Holy Week.

Happy Feasts of Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph (Patron of our Institute), a little break in this season of Lent.

Respectfully,

Brother Dennis Lee, FSC
Auxiliary Visitor

Your zeal must go so far that you are
ready to give your very life,
so dear to you are the
children entrusted to you.

— St. John Baptist de La Salle

Council Corner

Brother Edmond Precourt, FSC
District Council

Brother Edmond Precourt, FSC was born in Central Falls, Rhode Island, and attended St. Raphael Academy, in Pawtucket. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C and Masters from St Mary’s University in Minnesota.

Read about Edmond >

Featured Ministry: De La Salle College “Oaklands”

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Founded: 1851
Students: 605 students
Faculty: Over 50 faculty and staff

The Brothers of the Christian Schools arrived in Montreal in 1837 and founded the first permanent community of De La Salle Brothers in North America. At the request of Bishop De Charbonnel, five Brothers came to Toronto in 1851, establishing a grammar school at the corner of Lombard and Jarvis Streets. Twenty years later, the school was extended to include secondary education and relocated to what was then the Bank of Upper Canada.

The name De La Salle Institute was changed to De La Salle College in 1880, when university entrance courses were added. The next major step occurred in 1913, when De La Salle College took over part of the 67 Bond Street building, right next to St. Michael’s Cathedral. In 1925, the senior section was relocated in what is now Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. In 1932 and 1933, these classes were moved to De La Salle College “Oaklands” which had opened in 1931. “Oaklands” was once part of the Crown Lands deeded to Honourable John Elmsley in 1798. In 1858, Senator John Macdonald acquired 30 acres of it and built what was the residence of the Brothers. The Brothers of the Christian Schools bought 12 acres of the property in 1931 and turned it into a boys’ school. Brother Alfred was the guiding genius in acquiring the property and became the school’s first Director/Principal. In 1950, after a great deal of effort and sacrifice on the part of the Brothers and the alumni of the school, the present structure was officially opened.

See featured story >

March 19, 2012

Theology on Tap NYC

Our very own Br. Richard Galvin, FSC will share the spotlight with Sr. Mariette Bernier, OSB, as they talk about Religious Life: The Joys and Rewards of a Vocation, during a Theology on Tap in New York City. Click here for details.

March 25:
La Salle University

April 4:
Manhattan College

LVs Ride Documentary

The documentary that recounts the Lasallian Volunteers’ coast to coast campaign is coming to two locations in DENA. Join other Lasallians and view this amazing documentary at La Salle University, Philadelphia on March 25, or Manhattan College, Riverdale on April 4. Click here for details.