Eatontown, NJ – Recently, a message was sent out to the District’s e-mail database with the sad news that the Brothers have been asked to leave St. Raymond High School for Boys. We share the following letter which we hope will reach all who have been involved at St. Raymond’s.
Letter from Brother Dennis on behalf of the Brothers to the Saint Raymond family.
Dear Faculty, Alumni, Parents, and Friends of Saint Raymond High School for Boys,
In his May 29, 2018 letter to the members of the Saint Raymond’s School community, Rev. James Cruz, pastor of the Church of Saint Raymond, wrote that he had determined that he “will be discontinuing the relationship between Saint Raymond High School for Boys and the Brothers of the Christian Schools” at the end of the current academic year.
I write today on behalf of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (officially known as the Brothers of the Christian Schools), both those who currently serve there as well as the hundreds of Brothers who have served for 153 years at Saint Raymond’s, via the Catholic Protectory for Boys, the parish elementary school, and (for the most recent 59 years) at St. Raymond High School for Boys.
Thank you to so many of you who have taken time over these recent days to express gratitude for the positive impact we have had, together with our fellow Lasallian educators, on your lives and the lives of young people at St. Raymond’s for generations. We are humbled by the many wonderful stories and positive remembrances you have been sharing. It has been our privilege – through teaching, administration, coaching, guidance, campus ministry, and social work – to fulfill the mission that was bequeathed to us by our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, “to provide a human and a Christian education to the young, especially the poor.”
We are deeply saddened to be leaving Saint Raymond High School for Boys this month, but we understand that, in a parish high school, the pastor has the authority to make this decision. In the message that the pastor sent out, he indicated that we must part ways so that “the school’s mission of academic, personal, and spiritual growth” can continue. We regret and disagree with the pastor’s viewpoint, as we Brothers believe that we have, in fact, continued to be vital instruments in this mission. As such, we have arrived at a point where both parties will “agree to disagree” on the consultative process followed and the ultimate decision the pastor made with respect to the continuation of the Brothers’ educational ministry at Saint Raymond High School for Boys.
We pray in great gratitude for the opportunity to have touched hearts and transformed lives at St. Raymond’s. We pray for the continued dedication of the faculty, staff, and administrators. Let us all pray for the young men whom we are compelled to leave behind.
As I reflect on the recent events as well as our 153 year history at St. Raymond’s, I am reminded of St. Paul’s words to the Philippians: “I am sure of this, that God who began a good work in you will be faithful to bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Respectfully,
Bro. Dennis Lee, FSC
Provincial
Very sad. A terrible mistake and a shame. With deep gratitude for all that the Brothers taught me in word and deed from 1963 to 1967. I still remember EVERY ONE of their names as well as pleasant memories of my education at their hands.
I just received the letter from Brother Dennis Lee and I had to read it 3 times to make sure I could comprehend it
So 53 years of success is ended due to 2 years of what sounds like a disagreement in management
Style. I think Rev Cruz owes us all a much deeper explanation on this decision
Richard, I will be forever in their debt for what they were for all of us. To me, they were the closest I’ve come to experiencing faith with real people. There are many who will always be remembered,Brother Andrew. They were and are real people who were real helps in our development. May they live and leave can peace.
Unbelievable.
I was the first student to graduate from St. Raymonds Boys High in 1964. My last name starts with a A. Brother Martin was an inspiration to me and i will remember him always. Seems like the new management is actually a mis management.
I’m sitting here watching sister act remembered brother Patrick so I googled my way here….disappointed…does anybody know what the real story is here…Mr Heckman…Mr Sedia…??? 93”
Really sad to hear and read, their impact as well as my loving parents, has guided me in many meaningful decisions. Class of 1977 JLV
A little reality testing and honesty would go a long way here. Things happen for a reason, even if the reason is abhorrent or simply inconvenient for some. Keeping the Christian Brothers on at St Raymonds became too much of a legal and financial liability. Why all know, or should know why. Over the years the CBs got a well deserved reputation for unchecked physical violence and sexual indiscretion inflicted upon the very young men they were charged with teaching and guiding. I have my war stories from my time at the boys high school, as do many others like me. Let those of you determined to white wash the truth ask yourself what kind of God you think you are serving here in your faux piety.
U are right, unchecked violence because parents were blinded by stupid religious beliefs, I remember NJ house were shit happened.
Very disappointed to hear the Christian Brothers are no longer at St.Raymonds they made sure we walked a straight line or you get the WALL. Discipline from just going up and the down the right stairwell.Brother Christopher Foley did so much for the ice hockey teams.They will be missed .Jim Callan class of 81.