De La Salle Institute

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De La Salle Institute

• Mission of Service
• By Tom Dufficy, Chicago

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Introduction

• The two big questions teachers and students
  discuss about doing service hours for school are
• What constitutes community service?
• Why do I have to do it?
• The following slides are an attempt to aid us in
  our understanding of what service is and how it
  is an important component of our Catholic
  Christian and Lasallian traditions.

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Introduction

• As part of our religious education, we are taught
  not only to learn about, but to live out the
  Gospel values in our daily lives.
• As Christians, these teachings lead us to
  experiences that help shape our hearts.
• Due to the people and circumstances around him,
  John Baptist de La Salle was led to form an
  identity and empathy with those less fortunate.

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Introduction

• Besides knowing our school is named after him,
  that his portrait is in every classroom, and we
  recite a phrase he wrote, let us remember we are
  living in the holy presence of God, what else do
  you know about de La Salle? (pause)
• So as to help you identify with his mission, it
  is important to understand the man and his vision
  that led to his life of service to the poor.

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St. John Baptist de La Salle1659-1719

• Who was this man?

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History-Early Years

• He was born in 1651 in France, in the city of
  Rheims, near Paris.
• He grew up in a wealthy part of this city, living
  a sheltered life of social privilege and
  affluence.
• As a young man, he took the necessary steps to
  become a priest.
• At age 11, he became a cleric, a member of the
  clergy, by receiving a tonsure. This special hair
  cut symbolizes his desire to be a priest.
• At 15, he was named a Canon in the Church. A
  canon is a paid position in which a person
  carries out various liturgical duties for the
  Church.
• In 1678, at the age of 27, de La Salle was
  ordained a priest,
• During his years of study in the seminary, his
  parents died. At the age of 20, de La Salle must
  take on the duty of raising his ten brothers and
  sisters.

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The Beginning

• Led by his trust in Gods Providence and after
  many hours of prayer and meditation, de La Salle
  took a great risk in 1679.
• He ventured from his comfort zone of social
  privilege and wealth to serve the needs of the
  poor children around him.
• These very people he chose to serve were the same
  that as a young man, he would rarely have any
  contact with.
• In de La Salles own words, one involvement led
  me to another without my having foreseen it in
  the beginning. Memoir on the Beginning

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The First Schools

• Asked by Adrian Nyel and Madame Maillefer, de La
  Salle begins his first school for the poor boys
  of Rheims. It failed because the teachers lacked
  proper skills and methods. He took up the
  challenge to improve them.
• In 1681, to aid in their training, he moves the
  teachers into his home. His family is embarrassed
  by these people and their manners, so they leave.
• In 1683, to become more like his teachers, now
  called Brothers, he resigns his canonry in the
  Church.
• In 1691, with two other Brothers, he takes the
  Heroic Vow to continue to educate the poor and
  establish a society of Brothers, even if we are
  to beg for alms and live on bread alone (Salm p
  71)

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The Mission Expands

• Schools flourished. de La Salle and the Brothers
  would be invited to begin more schools throughout
  France
• He continued to train them and work with them,
  writing a document entitled The Rule for he and
  the brothers to follow.
• At his death, there are 22 schools and 99
  brothers.
• John Baptist de La Salle died on Good Friday,
  1719
• He was canonized a saint in Rome in 1900
• He became the patron saint of educators May 15,
  1950.

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The First Schools

• Asked by Adrian Nyel and Madame Maillefer, de La
  Salle begins his first school for the poor boys
  of Rheims. It failed because the teachers lacked
  proper skills and methods. He took up the
  challenge to improve them.
• In 1681, to aid in their training, he moves the
  teachers into his home. His family is embarrassed
  by these people and their manners, so they leave.
• In 1683, to become more like his teachers, now
  called Brothers, he resigns his canonry in the
  Church.
• In 1691, with two other Brothers, he takes the
  Heroic Vow to continue to educate the poor and
  establish a society of Brothers, even if we are
  to beg for alms and live on bread alone (Salm p
  71)

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The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian
Schools

The Lasallian World

• Fueled by the success of the schools, and the
  methods of the Brothers, the commitment to
  educating the poor continues. Today, the 5600
  Brothers of the Christian Schools can be found in
  85 countries serving over 900,000 students.

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The Lasallian United States

• De La Salle Institute is one of over 54 secondary
  schools in the US/Toronto Region.
• There are over 61,881 students in Lasallian
  schools in this region.

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Closer to Home

• Illinois is a part of the Midwest District.
• We are one of 30 ministries in this district.
• Illinois is home to five Lasallian high schools,
  two San Miguel Schools, one university, and one
  retreat center.

• Other High schools Driscoll, St. Patricks,
• Montini, St.
  Josephs
• College Lewis University
• Retreat Center Lasalle Manor

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What does it mean to be Lasallian?

• As members of a Lasallian community, we are
  called to serve the needs of the poor.
• de La Salle states, ..you are the ambassadors
  and ministers of Christ.
• We try to live the Lasaliian charism together
  and by association.

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Why we serve?

• Giving back to others helps us appreciate our own
  blessings.
• As Lasallians,We understand that it is in small
  acts that we can make a difference.
• We consider each individual valuable.
• We promote working ardently for the young,
  especially the poor. (Young Lasallian Creed)

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Who are the Poor?

• Most people typically define poor in economic
  terms. They do not have the means by which to
  provide clothes, food, etc.., but there are many
  people who are poor in others ways.
• People may be spiritually and morally poor,
  lacking the direction and faith for their future.
• People may be poor emotionally. They are lonely
  and so seek out companionship.
• And yes, people perform poorly in school and need
  a hand feeling more confident in their abilities.

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(No Transcript)
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Rationale for Doing Service

• Christ has called each of us to serve our
  brothers and sisters.
• We are expected as believers and followers of
  Christ to love and respect ourselves and our
  neighbor.
• Our neighbor is a person regardless of creed,
  age, sex, economic status, or race.
• de La Salle wrote, may faith lead you to do
  this affection and zeal because these children
  are members of Jesus Christ. meditation on the
  feast of Epiphany

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Christ is our Model

• But it shall not be so among you. Rather whoever
  wishes to be great among you shall be your
  servant, whoever wishes to be first among you
  shall be your slave. The Son of man did not come
  to be served, but to serveMT 2026-28
• After Jesus washed the Apostles feet, he said,
  If I therefore, the master and teacher, have
  washed your feet, you ought to wash one anothers
  feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that
  as I have done for you, you should also do. JN
  1314-15
• Amen I say to you, whatever you did for the
  least of my brothers, you did for me. MT 2540

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What are Service Sites?

• There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but
  the same Spirit, there are different forms of
  service, but the same Lord 1 COR 125

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How to find a site?

• DLS can help you find a service site.
• There is a list of preferred sites available
  through Campus Ministry.
• You may join Lasallian Youth. The group meets
  every other Thursday morning.
  
• You may contact any of the places in your
  parish/community that need volunteers.

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Breakdown of Form

• Requirements The student must complete
  ____service hours between_______ and ___________
• Service sites are Hospitals, Churches, Schools
  and other organizations that serve people.
• This contract is to be signed by the student
  and the organizations contact person.
• The student will complete a reflection form
  after completion of all service hours.
• Contact Person Please fill out this form when
  the student comes for his first day, and return
  it to them with the evaluation completed, when
  they leave your site for the last time. Feel free
  to keep track of his days and hours on the back
  of this form or use your own format. Thank you
  for your assistance in this program.

• STUDENT Name___________________
  
• Class Period____
• CLASSROOM TEACHER_____________
• SUPERVISOR/CONTACT PERSON________________________
  ___
• SITE NAME_________________________
• PHONE________________ADDRESS___________________
  ______
• START DATE ____ TOTAL HOURS
• 
  COMPLETED__END DATE _____
• BRIEFLY DESCRIBE DUTIES_____________________
• ____________________________
• ____________________________

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Supervisor Evaluation

• If at any time the student presents himself in a
  disrespectful way, please feel free to send him
  home for that day or terminate him. Also feel
  free to call the school to speak with the
  students teacher with any questions or concerns.
  
• Thank you.

• Did the student perform duties satisfactorily?
  Yes No
• Was the student punctual?
  Yes No
• Was their behavior and dress APPROPRIATE?
  Yes No
• Would you ask them to return to your
  facility at a later date? Yes No
• Would other DLS students be able to serve at
  this facility? Yes No
• Comments
• Signature of Supervisor_____________Signature
  of Student________________

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Service Reflection

• After you complete your required hours, you then
  fill out a reflection based on the following
  questions.
• 1. Briefly describe your experience
• 2. What insights did you gain about others from
  your experience?
• 3. What insight did you gain about yourself?
• 4. What gifts and talents did you use while doing
  this service?
• 5. What was one thing you found difficult about
  this experience?
• 6. What was one thing you found rewarding about
  this experience?
• 7. Would you recommend other students participate
  in this service
  experience?

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Challenge to Serve Others

• We challenge you to reach out to the needs of
  others in your parish or community.
• We challenge you to move out of your comfort zone
  as de La Salle once did and allow God to move
  through you.
• We challenge you to remember that you are always
  in Gods presence.

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Are you in the picture?
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• St. John Baptist de La Salle
• Pray for us
• Our Lady of Lourdes
• Pray for us
  
• Live Jesus in our hearts Forever

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Sources

• The Work is Yours Luke Salm
• Memoir on the Beginning St. John Baptist de La
  Salle
• Touching the Hearts of Students George Van
  Grieken
• www.lasalle2.org
• Lasallian Creed