From a Brother
There’s hardly anything more rewarding than a few days around the vision and vitality of the volunteers. The Brothers who live and work at Saint Paul’s School were re-charged by the laid-back intensity of everyone making the retreat. You see, for most of the Brothers in our district, the LVs are known only in print. For us, to interact with men and women who imbibe our passion for serving God in others is a “spiritual Red Bull.”
It’s pretty darn good timing to come to the Deep South while the majority of the country is in deep winter. Not only was the sun shining, but the revelry of Mardi Gras was warming up, and we were delighted to share both. And, we were delighted to share in the prayer and to socialize at the meals. Evidence: our smiles were almost as broad as the Causeway bridge is long. About the only thing we couldn’t/didn’t share in was the mini-concert, though we enjoyed watching the dancers hit the floor. Maybe we’ve chaperoned a few too many school dances.
We’re very proud of one of our grads, Daniel Maher, for his life and ministry in Albany. And we’re very proud of the St. Paul’s parents and Lasallian Student Leaders whose hospitality was a relished opportunity to “pay it forward.” It’s good to remember that hospitality is never a one-way street—we received as much as we gave. When the dust settled in Covington and New Orleans, there weren’t any hungry stomachs or hungry hearts left unfed.
Brother Tim Coldwell, FSC
Provincial, New Orleans-Santa Fe District |
Midyear Reflection by 1st Year LV
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin..... But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
Alfred Souza
The first half of my year as a Lasallian Volunteer was not much different from the sentiments expressed by Alfred Souza. When I began, as many probably do, I started off looking for my niche, that defining me to do, but was an important part of what God needed me to do. It showed me that my experiences moment when I’m making that difference and changing that life, but somehow adversities and detours seemed to be getting in the way. I came to the Midyear Retreat feeling like I just hadn’t been there yet.
My arrival at Midyear led to refreshing feelings, not only being out of the cold and snow of Newburgh, NY, but also seeing the wonderful and warming faces of my fellow LV’s. Many of them I hadn’t seen since Orientation in July, where I discovered how great it is to be with people that have passion, drive, and love of the min- istry. Once everyone had arrived, it didn’t take long to get down to business. Reflection and rejuvenation were key, rest and relaxation were put on the back burner, and it was clear to me that this retreat, like many, had a purpose and that there was no time to waste.
During the retreat we spent time looking over our successes and hardships from the first half of the year. We looked back on why we joined the program and what motivates us, as well as what might lie ahead as we return to our sites and communities. It served as a great platform, along with the reflection and commentary from the other volunteers, to help me realize that the everyday work that we were doing, that I was doing, wasn’t getting in the way of what God wanted and all that came with them, greater than or less than I expected, were the defining moments that continue to shape my students and to shape me.
Arthor Curley, 08-09
San Miguel Academy, Newburgh, NY
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Midyear Reflection by 2nd Year LV
Have you ever noticed how much music you hear every day? Honestly, I love it and so must Br. Bud Knight the leader of this year’s Lasallian Volunteer Midyear Retreat. He asked each of us to bring a theme song that represented where we were in our ministry halfway through the year. As we came together that first night from all parts of the country and shared our songs, I thought it captured perfectly everything the Midyear Retreat is about. Just like our experiences, some of our songs were profound and others were comical. Some were classics and others were songs some had never heard. They all were insightful and each gave a glimpse into what my fellow volunteers had experienced.
Music continued to be a theme all weekend, which was fitting since our retreat was in New Orleans, a city rich in musical tradition. The city itself was another thing that made the weekend so wonderful. Though it was the coldest weekend of the year across the country, you couldn’t tell in New Orleans. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms. Lasallian Volunteer families provided us with delicious meals and countless stories about the culture and history of their beloved city. The staff, students and families of St. Paul’s in Covington, LA – our hosts – were equally generous with their time and hospitality. They made sure we were taken care of and well fed. I have to say Jambalaya is one of my new favorite dishes although it’ll probably never be as good as what we were served by the Mother’s and Father’s Clubs of St. Paul’s. Not only were we well fed physically, but also spiritually. The heart of the weekend was spent listening to and sharing each other’s stories and experiences. We heard about highs and lows, struggles and little victories. I learned about the work other volunteers did day after day and what gets them up each morning to keep doing it.
Not only did I come away from the weekend rejuvenated about my ministry, but I was reminded how many people there are truly living St. LaSalle’s mission.
My Midyear Retreat experience this year was very rewarding. It was a chance for all the volunteers to be together eating, praying and playing – all accompanied by great music. We had a ‘Midyear Soundtrack’ which included a little opera, country and rock music. A band of students from St. Paul’s performed for us and we heard all kinds of music at a piano bar in the French Quarter. Inspired by one another’s theme songs, we left New Orleans ready for the second half of the year. And as the 80s rock band Poison so eloquently put it in my theme song, ‘Every rose has its thorn....’ So too did our Midyear Retreat have its thorn – that it had to end.
Claire Johnson, 07-09
St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, MD |
