A Little Bit of Lasallian

(Prayer delivered over the Public Address system to the La Salle Academy educational community on Monday morning, 12 May)

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of a loving God…

As strange as it may seem, Morning Prayer has been something that had fascinated me since I was a freshman in Homeroom 105. The thought of one person speaking over the intercom while the entire school is silently listening to them is both terrifying and admirable. Therefore, when Mr. Daly approached me and asked if I would do prayer this morning I was just that, terrified and honored. I had no idea what I would talk about and was nervous that it would be a prayer everyone would forget even happened by first period.

He told me I should write about “high school” and my time here at La Salle.

lasalle-3

 So I thought to myself, how am I supposed to write about a simple two words, high school, that held four years worth of memories? I could talk about my time spent in the theater and all the friends I’ve made throughout the years, but I would be excluding those who have not participated in the arts here at La Salle. I could talk about sports, but we all know that isn’t a very good idea either seeing I couldn’t even get through a gym class of basketball without spraining my ankle leaving me in a cast for eight weeks. The search for something we all shared, freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, was difficult until I realized the thing we all had in common is the reason we are all here today. Each one of us has a little bit of Lasallian in our hearts and in our actions, some more than others depending on how long you’ve been here.

Each year you learn a little bit more about St. John Baptist de La Salle and therefore can live a life more like his. Some of these things teachers have probably told us but we don’t always listen to what they say, and others are things that I have found to be true myself over these past four years. For example, Mrs. Cerros has taught me the importance of positivity and teamwork when getting a job done; Mrs. Chapman and Ms. Sanga taught me the value of friendship and how one must put the needs of another before themselves; Miss Brown and Mr. B [Brouillard] taught me that the future is in our hands and we must do our very best to help those in need, and most importantly, Brother Paul and Brother Gerard have taught me how to be humble and gentle, but still strong enough to leave your mark when you are gone.

Paul and Gerard

It is important that the seniors take these lessons, as well as ones taught to you on your own high school journey when we enter the next chapters in our life. Juniors must remember that they are now the positive role models of the school who are called to live the De La Salle way so that others may look up to them. Sophomores and freshman, continue to learn the lessons taught to you by your mentors and your friends that inspire you to act with a “enter to learn, leave to serve” attitude.

lasallian cares

Let us pray,

Father of Light and Wisdom, thank you for giving us a mind that can know and a heart that can love. Help us to keep learning every day of our lives– no matter what the subject may be. Let us be convinced that all knowledge leads to you and let us know how to find you and love you in all the things you have made. Encourage us when the studies are difficult and when we are tempted to give up. Enlighten us when our brain is slow and help us to grasp the truth you give us. Grant us the grace to put our knowledge to use in building the kingdom of God on earth so that we may enter the kingdom of God in heaven.  Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts…forever.

John Carpentier (Class of 2014)