Beautiful in Their Diversity

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Tuesday, 5 February 2019—Black History Month)

Good morning.  Let us remember we are in the Holy presence of loving God

Today is the official start of Lunar New Year.  This day celebrates the traditional start of the lunar calendar in 6 different Asian countries including Japan, Korea and China.

On the Lunar New Year’s eve, Chinese will make a large feast that is comprised of traditional dishes of fish, meats and vegetables, with each dish representing good fortune in the coming year. Kids will receive lucky money with a red envelope from elder family members. During the Lunar New Year, people clean their house entirely for getting rid of bad luck and wishing a good new beginning of a year.  Families sit together and chat happily awaiting the new year’s arrival.

Lunar New Year is perhaps one of the best times to spread love, joy and cheer. It is the perfect occasion to celebrate with friends and family. For many who do not get the chance to spend enough time with their loved ones, it also presents a chance to express their emotions, gratitude, love and deep feelings towards the important people in their lives.

With the start of Black History Month and the celebration of Lunar New Year, today we are reminded of the beauty of diversity.  Students of different races and students from different cultures share one community here at La Salle. God who made us all different has allowed us to be one family of Lasallians so we can learn and care for one another.

Lunar New Year is about renewal and the hope for the future. These same ideas are central in Christian teachings. So today we renew our commitment as a community to love all of God’s children, beautiful in their diversity, from different backgrounds and different ways of life.  We hope for a future where no people are oppressed or hated, but where the whole world lives as one family.

So let us pray! Father, Creator of the universe, in your great wisdom you continually renew all things. As we celebrate this New Year, we especially ask your mercy. Grant us a favorable future and a world prosperous and at peace. Let us serve you with reverence and joy. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen!

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

Live Jesus in our Hearts…forever.

Happy New Year, La Salle!

Kechao WU (Mike)–Class of 2019