(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Tuesday, 29 January 2019—2nd day of Catholic Schools Week)

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

Why choose a Catholic school? It is a question I have been asked many times over the years as my children attended Catholic elementary school and have then gone on to their high school years at La Salle.

There are the obvious answers—We like to joke that we enjoy not arguing with our kids about what they are going to wear or whether they can dye their hair purple. In truth, their Dad and I wanted a terrific education that included learning in a Catholic faith- and values-based environment. The bonus here at La Salle is getting an education rooted in St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideals of faith, service and community.

We have welcomed the opportunity that our children have had to learn about their Catholic faith, as well as the faiths practiced by others. As a family that places a great deal of value on the ideals of service to one’s country and community, particularly to those less fortunate, we are grateful for the myriad ways that our children have been able to participate in extracurricular clubs and off campus activities that enable them to gain a new perspective on the world as well as contribute their time and talents.

As parents, we also have seen the benefits of experiences like Kairos and class retreats, that give students the chance to reflect on where you are in your life and what direction you want to take. This opportunity for reflection is a real gift of being educated in the Catholic, Lasallian tradition.

But if I had to give a one sentence answer to the question, “What do you hope your children have gained by their Catholic education?” it is that I hope they have been made to be aware and thankful for their lives—to truly appreciate and love the person he or she is and to know how valuable their contributions are to this world. I hope that they recognize what an important difference they can make in the world that God has created for us, but which depends on us, to care for it and its inhabitants.

That knowledge gives the confidence to go and as St. Ignatius Loyola wrote, “Set the world on fire.” It is, I hope, what a Catholic education has instilled in my kids and in each and every one of you.

Let us pray,

Dear God,

During this Catholic Schools Week, let us be especially grateful for the many blessings of our Catholic education here at La Salle. May we be thankful for our parents’ and guardians’ sacrifices that enable us to have the opportunities we are given in this rich and diverse community of educators and learners.

Open our minds and hearts, Lord, so that we may recognize and value the individual gifts that we have been given and help us to use them in ways that can positively impact our world and the people we share it with.

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

Live Jesus in our hearts…forever.

Mrs. Christine Rogers–Parent

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Monday morning, 28 January 2019—1st day of Catholic Schools Week)

Let us remember that we are in the Holy Presence of a Loving God,

Good morning and Happy Catholic Schools Week. This is a week that is dedicated to the celebration of our Catholic identity: an identity that allows us to incorporate our faith into our daily actions and interactions. We are fortunate here at La Salle to be able share the love of God with one another and join each other on a spiritual journey that strengthens our school community. This morning I would like to share with you my journey through Catholic education, specifically here at La Salle.

It started in a way that is probably similar to a lot of yours, sitting on the sidelines of basketball courts and football fields as I watched my older siblings compete for La Salle. My earliest memories of La Salle date back to 1997, long before any of you were born, when I remember sitting in the tiny gymnasium that was located where the current theater is watching my sister play basketball. It was so tiny that it seemed as if you could almost reach out and touch any of the players on the court regardless of where you were sitting in the bleachers. Then there were the cold Friday night football games for my older brother. This was back when the football field was where the baseball field is located today. I remember sitting on the sidelines and wondering what was so special about this school that made my parents want to take us out of our town’s public schools and drive us half an hour to attend a school that they would have to pay for.

Then, a couple years later, it was my turn to start at La Salle. During my eighth grade year I remember crying when my parents told me that I would have to take the entrance exam. I was convinced they were trying to ruin my life by having me apply to La Salle. You see, I was a very shy kid and by the time I got to middle school I finally felt like I had found myself a good group of friends. The thought of having to start over at a new high school seemed terrifying. To put my mind at ease they told me that I should shadow a student at La Salle for a day to get a better idea of what the school was like. Like most of you probably did, I spent a day nervously walking from class to class with a freshman… meeting all of her friends and teachers. By the end of that day I still wasn’t 100% convinced that I would love it but I at least had warmed up to the idea of giving it a shot. My parents told me that I had to at least try it for a year and then we could reconsider. Let’s just say that we never had a follow up conversation at the end of my freshmen year. I fell in love with La Salle. There was and still is today something so special and unique about this school community.

On the surface it’s easy to look at a place like La Salle and think that it’s a wonderful place because of the fancy athletic facilities or state of the art theater. But it goes way beyond that. Now that I am older and hopefully wiser I can reflect on my time as a student and know that it was the people that made my time as a student here so special. You probably know some of them….. Mr. Sirois, Mrs. Misziasek, Ms. Sanga, Mr. Hajan, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs. Romani, Mrs. Martinelli, Mr. Wright, Mrs. King, Mr. Heroux… and the list could go on. These are people who helped my on my journey to becoming a confident senior who felt sad that her time at La Salle was coming to an end in 2005… little did I know that I would eventually be back and lucky enough to call those people my coworkers.

After graduating in 2005 I spent six year away from La Salle. Four years were spent doing my undergraduate work at the University of Oregon (go ducks) and then two years getting my Master’s degree at Providence College while teaching at a Catholic high school in Fall River. Once I began my teaching career I knew that there was only one place that I wanted to end up…. a place that had become like a second home for me and my family, La Salle. As fate would have it they had a position open in Math and it was a very surreal experience coming back to interview with people that had once been my teachers. Thankfully everything worked out and a week later I got a call from Mr. Kavanagh welcoming me back to La Salle. After I hung up, I cried. Thankfully this time around they were tears of joy.

As a teacher I feel so lucky to be able to work here at La Salle: a place where we get to live out the gospel in our daily lives, where we welcome people of all backgrounds and ability levels to be part of our community. In a society that is becoming over-secularized, we must use our identity as a Catholic school to promote inclusion and service to others. It is becoming even more important for us to recognize the value of human life and the gifts that we are given to share with our community.

Here at La Salle things are bound to change over time. The facilities will change, the teachers and students will change, the dress code will change, but what has stayed the same over the past twenty years or so since I first stepped foot on La Salle’s campus is the Catholic mission to spread justice and love… and I hope that will never change.

Last year, as some of you know, I took on a new role… being a mother. My son Ralphie was born a little over a year ago and I pray that someday he is able to come to La Salle.  My hope is that, when he attends La Salle, it is still the same special place that it is today. The only way that that can happen is if you, the students, continue to share your talents and gifts with the community. And when I say talents and gifts I don’t just mean your academic, athletic, or musical talents. But also your spiritual gifts: your ability to choose between right and wrong even when the path towards what is right is more difficult and your moral gifts and desire to help those less fortunate than you. Because that is what makes La Salle such a special place. So in closing, my request to you comes, not only as your teacher but as an alum and a mother of a future student…. embrace your Lasallian identity, take pride in it, don’t take it for granted, and share its mission with others. In doing so, we will continue to strengthen our community and live our lives as God intended us to.

Let us pray,

Dear God,

We praise you for the gift of community. Thank you for the communities in which we live and work. Thank you for the community that is your Body, the Church. Fill us with Your Spirit today so that, as one, we reflect your light and love to each other and to the world. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle – Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our Hearts- Forever.

Megan (Maloney) Carey—Math Teacher, Alumna (Class of 20o5), and Mother of a future alumnus

 

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Friday morning, 11 January 2019—fifth and final day of the “Hands Out for Haiti” Campaign)

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

As we high school students prepare to give our offering to the Hands Out For Haiti Campaign and as the middle school students reflect on the contribution they made yesterday, let us listen to the words of Matthew’s Gospel:

Jesus says to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Let us pray,

Jesus, our Lord and our brother, open our hearts today so that we might generously respond to the young people of Haiti who really are the least members of your family.  Remind us that whatever we do for them, we do for you.  During this Lasallian Jubilee Year as we celebrate the 300^th Anniversary of the death of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, keep us ever mindful that as Lasallians we are all one in the heart of our Founder, in the life of our Founder, and in his commitment to service of the least among us.  Amen.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts…forever.

Kyle Chelo—Class of 2020 (Member of the La Salle Academy Boys’ Hockey Team)

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Thursday, 10 January 2019—4th day of the “Hands Out for Haiti” Campaign)

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

It is the winter of 1683-1684 and the high price of food and the harshness of winter turned the city of Reims, France into a huge poor house of starving people.  To the three newly-started schools of the Brothers and to the Brothers’ House on Rue Neuve the poor came in droves, adults and children alike, many of them close to starvation.  None of them went away unprovided for.  John Baptist de La Salle, the wealthy priest and reluctant founder of schools for poor boys, now lived with the handful of new Brothers.  He had decided after much prayer and spiritual direction, to hand over his wealth so that he too would be poor like his Brothers.  So the daily distribution of food went on until there was nothing left; and then, De La Salle himself had to beg for the bread he could no longer afford to buy.

Flash forward to the winter of 2010, January 12^th, and the devastating earthquake that flattened much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing an estimated 316,000 people, leaving 2.0 million people homeless, and making orphans of hundreds of thousands of children.  Like its Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, the Lasallian World could not just stand-by and watch the suffering of people that they had so long served in Haiti.  Through world-wide donations, including a substantial gift from the faculty, staff and students of this school, the educational and health needs of hundreds of young people and their families is being met by our brother school, the St. Jean Baptiste de La Salle School in Cazeau, a small town on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince.  Each January, since that initial gift, our community has donated about $10,000.00 annually through our Hands Out to Haiti Campaign—to help build the Health Center, to build additional classroom space, to build athletic fields and provide athletic equipment, to purchase uniforms and books, to buy a van for transportation, and to provide tuition help to the now 700 youngsters being educated in Grades pre-K to 10.

Unlike John Baptist de La Salle, we are not being asked today (for the De La Salle Middle School) or tomorrow (for the high school) to give away all our wealth and to go out to beg for food.  We put in our $5.00, get a chance to dress-down for the day, and go home tonight or tomorrow night to a good meal and a warm house—with all our toys (cars, I-pads, I-phones, X-boxes, etc.) to keep us occupied.

However, I ask you to find a few minutes during the rest of this day and tonight to be quiet and to reflect.  What if the earthquake or another natural or man-made disaster happened here in Rhode Island?  How would we feel if we were deprived of everything we take so much for granted?  Well, that is how De La Salle and the starving of Reims felt during that bitterly cold winter and that is how the students of the St. Jean Baptiste de La Salle School felt following the earthquake!  I would never wish that feeling or those disasters on anyone, but it is good from time to time to ask ourselves: what really counts, what is really important, and when it comes down to it, what do I truly need?

Maybe, after some moments of reflection, you might decide today or tomorrow to forego that Dunkin Donuts flavored coffee and bagel or those extra fries; maybe you might decide to skip the movie you are planning to go to over the weekend or to not buy the CD or DVD or Apple I-tunes you saved for with your Christmas money.  Are those things REALLY necessary?  Making a sacrifice is not something we hear about often.  However, today I ask you to consider making a sacrifice, making a sacrifice like John Baptist de La Salle, making a sacrifice that hurts a little bit—making a sacrifice this morning or tomorrow morning when the envelope is passed in your classroom, as you sit comfortably in your dress-down clothes in a warm building.  And as you consider this request, think about the young people of Cazeau, Haiti who are being clothed in uniforms, and given medicine, and being taught because of the extra dollars that you contribute.

They will not be able to thank you in person; but, believe me, your reward will be great when our loving and merciful Father welcomes you into his Kingdom, there to share eternal blessings with so many other generous Lasallians, like Saint John Baptist de La Salle.  Jesus will say to you and me, as he did to his disciples on the Mount: “Come to me, you blessed of my Father—for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was without clothes and you gave me school uniforms, I was sick and you provided medication, I had no opportunity for education and you provided a school and books and teachers and taught me.”

As we continue our celebration of the 300^th Anniversary of the Death of our Founder, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, let us honor him not just by words or by pictures with 300^th Anniversary signs but by imitating his generous heart, his self-less life of giving, and his commitment to be of service to the least, the last, and the lost.

Let us pray,

Jesus, our Lord and our brother, open our hearts today and tomorrow so that we might generously respond to the young people of Haiti who really are the least, the last and the lost of your brothers and sisters.  Remind us that whatever we do for them, we do for you.  Amen.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts…forever.

Brother Frederick Mueller, FSC

(Prayer offered on the school-wide intranet for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Wednesday morning, 9 January 2019—3rd Day of the “Hands Out for Haiti” Campaign)

 

Christine Estes—Director of Campus Ministry

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Tuesday morning, 8 January 2019–2nd Day of the “Hands Out for Haiti” Campaign)

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

Good morning.

My name is Idylla Louis and I graduated from La Salle in 2015.  I am here to give you a look into what the island of Haiti is like and the beauty that some have the opportunity to experience.  Both my parents were born in Haiti.

When flying over the island preparing to land, you see the beautiful mountains and lush trees.  When you land, you are hit with warmth that can only be found on the wonderful island.  At the airport, you are greeted by smiles and the music of Haitian troubadours.  This prepares you for what’s to come on the island if you allow yourself to be immersed into our culture and our people.

Although Haiti is an economically underdeveloped nation, Haiti’s identity is much more than that.  We are a country with a rich history and a diverse group of people.  I am proud to call it my home.  If you have the opportunity and time, I encourage you to visit, to take the time to get to know its landscape and its people.

Let us pray:

God, thank you the beautiful country of Haiti, for its faithful and friendly people.  As a Lasallian family connected around the globe, we remember that the children who attend our Lasallian school in Haiti are our brothers and sisters.  This week, during Haiti Solidarity Week, we pray that we may give generously, knowing that education changes lives, provides hope, and gives people options out of poverty.

St. John Baptist de La Salle: Pray for us

Live Jesus in our Hearts: Forever!

Idylla Louis–Class of 2015

(Prayer offered on the school-wide intranet for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Monday morning, 7 January 2019–1st day of the “Hands Out for Haiti Campaign”)

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

 

 

(Prayer offered on the school-wide intranet for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Thursday, 6 December 2018)

Challenge Success Team

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Tuesday, 4 December 2018)

Let us pause and remember, that we are in the Holy Presence of God.

I love Christmas! It’s not just the beautiful Christmas and Advent music, or the food and family times, or even the animated Christmas specials (although the Charlie Brown one is my favorite).  It’s the chance to celebrate that God fulfilled His promise to send His Son to save us—and not wrapped up in jewels, although He is our King, but as a precious, but poor helpless baby. What a gift and what a lesson!

And this year will be even more special because we are also celebrating the 300^th year of our founder, St. La Salle, who still guides us today through his words.  As Mrs. Da Silva said last week, we see De La Salle’s spirit alive in our school especially in the outpouring of generosity toward the poor. Sure, there are a few who are more like the Grinch or Scrooge, but I’m sure as in the Christmas stories, they too, in time, will find compassion in their hearts. In the words of our Founder, “God inspires us to walk in the footsteps of his Son.” (Med. 3.3)

And maybe we see some who are like Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, who is so caught up in the material part of the season that she wants Santa to bring her tens and twenties, but again from De La Salle, “Example makes a much greater impression than words.” (MTR 10.3 [Med. 202.3]) so how we live and act can help others to “Walk along God’s path.” (Med. 75.3)

When we think of the Nativity story of Mary and Joseph having to travel along rocky roads and Mary in discomfort with her pregnancy, only to find the door slammed in their faces because there’s no room, it is just like any of us when there are difficult times and our faith wanes. But our Founder said, “Throw yourself into God’s arms. He will carry you when the road is rough.” (Letter-Palm Sunday) We need only to have faith as Joseph and Mary had and accept Christ in our lives. I heard recently a quote by Neal Maxwell,  “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” And again, from De La Salle, “How long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter?” (Med. 85.1 – Vigil of the Nativity)

We need, then to decide how we will prepare for Christmas in our thoughts and actions, for “we are people whom God has called to live according to the perfection of the Gospel.” (Med. 5.3).

Let us pray. Lord God, may we find the true spirit of Christmas in all of our thoughts, words, and actions. May we be among the faithful who come “joyful and triumphant” and be “visible angels” among all we meet.

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

Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever!

Leslie Martinelli–Science Teacher

(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Friday morning, 30 November 2018)

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

You may not notice this on a daily basis as you go about your busy schedule at the Academy, but, here at La Salle, every single day, we are in the holy presence of a loving God. Yes, I know that the tradition is to begin every prayer here with this statement, but we may not always see or feel this with our eyes and hearts wide open. So, please allow me to illuminate that God is truly present in this building every moment of every day.

When the Social Concerns Club shared the Adopt-a-Family lists with our Lasallian community, the response was amazing. Homerooms have been busily collecting donations and shopping for the items on the wish lists. There has been a tremendous response to the call for help on the part of our wonderful students. After distributing these wish lists to all the homerooms and groups of faculty and staff in the building, there were still two families left to adopt. I sent out an email to the Lasallian community to ask for more help from those willing to give of their own money, time, and effort. Within minutes, my G mail inbox was full of responses! I could not help but feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude that I belong to such an amazing community. This is what it means to be Lasallian.

When I walk into the building each morning, people offer to hold open doors for me, warmly greet meet me asking how I am and asking about my daughters. I receive high fives and hugs from colleagues whom I consider more like family than coworkers. I see the same happen with the students in the hallways as I walk up to my classroom. You engage in meaningful conversations, show each other respect and affection, and come together in times of both struggle and joy. A big win for a sports team is normally followed by a morning of congratulations and pats on the back. When I find a student in tears, it is common to find him or her surrounded by loving friends willing to help make the day brighter. This is what it means to be Lasallian.

When we pray together as a community, whether in class or at a school Mass, the silence is reverent and humble. We find so many ways to pray together, regardless of different religious backgrounds or beliefs. In class conversations, we share traditions and beliefs from our diverse backgrounds and I often find so many students listening intently and wanting to learn more about their peers. You ask questions to understand those around you in a deeper way. This is what it means to be Lasallian.

I could name hundreds of ways that God is present every day at La Salle. Service learning trips, Christian Service, the bond between students on sports teams, in Theater, and in our school clubs, the countless inviting spaces within the building where people come together to make true differences, a note of gratitude from a student or a positive and encouraging remark from a teacher, or simply reading the tremendous things our community is doing when I read from the Daily Bulletin in Homeroom. This is what it means to be Lasallian.

There is an indescribable and palpable feeling of love, togetherness, unity, and community in this building. Our traditions, from the start of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools by our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, continue to grow stronger and stronger every day.

Today, we begin our commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the passing of St. John Baptist de La Salle, a man who sacrificed his own wealth and status to educate poor boys in France who would have otherwise remained marginalized in society. We keep his legacy alive in this building by remembering that we are in the holy presence of a loving God and sharing God’s love with those around us.

Let us pray,

Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless our Lasallian community and keep our traditions strong. Today, we humbly implore you to help us see, with our minds and hearts, your loving presence as St. John Baptist de La Salle did at the start of the Lasallian Institute. Let his legacy stay alive in our building with the same fire that it has had in the last 300 + years.

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

Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

Amanda da Silva–English Teacher