spring/summer - Christian Brothers of the Midwest

I am thinking of a recent graduate of one of our high schools. I
was with him and several of his fellow students a few years ago
serving others at a soup kitchen on a bitterly cold day. Several
of the guests were indeed homeless. They would be spending the
rest of the night outdoors. At the end of the evening, as we were
headed home, I noticed that this student was not wearing any
gloves. Odd. That day everyone was wearing gloves. So I asked
him about it. He told me that, indeed, he did have gloves when
we arrived at the soup kitchen but that he became aware of one
of the homeless guests who had none. He figured that because he
had another pair at home it made more sense to give our homeless
guest some gloves to help him cope with another night in the cold.
Imagine how comforted and grateful that person felt. Imagine
yourself as part of that generous offer. Your support of the
Lasallian mission makes you an essential part of efforts like these.
Time and again our students enthusiastically give service to others
through opportunities coordinated by staff at their school.
I am thinking of a doctor who graduated from one of our high
schools several years ago. He went on to medical school and has
spent his career in service to others, but he freely admits that it
might not have turned out that way. When he talks of his high
school days he points out that “if it were not for the Brothers I
would have ended up in jail!” High praise and affirmation, indeed,
but the Brothers could not have been there for him were you and
all our benefactors not there for the Brothers. Imagine how many
lives that doctor has saved, how much pain he has suppressed, how
much vitality he has restored. Imagine yourself as a part of each
story. Your support of the Lasallian mission helped make sure that
this young man became an intern and not an inmate.
Each day, during Catholic Schools Week, at De La Salle Institute, Chicago, IL, a different grade went out to a local grammar school or social
service agency. The students provided a variety of services including assisting teachers, reading to students, tutoring and assisting with PE.
Brother Joel McGraw, F.S.C., Associate Principal of Christian Brothers High School, Memphis, TN, leads CBHS students in recitation of
Glorious Mysteries of the rosary in the Brothers’ chapel. The intentions of this rosary included the continued success of Lasallian schools and all
Catholic schools. (Photo by John Morris)
I am thinking of a current student who was asked to share his story as part of a prayer
before a board meeting. He had signed up for an out-of-town service trip, one that
would last several days, without realizing that he was the only one in his own circle
of friends who would be going. When he boarded the van at the start of the trip he
rather expected to be an outsider and he resolved just to make the best of it, get home
as soon as possible, and put it all behind him. For a while he found his expectations
were met. There was verbal sparring and discomfort; there were awkward moments.
But as the days went on and the students worked side by side they found the common
ground that previously had eluded them. Their shared experiences allowed them to
build relationships enriched by their diversity. Upon returning to school those who
ventured out to give themselves to others found that they had received something
valuable in return. Imagine their quizzical delight in forging new relationships that
bridged old gaps. Imagine yourself as part of this healing process. Your support helps
make it possible for all our students to have experiences that help them appreciate the
full spectrum of gifts present in the diversity of others.
Who can count the number of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made by De La Salle Institute, Chicago, IL, students each month
for the Port Ministry Bread Truck distribution? The Bread Truck tours the south side of Chicago each week and passes out sandwiches to
people on the streets.
5