October 2012 - Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel Voice 8.pdf · October 2012 (G abrielist S ecretariat for J ustice, P eace and Integrity of Creation) For us Brothers, the idea of

1

ISSUE: 8 October 2012

www.stgabrielinst.org

(Gabrielist Secretariat for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation)

For us Brothers, the idea of promotion of justice and peace is not

an unknown land where only a few explorers have gone. There is a

close connection between the educational service of the poor and

the promotion of justice. In fact my question has always been:

what does it mean to serve the poor if not to begin by facilitating

minimum of justice through their access to education? Wherever

we are, we can lead people/students/collaborators/parents and

friends of Brothers to participate effectively in the struggle for

justice and peace to which the Church also calls us in the world

today.

Our Rule of life Art. No 64 invites all of us for this task. It says:

“With your Brothers, you will seek out what is most urgent for the fulfilment of this task. Near you

or in far-away countries, they await your fraternal love and your help, to make them conscious of

their human dignity, to free them from oppression of every kind, to dispel their ignorance...”

Often times we reflect on our Rule of Life. According to me the only article that speaks

directly and forcefully about our school education as education for justice and human progress is

Art. No.14. We need to reread this article to understand the spirit of our pioneers. “Your total

oblation to God demands a dedicated dynamic love for all men (women). Mindful of the poorer

ones among them you will play your part in humanity’s struggle for progress, more particularly

through educational activities.” How can we make our present day school education as education

for justice and peace?

Education for justice should not be merely a specific subject area but a common thread that

runs through the entire curriculum. This common thread should be reinforced by daily practice

within the school. It is important to create a kind of micro-climate which offers an alternative,

miniature model that does not support the anti-values which society often presents to us: market

worship, corruption, fighting, competition and consumerism. It is important that within the school

there exists an experience of justice in which values, such as solidarity, communion, and

participation are top priorities. Otherwise the school runs the risk of duplicating the system and

preparing students for a society of privileges, training them in the competitive struggle where there

is no solidarity.

Fr. Kolvenback, former Superior General of the Jesuits, in a meeting with former students in

Bolivia, in 2001, spoke about the tremendous pressure which is placed on schools in the global

jungle in which we operate where only the most prepared do survive. He added: “Naturally we have

to prepare our students so that they can compete in the market and ensure that they obtain one of

October 2012 Fratelli Di San Gabriele, Via Trionfale, 12840, 00135, Roma, Italy. ISSUE: 8

2



the relatively few jobs that are available. But if that is the only criteria that we have to evaluate our

institutions, we can consider them as having failed. If all they achieve is simply to turn men and

women into being “for themselves and their friends,” and not “for others,” especially for the poor

and excluded, our education will not have achieved its objective and we will not have educated for

justice”. Can we draw some lessons from his observation? (31st GC Nos.10 & 16-17)

In education for justice, it is important to be familiar with reality. Montfort was deeply

moved and concerned about the world. If we are not so moved, we run the risk. We need to respond

to this world adequately through our Christian education. May our 31st General Chapter inspire us

in this journey: “We are convinced that, for us Montfort Brothers of St Gabriel, our education

mission is the most suitable means for creating a just and fraternal world. We are challenged to be

truly convinced...” (No.10).

F. PAUL RAJ

ASSISTANT GENERAL

Is our world in peace? Many remain skeptics when faced with

this question. In an environment like ours, strewn with injustice, social inequalities, corruption,

criminality and intolerance, unemployment, armed conflicts, it is

difficult to speak about peace.

Which god do we believe in? If God is Truth, Justice, Love, Beauty,

Goodness, Light… as the majority of the religions teach us, it is

convenient to ask ourselves about the meanings of the concepts

such as ‘’globalisation”, “living together”. Amos however says to

us: “I hate, I despise your feasts; I take no pleasure in your solemn

assemblies. When you bring me burnt offerings and cereal

offerings, I will not accept them; your peace offerings of fatted

beasts, I will not look upon. Away with the noise of your chanting;

away with your strumming on harps. But, let justice flow like

water and righteousness like an ever-flowing river.” (Amos 5, 21-

24).We have, certainly, reason to fight against the material poverty which threatens us with the

threat of death, daily, but the principal root of our evils, according to me, is spiritual poverty

which dries the hearts and makes us torturers of each other.

Bro. Ambroise Désiré NDOUGOU – Executive Secretary

3



Daniel Faivre A Gabrielist Model for Interreligious Dialogue. In Southall, in the western suburbs of London, where he

had resided for almost thirty years, BrotherDaniel Faivre

had been the man of interfaith (inter-beliefs), the builder

of bridges between all the religions. He founded the

Westminster Interfaith Group, an interdenominational

movement which served as footbridge between all the

religions. He was appointed as advisor to the bishops of

England and Wales on interreligious issues. He visited the

dioceses, gathered together the people interested and

launched groups. A builder of peace who had never ceased living the spirit of the large assembly that Pope

John-Paul II had gathered in Assisi on October 27, 1986, with leaders of the world great religions.

On Saturday 29 September, 2012, a good number of people (approximately 200), belonging to various

religious affiliations, gathered at 3 p.m., at the Saint-Anselm’s Church of Southall, for the inauguration of

the plate/plaque to the memory of Brother Daniel Faivre. The ceremony was presided over by Mgr Alan

Hope, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. Fr. P. Gerard Mitchell, sj, the Parish Priest, acted as the master of

ceremonies. Among the authorities, one could note the presence of Mr. Virenda Sharma, member of the

Parliament from the town of Southall, Mr. and Mrs. Aslam, Mayor and Mairesse of Ealing (Muslims), Mr.

Dineshchandra A. Pandya (Hindu), Mr. Harbans

Virdee (Buddhist), Mr. and Mrs. Ajit Singh (Sikhs), Fr.

Michael Barnes, sj, former person in charge for the

Interfaith Movement of Wesminster, and Mr. Jon

Dal Din, the current person in charge. The Brothers

of Saint Gabriel were well represented by Claude

Marsaud, Provincial Superior of France, Georges Le

Vern, Secretary General, representing the Central

Administration in Rome, John Hegarthy of Ealing,

George Vazhayil and Mathew Pannathanath of the

University College of Saint-Anselm in Kent, Robert

Euzen and Joseph Allain of France. The family of the

Brother Daniel was represented by his nephew

Dominic, his wife and one of their sons.

Here is the testimony of Father Michael Barnes, a former person in charge for the

Interfaith Movement

When I think of Daniel I have two figures in mind. The first is the inspiration behind inter-faith

dialogue; the public figure; founder of Westminster Interfaith; leader of the annual London peace

4



pilgrimages; organiser of seminars and liturgies and events of all kinds; author of prayers and

compiler of anthologies of religious wisdom; teacher, guide and mentor to all of us, whatever our

faith.

I saw a lot of that Brother Daniel: meticulous, precise, well-organised, a man of extraordinary gifts

and enormous generosity of spirit. Perhaps the most important and unforgettable thing we ever

did together was the great prayer service in Westminster Cathedral after the first Gulf War.

The format was pure D: dead simple - the lighting of a lamp followed by prayers and readings from

different traditions, received in respectful silence by some 3000 people. The sort of simple format

of attention to the sacredness of the moment we keep here today in his honour.

But the work it took - to gather reps together, to cope with suspicious officialdom, to keep

everyone happy and on time - was enormous. We finished with St Francis's prayer said together -

'Master, make me a channel of your peace' - while everyone held up a sprig of an olive tree

brought in from Assisi. It was that sort of attention to detail which marked Daniel out. Prayer was

at the centre of everything he did.

And prayer was not a matter of words but an act of the whole person gathered to the Lord of All -

an act which expressed a movement of head and heart and body, using silence and symbols and

gestures. He prayed in this church every day; just there, near the plaque. Those words a fitting

reminder of who he was.

But I also think of another Daniel. A more private Daniel. When I came to live in Southall, I would

spend time with him - usually over a simple but beautifully prepared meal, and always with a

bottle of good French wine. He would meet me in the street or call on the phone: 'what are you

doing tonight? I have a fish'. It was always a good fish. But that was not what I most remember.

Often he had an idea and he would run it past me - or I would have an idea and run it past him. He

would stroke that great white beard and say, 'Well, mon ami,...' I could tell a lot from the quality of

that 'well'.

Sometimes it spoke of approval; sometimes he was more doubtful. Uncanny - his instincts almost

always turned out to be right. Daniel a highly intelligent man, but also practical and incredibly

shrewd; knew what worked, and what didn't, or - more exactly - what you need to do to make

something work.

As I say these words, I can still hear him: 'Well, mon ami,...' Would he have enjoyed seeing his

name on a plaque in the middle of his beloved Southall? I suspect not; he was far too self-effacing

a man for that. Would he have enjoyed seeing his friends and family gathered here, celebrating

that mystery of the loving God who holds us all together? That's different.

He used to talk about people of faith - every one of God's creatures as a 'unique manifestation of

divinity'. Faith is not a capacity to believe strange things; it's a quality of our shared humanity, the

conviction that each and every one of us, despite tragedy of human folly and sinfulness, has a

certain capacity for God. Gift shared by all - but never in same way. Expression of gift unique.

5



Years ago I dedicated a book to Daniel. He read it carefully, making notes, and as I might have

expected came back to me with one of those 'well, mon ami' moments. The last chapter, he said,

leaves us on the threshold of something important. 'Yes?' - I asked, eager to get his wisdom. 'But

you do not take us further.' 'Further to where?' I queried. 'Into the lives of those who haven't got

the time and inclination to read the book', he said.

Typical but right. Point that there is no intellectual/theological answer to issues of division and

difference and discontinuity unless we are prepared to make the effort to cross the boundaries, to

engage with others, and to learn from them about the extraordinary richness of the ways of God.

Takes effort/risk to confess that each person is a 'unique manifestation'.

Paradox that it is also strangely liberating: the moment when we stop getting caught up in self and

receive real grace, a gift from the other person of faith, which is also a gift of Godself. Thanks for

giving us your uniqueness, Daniel; may your inspiration go on guiding each one of us to realise and

share generously that unique manifestation of God which we are called to become.

Fr Michael Barnes sj

.

Freinds of Brother Daniel Bouddhist Monk

6



Save my creation, says God

On May 31 last, the Network Saint-Gabriel, reunited its members

once more, for a fraternal meeting. We owe it to Brother Yves

Ladouceur, who had heard Mr. Norman Lévesque at a meeting, the

presence of the young speaker for whom protection of the

environment manifests itself beyond science and recycling. Since

the years ‘60s, we started talking about pollution of water, air and

soil for all the reasons we know. The discourse has changed with

the theme with the use of the real word that very few people had heard earlier, "Ecology". This new

password has gained importance because it makes the link between the physical conditions of the

environment, the consequences on the climate, the geology, the food and the inhabitants of our

planet.

Over time, the discourse became more targeted towards the protection of the environment, creating

Cutting the cake by Brother John Hegarthy

Canada

7



among other agencies, ministries of environment. Their actions, however, are limited because they

have a notable opponent: overconsumption; this has made the humans indifferent to the grave

consequences of this devastating consumption With Mr. Lévesque emerges another way of talking

about the environment. He proposes a reflection which makes a reference to the Creation, the

Garden of Eden and the role of the Creator in this masterpiece of work which is the earth. He

demonstrates starting from the Bible that we have not decoded the messages, the warnings, the

cautions that the Creator has instilled in Biblical scholars through the ages.

The overconsumption, supported by a vicious marketing cycle that promises happiness, that has

built individualistic societies without real values, dependent on false needs. The speaker opens us a

channel: the new theme of Green Churches, color of Ecology and of hope, which gives the

protection of the environment a spiritual value, which risks the stimulation of the faith of the

indifferent, awakening some consciences asleep in well-being and above all in questioning our

passage on this earth in a perspective of reflection in the face of divine creation.

Thank you Mr. Levesque for accepting our invitation. In his thanks, Brother Raymond Leroux has underlined

that after hearing the speaker, the protection of the environment takes on another meaning and gives a

new dimension to the Network's first objective: "Building a just and fraternal world" by working to save the

planet. The success of our meeting deserves underscoring the external helps: Mrs. Sylvie Venne for the

presentation of folders that everyone appreciates, the green touch to the circumstances which demands

patience: Sister Brigitte Michaud, DW, and Mrs. Priscilla Gagnon, Friends of the Brothers of St. Gabriel, have

participated in the planting of young seedlings. A big thank you to all!

Jeanne Le Sauteur Gilbert Goulet, f.s.g., photographer

SENEGAL

Education with values occupies a place ever more important in the pastoral plan of the

Montfortian Brothers of St. Gabriel of the Province of Senegal. In a globalized world, it is a

question of preparing and teaching the students how to live together and harmoniously with all

creation, respecting the dignity and the convictions of each one. Among the values to be greatly

promoted are Justice, Peace and the Love. Many actions are undertaken by the Brothers in

collaboration with the laity and the priests at the level of the schools, associations and movements

to help men, women and especially students to acquire these values. Unfortunately, we still struggle

to make them known due to lack of means the lack of camera and even more of video equipment.

8



We are happy to share with you two activities: The fourth edition of the day of Peace at

Saint-Pierre School, and the involvement in the electoral process of February and March 2012

which saw a second peaceful change of regime in the political history of the country.

The fourth edition of the day of Peace was fully lived at Saint-Pierre’s College of Greater

Dakar. The theme selected “Sports at the service of Peace” was inspired by the world context of the

organization of the Olympic Games at London in 2012.

The official ceremony, co-presided by his Excellency the Ambassador of the United

Kingdom to Senegal and Madam, the Vice President of the national Olympic Committee, was very

beautiful because of the rich interpellations, the colours and the rhythms. All started with the arrival

and installation of the authorities.

His Excellency greets Brothers His Excellency and Madame Vice President

surrounded by the academic authorities and DIDEC

We then successively lived the following powerful moments: arrival of the Chief of the

School Government, followed by that of the Minister for Sports and Leisure in the dress of the

President of the World Olympic Committee, arrival of the procession of the Queen of England, of

the various delegations who carried each one the name of one of the winners of Nobel Prize for

PEACE. All the parts were played by students.

We then listened to the speeches: The Chief of the Government, the Minister for Sports and

Leisure (President of the CIO), the Ambassador of the United Kingdom followed one another at the

platform, the first for the words of welcome, the second to praise the virtues of the sport, and the

last to express his joy of chairing the ceremony, of evoking the joy of the Olympic Games of

London and of encouraging the young people to practise the sport.

After the speeches, we received the oaths of the athletes and the judges before welcoming

with grand pomp the Olympic flame. The climax of the ceremony was the official declaration of

opening of the Olympic Games of Saint-Pierre’s 2012 by her majesty the “Queen of England”. This

declaration was immediately followed by the demonstrations of the clubs of sport and enacting the

scene relating to violence against women, presented by the Spanish Club.

The ceremony finished with a superb choreography executed by the cheerleaders. Before we

parted, the educational family of the School complex of Saint-Pierre made a point of sharing their

project to build a large hall of sports Pierre de COUBERTIN. Admittedly the financing was not

finalised but we carried out the laying of the first stone thus expressing our attachment to this

project.

9



The Brothers were not inactive during the pacification of the electoral process of our

country. They all enrolled in the electoral rolls to be able to correctly fulfil their duties as citizens

while taking part in the vote.

In addition, in the schools, the movements and associations, the parish committees of justice

and peace…, they have taken part to pacify the elections by promoting the culture of nonviolence.

At the Sainte-Therese parish of Greater Dakar for example, one can see Brother Alphonse

TINE animating with Mr Jean Baptist DIOUF, mayor of the commune of Greater Dakar, a

conference on the topic: The Christian Actor of Peace in the Electoral Process.

This conference was followed by a Vigil of prayer for PEACE in the Country. Thanks be to

God who heard and answered favourably the supplications of his people. May this PEACE which

we wish for everyone in the world, reign in our hearts, to transform us and make us artisans of

peace.

Brother Alphonse TINE

THE NEXT ISSUE OF "GABRIELITE VOICE" WILL BE PUBLISHED

IN JANUARY 2013. ALL THE PROVINCE COORDINATORS OF JPIC

ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR NEWS BY 15th OF JANUARY TO:

[email protected] and the postal address is: GSJP, Fratelli di

San Gabriele, Via Trionfale, 12840, 00135, Roma-Italia

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

October 2012 - Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel Voice 8.pdf · October 2012 (G abrielist S ecretariat for J ustice, P eace and Integrity of Creation) For us Brothers, the idea of