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RUE NEUVELE JOURNAL OFFICIEL DU NOVICIAT DE LA SALLE PARC 2018 - 2019
V O L U M E 0 3 | N O. 0 1 I M A R C H - A P R I L 2 0 1 9
ESCAPING TO THE NORTHLSN Community Outing
TOUCHING HEARTSSPArC First Holy Communion
PRAYING WITHST. LA SALLE8-Day Silent Retreat Reflections
HIGHLIGHTS
02
RUE NEUVE
PARC LA SALLE NOVITIATE 2018 - 2019
EDITOR’S NOTE
RUE NEUVE
Rue Neuve was a street in Rheims, France where the first house of the Brothers of the
Christian Schools was located. The humble and modest abode which the Brothers occupied on June 24, 1682 was where all the transformation happened; teachers became Brothers, seculars
turned into consecrated men, a human work became the work of God. As Blain put it, the
house on Rue Neuve is considered as the cradle of the Institute.
LE JOURNAL OFFICIEL DU NOVICIAT DE LA SALLE PARC 2018 - 2019V O L U M E 0 2 | N O. 0 3 | J A N U A R Y - F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9
STAFFEDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LAYOUT EDITOR
Br. Carlo Rementilla nFSC
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Br. Miggy Crisostomo nFSC
GENERAL STAFF
Br. Simon Opu nFSCBr. Zafar Iqbal nFSC
ADVISERS
Br. Rey Mejias FSCBr. Joseph Hung FSC
You may send your comments or suggestions to the Editor through e-mail at [email protected]
ABOUT THE COVER
Just in time for sunrise. After long hours of traveling, the novices together with Br. Joseph Hung FSC, pose at Baguio City’s Burnham Park.
ABOUT RUE NEUVE
STAFF
FEEDBACK
F ull,” described in the dictionary as “often used to emphasize anything containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space; not lacking or omitting anything; reaching the utmost.” This is what I would like describe the months of March and April here in the Novitiate. It does not
only describe our schedule, activities, classes, and our community living, now that we are a “full house,” but also our experiences of faith, service, and communion.
We have reached the fullness of our apostolate as our students in Tibig Elementary School received Jesus Christ for the first time. It was indeed a wonderful celebration. It is now our prayer and hope that as they were touched and moved by that experience to deepen their faith, they will soon discover their vocation in Christ. As we continue to grow in our vocation of following Christ as a De La Salle Brother, and deepen our understanding of the vows, this issue covers all our in-house classes facilitated by visiting Brothers, our director, and the novices. We were blessed to have Br. Dodo Fernandez FSC, Br. David Hawk FSC, and Br. John Cantwell FSC who shared their expertise and thoughts on the evangelical vows, association and stability. We were also blessed with the presence of Br. Jun Estrellas FSC and Br. Mario Dacanay FSC who both shared on Vatican II and Management.
One of the highlights of this issue is our reflection on our second 8-Day Guided Silent retreat that was held at Mornese Center of Spirituality in Calamba, Laguna during the Holy Week with the theme “Praying with St. La Salle as we Choose Christ.” It was indeed a grace filled experience for us, reflecting on the Paschal Mystery of Christ, passion, death and resurrection. Right after our retreat and the District Leadership Turnover, we head to the north for a 6-hour journey to the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City, for our Community Midyear Evaluation and Recreation. Br. Miggy shares, “These days of recreation were an opportune time to relax and enjoy each others company while enjoying the countryside… [and to] reflect on how far we have gone to reach the destination we have in mind and how do we continue to progress in that route. “
Featured in this issue includes: a story on how our modular class in Exodus culminated, an interview with our featured novice, Br. Simon Opu nFSC, our featured novitiate staff, movie reflections on Million Dollar Baby, and our new members of the community.
The two months that had come were indeed “full.” It was filled with experiences, new encounters, knowledge and insights, endings and beginnings towards becoming a better disciple of Christ, through the footsteps of our Founder.
Live Jesus in our Hearts,
BR. CARLO REMENTILLA nFSC
“
NEWS
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T UCHING HEARTS
SCUBILLION PROJECT FOR ALTERNATIVE CATECHISM
ARTICLE BY BR. CARLO REMENTILLA nFSC
F I R S T H O L Y C O M M U N I O N
OUR FATHER. The communicants, with joined hands, singing the Lord’s Prayer.
NEWS
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A
f fter series of catechism classes and practices 60
grade 3, 4 and 6 pupils of Tibig Elementary School, finally re-ceived the Body of Christ for the first time last March 8, 2019. The celebration was held at the Chapel of St. Lorenzo de Manila,
Brgy. Tibig, Lipa City, Batangas. The ceremony was also attended by
their parents and teachers. The girls, in their white dress and veil, and
the boys, in their white long sleeves and black pants, received the
sacrament of reconciliation. Their parents, seeing their kids walking
on the aisle, kneeling and receiving the first holy communion, were
brought into tears. The full cooperation of the school principal, Mrs.
Analiza Sarmiento, and Mrs. Arlene Salazar, Values coordinator, and
the Grade 3 advisers, made the sacraments possible. People from De
La Salle Lipa also helped in bringing these students to Christ. They
generously sponsored the six-decade rosaries that were given to the
kids, and the snacks after the celebration. This was all made possible
with the support from the diocese of Lipa, headed by Fr. Cecilio Arce.
With full support and commitment to this mission, we were able to
put out a wonderful celebration. As St. La Salle wrote in his medita-
tion, “You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those en-
trusted to your care.” We hope that these kids will grow as matured
Christians, responding to their God-given vocation one day. RN
NEWS
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The novices were able to put out a wonderful celebration, and hoped that these kids were
touched and moved by their experiences, and would grow as matured Christians, responding to
their God-given vocation one day.
“”- BR. CARLO REMENTILLA NFSC
NEWS
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L
ast April 21, 2019, the Novices together with the Brothers from different parts of LEAD gathered at the Chapel of the Divine Child in La Salle Green Hills to witness the passing of the torch of Br.
Edmundo Fernandez FSC, outgoing LEAD Visitor, to Br. Armin Luistro FSC, incoming LEAD Visitor. More than a turnover ceremony, it was a time of gratitude to Br. Dodo for leading the District for 8 years and grateful to Br. Armin for taking on the task to guide the District in the years to come. In his shared re-
GIVING THANKS
A After several modular classes, we finally reached the Culminating Activity of Exodus. Last April 4-6, 2016, the community joined a 3-Day Retreat held at San Sebastian Retreat House, Lipa City, facilitated by Fr.
Allan Sasi. He started the first day with asking us three questions; How I have become after a year? What are the experiences that shape/break me? And the last question was, Is my direction right? All these questions allowed me to look back on my journey in the Novitiate, and to reflect and see how am I after almost a year since I entered. There was an activity done by groups wherein for me, was the most striking, when he asked us novices to break an earthen pot in front of us and put it again. After the activity, he then explained, the Novitiate program is also like that, first, we need to break ourselves in order to gain new life in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the congregation.
What moved me more at the end of our retreat was the cultural presentation of the novices according to their home countries. Around 10 counties presented cultural presentations, showing the best features of their respective country. It gave us the oppor-tunity to appreciate more other cultures and the diversity of the Church which I belong to. RN
Exodus Culmination Day: A Retreat Experience
More than a turnover ceremony, it was a time
of gratitude...
ARTICLE BY BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
... the Novitiate program is also like that, first, we need to break
ourselves in order to gain new life in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the
congregation.
ARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC ”- BR. ZAFAR NFSC
flection, Br. Dodo asked the District to give their full support and obedience to Br. Armin, who will take-over on May 15, 2019. The event was graced by the presence of Br. Jorge Gallardo FSC, Vicar-General; Br. Ricky Laguda FSC, General Councillor for PARC; and Br. Aidan Kilty FSC, General Councillor for RELAL. RN
“- BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
O U R G U E S T S P E A K E R S
EXCURSION. The novices pose for a picture with Br. John at People’s Park, Tagaytay City.
TOGETHER BY ASSOCIATION. The novices with Br. David Hawke, ANZPPNG Visitor.
VOWS. A photo opp with Br. Dodo after his session on Evangelical Vows.
GRATEFUL. The novices with Br. Jun, right after his session on Vatican II.
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I ’m looking at 10 years from now.” This was the opening state-ment of Br. Mario Dacanay during our class on Management, last April 4, 2019. In our class, he presented five basic elements of management which involve organizing, staffing, communicating,
motivating, and leading, and controlling. In the process, it is essen-tial to take note that planning and evaluating are very important in the success of an organization. As Br. Mario stresses, “Failing to plan is planning to fail. Don’t wait things to happen because it will not happen if we will not plan about it and do it.”
Br. Mario also reminded us, “If we can DREAM, we can PLAN, and if we can ACT, then we can REALIZE our DREAM”. This was an invitation for me and my Brothers, to plan ahead, set our directions, be visionaries, and to go beyond what is today but not forgetting to ground ourselves from “here and now.” From our values and the current needs of the situation, we can set our targets and vision, for our personal life, community life, apostolate, and ministry. If the plan is being acted upon, then we can go a long way, not only from accomplishing what is expected but even going beyond. RN
VATICAN II
I In the year 1965, Vatican II introduced several changes in the Church, which provided a fresh breath on how things work internally and externally. These changes occurred in
the Liturgy and Sacraments, and the emphasis on Baptismal Vows of every Christian. In total, 16 documents were prom-ulgated at the conclusion of Vatican II to establish a Church that is ready to respond to a continuously changing world. In our class with Br. Jun Estrellas FSC, he mentioned that there are various reasons why Vatican II happened. At the outset, Vatican II was undoubtedly a response to “signs of the times” of that time - unjust wage, over population, the world war, etc. What I would like to take home in this class is how the Church has used the methodology of see, judge, and act. Vatican II did respond effectively to the needs of the faithful. “There is salvation outside the Church.” In the end, I am enthused to offer what I have learned and relate this to what I can do for the salvation of those entrusted to my care. RN
ARTICLE BY BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
MANAGEMENTARTICLE BY BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
EDUCATION
O U R G U E S T S P E A K E R S
“EXCURSION. The novices pose for a picture with Br. John at People’s Park, Tagaytay City.
TOGETHER BY ASSOCIATION. The novices with Br. David Hawke, ANZPPNG Visitor.
VOWS. A photo opp with Br. Dodo after his session on Evangelical Vows.
GRATEFUL. The novices with Br. Jun, right after his session on Vatican II.
EDUCATION
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LIVING THE CONSECRATED LIFE ARTICLE BY BR. MIGGY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
O
n the completion of his novitiate, the candidate is admitted to temporary profession.” Excerpt from Rule 98
More than halfway through our Novitiate journey, we had our classes on the Evangelical Vows of Chastity, Obedi-ence, and Poverty. In fact, we didn’t only have one but two classes. One was shared to us by Fr. Victor Sadaya, CMF, former Provincial of the Claretian Missionaries and now, President of Radyo Veritas. Our second one was no other than the Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District, Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC.
Fr. Vic was our speaker in our EXODUS Modular Classes last March 19 and 20 in the Redemptorist Seminary, New Manila. He briefly shared with us the relationship of living the Vows as a means of our living out our Consecrated Life. By living out the Vow of Poverty, we acknowledge our limitations and we become solely dependent on God. The Vow of Obedience guides us to God’s will by listening and by engaging in dialogue with others, most especially our superiors who will determine our assignments for us. And last, but not the least, the Vow of Chastity allows us to love more inclusively and dedi-cate our whole lives to Jesus but moving away from an exclusive relationship with a partner and going towards an inclusive love given to all.
Br. Dodo visited our Community last March 25 and 26. On the first day, he focused on the Vow of Chastity. The Vows of Obedience and Poverty were shared to us on the following day. His reflection of the Profes-sion of Vows is that it is a product of a long process of formation and is an expression of one’s commitment to give oneself to Christ in lifelong consecrated celi-bacy lived in community and ministry. The Vows also reminds us that we, too, are human because we live out human life and experience, as well as our interac-tion with the people. The Vow of Chastity is the de-fining characteristic of Religious Life because it is the only one that is absolute. We are gifted to love others more. The Vow of Poverty is not in a literal sense being poor but being one with the poor, appreciating what we have and living by within our means.
... the Vows that we would be partak-ing is an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Jesus through being a follower of St. John Baptist de La
Salle.
“- BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
EDUCATION
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L
ast April 1-2, we started the series of sessions on Perspective on Religious Life. As the first reporter, I was able to tackle about “Treasures in Earthen Vessels: The Vows” by Joyce Ridick.
The “treasure” of every Christian, in our context as religious, is to be transformed into Christ by submitting to His will. But as humans, we tend to choose according to our human needs rather than Christ’s values. By nature, as a finite being, we are like an earthen vessel, fragile and easy to break. But as humans we are also capable of aligning ourselves to Christ. The lesson served as an invitation to keep on reflecting and dis-cerning on our daily choices and, examine how are we aligning ourselves with the vows for the “treasure” within us be revealed, which is to be one like Christ. RN
In fact, it was summarized as “holding loosely, giving freely” which makes a lot of sense when we really own nothing. Lastly, the reflection on the Vow of Obedience invites us to dialogue. Before, blind obedience was the key to fulfilling this vow, but now, it is more focused on dialogue between the Brother and the superior.
In summary, the Vows are guides and not end-states. It is a means of living the life that we chose to live and our expression. The challenge is living these once we profess these vows. After all, these Vows are not for private viewing only but they are professed publicly in front of the whole congre-gation. Looking at it, the Vows that we would be partaking is an opportunity to grow as disciples of Jesus through being a follower of St. John Baptist de La Salle. It intrigues me how these Vows would continue to evolve and how it would continue to retain its meaning and significance in the years to
Towards the end of March, we had a class with Br. Rey about Making Sense in our Formation. It basically touches the topic on needs and values. All needs are emotional attitude, and
part of our actual self, which we got from the day when we took our first breath in the world. Some of these needs are high and some are low in all human beings. If we are not aware about these needs, it could result to a problem in our relationship with others. That’s why it is good for us to have a deeper awareness, knowledge and understanding of ourselves, a sense of openness and acceptance of our actual self.
Values, on the other hand, are rational atti-tudes which are called, Ideal self. Values are attitude toward life as a process in which each of us is a life-long learner. It brings meaning in our work and relationship, and eventually our desire to follow Jesus in religious life. We can not integrate those things which are not in our consciousness. This is what I have learned from this class. I became more aware of my needs and values, and learned to integrate them. As a novice, I saw how significant it is for me, and to study these things and to make them part of my ideal self. In the end, we were all inspired to think moreand becoming more reflective. Being more aware of our needs, we can enhance our capacity for value integration to be more au-thentic person in the religious vocation. RN
NEW PERSPECTIVEARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
THE TREASURE WITHINARTICLE BY BR. CARLO REMENTILLA nFSC
I N - H O U S E C L A S S E S
SESSION ON VOWS. Br. Dodo facilitating the conversations on Evangelical Vows.
EDUCATION
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B r. David Hawke FSC visited our community last March 7
to 10, 2019 for his canonical visit and class on Circular 461: Associated for the Lasallian Mission, an act of HOPE. In the circular, he highlighted the essen-tial aspects of the Lasallian association by examining its lived reality, defining its relevant terms, and discerning its guidelines. The dynamic of association is of associating for a common purpose. And through association, we make a particular commitment to the educa-tional service of the poor, to education for justice and to evangelization.
ARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
F
rom April 8 to 10, the novices had a class with Br. John Cantwell FSC on the Vow of Association. The three-day session was a fruitful learning experience for all of us. Br. John took us right back to the time of the Founder. He provided a brief timeline for us to discover the trends in association during the Founder’s time. Our discussion focused on how the Vow of Association came about. The timeline presentation helped us to identify why the Vow of Association is vital to the Brothers’ life. On a personal note, I was curious why is it
that we now profess vow of association as the first vow and not Stability or any of the Evangelical Vows. Br. John made it clear that Brothers simply live by association among themselves as members of the community and do things in common. As members of the same community, the Brothers first associate themselves and move out to inspire others to do the mission. The session has actually inspired and motivated me to consider the Vow of Association more seriously and apply it to my life on a daily basis. Everyone associates and strives for the common good. I now understand that as a Brother and a member of the community, I should always consider “others” in everything I do, involving them in dialogues and allowing them to share their ideas and thoughts to achieve a more inclusive community. RN
THE GATEWAY TO COMMUNITY LIFEARTICLE BY BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
T O G E T H E R A N D B Y A S S O C I A T I O N
Interestingly, Circular 461 presented both the challenges and successes of the con-cept of association in the Lasallian world. Now, we no longer learn “association” with our brothers only, but also with our partners and students as well. The experience in the class had been a good formative element for me towards a deeper understanding of the vow of association. We are invited more than ever to go beyond our borders, together and by association. RN
Through association, we make a particular commitment to the education-al service of the poor, to education for
justice and to evangelization“- BR. ZAFAR nFSC
OVERLOOKING TAAL. The novices pose for a photo behind the smallest volcano in the world.
WRITINGS OF THE FOUNDER
Following the series of reports on the writings of the founder, Br. Miggy Crisostomo nFSC, and I had come to discuss the Meditations of the Founder. In this lesson, the novices were able to identify the purpose of this writing and its characteristics, as well as its rele-vance to education and formation. In this lesson, De La Salle wrote the meditations more in the style of instructions for the reason of boosting the spirit of the Brothers towards their mission. What I found really interesting is that the Founder, in this writing, also stresses community as an important factor for achieving success in the mission. I saw the relevance of this in our formation. For us to be effective in the ministry, we need to develop a deeper sense and see the connection between our spiritual and community life. RN
TOWARDS THE MISSIONARTICLE BY BR. CARLO REMENTILLA nFSC
Last March 4 and 5, I unraveled to my Brothers one of the finest works of our Founder, the Conduct of the Christian Schools. The whole work was a communal effort containing not only the Founders’ experience and the essential features of the De La Salle’s method, but also that of the Brothers. Really, it is a manual of how to operate a school, but it also includes the proper handling of the students as well as training the teachers to adapt to De La Salle’s sense of educating. After sharing my insights on this work, I realized that the way we educate is personalized also for the students and not for the teachers only. We are giving importance to each one and focusing on those who need help more. The teachers themselves become stu-dents, learning how to improve one’s way of teaching but also giving care to the young entrusted to their care. It is not only teaching the mind, but touching the hearts of each one that would eventually lead to the transformation of lives. RN
PERSONALIZED EDUCATIONARTICLE BY BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
EDUCATION
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Interior Prayer was one of the books written by John Baptist de La Salle when he was the Director of the Novices at St. Yon in Rouen. The main purpose for writing this book was for the beginners (like me, a novice) to have a practice of interior prayer, that would gradu-ally lead the novice towards an advanced form of interior prayer - the prayer of simple attention. I saw this as very relevant to our context as novices, since here in the Novitiate we aim to acquire this practice every day. What I appreciate the most are the methods of prayer found in this book. These are specifically personal to the founder, grounded on his experiences of prayer, challenges and difficulties of community living with the brothers. I found from this document the relevance of education and formation. The book can be used for reflections, recollections, retreats and other spiritual exercises in my future ministry. In formation, it has the potential to offer this to the teachers to be grounded in their own spirituality. RN
THE DAILY PRACTICEARTICLE BY BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
Last March 27 and 28, I was able to share with my fellow Novices my report on the longest writing of the Founder, The Duties of a Chris-tian to God. It was composed at Vaugirard and published in Paris. The writing is composed of teachings about the sacraments, prayers, catechism and spiritual hymns. De La Salle teaches that Christians have two fundamental religious duties: to know God and to love God. Through this report, we, the novices, were able to discover that De La Salle’s work stands out for the way he carefully integrates its various sections into a logical program.
The Duties of a Christian to God serves as his catechetical text for training teachers and teaching students. As such, it is a valuable source for the novices to understand De La Salle’s theology, spirituality, and pedagogy. This book teaches us to approach our lesson for our students with three goals in mind: learning, understan- ding, and practicing. RN
TO KNOW & LOVE GODARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
Last March 5, 2019, Br. Simon and myself became the source of sharing among my fellow Novices about the book, Collection of Short Treatises. In this document, the Founder writes on mental prayer, and on the qualities of obedience. It outlines the spirit of the institute, on the means for becoming interior and for properly fulfilling one’s daily actions, of the principal virtues of the Brothers and of the reflections of the Brothers during time of retreat. The aim of this writing is to educate in the spirit of Christianity. This book inspires me to understand the four interior and exterior supports of the Society of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Studying the Collection of Short Treaties helped me to discover the development of Lasallian pedagogy, and how the Founder gave encouragement, stability to the mission, and spiritual guidance to the religious, most especially, the Brothers during his time. RN
BEING INTERIORARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
Through association, we make a particular commitment to the education-al service of the poor, to education for
justice and to evangelization- BR. ZAFAR nFSC
OVERLOOKING TAAL. The novices pose for a photo behind the smallest volcano in the world.
NEWS
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PRAYING WITH ST. LA SALLE
8-DAY SILENT RETREAT REFLECTIONS
CHOOSE CHRISTAS WE
BLESSED. The Novices pose for a picture at Mornese Center for Spirituality (left and right photo) and at Don Bosco Canlubang to attend the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday mass (center photo).
NEWS
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O ur second 8-Day Retreat was another grateful episode in my journey in the Novitiate as it was a time to commemorate the Paschal Mystery of Jesus and how it paralleled to my experiences. As we began our retreat, I asked for the graces of humility and
openness. But I found out, I was asking gratitude and true enough, it is the modern humility. I was grateful for what Jesus did on the cross for all of us but also grateful that He came back. I was invited to look beyond feeling grateful. What then? James reminds us that faith without action is dead. Looking back, I am grateful for all the experiences because those made me who I am today. But, again, it does not stop there. As I follow the footsteps of St. John Baptist de La Salle, I was invited to look at my past and to see how these will become helpful in the ministry that waits outside the cloistered walls of the Novitiate. RN
BEING GRATEFULARTICLE BY BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
I had my 8-day holy week guided silent retreat with my fellow novices at the Mornese Center of Spirit-uality, Calamba, Laguna. My retreat began with the theme “Praying with John Baptist De La Salle as we choose Christ.” It was a great opportunity for me to spend my 8 days with our Lord Jesus Christ and
look upon his suffering, shame, and death. I reflected on his pain and the suffering on the Cross, and all that Jesus was willing too endure, so we could be set free.
Death is something which we experience everyday through our ways of self-denial. During this 8- day retreat, I was able to look back at my own experience, and reflect more on my feelings toward God. I asked myself where and how is God leading me in my Vocation as a Brother. The two great gifts I received during my 8-day retreat are the spirits of faith and ardent zeal, both for my desire to embrace the last, the lost, and the least.
THE TWO GIFTSARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
T hThe 8-day retreat steered me back to my history, and saw how I have journeyed with Christ in his passion, death, and resurrection. The spiritual journey opened me up to gratefulness and to see the talents, gifts, and graces that God blessed me with, that also helped me to see my future in the
ministry.
The experience taught me that my limitations, weaknesses, and experiences have shaped me, that made me unique. It was in contemplating my personal experience, paralleling it the our Founder’s and Christ’s experi-ences, that helped me to relate more to God. I was reminded once again that I need to abandon myself to God, and to let God tell my story. RN
ABANDONMENTARTICLE BY BR. CARLO REMENTILLA nFSC
T he second 8-Day Retreat started on April 14 and ended on April 21. The venue for the retreat was a spirit filled environment for prayer and meditation. I personally found that the atmosphere always invited me to pray and be in silence with God. The important thing for me was to open myself first
so that I would be able to accept the graces I asked for during my prayer. During the spiritual direction, I was able to embrace the experience of my prayer, whatever it may have been. The invitation was to simply be me and be grounded about realities of my past and present experiences. Anyway, if I ask myself: how was the retreat – I will say that I have enjoyed my days of prayer and meditation. This time, I have gained a different experience from our previous 8-Day Retreat. The focus of the former was to know oneself and to see my growth through my experiences, open to accept whatever the realities of my prayers and thoughts. RN
GROUNDEDARTICLE BY BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
NEWS
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ESCAPING TO THE NORTH
L S N C O M M U N I T Y O U T I N G
INFUGAOANS
The novices together with Br. Joseph Hung FSC, pose behind one of the landmarks of Baguio City.
NEWS
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E scaping? The Novices?
Yep, the Novices together with the staff escaped the heat of the south by heading
north, to the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City, last April 22-24, 2019 for our Commu-nity Midyear Evaluation and Recreation. We began our 6-hour journey, from La Salle Green Hills after the District Leadership Turnover last April 21, 2019. We arrived in the City of Pines just in time for the sunrise and we headed straight to Burnham Park to do what everyone else does: Boating at the lagoon. The temperature there was 10 degrees less com-pared to Manila or Lipa. Our next destination was Wright Park where we dressed up as Igorots, the lo-cal tribe, and had some kind of photoshoot. Nearby was the Mansion, the summer resident of the Philip-pine President. A few miles away, we visited the Mines View Park, overlooking the abandoned mines and the scenic mountain range of the Cordilleras. To cap the day off, we visited the Baguio Botanical Garden which has in its collection numerous plant species from various parts of the Philippines and of the globe.
ARTICLE BY BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
We started our second day by visiting Camp John Hay and its numerous attractions such as the Bell House, the whole morning. In the afternoon, we visited the BenCab museum, which features mostly artworks of National Artist of the Philippines, Ben-jamin Cabral and artifacts of pre-historic times, and one of the most haunted places in the Philippines, the Diplomat Hotel (formerly the Dominican Hill).
Luck did not find its way on us on our third and last day, April 24, 2019. The Philippine Military Acade-my and Kennon Road were closed during that day for maintenance purposes. At the end of the day, we were grateful for the escape that was and for the safe arrival at the Novitiate, keeping in mind and heart the memories we made along the way.
These days of recreation were an opportune time to relax and enjoy each others company while enjoying the countryside. As we went back to our cloistered walls, we were invited to reflect on how far we have gone to reach the destination we have in mind and how do we continue to progress in that route. The destination is almost there but we are not yet there. We are still on our way there, nearer than before, but not yet there. RN
FEATURES
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B A G U I O S N A P S H O T S
OUR FEATURED NOVITIATE STAFF
Grace Alano
“ A t e G r a c e ”
WHERE AND HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET THE BROTHERS?
I first met the Brothers at De La Salle Lipa last February 2017 when I was hired as cook.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN SO FAR FROM WORKING HERE?
I learned how to cook different menus. Sometimes, due to the presence of different nationalities in the community, I need to be more creative. I also learned how to be adaptable to various resources around the Novitiate grounds like harvesting bananas and vegetables. I am now quite adept to removing coconut skins and extracting its milk. Most of all, I discovered how to step out of my comfort zone to try many different things.
T H E H A P P Y B R O T H E R
FEATURES
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F E A T U R E D N O V I C E O F T H E M O N T H Happy is the man who loves the Lord.“
- BR. SIMON OPU nFSC
B R . S I M O N O P U N F S CP a p u a N e w G u i n e a
WHERE AND HOW DID YOU FIRST MEET THE BROTHERS?
I first met the Brothers when I was in Main-ohana Secondary School.
YOUR EXPERIENCE OF JESUS CHRIST?
Jesus is my friend, brother, and savior. He is always beside me and never lose my sight.
ONE WORD TO DE-SCRIBE YOUR NOVITI-ATE EXPERIENCE.
Growth.
WHAT IS YOUR MAN-TRA?
Happy is the man who loves the Lord.
OUR FEATURED NOVITIATE STAFF
FEATURES
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T his movie challenged me to be more practical in the process of forma-tion. Openness, honesty, and self awareness are very important for me to grow more. My formation is a process of growth in faith which leads to and results in Christian and Lasallian maturity. Also, formation is a Journey, during which a person becomes aware of God’s call and of the radical demands it entails. For
achieving my goals, first, I need to continue to learn more about the devoted and consecrated life in prayer and spiritual activities which have been helping me a lot to recognize my call as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and His true disciple, St. John Baptist De La Salle. The life here in the Novitiate is a great opportunity for me to know God and to love God. My personal time with God has given me the opportunity to develop an intimate relationship with Him. But still I need to work hard and to learn new things step by step. Similar to the movie, the girl waited for the right time to come for her fight against others. Second, the commitment to accomplish something. In the beginning, the coach was not keen in helping her even though she requested him many times. She continually practiced on her own. She did not lose hope to fulfill her goals in life. Her motiva-tion was to get rich and famous. Because of her strong ambition, the coach finally taught her to become a good boxer. RN
A PROCESS OF GROWTHARTICLE BY BR. ZAFAR nFSC
M I L L I O N D O L L A R B A B YM O V I E R E F L E C T I O N S
My formation is a process of growth in faith which leads to and results in Christian and
Lasallian maturity.
- BR. ZAFAR nFSC
”
N O V I T I AT E S N A P S H O T S
FEATURES
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The film, Million Dollar Baby, invited me to be more faithful to God, through my vocation and to my formator, the guide
in my formation training. The forma-tion process is challenging and so are the demands that Jesus requires from me. I am uncertain where I will be in the coming days, weeks, months, or years. However, I am assured of happiness and joy because of my faith, a faith that I continue to respond and act on. The story of this film is parallel to my journey in the Novitiate as to the life of the boxer. Ironically, I see
FAITH: DEALING WITH THE UNCERTAINTIES OF LIFE ARTICLE BY BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
M I L L I O N D O L L A R B A B YM O V I E R E F L E C T I O N S
My faith tells me that happiness is not found in the material but with God who
knows the certainty of things.
”- BR. MIGYY CRISOSTOMO nFSC
BLIP. The participants from the Brothers-Live-In Program.
BINGO! The community playing Bingo on Wednesday.
“SATURDAY!” Celebrating community life on Saturday.
The Pre-Postulants. The Pre-Postulants with Br. Joseph Hung FSC, Br. James Le FSC and Br. Lucas Thein FSC at DLSZ.
the end of the film as a journey to happiness. Having achieved everything, she could have at that point of her life, she was ready to accept the reality that it all ends here. For me, having realised that my achievements outside the Religious Life made me happy; that happiness was simply not enough. My faith tells me that happiness is not found in the material but with God who knows the certainty of things. It is in my decisions, my perception of experiences that will truly determine what will make my life a bit certain. The invitation is to aban-don myself to God, and to allow Him to work in my life. In response, I work with Him, through my Brothers and my vocation, to deal with the uncertainties of life. Have faith. RN
WELCOME, BROTHERS!
OUR COMMUNITY JUST GOT
BIGGERAPOSTOLIC TRAINING COMMUNITY
with the arrival of our Pre-Postulants from Myanmar and Vietnam and our Myanmar Brothers for their Apostolic Traning Program
with Br. JJ Jimenez FSC as ATC Director.
BR. JJBr. Jose Mari Jimenez FSC
DIRECTOR
PHILIPPINES
BR. AUGUSTINEBr. Augustine Nay Lin Oo FSC
MYANMAR
BR. JUSTINBr. Justin Nge Bo FSC
MYANMAR
BR. THOMASBr. Thomas Kha Lee FSC
MYANMAR
As the Myanmar Brothers prepare for their teaching ministry here in the Philippines and in Myanmar,they are assigned to De La Salle Lipa to learn more the basics of educating the minds of our students.
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FEATURES
PAULDo Thanh Tri
JOSEPHPham Van Anh
ANTHONYNguyen Ngoc Thuyen
PRE-POSTULANCY COMMUNITY
JBBui Van Duc
VIETNAM VIETNAM VIETNAM VIETNAM
PETER THANPhan Van Than
VIETNAM
PETER THUYTran Qui Thuy
VIETNAM
BENJAMINNaw Ring
MYANMAR
MARTINLa San Aung
MYANMAR
The Pre-Postulancy Program is designed to prepare the incoming Postulants from non-English speaking countries to speak the English language.
They take daily classes at Language Center of DLSL from Monday to Saturdaywith Saturday catechism classes with their Director, Br. Joseph Hung FSC.
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FEATURES
RUE NEUVELE JOURNAL OFFICIEL DU NOVICIAT DE LA SALLE PARC 2018 - 2019
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