District celebrates Founder’s Day with uplifting service
The District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta celebrated Founder’s Day with a wonderful service that once again highlighted the vibrancy, passion and sense of community that exists within our Lasallian Family.
The service, held at 10am on Friday May 13th, was attended by Lasallians from all sections of the District, and included prayers and reflections from across the District and beyond, along with the lottery draw for the Lasallian Awards.
The ceremony was superbly presented by David McArdle, Animator at De La Salle College, Dundalk, who began by welcoming all to the special service to honour our Founder.
Acting Brother Visitor, Ben Hanlon, spoke about the idea of ‘Ripples’ which was the theme for the day and thanked all for their efforts in creating many different ripples that will have a positive effect on society.
“Over 300 years ago John Baptist de La Salle set off ripples that have grown into a mighty swell and your ripples are part of that flood. Your warmth, kindness, generosity, good example and commitment to work and study, contribute in a wonderful way to a great cascade that links us across national boundaries, cultures and religious beliefs”, stated Br Ben.
Audrey Borg from De La Salle Senior School, Malta, read the opening prayer and concluded by reminding all of Mother Teresa’s words: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.
This was followed by a very touching video of students from De La Salle College and St Benild School, Malta, who recited John Deeney’s poem ‘Ripples’, and this really captured the theme of the day by illustrating how young people in our schools continue to be inspired by our Founder.
The theme continued with the ‘Cast Your Net’ Gospel which was read by students from De La Salle School, St Helens, and School Chaplain, Sam Cantillion.
In a video message, Br Tommy Walsh, from the De La Salle College Waterford Community, spoke about the impact of Lasallian Education and how that creates ripples in people's lives. He reflected on things that he sees as being important including, prayer, respect for every person, Lasallian Developing World Projects which illustrate concern for poor and social justice, inclusive community and society and the vital role of women within the Lasallian Family over the past 40 years.
Yvonne Joye from Benildus Pastoral Centre continued the theme for the day with a poem entitled Pebble and Ripple (Love Poem), before the closing prayer was read by Jo Millea, Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry.
The theme of Ripples was further explored by Eleonora Munaretto, International Volunteer Co-ordinator at the Institute in Rome, who spoke about global spread of the Lasallian ethos from original ideas of St John Baptist de La Salle, to the present day where so many people wish to continue to serve the mission even after they leave school.
She reminded everyone that each individual Lasallian can create a ripple effect to change the world for the better, and that we all can make a big difference with a small contribution no matter what our particular talent is. Eleonora added that it is important that all students get the opportunity to continue to serve in whatever way they can to help foster the Lasallian Mission.
The service then turned to the Lasallian Awards with David McArdle congratulating all who took part, adding that participants should be very proud of their achievements as their efforts highlight what a wonderful District we have. The total number of entries received and entered for the lottery draw was 1198, with a staggering 1369 entries coming in by the end of the year.
The draw then took place for the winners in each category, with Sara Amarillas (St Cassian’s Kintbury) announcing Jamie Walsh, De La Salle College Waterford, as the winner of the €50 voucher Bronze Award winner from a total of 804 participants.
Cian O Naraigh, from De La Salle Dundalk and the District Young Lasallian Council, announced that 267 students earned silver Lasallian Awards, with Robbie Magee of De La Salle College Macroom, drawn as the winner of a €100 voucher.
The draw for the Gold Award winner from an entry of 127 was made by Issy Cording (St Cassian’s, Kintbury) who selected a student from De La Salle College Jersey as the winner of the Apple iWatch.
Auxiliary Brother Visitor, Michael Curran, brought the service to a close by thanking all who had helped put the ceremony together and congratulated all students who took part in the Awards along with the teachers who made it possible.