ILDP initiative is following in our Founder’s footsteps
Br. Finbarr Murphy has been inspired by the initiative led by Emmer Winder, a photography teacher at De La Salle School, St Helens, and he reflects on how the idea to spread a positive message during the International Lasallian Days for Peace is very much following in our Founder’s footsteps.
'THE SPIRIT AND MAXIMS OF THE GOSPEL'
This single soundbite of just seven words, is the most frequently quoted throughout all of St La Salle's writings. While the name, Emmer Wender is new to me, it strikes me that she and Dr de La Salle make spiritual soulmates, despite the somewhat awkward misfits of time and place!
Working in the Presence of God, with a copy of the New Testament in their pockets enabled De La Salle's new community of lay teachers 'to view everything with the eyes of Faith, not to do anything but in view of God; and to attribute all to God.'
If the Patron St of Teachers were around in today's more ecologically-aware culture I would see him attaching Gospel verses to trees, to flowers, to pictures of birds, animals, fish.... landscapes, shorelines, stars, space...
He would mount Gospel (good news) messages to critique the commercial hard-news headlines which depend heavily on the triple S formula: sensation, sport, scandal.
Within the school, appropriate bible verses would appear on the doors of labs, library, gym, art, languages.
What about our individual souls? I suggest we start with our bodies! What have the Gospels to say about our five senses? About human relationships? About patriotism, Brexit... the Taliban?
On our desks and tables, what about the simple artifacts: pens, rulers, a compass, a computer and light.
And what about the school's sickbay? How many children and youth did Jesus personally heal. Oh, and what has Jesus to say to Teachers, to Parents. And what would He have to say to our billionaire brother, Mark Zuckerberg?
It seems to me that Ms Winder is opening up exciting new frontiers, as she lets that genie out of her bottle!
Br. Finbarr Murphy
De La Salle College, Waterford, Ireland