Holy Family Catholic High School (HFCHS) in Victoria, MN, USA joins the Midwest District: With the blessing of the Archbishop, lay people in the area raised and borrowed enough money to build a beautiful school campus. Thus, five years ago, Holy Family opened in a new school building. After the founding President retired two years ago, Mr. Frank Miley, a friend and former colleague of some Brothers, became President and recognized the Lasallian charism already present among the faculty. He encouraged the Board members and faculty to learn more about St. De La Salle, Lasallian spirituality, and our network of schools. After a two-year process, the Mission and Ministry Council received their application, met with representatives of Holy Family, and recommended that it be invited to become a school of the Midwest District. Brother Superior enthusiastically approved the recommendation last summer, and Wednesday was the official affiliation Mass and ritual formalizing of the relationship.
At a celebration of Eucharist at which Bishop Richard Pates presided, and which administrators and students from Cretin-Derham Hall, De La Salle, Totino-Grace, San Miguel Middle School, and Saint Mary’s University attended, the affiliation was acknowledged and celebrated, with readings from the 43rd General Chapter, writings of the Founder, and prayers blessing the students, Board of Directors, administration, faculty, staff and parents of Holy Family. It was an encouraging and energizing expression of association and a warm, official welcome of Holy Family to the Midwest District.
There are De La Salle banners on every pole on the campus and “Live Jesus in our Hearts” is etched in the glass of the school’s arches. Every classroom has a picture of St. De La Salle, and the stained glass windows of their centrally located chapel have been designed to portray either Lasallian saints or other saints whose lives were devoted to education. The Lasallian presence is quite evident.
I experienced an added bonus at the reception when graduates of other schools founded by the Christian Brothers who now live in the area and have children at Holy Family approached me to express their appreciation for the education they had experienced at Montini, La Salle-Cincinnati, Hill-Murray, and De La Salle Institute, and another who was familiar with Roncalli and Pacelli high schools in Wisconsin.
Welcome, Holy Family! Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.
(Br. Frank Carr, Visitor)
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The World Youth Days and afterwards?: The “Big boss band attitude” was found again during a weekend near Meaux organised with a view to taking stock of the World Youth Days adventure and putting into action the post-WYD propositions.
Overall, the team is very satisfied with how the fortnight went. Everyone was able to give of his/her best and both the national team and the teams of young people all lived some great high points...
- In order to think of the future, it is important to take some time, to pause in order to re-examine the experiences lived.
- Some biblical texts can help us, such as for example that of the Gospel text of the Transfiguration.
- Already many assemblies have also been organised in the Delegations (at Nantes, on Friday October 14th; at Lille, on Saturday and Sunday October 15th and 16th ) so as to be able to meet again and also talk about the future.
Finally, a little scoop… a magazine is going to be produced and sent to all the participants at the WYD on the occasion of the feasts at the end of the year (Christmas and the Magi demand it!) to remind us of the high points lived together and also to share all that has been lived since then and what is planned.
(Simon and François-Xavier)
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