From Rome, With Love
Brother Bob will be updating the Central Catholic Community quarterly about his work and mission in Rome within the Formation Department.
Dear Central Catholic Friends,
On September 1, 2016 I arrived in Rome at the “Casa Generalizia La Salle” to begin my new assignment at the international “La Salle Generalate”. I have joined an international team of 4 Brothers in the “Formation Department” of the central government of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. The term “Formation” refers to the process of training young men in the life and mission of the Brothers throughout the world, the ongoing support and education of Brothers who have been working for many years and providing training and support to lay teachers and administrators throughout the world.
Our team is comprised of Brothers from Mexico, Brazil, India and, of course, the United States. However, the community where I live in Rome has Brothers from all over the world. In the morning in the chapel for mass, I join with Brothers from Madagascar, Burkino Faso, and the Congo in Africa; Great Britain, Ireland, France, Spain and Italy in Europe; Mexico, Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela in Latin America; Japan, the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka in Asia and Australia in addition to 4 other Brothers from the USA. It is like a mini-United Nations. While we are all united in our shared vocation as Christian Brothers, each of us has our unique culture and background. Living in an international community is very interesting and requires a great deal of patience and understanding. In the community, there are 4 “official languages” used – Italian, French, Spanish and English. Some Brothers are able to speak all four and most of us can get by in our native language and one other. There are some Brothers for whom each of these languages is a second language. One thing I have learned already is that in other parts of the world besides the United States, most people can speak at least one additional language. Learning a second language should be a priority for all Central Catholic students because the world is more and more globalized and in order to function well in the modern world, an educated person should be able to speak another language. Make this a priority!
So far my time has been spent getting oriented to the many contexts of the worldwide Lasallian Mission. The experience of Catholic education in the United States is very different from other parts of the world and this has an impact on how the Lasallian spirit is developed. In a few weeks, I will begin to travel to different parts of the world to visit schools and educational centers to learn the local reality and see where support is needed. I will begin with visits to Great Britain, Ireland and Austria and then to parts of Latin America. Before the end of the school year, I will visit Sri Lanka, which should be incredibly interesting.
In a few weeks, on Sunday October 16th, Pope Francis will canonize Blessed Brother Solomon Leclerq a saint at a special mass in St. Peter’s Square. It should be on television. Look for me! Brothers will be traveling from around the world to Rome for this event that honors a Brother who gave his life during the French Revolution in support of his Catholic faith and the integrity of the Brothers’ mission. I hope to send you some photos of that event, especially if we get close enough to the Pope.
Rome is wonderful city and a great place to explore. All of the history that surrounds ever corner of the city is never dull. Like many places in Europe, these are difficult economic times and the reality of the immigration crisis is evident everywhere. Rome is a cosmopolitan city so walking along the street one can hear just about every language spoken, especially as people make their way to St. Peter’s and the Holy Door for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Many pilgrims are visiting the city for this event.
While all of these experiences are inspiring and interesting, there is still no place like Central Catholic and Pittsburgh! I constantly refer to my experience of the Lasallian spirit and mission at Central Catholic in everything I do!
Best wishes for a wonderful school year and I hope to visit and see the new STEM Building and the other changes around the campus during Christmastime!
Live Jesus in our hearts forever,
Br. Bob
