Mambu Magazine, Issue 2, 2021
Dear Lasallians and readers,
In the season of Advent, we wait joyfully and expectantly in zealous faith, for the coming of our Lord and Saviour, we pause…and call to mind God’s presence…we give thanks and praise to a God whose love and mercy is unending and ever faithful.
In the time of Advent, St. John Baptist De La Salle writes “You, too, as well as St. John the Baptist, are real angels sent by God to prepare a path for him, so that he can enter your own hearts and those of your disciples". (Med 2.1)
We also have called to mind in the month of November (time of writing) the souls of our departed family, friends, colleagues and students. May their souls find eternal peace and may the loved ones left behind, find peace in the comfort of God’s holy presence.
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord’s plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29;11). Peace be with us all during these difficult times. Take hearts! Our Lord says to all of us, “It is I. Do not be afraid.”
The year 2021 has been a special but challenging year. Many of you, in one way or another contributed to making our plans for 2021 come to reality.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remain grateful and faithful in serving God through our calling as teachers.
Congratulations to everyone: leaders, team members, teachers and students who have worked very hard in staging these big events as well as doing the little ordinary task of classroom teaching and learning with great diligence. God be blessed!
The 21st of November 2021 marked Christ the King in the Liturgical Calendar. It also marked a significant date for Lasallians. On 21st November 1961, John Baptist De La Salle, Nicholas Voyart and Gabriel Drolin made a vow to remain together in the Society of the Brothers of the Christian Schools -Together and by Association- even if they have to beg and live on bred alone. This become know as the “Heroic Vow.”
Does this heroic vow exist today? YES! Within our Lasallian Family in PNG today, the commitment made by the Brothers for over 75 years in PNG is evident of this legacy. Today we see and hear stories of the dedication of teachers in teaching and accompanying young people in the classrooms, youth groups, associations, ministry, parishes and in the church, and sometimes they do this under very difficult and challenging circumstances. May the Heroic Vow remind us and give us confidence to be bold and courageous in our faith journey and in our calling as teachers.
The Lasallian reflection Number 7 is “To Dream is a way forward! Building new paths to transform”. It helps us to assess our responses when we are faced with situations of uncertainty and ambiguity. Jesus says to us again, “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid!”
Jesus invites us to adjust our expectations for the future, but it does so by reinforcing “the fundamental element of utopia: hope.” This utopia gives meaning to our existence, because it demands, against all odds, that the work we carry out has a meaning and that we make it possible.
Our predecessors, mentors, Brothers, parents, grandparents or teachers have dreamed dreams that they have somehow passed on to us. What can be our concrete contribution to the betterment of society? What contributions do we make as Lasallians in PNG to ensure the sustainability and viability of our Lasallian Family? What is the vision of the future that we want to communicate to our future generation? What must we sacrifice to allow God to bring new things into existence in our Family? What alternatives can we suggest to get closer to the horizon we envision together?
The National Office acknowledges all our benefactors; LMC, Lasallian Foundation Australia, International Lasallian Foundation, the De La Salle Brothers in Australia and in PNG, and Lasalle Technical College in Hohola for their unending support and generous donation, that has enabled the operations of the Office as well as the progress of our programs and projects in 2021.
May the love and peace of God through the birth of his son, our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all this Festive season - a blessed and safe Christmas and a prosperous 2022.
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