The Superior General, Br. Robert Schieler, is visiting RELAN

Christopher A. Vito
Senior Director of Strategic Communications for La Salle University

In November 2019, the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Br. Robert Schieler, is visiting the Lasallian region of North America (RELAN).

E[…] In the second week of the month the Brother Superior came back to home, […] the perfect timing for […] him to return to campus. “It is good to be home,” said Br. Robert, the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Como uno de los antiguos alumnos más visibles de La Salle, el Hno. Robert pronunció un discurso de apertura el 8 de noviembre desde el campus de la Universidad, atrayendo a unos cuantos miles de educadores lasalianos sobre la Asociación Lasaliana por transmisión simultánea en todo el Distrito de los Hermanos del Este de Norteamérica (DENA).

One of La Salle’s most visible alumni, Br. Robert delivered a November 8 keynote address from the University’s campus, engaging a few thousand Lasallian educators on Lasallian Association by simulcast to multiple cluster sites across the Brothers’ District of Eastern North America (DENA).

The Superior General’s visit continued the University’s celebration of the 2019 Lasallian Jubilee Year and recognized the 10^th anniversary of DENA, an amalgamation of the former Districts of Baltimore, New York and Long-Island-New England.

“In highlighting the legacy of a Saint, these events remind the University community here and abroad of the heritage and values that bind them together”, said Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, D. Min., La Salle’s Vice President for Mission.

The keynote by Br. Robert livestreamed throughout DENA—from Providence, R.I., New York City, and Albany, N.Y., to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Boca Raton, Fla. He called on all DENA Lasallians to reflect on their vocation as educators as part of this Jubilee Year, so designated by Pope Francis.

The 27^th successor of Saint La Salle and a native Southwest Philadelphian, Br. Robert spoke of the significance of association for the mission of Lasallian education. He addressed an audience in Founders’ Hall Auditorium that included Brother Dennis Lee, FSC, DENA Provincial, and Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, General Councilor of the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN). Br. Robert encouraged Lasallian educators to continue promoting the education of young people and drawing inspiration from Saint La Salle’s “deep relationship with Jesus Christ.”

In particular, he cited the work of the Bamboo School. This Lasallian school located near the border of Thailand and Myanmar serves children of migrant families, grants them access to educational opportunities that otherwise would be out of reach, provides at least one meal per day, and assists in regularizing the students’ immigration statuses.

“At the very beginning of the Lasallian story, a call is heard. It’s a cry that comes from the children of the artisans and the poor, and it is chanted by all children and young people who are in need of education. The cry does not abate throughout the narrative. It is sustaining our story, and puts into action its protagonists and attracts new actors to participate in the story. We can see that the story will end when the cry is no longer heard. “
Br. Antonio Botana, FSC – Bulletin 250, Associated for the Lasallian Educational Mission,
p. 7

Today, let’s renew our commitment to the human interest in education of our sisters and brothers—especially those who are on the margins of our society.”

Later in the day, Br. Robert met with La Salle students, faculty and staff representing different segments of university life. […]. […] “This University is committed to the local and international community,” Br. Robert said to La Salle’s nursing and health sciences students.

“You not only learn, but you learn to give back. Our happiness is in giving back to others.”

Dr. Colleen Hanycz, University President, presented Br. Robert with the Brother Teliow Fackeldey, FSC, Presidential Medal Award for Outstanding integrity, Merit and Public Service—one of the highest honors awarded by the University. The Presidential Medal is named in honor Br. Teliow, the founding president of the University. “We recognize the tremendous responsibility you bear in the call to lead the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the worldwide Lasallian community,” President Hanycz said, addressing Br. Robert. “Allow us to express our deep appreciation for your dedication to this ministry, and our tremendous pride in the integrity and faithfulness that you witness in your vocation as a De La Salle Brother. We consider you one of our great Explorers.”