Lasallian Reflection for the Week

“May God continue what he has begun in you.”
St. John Baptist de La Salle, in a letter from 1709

These are very busy weeks at the end of the term, emotionally charged in many ways, reminding me of the words of the wise teacher in the Book of Ecclesiastes, who wrote “There is a time for everything, and a season of every activity under the heavens.” (Ecc. 3:1) These have been days of both great joy and immense sadness for the SJI International community. We have recently celebrated the First Holy Communion of 37 young people in the elementary school, and the IB Graduation of 211 Grade 12 students. Our Grade 6 students will be graduating from the Elementary School in just two weeks, and they were recently welcomed, along with their soon-to-be new classmates coming from local schools, into SJI International High School. Advent brings with it many activities in preparation for Christmas, including the Christmas Fair, and the Elementary School Nativities and Crib Service.

But Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. The entire school community continues to mourn the sad loss of one of our Grade 9 students, Jenna Chan, in a tragic accident while on a school expedition. Although we mourn her passing, we have also celebrated Jenna’s beautiful life with us, supporting one another in faith and the promise of eternal life with God. We continue to extend our heartfelt sympathy to her parents and her sister, her family, friends, and classmates. May Jenna rest in peace.

At the Graduation Mass celebrated last Saturday in our school chapel, one of the graduates, Emerald Sia, shared a beautiful reflection as she looked back on her year as Director of LaCaYo, the Lasallian Catholic Youth Group. Emerald was this year’s recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and subject prizes in English Literature and Psychology. In her reflection she shared with us how in challenging times as well as those of joy and gladness, she was supported by her faith and the presence of God in her life, and how these were supported by her SJI International experience. Thanks to Emerald for permitting me to share her reflection with you here.

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This time last year, I remember watching Danai, last year's Head Director of LaCaYo giving his own reflection. I remember realising: “That'll be me next year…” and at that time, the end of my SJI International journey seemed distant, a faraway idea that I knew would come one day, but didn't think would actually arrive so soon.

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that time has, quite literally, flown by. From cramming for mocks to our last days at school, to the final IB exams themselves, and then finally, freedom, along with the very strange feeling of “what do I do now?” These past few months have felt like an absolute rollercoaster.

And amidst the whirlwind that was the IB student journey, I learned a really valuable lesson: The importance of just slowing down, and learning to walk with God and not ahead of Him in your life.

Those of you who shared classes with me or who've worked with me know that I like to be on track, on time, and on top of things. I used to stress myself and others out, and I put my own emotional and spiritual wellbeing as my second priority. That is, until a very wise and very patient Mr. Schryvers gently reminded me of a quote from St. Francis de Sales: “Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day, except when we are busy – then we need an hour.” And so, during mocks and finals, I began prioritising my relationship with God, praying more intentionally and frequently, and seeking Him in all aspects of my life. And truly, the peace, joy, and sense of purpose that began to grow in my heart, even through struggles and frustration, simply cannot be put into words.

And I don't think it's meant to be put into words. I think that kind of love is meant to be shared. When I joined LaCaYo in Grade 7, my eyes and heart were opened to a whole new world of what it meant to follow God, experience His love, and to journey with brothers and sisters in Christ. And over the years, I became a leader of LaCaYo myself, leading the same initiatives for my juniors that had once impacted me and inspired me in my own faith.

Then my juniors became my team members, who then became my friends, who then became my family, and soon our little community grew into the LaCaYo it is today. And as myself and those around me, not just in LaCaYo, but in my classes, in our normal everyday lives, continued to grow and learn, I realised that truly, whether we're in the valley or on the mountain, we are all called to live a life of love. Of Christ's love. Because that kind of love changes lives – it changed mine, and continues to change the lives of countless others today.

And so, to my lovely LaCaYo juniors here today: to whom I, Danielle, Liz, Sophie, and Liam are leaving this legacy: Thank you for journeying with us. I am so, so proud of each and every one of you, and how much you guys have grown, and I hope you know that no matter how difficult or tiring it gets, how sad it is to finally say goodbye, God and us are walking beside you each step of the way. Remember that He sees all that you do, as do we.

To the faith formation team, Br. Carlo, Ms. Charlene, Mr. Schryvers, thank you for all your guidance and support. I don't think many people realise just how much you do for us and for the wider school community.

To the parents of the CCC, thank you for all your constant support as well, and for helping to make our school's faith community so vibrant and lively.

And to my fellow graduating classmates, we've finally made it! I'm so proud of us all, and I pray that God may bless each and every one of you, no matter your plans, ambitions, doubts, or worries; know that He is with you wherever you go.

And so, to end, I invite you all to bring to mind your journey here at SJI International, as well as your friends, family, teachers, and also our dear Sister in Christ, Jenna, who has been called home to the Lord… I ask you to keep this community close to your heart as we move on to a new chapter in our lives, and as we pray Our Lasallian Prayer:

I will continue, O my God, to do all my actions for the love of you.

St Joseph, pray for us
St John Baptist de LaSalle, pray for us
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever

(Emerald Ying Ai Sia, 16 November 2024)

As Emerald reminds us, whether we're in the valley or on the mountaintop, we are all called to a life of love.

Br Lawrence Humphrey, FSC

Brother President