News Notes
De La Salle Christian Brothers * 7650 S. County Line Road * Burr Ridge, IL 60527
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September 2013
Lasallian student leaders connected
Representatives from thirteen Lasallian universities in seven countries, including 37 students and 10
faculty members, participated in the second Lasallian Student Leadership Conference held July 14-26 at
La Salle University in Philadelphia. The conference continued work done last year as participants
worked together to solve complex international issues and further develop an international network of
students who have been identified by their home universities as future Lasallian leaders. Manhattan
College in Riverdale, NY, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and Christian Brothers University in
Memphis, TN, also represented the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) at the conference.
International participants represented Lasallian universities in France, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and
the Philippines.
Lasallian Youth gathered across Region
More than 420 Lasallian Youth from schools all across
the Region gathered in their Districts this summer to put
their Lasallian Faith into practice through service
projects, prayer, presentations, and other activities. Each
District held assemblies that were focused on a chosen
theme, engaging all participants by working together. The
District of Eastern North America had more than 100
students and educators gather at the 19th annual Lasallian
Youth Assembly on July 14-19 at Manhattan College in
Riverdale, NY. Lasallian Youth representing schools
from the Districts of San Francisco and New OrleansSanta Fe, 175 students and 38 moderators, gathered for the 10th annual Lasallian Student Leaders (LSL)
held at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, CA, from July 14-19. The Lasallian Youth Assembly held its
12th annual gathering June 16-21, 2013, at Holy Names University, Oakland, CA, with 87 students from
the San Francisco District. The Midwest District Lasallian Youth congregated at Christian Brothers
University, Memphis, TN, on June 23-28 with a total of 85 students.
Midwest District Congress looked to the future
Following a year of preparation and a series of area meetings, fifty-one delegates attended the second
Midwest District Mission Congress on the campus of Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, on July 1619. The Congress, which set the District’s strategic direction for the coming years, opened with a
keynote presentation by General Councilor Brother Robert Schieler. Following a theme of “Called to
Transform Lives,” delegates gathered to discern what they could create, together and by association, that
would lead to a transformation of the District. Working in four commissions, the delegates approved
eighteen resolutions in the areas of governance, finance, formation and association.
New book tells story of College of Santa Fe
In 1859 the De La Salle Christian Brothers founded St. Michael’s College, which
became the College of Santa Fe in 1966. It is the subject of the new book published
by the Brothers, No Halls of Ivy: The Gritty Story of the College of Santa Fe by
Richard McCord. This book traces the history of the school from 1859 when its
founders arrived after months of traveling by ship across the Atlantic Ocean to
becoming the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New Mexico
Territorial Legislature in 1874, and through the ups and downs in the years
following. No Halls of Ivy chronicles the history of the school through 2009. The
book is available on Amazon and through other retailers.
Brother Georges Absi appointed Bethlehem University President
Brother Visitor Georges Absi has been named by the Holy See to
preside over Bethlehem University, succeeding in this post Mgr. Fouad
Twal, who has become the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. In a letter
dated June 16th the Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University Brother
Peter Bray invited the members of the Regency Council to meet in
Rome to approve the election of Brother Georges to the Presidency,
after his choice had been confirmed by the Holy See. Brother Peter
indicated that following the proposal of the name of Brother Georges to
the Holy See by Superior General Brother Álvaro, the Congregation
for the Oriental Churches published its agreement. The District of the Middle East has twenty-two
establishments and missions in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Sudan, as well as the Holy Land/Jordan
with around 60 Brothers, 2,000 Lay Lasallians and more than 20,000 pupils.
Congratulations to

Brother Robert Thomas who was installed with four others in the DeLaSalle H.S. Hall of Fame
on August 15th during an induction ceremony at the school. He was honored for his teaching
career which spanned six decades. He is affectionately known as “Bio Bob” by staff and
students.
Nurses’ meeting was held in Chicago
On the weekend of July 12-14 the nurses of the Midwest District
gathered in Burr Ridge for their annual meeting. Cindy Nichols, Kelly
Borck, Becky Running and Sheila Cusack met with Brother Larry
Schatz and Brother Joseph Martin, which was his last official
function as Director of Senior Brothers. The group met with Sinsinawa
Dominican Sister Mary Hopkins who addressed helping Brothers who
need to transition to a skilled care facility and how to assist Brothers
who are resistant to moving. The nurses reviewed the year and shared
best practices in serving the Brothers in their areas. The annual
gathering was established to give the nurses the opportunity to talk with
each other, to have some input from a professional, to celebrate another year, to visit local sites, and to
share in a thank you dinner. On Saturday morning the group toured Navy Pier and had lunch. Brother
Michael Quirk and Roy Wapiennik from CB Services spoke about a religious wellness program for
religious. In the afternoon the nurses discussed health topics of interest and then enjoyed dinner at
Cooper’s Hawk in Burr Ridge. On Sunday morning they reviewed the list of Brothers and which ones
may have a different nurse now, and then they set up their schedule of Health News articles for News
Notes for the year ahead with a focus on wellness. The nurses asked if they could have their 2014
meeting at the same time as District Day and the jubilee celebration. Details will need to be arranged.
Jeremy House community with postulants
The members of the 2013-2014 Jeremy
House community gathered for a photo.
The members include the postulants
from the Midwest District. Front l-r:
Brother Hugh Maguire; Brother
Postulant Joseph Wright; Brother
Richard Buccina, Director; Back row:
Brother Postulant Jerry Brocky;
Brother Michael Kramer; Brother
Brian Henderson; Brother Postulant
Michael Phipps; Brother Postulant
Johnathon Emanuelson; Brother
Postulant Ryan Anderson.
Happy Birthday Brother!
This feature supports a Brother in Skilled Care. Send a card or letter; make a visit or a phone call.
 Brother John Wozniak will celebrate his 69th birthday on September 19.
1381 Oak Park PL., #220, Dubuque, IA, 52002. (563) 585-4933
Lasallian volunteer alum authored cover story
Katie Rose Quandt, LV 2010-2011, wrote the cover story for the July 2013 issue of America magazine,
one of the most popular religious magazines. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she joined the
Lasallian Volunteers and served at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore from 2010-2011. Her article is
titled “We Are One Body,” and it examines the use of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. Her article
demonstrates how solitary confinement is cruel and painful punishment which is unnecessary. Many are
placed in solitary for nonviolent infractions like possession of contraband or failure to obey an order
promptly. She quoted the 2000 statement of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops which called on
Catholics to “insist that punishment has a constructive and rehabilitative purpose.” They added, “We
oppose the increased use of isolation units, especially in the absence of due process, and the monitoring
and professional assessment of the effects of such confinement on the mental health of inmates.”
CBHS marked 50 years of integration
Christian Brothers High School in Memphis marked 50 years of integration on
August 26th with a school assembly. On August 26, 1963, Jesse Turner, Jr.,
was the first African American student to attend the previously all-white
school. Brother Terence McLaughlin, President of the school at that time,
pioneered this integration at the request of Jesse’s parents. The three of them
weathered the opposition of diocesan officials who felt the enrollment of an
African American ahead of other schools would cause unnecessary turmoil in
the city. Jesse’s performance at CBHS concluding with membership in the
school’s chapter of the National Honor Society showed that it was a move in
the right direction, the moral direction, for the school and the city. Jesse Turner,
Jr., and Brother Terence McLaughlin were honored guests at the recent
celebration, and both spoke to the 873 students and faculty and staff.
A new contact joined the District
Daniel K. Monroe joined the Midwest District Contact program. Dan was born and
raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. A member of St. Bridget parish, he graduated from the
University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a B.A. in History. He is currently a Lasallian
Volunteer teaching 6, 7 and 8th grade Social Studies at San Miguel, Tulsa and living in
the community with two other volunteers and Brothers Chris and Richard at Bishop
Kelley. His email is dan.k.monroe@gmail.com, and phone number is 702 – 759 –
2307. Dan’s birthday is January 9, 1988. Welcome to the Contact Program, Dan!
Ricky Layong moved to Memphis
Ricky Layong, formerly a Trappist monk, Brother Guillaume-Isaac, in Conyers, GA, has joined the
Christian Brothers’ community at CBU in Memphis. He has completed a two year novitiate with the
monks in Georgia. He has requested to join the De La Salle Brothers of the Midwest District. Brother
Tom Sullivan will serve as his Director during his transition years. Ricky will be received as a Postulant
this fall and will be eligible to become a novice anytime during the second semester. He is presently a
full time graduate student at CBU.
Prescription drug subsidy may be coming
Those Brothers who have the prescription drug subsidy (reduced prescription costs) under Medicare Part
D, may be receiving the annual verification of eligibility to complete for the Social Security
Administration. It often arrives in September or October. Brothers should follow the instructions
carefully and submit by the due date. Brother who might have questions after receiving the form should
contact Brother Joe Saurbier at the Provincialate Office.
Inaugural “Lasallian Day” Events Scheduled
As noted in the current issue of the District magazine, Faith & Zeal, plans for the inaugural Lasallian
Day gatherings are under way. This luncheon series is scheduled to grow to 10 annual events around the
country. Proceeding from the Lasallian charism of “Together by Association,” Lasallian Day will invite
all friends of the De La Salle Christian Brothers (alumni, relatives and friends) to join together once a
year. Each gathering will feature a presentation by the Brother Visitor, presentation of an award, and
updates on local Lasallian activities. Lasallian Day Twin Cities, hosted by Pete Mihajlov, is scheduled
for October 10th. Lasallian Day Memphis will take place on October 30th in conjunction with the
Memphis Affiliation ceremony. Contact the District Development Office at 630-323-3725 to
recommend anyone who should be invited to these events.
Buttimer Institute was held in Moraga
This year the Buttimer Institute welcomed 105 participants with 42 people in Buttimer One, 28 people in
Buttimer Two, and 35 people in Buttimer Three. While most participants were from the Lasallian
Region of North America (RELAN), the program included international participants from Singapore,
New Zealand, the Philippines, Eritrea, the United Kingdom, Italy, and India. The program was held on
the campus of Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga from June 23 to July 5.
Lasallians attended World Youth Day
Four CBU students and campus
minister Margretta daLomba
Dobbs joined with the five
Brothers from the Midwest
District and several Brothers and
Contacts from DENA at World
Youth Day in Rio at the end of
July. The group was en route to
Copacabana Beach for the Papal
Vigil and Mass
Rest in Peace
Brother Jeffrey Gros, 75, died in Chicago, IL on August 12. A De La
Salle Christian Brother for 58 years, he was born John Jefferson in
Memphis, TN, the son of Jeff and Faye (Dickinson) Gros. He graduated
from La Salle Institute in Glencoe, MO, entered the novitiate of the
Brothers in 1955, and professed his final vows in 1963. He earned a BA
and a MEd from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, an MA from
Marquette University, and a PhD in Theology from Fordham University.
During his years as an educator, he taught in Evanston and Romeoville,
IL, Glencoe and St. Louis, MO, and Memphis, TN. He was well known
in the ecumenical movement for broadening its scope, published widely
in theological journals and periodicals, edited numerous books on
ecumenism, and spoke to various religious and educational groups throughout the world. Brother Jeffrey
served ten years as Director of Faith and Order for the National Council of Churches and also for
fourteen years as Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. More recently, he was the Distinguished Professor of
Ecumenical and Historical Theology at Memphis Theological Seminary. In the fall of 2011 Brother
Jeffrey returned to Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, as the Catholic Studies Scholar in Residence. He
was president of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, consultant to the Office of Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago, adjunct professor at Catholic Theological Union,
and Dean of the Institute for Catholic Ecumenical Leadership. Survivors include his sister, Sister Joye
Gros, OP, of St. Louis, and the De La Salle Christian Brothers. A Mass of Christian burial was
celebrated on August 17th at Sancta Alberta Chapel on the campus of Lewis University in Romeoville,
IL. Interment as at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville on August 19th.
Brother Edward Everett died on August 21st at Callista Court in
Winona, MN. A De La Salle Christian Brother for 66 years, he was
born in 1929 in Chicago, the son of Edward and Helen (Dorsey)
Everett. He graduated from La Salle Institute and entered the novitiate
of the Brothers in Glencoe, MO., in 1946. He professed his final vows
in 1955 at Beaver Island, MI. Brother Edward earned a BA degree in
1950, and a MAT degree in 1955 from Saint Mary’s University in
Winona. He later earned a MA and a PhD from Loyola University
Chicago. During his years as an educator, he taught at Cotter High
School in Winona, and at St. Mel High School, De La Salle Institute and St. Patrick High School in
Chicago, and also at St. Joseph High School in Westchester, IL. He was a professor and assistant dean of
men at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, and was an adjunct faculty member and
admissions counselor at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. He also taught in Stevens Point, WI;
Harper Woods, MI; Waterloo, Belgium; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; and Bethlehem,
Palestine. In 1999 he retired at St. Mary’s University in Winona. Survivors include his brother, Harry
Robert, of New Port Richey, FL; niece, Darlene Lanham, of Chicago; and the De La Salle Christian
Brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial was August 25th at the St. Thomas More Chapel on the campus of
Saint Mary’s University in Winona. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Winona.

Agnes A. Shuber, 91, of Manitowoc, WI, died on August 16th at Shady Lane Nursing Care
Center. She was the Cafeteria Manager at Roncalli High School for 32 years until her retirement.
Agnes was honored by the Christian Brothers as a recipient of the Lasallian Award for dedicated
lifetime service. She was an avid Green Bay Packer Fan. Survivors include one son and
daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Private family services were held on
August 19th at the Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Manitowoc. Burial followed at
Evergreen Cemetery.

Thomas E. Zastrow, 68, of St. Charles, IL, brother of the late Brother Joseph Zastrow, died
on August 27th. Survivors include nephews Leonard Zastrow and Joe Synowiec and niece Rosa
Zastrow. A memorial service was held on August 31st at Richard J. Modell Funeral Home in
Homer Glen, IL. Interment was private
Health Notes
The State of Wellness
"The term ‘wellness’ is often used to suggest a broad, all-encompassing approach to health. It reflects
the Old English origins of the word health ‘hal,’ which means ‘wholeness.’ Often wellness includes
health promotion, prevention, and increasing one's level of well-being as opposed to simply eliminating
symptoms. Wellness tends to highlight the relevance of quality of life and the importance of considering
mind and spirit along with the body. I love how the term ‘wellness’ invites us to consider how we can
take care of ourselves so that we can live vital and meaningful lives that include service to the world
around us." (Karen Horneffer-Ginter)
This coming year, you will be hearing the word "wellness" often in your communities. At our annual
nurses' meeting held this past July, we talked about wellness and how it applies in mind, body, and
spirit. Ask yourself, "Am I living in the state of wellness on this day, at this time."
Staying healthy for your body, or being in the state of wellness, includes knowing your numbers. Know
your blood glucose, cholesterol (including HDL & LDL), blood pressure, and pulse rate. Know your
medications. Why are you taking them? How can you eat well day by day and remember it's not about
deprivation, but to decrease fats and sugars. Pay attention to any sign that something isn't right. Journal
what you notice along with time and date and make an appointment with your doctor. Move your body.
Live in the state of wellness for your mind. Have an awareness of tension building in your body and
mind. Do deep breathing exercises. Meditate. Watch a funny movie. Spend time with a loved one. It is
important to adapt or adjust to life on a daily basis.
Think about your spiritual wellness. Remember what drew you to your vocation. What is God calling
you to do even though you’re "retired?" Create a Life Review. Ask your District nurse about this
concept. Take time to listen to others. Take the time to enjoy nature and the beauty around you. Pay
attention. Remember to be in the state of gratitude.
Source: Outreach Magazine Christian Brothers Services, Vol.2, No. 2, 2011, Let Your Life Speak-The
Importance of Wellness in the Religious Community.
Sheila Cusack, RN., BSN
Chicago Nurse