Christian Brothers of the Midwest

Brother Larry Schatz, FSC Visitor/Provincial

Brother Mark Snodgrass, FSC Auxiliary Visitor

Brother Joseph Saurbier, FSC Director of Administration and Operations

D r. Scott Kier Superintendent of Lasallian Education

Faith & Zeal is published senti -annually by the Midwest District D evelopment Office

Robert L . C lUumings Chief D evelopment Officer

Brother Thomas Domi1lic Vance, FSC Development Associate

Paula N oreiko Admirustrative Assistant

Megan D aviso n Assistant Director of Development

Alexander Vasiliades Assistant Director of Development

7650 South County Line Road Burr Ridge, IL 60527 630-323-3725 info@cbntidwest.org www.cbmidwest.org

Postmaster: }>[ease send address changes to office listed above.

Cover Photo: Provituial, Br. Larry Scholz with newly dected Superior General, Br. Robert Schiefer atJd Br. Robert Schaefer, Principal ofCetJ/ral Catholic High School itl Pittsburgh, Pennsylvat1ia, after the Superior General election at the 45th Getleral Chapter of the De La Salle Christiatl Brothers itl Rome, !tal)•.

2

The Midwest District would like to extend warm congratulations

to Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, the newly elected Superior

General. May God bless him in this new endeavor entrusted to him as the 27th successor of St. John Baptist de La Salle.

For more information about Brother Robert's election visit vvww.cbmidwest.org/news/45gc

Inside this Issue: "When il tomes to tarrying the tasaman idea to the ends of the Earth, il turns out that God's presente is in a Jot more Brother-sponsored institulions than 1 ever imagined in my insular high sthooi world." D ennis By rne, St. George High School '59: page 19

"People who are not more familiar with the Brothers, may not know that we are ordinary, down to earth people! We have the same thoughts, ideas,

and difficulties as anyone else."

BrotherlllOmasJohnso n, Vicar G eneral of

the Brothers of the Christ ian Schools: page 4

"'!Mr h tM m-ry of a. J'07Mij Utd utMt, ~ to ffl/te-r Mt- tdt-wfu/te CaA:IwUc r~ ht 1963

ht tltM two-uwtun cUy ojM~ T~­~ Mt.d tM r~'f wilMM.jneu to breaJ<. rMrk

wun tM cUy'f udtwra.l. cede to~ lu'Mt ... "

Brother Ch ris Englert, President, Christian Brothers High School: page 8

Greetings from the

PROVINCIAL F iends,

As I gather these thoughts to send you, I am packing my bags for Rome! By the time you read this the 45th General Chapter of the De La Salle Christian Brothers will be underway, having commenced April22 and concluding June 8.

Every seven years, Brothers from around the world gather together at the Generalate on Via Aurelia in Rome. We take stock of our global Lasallian mission, make needed revisions to the Rule that governs us, and elect a new Superior General! You will read about the outcome of that election (sorry, no white smoke from the chimney!) elsewhere in this issue of Faith & Zeal.

I also want to share with you a litde bit about our own Brother Tom Johnson, who for the past seven years has served as Vicar General, the munber two guy for the Brothers in the world. Brother Tom is an inspiration to me and to all the Brothers in our Midwest District .

You will also see an exciting report from our first season of"Lasallian Days" and the schedule for these events around the country in the next 12 months! And Dennis Byrne, a "Brothers' Boy" from St. George High School Class of '59, today a colwnnist for the Chicago Tribune, shares with us some touching memories.

All told, this issue speaks well of the vitality and diversity of our Lasallian family in the Midwest District, which truly extends coast to coast. I hope to see you at a Lasallian Day event soon. Until then, my heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and prayers.

Live Jesus in O ur Hearts - Forever!

$n.~~fr:G Brother Larry Schatz, FSC Visitor/Provincial

Photo at Right: Br. Larry Schatz, Visitor/Provincial with Brothers Shahzad a11d Raoul from Pakista11 atzd Burkitza Faso, a Lasallian student from Mexico, atzd Br. Detmis Malloy, Visitor/Provincia/from the District of East em North America, outside the Vatican with pilgrims celebrating the catzotzizatiotz ofPope]ohtz XXIII atzd Pope john Paul II.

''All told, this issue

speaks well of the vitality and

diversity of our

Lasallian familv

• in the

Midwest District,

which truly

extends coast to coast."

A "Brothers' Boy" who this Spring marked his 50th Year Reunion from the former St. Mel High School in Chicago. Today, a De La Salle Christian Brother from our very own Midwest District.

You\:! never guess that this gentle, unassuming man has served for the last seven years as Vicar General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, the number two role for the Brothers worldwide!

While his travels for the Institute (another name for the worldwide Brothers) amass thousands of frequent flyer miles each year, Brother Tom's home for the past seven years has been Casa Generalizia (the Generalate) on Via Aurelia in Rome, Italy. He returns to Chicago tv;ice each year to visit fan1ily and friends, and never fails to stop by the Midwest District Office in Burr Ridge to say hello.

Before Brother Tom returned to Rome a few weeks ago for the 45th General Chapter, we sat down with him to catch up and introduce this remarkable Christian Brother to our alumni and friends.

Q W hat do you like to do for fun?

A Well, I love movies. I am a movie fan and I like all kinds. I watch them on video and I like them in theaters even better. I like to read. I was an English major, and I like books; mainly novels. I also like to run. I run around the grounds of the Generalate; all the way around the property is about a lh mile. 6 times around the property is about 3 miles. I occasionally run into Brother Alvaro, our Superior General, out there!

Q W hat 's your j ob now?

4

A Vicar General would be sort of like a Vice President; you are the "next one in line".That means that I am able to canonically substitute for the Superior General (Br. Alvaro) or sign certain documents, such as Brothers applying for final vows, purchasing property, etc. I could theoretically appoint a Visitor but with today's communication, it would be easy to communicate with Brother Alvaro. I also substitute in Alvaro's place for if he cannot go to a function or meeting. Overall, I am on the administrative side of the Generalate in Rome, coordinating meetings of the General Council, running of the office, etc.

Q W hat bas been your biggest surprise about working in Ro me?

A I think a surprise for me and perhaps a surprise for the Institute is how quickly I got to know so many Brothers from around the world. When you are coming into the position like this you get to know Brothers in Vietnam, 1J1ailand, Peru-you get to know many Brothers very quickly.

Living in Rome and living in the Generalate, there are four languages actively functioning in the house; Spanish, Italian, French, and English. I am much better with my Spanish. Spanish and English are the most common spoken languages there.

I have also picked up some Italian words and phrases.

Q D o you tmvel much?

A I don't travel as much as some other folks at the Generalate. lfl gave you a list of where I've been in the last 12 months, it is extensive in terms of distance, but the frequency is not as high as others. Some places I've recently been in the past tv;elve months are Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, Caniliodia, Sicily, Malta, the US, the Holy Land, and Palestine.

Q W hat is o ne thing about the D e La Salle Christian Brothers that most people do n't know?

A One thing most people don't know .... tl1ey don't know iliere are Brothers! Outside of those who have gone to our schools, most people do not know that there are Brothers in the Church. 1J1ey think only in terms of priests and nuns. We are men vowed to live in commuruty, to be educators, to perform different functions. Most people don't understand why we wouldn't become priests instead. We see it as our vocation, our calling.

People who are not more familiar with the Brothers, may not know that Brothers are ordinary, down to earth people! We have the same thoughts, ideas, and difficulties as anyone else. We don't want to be placed on a pedestal.

Another thing that isn't understood is that the Brothers operate in a very decentralized way. In Rome, we are not totally in control of what goes on in every school or what programs they are using. Lots of decisions are made locally and within Districts.

Q H ow did you end up attending St. Mel High School?

A My grandfather who died before I was born, went to St. Patrick High School when it was in downtown Chicago. My mother wanted me to go to a Brothers' school but in those days each parish was allowed only so many slots in each school. Our parish had 15 slots and 18 boys who wanted to go to St. Pats, so it became a lottery system. We lived equidistant betv;een St. Pat's and St. Mel's; it wasn't my initial choice but I am glad I went there!

Q W hen did you leam you had a vocation to the Brothers?

A In high school, I had a good experience with the Brothers. They would talk to us in the corridor, play basketball at night. I liked them a whole lot. I began to dUnk tl1is was something I should try.

Photo at Right: Brother Thomas ]ohmo11 i11 St. Peter~ Square, Vatica11 City, Italy.

Q W here did you grow up?

A I grew up in two spots in Chicago. One home was on the west side near Fullerton and Cicero, and later we moved further northwest between Harlem and Belmont.

Q D o you have any brothers a nd sisters?

A I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Q W here did you attend college and what degrees do you have?

Brother Tom ]ohnso11 givi11g the closit1g remark at SIEL (Intemational Lasallia-n

Studies Sessiotl} i11 Italy, 2010.

A I attended Lewis University, which was Lewis College back then. I have my Bachelors degree in English with a Minor in Spanish and Theology. I attended DePaul University and I have 2 Masters degrees, one in English Literature, and another in Reading and Learning Disabilities.

Q As a professed lover of reading & an English m~or, we must ask . .. what is your fuvorite book?

A I like Shakespeare a lot. I have always enjoyed teaching Hamlet. I read 1he Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and not because the movie came out! I really liked that book, so beautifully written and written to an American audience. The story touches on the American drean1 and what we pursue. I recommend everyone read that!

Q W hat do you want to do when you retire?

A lfl am in good health, I would like to be active somehow. Definitely doing something related to our Mission. I would like more time to read. Maybe more time for the arts, movies, and plays. I would not want do nothing. To me, that would only be appealing for about a week. I want to make a contribution.

Q As you visit Lasallia n schools and universities around the world, what is the one thing they all have in conunon?

A One thing that all ministries have in common, despite the very different local cultures, is the idea of providing a good quality and value centered education for all kids, in a student-centered environment.

Q W hat one last thing would you want the readers of Faith & Zeal to know?

6

A In the Midwest, we have fewer Brothers than in some other countries and regions. However, a strong group of lay Lasallians have dedicated themselves to furthering the Mission of the Brothers. In other parts of the world, there are more Brothers and visible signs of the Brothers.

The Lasallian Mission is carrying on in almost 80 countries. The help we can give across national and cultural lines is very important. When schools contribute to "twinning" it makes a big difference in peoples lives. Another in1portant part of Lasallian global awareness is student visitations across country lines; that definitely makes a difference in the lives of everyone involved.

An example of this "sudden awareness" happened when I was teaching in Chicago at De La Salle. A student came in with the Chicago Sun Times, turned to the sports page, and saw that De La Salle in Concord, CA was the best HS football team in the United States.1hey had won 70-80 straight gan1es. He asked me," Brother is there another De La Salle?"To him, De La Salle High School only existed at 35th and Wabash. He thought there was nothing else like it in the world. We need our Lasallian work around the United States and around the world to be better understood. ~

I

)

The Heritage Society Alumni and friends of the De La Salle Christian Brothers

of the l\!lidwest who have remembered the Brothers in their will or estate plan, or through a life income gift.

"rtfie 13rotliers gave me tfie eaucational founaation ana tlie mora{ compass for tlie rest

of my Cife. If our gift to tlie 13rotliers tlirougli our estate can lieCp sustain tlieir worl( toaay, we{{, tliat is sometliing we are proua to ao. »

-----------------------------------------To: Brother Larry Schatz, FSC; Visitor/Provincial, Christ ian Brothers of the Midwest

Brother Larry,

___ 1/we have included the Christian Brothers of the Midwest in our will or estate plan.

___ 1/we would like to include a bequest to the Brothers in our will. Please send information on how to do so.

--~Please send information on making a gift of stock and other planned gift opportunities.

___ 1/we would like to meet to discuss a gift to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.

Nante -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email -----------------------------------Phone __________________________________ _

M ail to: Brother Larry Schatz, FSC, Visitor/Provincial, Christian Brothers of the Midwest 7650 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

7

Around the District News from our Universities, Schools, and Ministries

Congrats to all of our Champions! Montini Catholic High School-Lombard, IL Two football players, D ylan Thompson and N ile Sykes had the honor of representing the United States in the 2014 International Bowl.

Saint Mary's University-Winona, MN Womens' basketball team secured their third MIAC women's basketball regular-season chan1pionship!

D eLaSalle High School-M inneapolis, MN Boys' Basketball Team won its third straight state championship title.

Christian Brothers College High School St. Louis, M O Boy's basketball team won the state championship in March.

Montini Catholic High School-Lombard, IL Girls basketball team won the state championship in March.

H oly Family Catholic High School- Victoria, MN Boys' basketball team placed 3rd in Class AAA. Girls' jazz dance team competed in the Class AA State Dance Competition.

Bishop Kelley High School-Tulsa, O K Girls' basketball t= is the 5AAcademic State Champion and Comet Volleyball is the 6A Academic State Champion.

Archbishop O'H ara High School-Kansas C it)\ MO Boys'\"'restling Team-medalists Spencer Matthews (3rd place) and Maverick Griffin (4th place). Overall record for the wrestling team for this season was 15-5, the best in the school's history!

St .Joseph High School, Westchester, IL Boys' Varsity Basketball Team was this year's Regional champion!

Welcome Back to the Lasallian Family, Benilde-St. Margaret's! On April 7, Benilde-Saint Margaret's School was re-affiliated with the Christian Brothers of the Midwest. Dr. Scott Kier, Superintendent of Lasallian Education and Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor/Provincial traveled to St. L-ouis Park, Minnesota to accept and welcome BSM into the Midwest District after a five-year process and Lasallian assessment.1he event was celebrated with a mass, presided over by Benilde alum, Fr. Tim Wozniak. We are so happy to have Benilde-St. Margaret 's School re-affiliated in the Lasallian family!

L-R Scott Kier, Bob Tift, PresidetJt of Benilde-Saitzt Margaret~,

Br. Larry Schatz, Setzior High Principal Dr. Sue Skitmer, and junior

High Principa4 Carol McNamara.

Saint Mary~ University hotwredftve Christiatz Brothers Feb. 13 for their 125 ;•ears of service as college tmd university presidents. From left are Chair of the Board ofTrustees Michael Gostomski, Brother Thomas SctJ"nlon, Saint Mary~ Presidetzt Brother William Mann, Brother Mel Atzderson, Saint Mary~ Presidetzt Emeritus Brother Louis DeTbomasis, Brother james Gaffizey atzd Brother Michael McGimziss.

Lasallian Presidents Honored Brother Ja mes Gaffney, FSC, President of Lewis University received an honorary doctorate from Saint Mary's University at the Winter Commencement Ceremony on February 13 in Winona, Minnesota. Four other Christian Brothers who have served as presidents of higher educational institutions were also honored, including Brother Louis D e lllomasis, FSC, past president of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Brother Mel Anderson, FSC, past president of Saint Mary's College of California, Brother Michael McGinniss, FSC, president of La Salle University, past president of Christian Brothers University, and Brotherlhomas Scanlan, FSC, past president of Manhattan College, and past vice chancellor of Bethlehem University. Together these five Presidents have served more than 125 years as leaders of Christian Brothers institutions.

Special Olympics Basketball Tournament atTotino-Grace High School The basketball programs along with the Campus Ministry Office partnered with class of 1983 graduate Mike Q •esnell and Northern Lights Special Olympics to host a Special Olympics Basketball Tournament in February. Hundreds of athletes came to play and over 60 Totino-G race students volunteered at the event in addition to serving as refs and score table managers.

Studetzt Vohmteers & Supporters at the Totitzo­Grace Special Olympics Basketball Tournament.

Photo at Right: This year, students from Holy Family Catholic High School irz Victoria, MN visited Ethiopia. During their time there, they visited Bisrate GaUriel High Schoo~ a twin Lasalliarz school. The students leamed about water conservation, world water shortages, and served elementary school students.

12

Tidbits News from the Midwest District

Where is ..... Brother Basil Rothweiler, FSC? Brother Basil Rothweiler is 97 y= young and in prayerful residence at the Little Sisters of the Poor/Holy Family Residence in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the oldest Brother in the District! Brother Larrv Schatz visited Brother

• Basil recently.

Photo at Right: Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor/Provincial with Brother Basil Rothweiler, FSC.

Jubilarians Honored in July 2014 Nineteen Brothers in the District will be honored for their Jubilee ceremonies on July 19,2014, at Lewis University, during the annual District Day events. Those who are celebrating are Brother Basil Rothweiler (his 80th Jubilee!), Brother Robert Staub (75 th), Brothers Joel D olan and James McD onald (70th) , Brothers Joel Baumeyer, Mark Gubbels, Ralph H eppe, Andrew Jacobson, Bernard LoCoco, Damian Steger (60th), Brothers Peter H annon, D ouglas H awkins, Thomas J olmson, Paul McD onough, Joel McGraw, Paul Meyer, Michael O'H em , M ichael Schaiu, and Robert Veselsky (60th). Also, tvto Brothers from the District of Eastern North America (DENA) will celebrate their 50th Jubilee, Brother Lawrence Oelschlegel, Assistant Dean at Lewis University, and Brother Paul Joslin, Lewis faculty member.

Dunrovin Celebrates 50 Years of Youth Ministry Outreach Brothers attended a 50th Anniversary J\llass on March 16 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the retreat center in J\llarine-on-St.-Croix, Minnesota.

Photo at Right: From left to right: Brothers Paul Gmss, Robert 1homas, Douglas Hawkim,James Roszak, Charles Kelly, William Clarey, and Robert Smith.

Three New Presidents Named in Twin Cities 1hree Lasallian schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul have named new Presidents!

Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, MN has chosen Fmnk M iley,JD as President, to succeed Richard E ngler on July 1, 2015. For the past five years, Frank has served as the school's Director of Development. He holds a current Minnesota attorney license, as well as K -12 principal and teaching licenses. He was crucial in the development ofCD-H's most recent endowment campaign which has booked more than $41,000,000 in commitments. He will serve as Executive Vice-President ofCD-H for the 2014-2015 school year.

D r. Craig Junker is the new president ofTotino-Grace High School in Fridley, MN. Dr. Junker was selected by the high school's corporate board and will begin in July 2014. He has more than 20 years of experience in Catholic and public education, including service as a Lasallian Volunteer for two years in Greenville, MS. Craig has been described as a strategic thinker and mission-driven leader, as exemplified through his various roles as coach, teacher, principal, president and superintendent. Before accepting the position, he was the superintendent of Lake City Public Schools.

Benilde- St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, M has chosen D r. Kevin Gyolai as the fifth president ofBSM, effective July 2014. Gyolai has more than 20 years of experience in a liberal arts setting. He comes from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system where he holds the position of STEM division dean at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Hights, MN. He has a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from North Dakota State University, a Master of Science degree in biology from South Dakota State University, and Bachelor of Science degrees in biology and athletic training from North Dakota State University.

Statistical Report from the Institute! 1J1e Brothers of the Christian Schools released a report from Rome detailing the status of the Christian Brothers for the 2013 year.

• Worldwide, there are 87 Novices.

• Addit ionally, there are 449 Postulants, men who have taken Promises and are further discerning a call to become a Christian Brother. Currently, we have five Postulants, completing their term at Jeremy House in Philadelphia, PA and two in communities across the District

• In the United States, there are 589 Brothers. There are a total of 4,288 Brothers present throughout 7 4 countries, worldwide.

13

14

Brother Larry Schatz, FSC with jim and Anne Tujo in La Quinta, CA.

Lasallian Days are

HUGE SUCCESS! "Together by Association''

That motto of the De La Salle Christian Brothers was the inspiration for "Lasallian Days," a Midwest District program fast

becoming a tradition for our alumni and friends across the United States!

Visitor/Provincial Brother Larry Schatz, FSC hosted four Lasallian Day events this past year. Guests heard updates about

Vocations, what their fuvorite Brothers are up to, and news from our local schools! Brother Larry commented, "One day a year, we want to gather

Lasallians together for a £'UUily reunion!"

Very special thanks to Pete and Marti Mihajlov for hosting our Twin Cities event at their restaurant Chino Latino and to Frank and Diane Bourget for chairing our reception at the Westin Kierland resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.

We're coming to your neck of the woods in the months ah ead! Check the dates and locations of the upcoming Lasallian

Days and watch for your invitation!

UPCOMING LASALLIAN

DAY EVENTS

September 9, 2014 Stephens Point, WI

September 24, 2014 M inneapolis-St. Paul, MN

October 2, 2014 Chicago, IL

November 5, 2014 Memphis, TN

February 19,2015 Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ

February 23, 2015 San Diego, CA

March 3-5, 2015 Sarasota and N aples, FL

April9, 2015 Kansas City,MO

May7,2015 St. Louis, MO

June4,2015 Cincinnati, OH/Newport, KY

SNOWBIRDS! D o we have your winter address?

Do you know anyone we should be inviting to a Lasallian D ay event?

Call Pnuln Noreiko in the M idwesr District O ffice at 630-323-3725 or email pnore iko@cbmidwest.org

15

In Memoriam Please Remember lbese Brothers who have Passed Away in Your Prayers

Brother Joseph Seiler "We aU k&w jue wtU a very >peWU jUf· I don't t:lu:,n.k I luwe ~

a ~ jmf:Le.r Brotner. when. he ~' hM face Ut up, tutd

I luwe 1te1l-eY ~ MtfOH..e to >ay a d.Ufartijift.j word aiJ.rJtd

f:h..U jO'Od 'UUUt.. I wtU inhiju.ed to fot.d out uwre aiJotd 11M tlvee

FJC !Jyofltey, tlu1i: he ou.dWed. I 1te1l-eY ~ ~' but a wtU

~ to foul. out uwre aiJ.rJtd tkem, f:luuth to the fou work of

QUY ar~ Bro. Bo-b Werte. jue, ~ rdiji..ot,u '1t.MUe wtU Leo

Wilfrid, wtUthe JQW!jMtofthe jowl~ iJeeK 1Jcr11. il1. 1921.

He u aiM the fMt of the lUKe Jeil.er c.IUfd.rMt. top-au IUIJtl.f·" -Reflections by Brother i.arry Schatz, Visitor

"I have nothing but fond memories of Brother Joe. I will always remember him as a kind and patient man. He was one of many bright spots of my experience at Montini. 'TI1ank you Brother Joe, be comfortable within your space in heaven!" -Reflections from a former student at Montini Catholic High School

Brother Joseph Seiler first entered the Novitiate in 1939. He taught in Boystown, Nebraska and in Chicago, Addison, and Lombard Illinois. He also taught at the JUiuorate in Glencoe, MO for almost a decade. Brother Joseph received his Bachelor's at Saint Mary's College, in Winona, MN and his M.A. at St. Louis University.

'TI1e Seiler boys' mother, Clara Seiler, was affiliated to the Institute in 1952 and actually outlived three of her four Christian Brother sons, having died in July o£1972.

So finally, the four Christian Brothers are reunited again, not only as they rest side by side in the sacred ground at G lencoe, but together with the rest of the Seiler £'UUily in heaven.

Photo at Lift: Entire Seiler Family. Bad!. RC/W {left to right) Br. Joel Adrian,

Br. Leo joseph Seiler, Peter Seiler Jr. , Norbert Seiler, Br. Jarlath Peter, and

Br. Louis De La Salle

Front Row (left to right) Claire Cqffey, Mrs. Clara Seiler, Mr. Peter Seiler Sr., Cecili.a Roge/1, and Mary McCarthy

Brother Augustine "Gus" Kossuth "l didlt't kt!fw C,tM -we(J, but lu ~' wuck uu; M a ''!ak~of

the~eartlt" IUftd 13Uf·llt k lu r~ uu; very mach

1 UU1..1fj'1 U!f t/W1'L fMtde! ~ North D~-tlt.a.t S<Jrt 1 s-toic, ~~s.et~M t!f?YOtu:lt to tife tlt.a.t u a c.f.M.!ic

Midwe-fteYK trait." -From the homily given at the Mass of the Resurrection by Brother Larry Schatz, Visitor/Provincial

In Memoriam

"Brother G us was probably the single most important person in the history of CBC High School during the mid 70's. I dare say without the difficult decisions he opted to make in that period the school likely wouldn't have survived, much less thrived as it does today. Indeed, he was a man among men. Brother Gus, as teachers, all of us would have done anything for you. • - A former teacher at Christian Brothers College High School

"Gus was the boss in Tulsa my three years there. He saved the school from financial ruin the first time and then after the fire in the main building, he got it going again. Dr. Vosburgh in Tulsa said about him, "What you see is what you get." 'TI1at was the reason he was well liked there. No 'gilding of the lily' with Gus. He worked hard and lived sin1ply. He was very thrifty. Loved trees and plants and planted much in Tulsa, some of which got mowed down in its in£wcy by Bernardine on the tractor. \<\That a fine man he was. May he rest in peace! " -Brother Joel McGraw

Brother Gus served 59 years as a Christian Educator. His tour of duty includes time at Pacelli High Scl1ool in Stevens Point, \-vi, Benilde-St. Margaret's in St. Louis Park, MN, Bergan HS in Peoria, IL, Notre Dame University, Lewis University, Christian Brothers Services, La Salle HS in Cincimuti, OH, Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, MO, Bishop Kelley HS in Tulsa, Oklal1oma, and Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, TN.

In addition to working at all of these ministries, Brother Gus Kossuth was an avid environmentalist , planting trees all over the Midwest, and beautifying the earth. He is responsible for planting trees at Bishop Kelley in Tulsa, OK. When he was principal at Bishop Kelley, a donor would give the scl1ool tree seedlings to plant each year. In addition, he supervised the planting of over 300 trees at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. He also created a brochure outlining a campus tree walk at Lewis.

[Special thanks to Elizabeth Jodice, Director of Communications at Christian Brothers Conference, Washington, D.C. for this piece of history.]

17

Brother Larry Schatz is the Visitor/Provincial for the Midwest District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The term "Visitor", the more traditional title, comes from the person's primary responsibility, visiting the Brothers in the District, or Province, each year.

The Brothers of the Midwest District come together twice a year, at District Day in July

(which coincides with the Jubilee celebration) and for the Holy Week Retreat at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, lllinois.

The ministries of the Christian Brothers of the Midwest cover eight states and include

3 15 5 4 2 1 Universities High Schools Middle Schools Retreat Centers Publishing Provincialate

18

(the Sa" Mig1'<l S<hools}

Uving Christian Brothers

Midwest District United States and Canada

+

4,485 World

H ouses Office Burr Ridge, lllinois

74 COUNTRIES the De La Salle C hristian Brothers are present in

Brothers and their lay partners EDUCATE

100,894 938,690 STUDENTS STUDENTS

United States and Canada

World

1he De La Salle Christian Brothers are the 2nd largest university network in the world and the largest high school netw"ork in the United States.

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.

r v

That reminder hovered arow1d my own presence throughout my turbulent adolescent years, keeping me out of trouble ... to some degree. I can't think of a more

powerful admonit ion than, "God's watching." Well, maybe, "Your mother's watching" packed the same p=ch.

I'm told that the countless men, women and children in the hundreds of

institut ions that the Brothers of the Christ ian Schools operate all around the world come to prayer with the same call, to the omnipresence of G od. Said the foW1der, Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, we ought to do everyth ing in the view of G od .

When it comes to carrying the Lasallian idea to the ends of the Earth, it turns out that G od 's presence is in a lot more Brother-sponsored institut ions than I

ever imagined in my insular high school world.

Check it out on the Internet: It's not just the number but also the kind of inst itutions that the Brothers and their associates

man. Reception centers for travellers and drug addicts in Q1ebec, centers for street children in Rwanda, a toll-free

telephone hotline for troubled children throughout Australia, schools for G ypsy children in France, oenters for the mentally

Essay by Dennis Byrnes, St. George High School '59 handicapped in Egypt, infrastructure improvements for the poor in India, motorcycle repair shops and other education

for street kids in Vietnam, teacher t raining in Kenya, a Catechist center in Pakistan .... And on and on.

1l1e Christian Brothers of the Midwest certainly are no slouches when it comes to the mission laid down for them by their foW1der: "To touch the hearts of your students with the Christian spirit is the greatest miracle you can perform." 'TI1e Brothers this very day are performing that miracle in the many schools and other Catholic facilities they run throughout the Midwest.

Back at St. George: dozens of Brothers were performing that miracle every, single day-­when Dwight Eisenhower was President, Elvis Presley turned pop music on its head and the '57 Chevy was the vehicle of choice. 'TI1e Brothers accomplished this miracle by doing

more than by ably teaching the languages, science, history and math . 'TI1ey did it by turning boys into men and instilling in us the values that today seem so much under assault.

I have seen but a few of these miracle-workers since that 1959 graduation day in the old Granada Theatre in Chicago. lfl could go back, I'd tell the "brudders" what it has taken me decades to realize:

You men did it right, for me and so many others. A nd I'm so thankful. I can only hope that in the 55 years since then that I have lived the life that you had in your minds and hearts for me.

Dennis Byrne's current endeavors as a Chicago-based freelance writer and editor include a weekly Chicago Tribune op-ed column and a historical novel, "Madness: 1he War of1812. • He was recently honored with the Distinguished Dragon Award at the 2014 St. George Alumni Banquet {see photo at top).

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Christian Brothers of the Midwest 7650 S. County Line Road

Burr Ridge, IL 60527

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Tad Smith, Presidet~t/Executive Directqr if San Miguel Sc/ml Chicago, readit1g with 8th grade student, Dulce Morales. ---