“Your faith should be for you a light which guides you in all things, and a shining light for those whom you instruct, to lead them on the path to heaven.” (Meditation No. 178.1)
President’s Page: March Apostolic and Community Events
April 4, 2017
May this communication find you and your families doing well as we approach the most holy time of the year for Christians—Easter. As is the case every month when I sit down to compose these “looks back” at the previous month, I compile “all good things De La Salle” that have taken place during that particular month. However, for this particular “look back” at March 2017, in honor of the Easter holiday on the horizon, I will focus on two areas only; namely, the apostolic and community events that shaped the month.
I chose St. John Baptist de La Salle’s Meditation No. 178.1 above specifically because it lies at the heart of the Lasallian Lenten reflection which former faculty member Brother Michael Livaudais, FSC offered to the adult members of our school community here at De La Salle on the evening of Thursday, March 16. Those alumni, faculty, former faculty, and administrators who attended Brother Michael’s reflection were privileged to be taken on a journey back to the founding of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. What I personally found most compelling about Brother Michael’s reflection and what I shared with our faculty members at our March 22 faculty meeting was his reminder that instructors at Lasallian schools are assumed to be excellent in what they do in the classroom and in co-curriculars. We would expect nothing less in a school named for the patron saint of teachers. However, when interacting with students in and out of the classroom, teachers at De La Salle should always be asking themselves the most important question; namely, “How am I doing in the relationship and salvation business?”
On March 18, the Saturday after Brother Michael’s reflection, we had a wonderful event here at De La Salle that focused on both the “relationship and salvation business.” This event was our Sophomore Prayer Breakfast, and it was held in our school cafeteria. All sophomores are required to attend, and sophomores were accompanied by their mothers or mother figures. Many faculty members and administrators also attended. After brief opening remarks and grace before meals from me and a sophomore and his mother, everyone enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Then everyone was treated to a moving talk from our principal, Paul Kelly, about the blessings our mothers are to us. This was only the second year of the event, but it has already become extremely important to our school community. We all look forward to the blessings we will receive from future Sophomore Prayer Breakfasts.
Nearly two weeks after our visitors walked in our front doors to enjoy the St. Joseph Altar, we had twelve local priests who walked in our front doors on Friday, March 31 for another very special reason. They were here at our invitation to offer the sacrament of reconciliation to our entire student body (Catholic and non-Catholic alike) 
from 10:15-11:35 a.m. This was our second year of making this powerful experience available to our entire student body, and we look forward to having it annually. Of course, we are so thankful to the twelve priests who made the time to be here. Many thanks go to our campus minister, Tony Behan, for his coordination of the experience for our students.As the cafeteria was being broken down after the Sophomore Prayer Breakfast, our school lobby was being transformed on Sunday, April 19 to host a St. Joseph Altar on Monday, March 20. Thanks to the overall coordination of the effort by our school’s registrar, Marilyn D’Antoni, we have had for twelve years now a beautiful altar to honor St. Joseph, whose blessings we call upon every day at De La Salle. This altar was viewed and enjoyed throughout the day not only by our own school community members but also by dozens and dozens of visitors who walked in our front doors.
On the evening before I traveled with hundreds of others to attend the state championship basketball game, I had the privilege to attend an event at Rock ‘N Bowl for the 50 year anniversary class of 1967. I truly enjoy events when I can meet new members of the Cavalier community, and this event gave me yet another opportunity to do just that. I look forward to the next time this group will gather, and that will be here at De La Salle to celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, May 12.Speaking of an experience for our students–and for everyone associated with De La Salle High School–we were all passengers on an incredible ride of a season for our boys’ basketball team. For the first time since 1986, our boys’ basketball team brought the state championship trophy back to 5300 St. Charles Avenue. And for those who witnessed the semi-final and championship games, they literally had to get in a car and travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana to cheer on our Cavaliers. It was a wonderful and memorable time for everyone. And after the championship was won on that Saturday afternoon, March 11, and after the team walked out of the arena to the cheers of hundreds of waiting fans, it was a privilege to witness the hundreds of fans and the team all gather together to sing our alma mater.
I had the privilege to have lunch last Monday, March 27 on the Northshore with the retired Brothers living in community at St. Paul’s School in Covington. I have been looking forward to doing this for a while, and I look forward to doing so more often going forward. I had not met most of the Brothers there, and our time together gave us all the opportunity to spend some time and become better acquainted.Whenever possible, we enjoy hosting events for alumni here at De La Salle. Being here allows alumni to reconnect with each other in a special way at their alma mater where so many memories were made. We hosted such an event recently on Friday, March 24–the Alumni Crawfest. This is a new event for alumni and their families, and all those who attended had a great time. Thank you if you were in that number.
Looking ahead a bit into April, I mention an event that will occur on Friday, April 21. This is our Board of Regents’ Dinner–our signature, philanthropic event of the year at which we celebrate “all good things De La Salle.” This event is held at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the generous philanthropy of those who attend make it financially possible for De La Salle to continue our march in excellence. If you would like more information about the event, please contact Ann Heslin in the Advancement Office at 504-503-7543 or email her at advancement@delasallenoila.com.
Looking ahead into the month of May, I mention an event about which our school community is very excited; namely, Food Truck Friday which will take place here at De La Salle on May 19. All members of the Cavalier school community are invited to attend along with anyone in the city who simply wants to have a good time. During Food Truck Friday, we will also draw the name of the lucky luxury raffle winner of the beautiful 1.64 carat diamond earrings. If you are interested in purchasing one or more raffle tickets, please click here for more information.
In conclusion, at this year’s Board of Regents’ Dinner, we are extremely grateful to have the privilege of honoring Dr. Warren Caire, AFSC. Dr. Caire will be retiring at the conclusion of this school year after having served De La Salle High School with excellence, devotion, and selflessness for 55 years. Looking back at the quote that began this communication, Dr. Caire has been a “shining light” in every way not only for thousands of Cavalier alumni but also for the hundreds of faculty and staff members with whom he has served. We have been so blessed by his service to De La Salle, and St. John Baptist de La Salle would be so pleased by his 55 years of excellent, devoted, and selfless service.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever.
In Him,
Michael Giambelluca
President
De La Salle High School