#LasallianLife
Blessed Sacrament Fish Fry
March 10, 2023
Quite often, we can find ourselves using a limited explanation of service as - “a responsibility to give back.” The constraint within this definition can lead to an unfortunate implicit message that service is when those who have much, give to those who have little. Instead, we consistently propose to our students that service is not rooted in a hierarchical relationship but instead, rooted in fraternity.
We recognize the presence of God and our shared humanity within those who are in need.
We discern how to respond.
We act by offering service both "with" and "to" our brothers and sisters.
In this way, we build a fraternity that is life giving to ourselves and to our communities. Pope Francis highlighted the importance of building fraternity in his January prayer intention for educators:
“I would like to propose that educators add new content to their teaching: fraternity. Education is an act of love that illuminates the path for us to recover a sense of fraternity, so we will not ignore those who are most vulnerable. . . [Educators] know how to handle the three languages well: that of the head, that of the heart, and that of the hands, all in harmony."
In a wonderful Lenten tradition, Blessed Sacrament Parish continues their annual fish fry dinner. Each Friday throughout Lent, a faculty member from our Science Department, Griffin Harmon, trades in his microscope in favor of an apron to lead a group of students to assist with the dinner. It is fraternity in action! Serving others, not because of a hierarchical responsibility, but because of a recognition of our shared humanity. Head, heart, and hands, all in harmony.
Pope Francis concluded his intention, "Let us pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than confrontation and helping especially the youngest and most vulnerable above all."
As graduates of CBA, current parents, former parents, grandparents, or friends of the school, we are all "educators" in our own way - entrusted with the Lasallian mission. May each of us be "credible witnesses, teaching fraternity" through our own unique vocational call.
Mr. Matthew Keough
President, Christian Brothers Academy
