LASALLIAN
VISIONS
BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS H DISTRICT OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA
THE NOVICE LIFE by Brother Steven Barbaro, FSC - novice
JANUARY 2018 • NO. 22 From The Rule of the Brothers of the Christian Schools: “With great respect for each candidate’s pace, formation
There are many steps on the path to becoming the thought of having a staff lead the novices to adopt progressively the fundamental a Brother. When a young man decides to year off! I was grieving spiritual attitude of a disciple of Saint John Baptist de La Salle: deepen discernment of his vocation, he receives my departure from an abandonment to God in the footsteps of Christ, for a community the Habit of the Brothers of the Christian apostolic year of teaching service of evangelization and education accessible to everyone, Schools. He then enters a year of novitiate life, Religion at Central while giving preference to the poor and young people.” leading to profession of his First Vows. The Catholic High School (Article 92) Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) in Pittsburgh PA. There, is blessed currently to have five Brothers I found a supportive community that helped Brother and Sub-Director, is no stranger to who have recently taken this important step, enrich my discernment in becoming a Brother accompanying young Brothers in discernment. deepening their discernment of the Christian Schools. In addition to initial formation ministry, this is of the Institute while living in As October approached I Brother’s second assignment as a Novitiate Subthe Novitiate Community in prayed to God to enlighten me Director. Brother Stephen says, “It is interesting Chicago IL. to embrace and to surrender to see how a group of Novices come together in Brother Steven Barbaro, my will. The novitiate year community. While we, as Brother Directors, FSC, one of our two novices is a time when the novice do our best to help our young Brothers to learn from the District of Eastern Brother works on his interior more about themselves and the Institute, and North America (DENA), prayer life through spiritual to be good teachers, it’s ultimately together and shares insights into this year of exercises passed down to us by association in community that these young discernment. from our Founder for more men truly become Brothers.” Brother Steven Barbaro, FSC than three hundred years. Our guest teachers have introduced us to It has been four months since our arrival Rising at 6:00am, sitting quietly, we engage in topics ranging from the Enneagram personality at the Novitiate in Chicago. As I look back, the “Method of Interior Prayer” that Brother test with Brother Philip Johnson, FSC, the first months have been challenging. I was William Mann, FSC taught us. This method the mechanics of the Liturgy with Brother struggling with the fact that I was not going to is a positive way to communicate with God Stanislaus Campbell, FSC, and journaling with be teaching, and that I was moving to my third through the Scriptures. Daily morning prayer, Brother Joseph Schmidt, FSC. For my fellow city in as many years. The fast pace of teaching, Mass, and a conference prepared by our DENA novice, Brother Paul Avvento, FSC, planning, grading, and attending school events Community’s Directors follow. journaling has become a much appreciated new (continued on page 3) was ending. I guess some Brothers would relish Brother Stephen Olert, FSC, DENA
Young Brothers enjoy holiday spirit with their Novitiate Directors. Pictured: Brothers Thomas Johnson (Director), Stephen Olert (Sub-Director), Dylan Perry (Midwest), Matthew Kotek (Midwest), Paul Avvento (DENA), Steven Barbaro (DENA), Mark Engelmyer (Midwest)