A gift to the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation (LCBF), directed to the Christian Brothers Charitable Trust (CBCT), provides for the vocation and well-being of the Brothers in the San Francisco New Orleans District. Demonstrating our care and concern for the quality of our Brothers’ lives by making investments in their education and providing opportunities to grow honors the commitment of each Brother to his vocation and, in turn, fosters new vocations. However, current trust funds are not sufficient to meet these needs. Although we spend $1.6 million annually on the care of senior Brothers and $300,000 on vocations and studies for young Brother postulants and novices annually, the shortfall exceeds $500,000 each year. With your gifts, support, and prayers, we can honor the Brothers who have given so much to educate the young and most vulnerable among us.
The Brothers’ History
In 1680, Saint John Baptist de La Salle established a unique group of lay religious men dedicated exclusively to education: the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Today, the educational movement that he began continues to inspire all Catholic educators. The Brothers in the San Francisco New Orleans District have provided an education based on the teachings and vision of St. John Baptist de La Salle since the 1800’s. Deeply rooted in De La Salle’s example is the call to educate the poor, to teach the students most in need. This Lasallian heritage cares for the mind, body, and spirit; encompasses a faith in the presence of God; develops life through Jesus Christ; provides quality education; demonstrates concern for the poor and social justice; and shows respect for all persons.
Learn more…
about our founder and current Brothers of the Christian Schools at these websites:
De La Salle’s charism, educational spirituality, and extensive writings inspired Catholic educators in his own time and continue to inspire educators from many traditions today.
The CBCT was established in 1993 as a charitable trust to distribute funding for the care of senior Brothers at the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle, a full-service health facility. For many years, CBCT relied on funds from the trust account to meet its needs. But with life expectancies increasing and an initiative underway to encourage more vocations to the Brothers, it became clear that additional annual funds were needed to meet the goals. As a result, at their November 2013 meeting, the Christian Brothers Charitable Trust Board of Trustees agreed to a new operating style. The Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation (LCBF) was formed and has taken on the responsibility of raising annual funds for operations, including vocation and education for the Brothers.
The De La Salle Brothers of the Christian Schools are the largest group of lay religious men dedicated solely to education.
The mission of the De La Salle Christian Brothers is simple: to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.
“You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those
entrusted in your care.” — St. John Baptist de La Salle
The Lifelong Needs of Our Brothers
The vocation of the Brothers is “association for the service of the poor through education.” Brothers dedicate their lives to God in the ministry of education. They pray, live a life in common, and are devoted to the lives of young people, especially the poor. Below are the lifelong needs of our Brothers.
Vocation
GIVE TO BROTHERS’ VOCATION
We know that a real vocation offers purpose, meaning, personal fulfillment, and community living to our Brothers; it is imperative that we foster and carefully cultivate vocations and provide proper educational training to the men entrusted to our care. The LCBF recognizes that the Brothers are crucial to the success of our schools. Funding is vital in order to increase vocations, support formation, and meet the daily and future needs of these Brothers—so that they can continue to pray for, serve, and educate society’s most vulnerable and needy children.
Ongoing Formation
GIVE TO BROTHERS’ FORMATION
“When I decided to give it a try and entered the Brothers, I was given the opportunity to teach Spanish and Religion…and today I am currently teaching high school students full-time. I look forward to all of the good things that God has in store for the Brothers around the world, and for me.” — Brother Anwar Martinez, FSC
It is our responsibility to ensure the Brothers’ vocation is discerned and formed in the values of our founder St. John Baptist de La Salle. Today, we have fine young men in formation to join our Brothers in the schools in the San Francisco New Orleans District. Their continuing involvement and engagement in Lasallian formation programs will strengthen their work as individual Brothers and continue to build on the mission of De La Salle today.
Lifetime Care
GIVE TO BROTHERS’ LIFETIME CARE
“I like the ‘What’s next?’ in life. What’s the next adventure? Then I just go into it. For example, now I think a lot about death. After all, I’m 95 years old. I think it’s going to be a great adventure. I want nothing to do with fear.”
— Brother Dominic Ruegg, FSC
LCBF helps to preserve care for the retirement and well-being of the increasing number of senior Brothers who no longer work in schools, yet have a great wealth of knowledge and spiritual insight to give.
Christian Brothers Charitable Trust Board of Directors
Chair, Christian Brothers Charitable Trust Brother Stanislaus is the Brother Director (religious superior) of the Provincialate Community of the Brothers, Mont La Salle, Napa. His previous service includes teacher, Director of Novices and Young Brothers, and lecturer at Saint Mary’s College, as well as two terms each as Auxiliary Visitor and Visitor (total: 16 years). He has served on several Boards associated with the North American Region of the Brothers and has participated in international meetings in Rome. Brother Stanislaus joined the Brothers in 1953 and earned a B.A. degree from Saint Mary’s College in 1958, a master’s from Saint Mary’s College in 1965 and from University of Notre Dame in 1974 and a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in 1987
Vice Chair of Operations, Lasallian Education Fund COO, Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation Brother Mark served as Brother Visitor for the District of San Francisco from 1987 to 1995, following teaching and administrative positions in the District’s high schools. He also served 17 years in Southeast Asia, living with and working as Advisor to the Brothers in India and Myanmar, with secondary responsibilities in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand and Singapore. Currently, he is a director of the De La Salle Institute and the District Council of the Brothers. Brother Mark earned a BA from St. Mary’s College, Moraga, in 1965 and an MA from University of Detroit in 1971.[/toggle] [toggle title=”Brother Arnold Stewart, FSC”] Retired, part-time assistant at De La Salle Institute, Mont La Salle; served as a teacher and all the roles associated with administration, including principal, for the District secondary schools; Director (religious superior) of the St. Mary’s College community and served as Vice President of Student Affairs, included living in the student dorms as residence counselor and acting as an Admissions officer; served as Vice President of Mont La Salle Vineyards; experienced to represent the needs of the senior Brothers. He joined the Brothers in 1948 and earned a BA from St. Mary’s College, 1953; graduate studies included work at the University of San Francisco, Cal State Sacramento, and Heald College.