The Impact of Lasallian Education

Br. Laurence Konersmann, FSC:
Grateful for the Call

A Life Anchored in One Mission

For nearly six decades, Brother Laurence Konersmann, FSC, lived his vocation with steady devotion at one school: Christian Brothers School in New Orleans. Born in Denver in 1944, he entered the novitiate in Lafayette in 1962 and began teaching at CBS in 1967 after earning his B.A. from the College of Santa Fe, a Christian Brothers college that has since closed. He remained at CBS until coming to the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle in 2025.

Looking back, he speaks not of accomplishments, but of gratitude.

“I am thankful to God for calling me to be a Brother and to serve those kids over the years. If I had to go back to that retreat house, I’d do the same thing all over again.”

A Lasallian Beginning

Br. Laurence’s story began at Mullen High School in Denver, a Lasallian school that is part of the District of San Francisco New Orleans. As a freshman, he knew little about the Christian Brothers. When a vocation director distributed a card asking if students were interested in becoming a Brother, he checked “Maybe.”

Each year, he was called in and asked again. He never said no.

As a senior, during a retreat connected to his high school experience at Mullen, his homeroom teacher, Br. Barnaby Solomon, pressed him gently to decide.

“Well, now you have to make up your mind. What do you want to do?”

Still unsure, he chose trust over certainty.

“Oh, I’ll go ahead and give it a try.”

He entered the novitiate in Lafayette and later continued his formation at the College of Santa Fe. Summers were devoted to strengthening his teaching. He pursued additional coursework and later earned his M.A. in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame in 1974.

He also spent seven summers at Camp La Salle in Pecos, New Mexico, a Brothers ministry serving young people through summer camp experiences. Much of his time there was spent in the ceramics room, which he remembers fondly.

“I really enjoyed that.”

Where He Was Meant to Be

During student teaching at St. Michael’s in Santa Fe, Br. Laurence worked with high school juniors and quickly realized how challenging it could be to teach students only a few years younger than himself.

When he was assigned to Christian Brothers School to teach seventh and eighth grade, it felt right.

“That sounds like a great idea.” It became a lifetime.

“That worked out well for me. That’s where I was meant to be.”

For 58 years, he taught mathematics and science at CBS. His science curriculum included astronomy, meteorology, and biology. He purchased a telescope and sometimes brought students back to campus on Friday nights to observe the stars and planets together.

But one of his most enduring roles was teaching seventh grade Religion. With the exception of one year more than three decades ago, he taught Religion throughout his time at CBS. In his final seven years, he taught all seventh graders, four classes a day.

Over time, he realized those classes shaped him as much as they shaped his students.

“I know those classes played a big part in my relationship with God.”

Beyond the classroom, he directed Academic Games for more than 40 years. He led students to national tournaments across the country, building both skill and confidence. When tournaments were held in places where Mass was not available on Sunday, he gathered students and families and led a service based on the Sunday readings for those who wished to attend.

Faith was not confined to a classroom period. It traveled with them.

When he left CBS, several faculty members were graduates of the school themselves.

“That says a lot for the school.”

Faith That Became Personal

Br. Laurence describes his early prayer life as faithful but routine. Over time, the rhythm of daily Mass and community prayer became deeply personal. When visiting home, he chose to attend daily Mass because he missed it when it was absent.

“It became a choice for me.”

Even while traveling, including a Jubilee trip that covered 9,000 miles and 38 national parks, he and his fellow Brothers made sure to find a local parish for Sunday Mass.

Today, his prayer is marked by gratitude.

“At Mass I am extremely grateful for all the graces and things that God has given me over the years.”

Community and Continuity

After nearly six decades in New Orleans, Br. Laurence transitioned to Mont La Salle and the Holy Family Community. The change has brought new blessings, including life in a larger community of Brothers.

“For the last five years at CBS there were only three of us. Now there are 18 Brothers in community. It’s nice to have more Brothers to pray with and talk with.”

Still, he misses the people.

“The teachers, the kids, the parents I’ve grown friends with over the years.”

And yet his sense of vocation remains unwavering.

“I am thankful to God for calling me to be a Brother and to be of service to those kids over the years. Just grateful for all the wonderful experiences.”

If given the chance to choose again, his answer is immediate.

“I wouldn’t choose anything different.”

Through your generosity, LCBF ensures that Brothers like Laurence live their later years in dignity, peace, and community. Your support honors a lifetime of faithful service across one district shaped by two legacies and sustains the Lasallian mission for generations to come.

Zeus Hernandez

Zeus’s long-term vision is to build a global real estate firm creating transformative, community-centered developments across sectors.

For Zeus Hernandez, education was always at the heart of his family’s values. The son of Mexican immigrants, Zeus attended Catholic elementary school before setting his sights on Justin-Siena High School. Drawn to its strong academics, leadership and faith development opportunities, he saw it as the best school in town—one that would prepare him for a better future. He took full advantage of his time at Justin-Siena, excelling as captain of the basketball and track teams and immersing himself in extracurricular activities that would shape his leadership skills and values system. Now a student at UCLA studying International Development Studies, Zeus has big aspirations.

To prepare for the goal of building a global real estate firm, he is expanding his knowledge in urban planning, entrepreneurship, and public policy—disciplines that complement his finance background. His early projects will focus on improving affordability and access in underserved communities, but his broader mission is to reshape the real estate development landscape by building a values-driven enterprise with international reach. Zeus aims to blend innovation, culture, and investment into every project—seeing real estate not just as land and buildings, but as a vehicle for empowerment, stability, and generational legacy.

Zeus credits his Lasallian education and the LEAP program with giving him the resources and inspiration to dream big. Coming from a Spanish-speaking household, navigating the college process was daunting for his family, but LEAP provided the guidance and support he needed—from college applications to financial aid. “Seeing other students with similar backgrounds to mine succeed encouraged me,” he reflects. “LEAP showed me that I could do it too.”

“Your investment isn’t just financial—it’s a human return. You’re helping students like me access opportunities, build stability, and inspire others to do the same.”

More than just academics, Zeus has carried Lasallian values with him into everything he does. Faith in the Presence of God has guided him throughout his journey, while the commitment to Concern for the Poor has shaped his desire to create lasting change in his community. He has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Steadfast LA, experiences that reinforced his belief in giving back. “Everything I do is for my community,” he says.

For Zeus, Lasallian Legacy means using education to make an impact on the world—to leave something greater behind. Though he now navigates the fast-paced world of Los Angeles, business, and networking, Zeus always finds himself returning to the foundation of his Lasallian education. “When times get tough, it grounds me. It reminds me of where I came from and keeps everything in perspective.”

As Zeus continues his journey, his story stands as an example of faith, leadership, and giving back—a true testament to the power of a Lasallian education and the lasting impact of LCBF’s support.

Br. John O’Neill, FSC

Br. John O’Neill, FSC, who turns 97 on March 19, received his habit in 1946 after joining the novitiate at Mont La Salle.

His vocation took him across the world as a teacher and administrator at schools in California and as a professor in the Philippines, Bethlehem, and Kenya, as well as at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. For the past two decades, he has been residing at Mont La Salle, continuing to inspire the community with his reflections on prayer and mission.

During his teaching years, prayer was a natural and integral part of Br. John’s daily routine as a Christian Brother. In the Philippines, a student ringing a bell signaled a pause for prayer every hour, creating moments of calm and focus in even the busiest classrooms. Beyond these shared practices, Br. John made prayer a personal ritual, reciting the Teacher’s Prayer during his walks to class — whether strolling through the serene campus of Saint Mary’s College, crossing the historic Manger Square in Bethlehem, or traversing the open fields of Nairobi.

In retirement, prayer has taken on a quieter, more reflective role.

At Mont La Salle’s Holy Family Community, the chapel provides a serene space where, at any point in the day, Brothers might be found praying, meditating, or simply contemplating in the stillness.

Br. John’s journey reminds us of the enduring power of the Lasallian mission — a mission rooted in faith, service, and the formation of individuals who carry its values into the world. Just as prayer has been a constant in Br. John’s life, the work of the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation ensures that this mission remains a constant for generations to come.

Through scholarships for low-income students and care for senior Brothers, LCBF upholds the legacy of love in action that Br. John has so beautifully exemplified.

Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson graduated from De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon and Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California. After college graduation, Luke went on to receive a Masters in Public Health at La Salle University in Philadelphia and a Masters in Public Administration at California State University, East Bay. He is currently Regional Director of Operations at Wellpath, a healthcare provider for vulnerable patients in challenging clinical environments. He shared the following reflection as he thought about his educational experiences and opportunities, and the life he has lived so far.

“If it wasn’t for De La Salle North Catholic…I do not know where I would be right now. I have twins. I have a beautiful wife. I have a job that I love because of the Brothers and the schools. I provide healthcare services to vulnerable people in the prison system. I make sure people have resources. That is what I learned: Enter to learn. Leave to serve. Brother Dominic [Berardelli, FSC] became my godfather. When I was struggling, he held my hand and told me he had me. I named my first child after him. Lasallian education is the best education you can receive across the board. I am just one of many stories you will hear about former students. It is amazing how your donations can make a difference. Whether it is for the students or the senior Brothers, the money goes a long way.”

This inspiring video features Br. Nick Gonzalez, FSC (Visitor of the District of SFNO and Chairman of the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation) sharing his personal journey as a scholarship recipient and how it shaped his life while highlighting the story of Luke Johnson, a beneficiary of LCBF who has built a meaningful career serving vulnerable populations while providing for his own family thanks to the support of donors who helped him earn a Lasallian education.