Falcon Family News May '14

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Christian Brothers High School • Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve

Falcon Family News

Los Angeles, CA: Our students stayed at Mission Dolores and worked with the children at the school. They got up at 5:00 a.m. and served breakfast to the homeless. They also met Father Greg Boyle who wrote the bestseller Tattoos on the Heart. They toured Homeboy/Homegirl Industries and heard the personal stories of former gang members who had a conversion of the heart and turned toward a better life with the help of Father Greg. The immersion ended with a trip to the Museum of Tolerance. “It was the experience of a lifetime and has truly been life changing for me as many of my thoughts and perspectives have been expanded or changed; also this trip has been all I have thought about since we got back.” Madison Winn, participant “Since the trip, our group meets each Friday for lunch. We don’t want to forget our incredible time there.” Natalie Maas, participant Browning, Montana: Twelve students traveled to our de Lasalle Blackfeet (DLSB) school in Browning. Each morning we drove 15 miles to the school and helped the Lasallian volunteer teachers in their classrooms. DLSB has only 80 students, many of whom are dealing with chronic poverty. Our students also had the opportunity to listen to tribal elders tell their stories of growing up on the reservation. They also hiked an area in Glacier National Park in 10 degree snowy and icy weather. “I didn’t want to leave. They are going through a lot. I want to return again. It was an amazing time and I appreciated being a part of it.” Nia Hagalis, participant

MAY 2014 Christian Brothers High School Monthly Newsletter

www.cbhs-sacramento.org

Tucson, Arizona/Nogales, Mexico: The immersion is also called Otro Lado: ‘The Other Side’. Students traveled to Arizona and Mexico to gain a better understanding of immigration issues. Moderators Ms. Anna Fernandez, Spanish Teacher and Religious Studies Teacher Mr. Thomas Guro accompanied the students. “Ven-a-ver Otro Lado was a unique and amazing experience that I am glad CB has to offer to the students. Learning from textbooks about the immigration issues from a historical, legal and moral perspective is one thing. However, actually being able to experience it first hand with all the senses, being able to meet people involved with the issue on all sides, and being able to align it with a Lasallian influence is priceless. Knowing the issue from experiencing it first hand and living it is more impactful than knowing it as book smarts from reading. I know CB students found a sense of community throughout the week with one another, as well as with the students from San Miguel High School who joined us. It was a way of living in community and being able to live and learn about the issue in the safest way possible.” Thomas Guro, moderator “This year I had the privilege to also take two ISP students on this immersion. Not only did they learn about a topic that they were not aware or familiar with, but we also got to learn about their country in relation to this topic. They were able to teach us the similarities and differences on immigration in China versus the United States. It was impactful to see how much they had learned and grown within a week.” Ms. Anna Fernandez, moderator The Ven-a-Ver experience teaches our students to live out the gospels of social justice and to realize they truly can be the change they want to see in the world.

Jennifer Lystrup Director of Christian Service

INSIDE

“In 2012, 40% of the children were born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, up from 20% from 2000. The town is in despair. Most people, especially kids, spend every day thinking only

about survival — nothing is more pressing. Their mortality is omnipresent.” Nick Garcia, participant

Counseling and Guidance Lasallian Student Life - Campus Ministry - Christian Service - Student Activities 2014-2015 School Calendar

Re-Enrollment 2014-2015 Campus Life Athletics Media Visual and Performing Arts Vocations Falcon Family Faces

MAY ‘14

Ven-a-Ver is a social justice immersion that means “Come and See”. Three immersions were offered during the 2013-2014 school year. For one week participating juniors live simply in community and work full days of service. This last school year Ven-a-Ver participants traveled to Los Angeles, CA, Browning, Montana, Tucson, AZ and Nogales, Mexico. Ven-aVer is powerful and transformative. Here are some of the students’ comments about their experiences.

SPRING SEMESTER

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Ven-a-ver….Come and See


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Falcon Family News May '14 by Christian Brothers High School - Issuu