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July 2012

Malaysian Sector Newsletter,

edited by Br Vincent Corkery, La Salle Centre Ipoh, St Michael’s Institution, 30000 Ipoh, Malaysia

Photos: courtesy of Brother Matthew Bay

_______________________________________________________________________________

First

Chapter

of the

Lasallian

East Asia

District held in Penang

27-31 March

2012.

Group work: [from left] Brothers Denis, Jose

Del Coss, Anthony Rogers, Tom Lavin,

Br. Anselm Ling John, & Ray Suplido

Contact: Br Vincent Corkery

Email: vinco1128@gmail.com

NEW VISITOR FOR AUSTRALIA

Br Mark McKeon has been appointed by Br

Superior Alvaro as Visitor of the District of

Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua

New Guinea, for a four years' term effective

1 January, 2013

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New Dawn for Malaysia

Br Edmundo Ferandez, Vtr [rt] & [lt]

Brs Harry Reynolds, Vincent, Ignaci &

Br Tom Laavin

Twenty years have come and

gone with no new Brothers for our Sector, and now we seem to be embracing a

new dawn. Br. Ignaci Heri [Indonesia] and Br. Vincent Tang [Malaysia], have

completed their novitiate at Lipa in the Philippines. They pronounced First Vows

at St. Xavier's Institution in Penang 26 May 2012 on the eve of the Pentecost. The

school chapel came fully alive for the occasion with several Brothers and family &

friends of Bros. Ignaci and Vincent many of whom flew in just for the ceremony.

Br. Thomas Lavin and Br. Harry Reynolds stood as sponsors for Brs. Ignaci and

Vincent respectively. Retired Archbishop Anthony Soter Fernandez, long- time

friend of the Brothers, celebrated the Eucharist.

Both Ignaci and Vincent are still youthful in their mid-forties and will return to the

Philippines for their post novitiate programme: Ignaci to Bacolod to the University

of St La Salle, Vincent to Manila to DLSU.

Celebrations marking 160 Years of

Lasallian Presence in Asia

1852-2012 Inaugural Mass at St

Xavier’s Institution

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Br Karl Wolff writes:

Everybody enjoyed the 600 guests gala dinner. All artists were Xaverians and the

Chief Minister of Penang the honourable Mr

Lim Guan Eng attended. [He kindly fixed up our

badly damaged seawall and also told me that he

had landscaped the road divider opposite SXI to

enhance SXI (His son is in St. Xavier’s).]

A 160th anniversary is not usually celebrated but

it coincided with the 1st General chapter of

LEAD. The morning of 31 March will be

remembered for the end of the charities campaign and this time our solidarity with

the poor in the rest of the world was expressed by a donation to the bamboo school

in Thailand

The evening of the 31st

Mass of thanksgiving by Archbishop Soter in our school

chapel was followed by a tour of our exhibition area.

It can now be said that our

Xavierian / Lasallian exhibition

area extends from the school

entrance Francis Xavier lobby /

Welcome Xaverians / Br Joseph

McNally acknowledged 1957

Mural, our heritage room, our new

Lasallian / Xaverian Centre in the

Lab to Tennis area. Then upstairs

to our even recently re-arranged

chapel with restored cross, commemoration of all our deceased, traditional statues

of Mary, Joseph (with child boy

Jesus, La Salle, St. Theresa,

Patrons of SXI, St Solomon, our

first Martyr in the Catechetic

centre, a teenager spiritual

library, books from overseas, to

the memory of the late Br. Ulrick

and then we enter the new La

Salle Mall, all floors and walls

beautifully tiled from beginning

to end.

Main table: [Left]Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Br Visitor Edmundo Fernandez & Br Thomas Lavin

Br Karl takes guests on

a heritage tour

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Vincent’s 80th

Birthday:

Vincent is a long time iconic figure at SXI

where he served the Brothers for several decades.

His 80th birthday was – appropriately

– part of the 160th celebrations.

First, we come to the renovated Francis Xavier wall, dedicated in 2001 AD by

Cardinal Francis Xavier Nyguen of Saigon. In the middle of the corridor is a

complete miniature of St. Xavier – everything. The end wall the complete

Lasallian story. All this is a very, very brief description.

The new Lasallian / Xaverian Centre was set up to cater for visiting Xaverians /

Lasallians on weekends when it would not be possible to go upstairs. Much more

information about this etc. at a later date (if you are interested).

All major areas of the school have been re-named to uplift the image of the school.

King’s Garden next to the School Hall (Pinang Rajah in the middle and also known

as Jerome King Garden who made it possible to change to an English medium

school.

Then, Grand Parade Square (Band

H.Q.) Palm Court, La Sallian

Xaverian Centre, La Salle Mall,

Canteen Garden, Science Centre

Nuffrield Science garden (New).

Spider Lily path (path to Leith

Street), Leith Street Garden,

Farquher Street Garden, Farquher

St. Car Park, Love Lane Garden,

Muntri Street Car and cycle Park.

We have two symbolic Xaverian

Garden Plants : they are all over the place; the Spider Lily; typifying. Purity in

mind, body action; the Palm, the ancient Greek symbol of victory in life.

Karpal Singh, distinguished old Xaverian

& lion of Malaysian politics, has a heart to heart

with Br David Hawke

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Br Edmundo opens the 3-day Conference

Br Thomas Lavin & Isaac Stephen

of La Salle Centre IPOH

Malaysian Lasallian Educators’ Conference [MaLEC 5] The Conference is held every three

years and has established itself as a

significant event in our Lasallian

calendar.

This year it was held in Penang with

100 participants from 23 Lasallian

institutions and included key

administrators and staff. They

gathered to reflect on the future of the

Lasallian Education mission in Malaysia. Brother Ambrose Loke chaired the

organizing team, as he has done for the four previous conferences. Sector Head Br

Anthony Rogers gave an excellent keynote address.

Rather special was the high level of commitment and

participation, and the very evident passion to promote

Lasallian education and how best this can be

achieved. A number of new Heads were present and

it was a first encounter for some with what Lasallian

education is all about. Very much appreciated each

morning were the reflection sessions with Br

Egbertus, in terms of both content and relevance.

Malaysian Lasallian Educators’ Conference

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Sector Council visits Sabah, .

Nabawan: where the Brothers

provide hostel and training for

children from the very remote

interior. Br Ambrose flashes his

winning smile.

Datuk Br Charles O’Leary appears to be in

prime form, still an active Lasallian influence on

the flow of events in Kota Kinabalu.

St Anthony’s Telok Intan – ALUMNI Reunion

Sadly we have little contact nowadays with St

Anthony’s where so many Brothers served with

distinction. However Br Matthew Bay serves on

the Board and La Salle Centre keeps in touch

through youth programmes etc. Recently Brs

Matthew and Vincent attended the Alumni

reunion and were a little overwhelmed with the

warm welcome. Br Matthew was delighted to meet up

with members of his very first class as

a young Brother 44 years earlier.

From left: Brothers

Egbertus, Anthony

Rogers [Sector

Head],Justin Mobilik,

Charles O’Leary, John

D’Cruz, Ambrose Loke,

& Peter Ng. Missing:

Camera man Matthew

Bay

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Choir of St Anthony’s co-ed primary

school was a special

highlight of the evening Br Matthew, Finan Monteiro [former FSC]

& Br Vincent

St Francis Institution Malacca Joins in

the 160th

Celebrations

Celebrations begin with a special Mass of thanksgiving at SFI famed Chapel

In line with Franciscan tradition the grand dinner took place in SFI’s unique

quodrangle. The programme got

under way with a superb display by

the school’s wushu drummers who

were in high celebration mood.

The Brothers were the special guests

of the evening and their formal

entrance was greeted with

enthusiastic applause.

Brothers make their special entrance:

Bs Ambrose Loke, Matthew Liew,

and Dominic Chong in the lead!

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It was memorable, and harked back to the many Brothers who had served

here over the years. Br Ambrose Loke, now retired, was much in evidence,

also his companion in community Brother Michael Kum, the last Brother in

our sector still in school. Visiting Brothers were given hotel accommodation

and next day were treated to further hospitality before heading for home,

with lots of glad memories.

St George’s Institution Taiping

Line up of visiting Brothers and Old Georgians EXCO members

The Old Georgians insisted on three days of jubilation to celebrate the 150

years of the Brothers in Asia. The programme of events included banquets,

visits to morning and afternoon sessions of the secondary and a memorable

visit to the primary school.

Service of thanksgiving in the

well-maintained school chapel.

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EXCO members line up

to welcome the Brothers

St George’s in Festive mood

“A tribute to the De La Salle Brothers”.

The banner was expressive

of appreciation

for Lasallian Education

St George’s Primary children bid a

lively farewell to the departing

Brothers

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St Michael’s IPOH celebrates its first century 1912-2012 An elaborate programme has been orchestrated to last the whole year. An

exciting highlight was a combination funfair, first in 30 years, and talentine

which flooded the grounds with vast numbers, mostly past students with

their families. It was a day of much joy and gladness which brought back

the glow of other days. Much praise went to our new dynamic Lady

Principal Madam Loh Wei Seng, former Michaelian, The climax will be a

special mass and grand reunion with some 300 tables on 29 September

which will be graced by the presence of Br Visitor Edmundo Fernandez.

Feasting in the crowded food court Exploring the many stalls

From left: Harneak Singh [OMA], Michael Lee [PTA Chairman]. Madam Loh Wei Seng [SMI

Principal] and Br Vincent. Speaking is Alumni president Mr Michael Lip

The Klang Valley SMI Alumni Association played their part by distributing

financial assistance to some 100 needy students. They also presented a welcome

cheque to the newly established Wushu group. Then came the annual sports day

with the colourful march-past of the classes.

JEAN BAPTISTE, THE LOST CHRONICLES

Another centennial highlight was the annual stage production early July. The

OMA who are the special guardians of the drama tradition, requested a play based

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on St La Salle. Timothy Chee, the legendary producer of great shows at SMI,

undertook the task and got his gifted son Ian to produce the script.

The result was something of an extravaganza of song and dance and colourful

costumes reminiscent of Louis XIV and le grande siècle, in which colourful setting

the person of La Salle managed somehow to come through as a saintly and

determined pioneer of education for the poor and downtrodden for all time.

St La Salle [right] is deeply shocked

seeing reality of slum life. He decides

to go radical to redeem the poor &

marginalized.

Regional Lasallian Education Councils [RLEC]:

Penang & Perak

The Sector Council arranged for a

combined meeting in Penang for RLEC

members from Perak and Penang. Chaired

by sector Head Br Anthony Rogers there

was a review of progress. In both states

there has been a programme to relate more

closely with existing Lasallian schools and

other projects. Much has been

achieved. The main challenge

has been to establish a clear

profile for RLEC as a

coordinating body, with the

possibility for taking fresh

initiatives, especially as regards

the poor and marginalized. Br Ambrose Loke, Harneak Singh, Chan Kok Keong & Prof Francis Loh

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Br Vincent, Professor Dr Anthony Sibert &

Fintan Ooi

FEAST OF ST LA

SALLE Members of the Perak Regional

Lasallian Education Council gather

at St Michael’s with school heads to

celebrate the feast of St La Salle.

Regional Chairman Chan Kok Keong officiates at the unveiling of two special plaques in the foyer at St Michael’s:

1. A centennial tribute to St Michael’s & 2. A tribute to the Brothers for 160 years of

Lasallian education in Asia

From Brother David Liao in China

17th

June 2012

Greetings from LSSC Changjiao. Peace and Joy is within you.

Thank God, all is well here. We are very busy but happily busy. The expected increased

pressure of students seeking admission for the summer programme is being felt even now. Many

students from outstation are also seeking admission. Below is the link to the latest TV

documentary on us. If is done by the Hongkong based Phoenix TV station and was televised on

12th

and 13th

June. It is in Chinese but the pictures tell their own story. http://v.ifeng.com/news/society/201206/39305418-d2c3-4778-bd61-1e74a7297a85.shtml

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Br Matthew Bay & Old Michaelians participate in the nationwide public demonstration in

favour of clean and fair elections.

Timothy Chee & friend step out with thousands

more. His message is clear

Earth Day

sees Lasallian

Youth

Leaders in

action in

Kuala

Lumpur &

elsewhere

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Sector Council Members dialogue

with the Brothers of the North

Br Matthew Bay [left] Br

Vincent extreme right.

St Martin’s Tambunan:

Seated: Cosmas, Brs

Egbertus,

Ambrose Loke,

Matthew Bay,

teachers & pupils

Left: Brothers Anthony Rogers, Egbertus Jaikul, Ambrose Loke & Stephen Ooi.

Br Karl in emphatic mood, requesting greater circulation of community news!

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Centre for the Deaf - Bukit Nanas Under patronage of the La Salle Brothers Brothers

Br Andrew Loke relates

with the staff on one of

his routine visits

Br Matthew on a familiarization tour

Inspecting the kitchen

where many delicacies

are produced for sale.

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Brother Karl Wolff shares on his recent ordeals In early January came my first disaster – a second cataract operation for which I was

subsequently given an unsuitable antibiotic which worked in the opposite way. Br. Felix will

remember my not being able to attend the opening ceremony of our refurbished Training College

by Paragon Enterprise. I still haven’t got there. Then the disastrous events in March 2011. I had

been neglecting my “garlic pills” which resulted in a terrible cold and weakening. Then I was

called on to attend a ceremony for which a special presentation would be given me. I just

survived the ceremony, I could hardly stand up. This event was followed by my returning from

getting food in Love Lane. I was sent flying when brushed by a car. And then around the 23rd

came the “big one”. I received a phone call from Europe that my brother had died – the details

etc. I seemed to have got up in the wee hours of the morning, banged my face and body against

everything. I ended on the floor, luckily against the door. I was able to call for help, and by mere

chance Br. Peter Foo had turned up in the house. He heard me. For a few moments I was

conscious and able to tell him where my cheque book was (fortunately a cheque signed so I

could be admitted). After that I knew nothing. I did not know where I was when I woke up. The

nurses seemed strange beings. During that time a young Sarawakian nurse noticed me. She told

me afterwards that I looked like a Catholic and she, being a Catholic, came to sing hymns to my

ears. I then had the drama of lying on my back for one week getting transfusions to raise the

blood count to enable me to undergo surgery. Then I was also troubled by the demise of Br.

Michael Jacques. The latter event has had a satisfactory conclusion in recent times with the

whole graveyard spic and span and the four Brother Visitors in one row. The marble tablet over

Br. Michael Jacques read “Rev. Br. Michael, Assistant “The Man from Sarawak”, “Come enter

the kingdom prepared for you from time immemorial”.

In my seven weeks of hospitalisation I was happy to have a visit from Br. Thomas Lavin, Br.

Anthony Rogers and the Ipoh Brothers who reassured me that I was still in the Institute. But I

cannot forget the kind services of the Chairman and wife of the PTA (non-Xaverians) who

brought lunch and dinner for me everyday – really extraordinary. I had the visits of the

outstanding artist (actually now a US citizen] who undertook to see me through my heritage trail.

Very strangely I knew that I would be up against it. Yes, at every step I felt the forces of evil

working against me. When I came out of hospital I was sick, 5 times subsequently back again

and having medicines that worked against me.

I missed the official closing of the District in Singapore. Later Br. Visitor Dodo visited the

community. He was very encouraging and understanding of the circumstances and praised our

accommodation for visiting Brothers. Unfortunately I was unable due to illness to accept his

invitation to go out and have a meal. Br. Anthony, however, kindly brought in food to make the

best of the situation.

My memory fails me now slightly regarding sequence of events. However, I remember having to

attend dinners which I only attended because of the chance of fund raising. On one occasion, I

had my chance, wrote a speech, raised RM10,000 in one appeal and then left half way through.

Dinners were a source of revenue. As I had no chance of appealing to students and teachers for

funds due to the charities drive, I had recourse to the Internet and contacted old boys overseas. It

worked. Yes, I had to envision the development of the projects and at the same time raise the

money.

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A sister of mine from overseas paid me three visits while in Malaysia last November, during a

five week tour. I could only receive her lying in bed and drinking some water. But the good Lord

made up for that. She had the opportunity of being chauffeur driven from Kuala Lumpur to

Genting and offered all the luxuries available (except gambling!) She had brought me Marzipan

X’mas cake for Xmas and a German delicacy from Germany “Stolleun”.

In the New Year I was able to address both Form I and new Form VI for orientation and explain

why they were privileged to be in a Brothers’ School. Br John D’Cruz gave a Lasallian input for

teachers.

There is much more I could write. Believe it or not this is brief.

My last encounter with what I describe as evil was a first time badly explained pharmacy

medicine on hospital release. A first time!! I’m still alive!!

I do not boast. I just state facts. In my enterprise I have faced difficulty (what I see evil) at every

corner.

But I have at last the satisfaction to see St. Xavier’s Heritage project completed.

“Mysticism of Open Eyes”

The Christian experience of God has nothing to do with shutting our senses to the

external world, but rather with an awakening, an awakening from our dreams and

fantasies into the real world, created and loved by God, and yet at the same time a world

which has been perverted and disfigured by scandalously unjust distribution, in which

millions of people are starving, are confronted with deadly violence and die untimely,

brutal deaths.

One of the questions which worries me most is this: How can the message of the parable

of the good Samaritan be translated into the context of a globalised world? It is not just

“one” who falls prey to robbers, but a large percentage of the whole of humanity who

are at the mercy of bandits, of those who play the stock market, arms dealers and

profiteers.

Metz speaks of the “categorical imperative” which is inevitable for whoever resists the

temptation to immediately close his eyes again. He is quoting the Jewish philosopher

Hans Jonas: “Look and you will know.” Can we stand to look – or is what we see so

depressing, overwhelming even, that it cripples us and floods us with feelings of

helplessness?

“No-one shall see me and live.” (Ex 33:20). Setting out to seek God seriously is a

challenging and dangerous adventure. The “dark night” and the “mystical death” is not a

peculiar state of the soul, but rather means getting involved with God in the reality of

this world – a world which seems to be in loud contradiction to him. In one of her most

beautiful poems Nelly Sachs, a survivor from Auschwitz, writes:

“Only a few of the great broken-heartedhave loved so much that the granite of the

night burst open”.

Martha Zechmeister, CJ

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Malaysia Calendar of Events 2012 July 14th Klang Valley Boards Orientation – 10.00 am – 12.30 pm August 23rd Arrival of LEAD Council members in Kota Kinabalu August 24th LEAD Council Visits in Kota Kinabalu August 25th LEAD Council Meeting and Dinner with Sabah Brothers August 26th Departure of LEAD Council members and start of Canonical Visit in

Kota Kinabalu for all Sabah Brothers August 28th Arrival in Kuching, Sarawak for Canonical Visit (Afternoon) August 29th Continuation of Canonical Visit August 30th Departure of Br. Visitor Edmundo Fernandez to Hong Kong

September 1st St. Paul’s, 160th Anniversary September 8th Federation of Alumni National level Dinner, 160th Anniversary September 24th Arrival of Br. Visitor Edmundo Fernandez for Canonical Visit to

Penang September 25th St. Xavier’s Institution Speech Day September 26th Continuation of Canonical Visit September 27th Arrival of Br. Visitor Edmundo Fernandez for Canonical Visit to

Ipoh (Afternoon) September 28th Continuation of Canonical Visit

September 29th St. Michael’s, 100th Anniversary Celebrations September 30th Start of Canonical Visit of Br. Visitor Edmundo Fernandez to Klang

Valley and Melaka that begins with Dinner in Petaling Jaya. October 1st Meeting of Brothers of Klang Valley-Melaka and Malaysian Sector

Council with Bro. Visitor and reditions. October 2nd Continuation of Malaysian Sector Council Meeting with Br. Visitor

Edmundo Fernandez in Petaling Jaya October 3rd Departure of Br. Visitor Edmundo Fernandez November 15th – 18th LEAD Council Meeting in Yangoon November 19-24 National Lasallian Youth Convention

December 8th MLEC Assembly December 10th to 13th Arrival in Penang !0th December and beginning of Annual Retreat

on Interfaith Spirituality December 14th and 15th General Assembly of Brothers, Malaysia 2012 December 15th St. Xavier’s Homecoming 160th Anniversary December 16th Departure from Penang

Dear Brothers

My first attempt at an e-newsletter. Hence the short-

comings. Next issue will depend on incoming news and

photos. Suggestions and advice will be welcome. Thanks.

Vincent