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OUR PASSION There are living examples of this history that we would like to highlight in this reflection that illuminate the divine process of human transformation.3 The following educational works show the same movement of God’s presence and power that touched people on that warm Galilean evening.
“His heart went out to them” Centre lasallien Saint-Michel in Montréal (Canada)4 originated in a desire of the District of Francophone Canada to establish a community of associates, Brothers, and laity in service to the poor. The District’s heart went out to young people living in an immigrant community struggling with the forces of socio-economic difficulties and cultural isolation. This educational community, born in a church basement and as a heart-felt response to the poor, now enjoys the space of a new building dedicated to pastoral, cultural, and joyful activities in an environment of faith, fraternity, and service. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila (Philippines)5 began as a night college for working students and those seeking second chances. Over time it became apparent how many students were excluded from tertiary education: those with disabilities, such as deafness or blindness, those with mental health issues, those living without familial support. The heart of the educational community was moved with compassion, and the college doors opened wider to those beyond the doors and to their gifts and interests as well. The Utopía Project of La Salle University of Bogotá (Yopal, Colombia)6 was born in a time when there was only talk of war and military solutions to a decades-long conflict. The first recruits to the violence were often the vulnerable young peasants in the Colombian countryside. Yet, there were hearts convinced that hope should drive history rather than political immediacy. From humble beginnings as a PowerPoint presentation, an agricultural school was brought
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Of course, we could echo John the Evangelist in saying that if every example were written down we suppose that the world itself could not contain the Lasallian Reflections that would be written! 4 https://www.centrelasallien.org/ 5 http://www.benilde.edu.ph/ 6 http://www.utopia.edu.co/Inicio-Utopia 9
