| La Salle Day Thanksgiving Mass - May 17, 2009 (Sunday) at St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church in Los Angeles |
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[photos]
[program]
[slide show]
[The Making of the Slide Show]
The ChurchIn 1939, Father John Cowig, a Columban priest forced to leave China, was directed to pioneer a mission for the growing number of Chinese in Los Angeles. St. Bridget Catholic Chinese Center was built in the following year at the north end of Chinatown. Its missionary work began with a Chinese language school, church services and recreational activities. Soon the Immaculate Heart Sisters and volunteer teachers gathered local children for weekend, summer, and even primary school programs.In four decades, the Center grew steadily under the leadership of Father Anthony O'Doherty and Father Matthew Quinn. In 1980, Father Peter Tsang emigrated from Hong Kong and was the first bilingual pastor. In the 1990's, the Salesian Fathers from Hong Kong took over the Center. Father Francisco Lau and Brother Paul Li led to renovate the Center with generous financial support from the Salesian organization and the parishioners. What you find today in this house of worship is the result of that Herculean effort. Father Joseph Cheng led the Center from 1993 to 2007. Father John Lam, the current pastor, continued Father Cheng's ambition. As the number of parishioners grew along with the important pastoral work of the Center, the Los Angeles archdiocese recently promoted the Center to St. Bridget Chinese Catholic Church (SBCCC). Adjacent to SBCCC is Cathedral High School founded by the Christian Brothers (or BCS) in 1925. It was recently renovated with modernized instructional classrooms for its 600 students. An Olympic standard track-and-field facility surrounds a soccer pitch of synthetic turf, the length of which extends along one side of SBCCC. When Ronnie Cheng (Class '92) inquired the possibility to hold our LSDTM at St. Bridget, Father Lam approved without further questions. Earnest work began.
The CelebrantIn late March, Father Lam regrettably informed us that he would be away to attend a conference in San Jose and would not be able to celebrate the Mass for us on May 17. Since the following weekend would coincide with the Memorial Day holiday and we preferred the date of our Mass to be close to May 15, the actual La Salle Feast Day, we inquired again and were allowed to search for a priest to conduct our LSDTM.Several years ago, Father Freddie Chua was the associate pastor at St. John Fisher Church at Rancho Palos Verdes. I remember that he graduated from De La Salle University at Manila, Philippines. I searched the Internet and from a short article found out that Father Chua had become the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes at Tujunga in the San Fernando Valley. I called and left a voice mail. Lo and behold, Father Chua returned the call and within ten minutes, he agreed to be the celebrant of our LSDTM with a minuscule change of the starting time of the Mass to be at 3:00 p.m. Excitement ensued.
The ArrivalThe organizing committee members, Louise Cheng (our choir director and sister of Ronnie), the altar servers (Joseph Cheng, Class '72 and Thomas Chow; Class '89), choir members (such as Tom Lee, Class '69, Maureen Luk, Stanley Ng also our first Reader, Class '61), Eddie Shek (president of our Chapter, Class '85), Raymond Ho (vice president of our Chapter, Class '72), ushers (Henri Tran, Class '84 and Thomas Tsui, Class '95), George Hong (the Master of Ceremony, Class '67), and Danny Ho (our photographer, Class '66) were among the first to arrive at SBCCC. Each began his/her assigned duties while I went over last minute instructions. Charles Tsang (Class '83) also to be our second Reader directed car parking outside the church.Eddie brought the Chapter banner (a gift from the NY Chapter), name tags, his laptop, projector, screen, and his family, particularly his darling four year-old daughter, Jocelyn. While someone set up the banner, Raymond arranged the name tags to welcome those who had responded to the LSDTM RSVP. Eddie and others set up the slide-show equipment at an obscure corner of the church. Michael Lau, the SBCCC administrator, double-checked the sound system including the mobile mike for Father Chua. George tested at the podium. The rest of the choir members consisting of Anthony (Class '77) and Aileen Lee, Ronny Mok (Class '05), Ronnie and Jennifer Cheng, Johnny (Class '81) and Karen Tsang arrived. The choir started their warm up adjacent to the altar. Gradually the Mass attendee flowed in and the ushers guided them to their seats. When Michael placed the Eucharist and Wine on a table near the entrance of the church, I displayed a number of Offertory gifts next to them. Caesar Mak (Class '79) came at the right moment with the 80 colored copies of our LSDTM liturgy when Brother James Meegan and Brother La Salle Bossong, our honored guests from Cathedral High, stepped in. They dressed in their winter attire of full-length black gown and distinguished themselves with the BCS collar. They immediately reminded me of Brother Felix. Eddie received the Brothers and seated them at the front pew. As more people arrived, we got busier, and my heart pumped faster as I was waiting for the most important person - our celebrant. Although SBCCC is a stone's throw from Dodger Stadium, drivers can easily miss an exit turn on Hill Street and are forced to continue northward on Pasadena Freeway. Even a GPS is too slow to react at a moderate driving speed. As long as my cell phone did not ring, I knew Father Chua was on his way. George took advantage of the extra minutes to introduce SBCCC and the Brothers to the audience. Father Chua and I met at the pavement of SBCCC. Since April, we talked two times on the phone and mostly exchanged emails to coordinate the Mass activities. He might recognize my voice. We shook hands and as a relief, hugged but immediately attended to the task at hand.
The ProcessionalGeorge gave the nod for the choir to start the traditional entrance hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy. Charles led the procession with the cross, Eddie and Raymond followed with the pair of lighted candles, Thomas the Bible, and Joseph the liturgy pamphlet. Father Chua in his beautiful priestly garment stepped assuredly into the center aisle.With a warm greeting and opening prayer, Fr. Chua introduced himself and talked about his lineage with the La Salle institution. He immediately connected with the LSDTM attendees.
The Readings and the GospelStanley read the First Reading from Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 and the choir joined in the Responsorial Psalm. Charles followed with the Second Reading from 1 John 4:7-10. Our pamphlets containing the liturgy of the entire service including the prayers and hymns greatly helped people to familiarize themselves with the order of the Mass. When Father Chua read the Gospel from John 15:9-17, the audience was definitely attentive. All the holy passages relate to the theme of God's love.
The HomilyFather Chua came down from the altar and started his sermon near the front of the church. Using the name tags, he asked a handful of Old Boys what was love. He continued saying that nowadays people used the word "love" trivially. You would often hear people say "I love my cell phone or my ipod." He talked about the movie "Life is Beautiful" in which the father used all kinds to tricks or humor to protect his son from the horror of holocaust.Father Chua said, "Love is more about caring, protecting and not simply sentiments." This is the kind of love that our Heavenly Father had shown in sending His only Son for our redemption. Father Chua recited St. Paul's Corinthians 13: "Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Father Chua said that the Christian Brothers gave us an education so that we had a leg up to advance in society. He told us not to hold back and not to limit but expand our ways of giving back for the benefits that we had received. His message rings true in this trying time of our economy.
Prayer of the FaithfulGeorge put the right emphasis and paced the Mass with his instructions. He enhanced the clarity of the Mass for those who might have attended a Catholic Mass for the first time. From the pamphlet, we read together the Nicene Creed and George began to read the Prayer of the Faithful as follows:Lord, we thank you for St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of Christian Schools. May you continue to guide this institution and her loyal staff for the education of hundreds of thousands of young students across the globe. Lord, we humbly ask you to bless our beloved alma mater, La Salle College and La Salle Primary School in Hong Kong. Help them grow to meet their many challenges for continual success in academics and moral teachings. Lord, we pray that you show your grace to the community of La Salle Old Boys Associations in different parts of the world. Open the hearts of our teachers, schoolmates, friends and relatives to follow your teachings and to love one another. Lord, we pray for the youths in our families. Grant them intelligence. Guide those who are graduating from high schools and universities. Direct them to be sincere citizens and to joyful career paths. Lord, we seek your help to those who are sick. Grant them smooth recoveries and strength. Brighten their journeys on earth. Lord, we pray for those who have gone before us especially Rev. Brothers, teachers, parents and schoolmates who accomplished so much for our schools. Look favorably upon their souls and grant them eternal peace. Lord, we now pray in silence for our own intentions. Listen to the petitions of your children. Daily grant us: faith, hope and charity.
The OffertoryThe choir sang The Summons, an ethereal song with touching lyrics that we chose for the Offertory. (This is the URL to John Bell's song: http://www.spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/30338). Four Offertory gifts were brought up to the altar and presented to Father Chua and the altar server placed them under the altar.Thomas Tsui (Class '95) presented the Gift of Knowledge consisting of three text books we used in Form 6. Reynold Cheong-leen (Class '40) presented the Gift of Memories consisting of the LSC 75th Anniversary Publication (Sons of La Salle Everyone) and La Salle Primary School 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication (The Golden Years). Stanley Wong (Class '68) presented the Gift of Reunion consisting of three different LSCOBA ties and badge on a tray. Jocelyn accompanied by Eddie Shek (Class '85) presented the Gift of La Salle Brothers Christian Schools Unity consisting of an elegant globe. Sampson Chan (Class '75) and Joanne, his wife, brought the Eucharistic Bread and Wine, the supreme offering that holds the Catholic faith.
Holy CommunionThe most important part of the Mass is the chance to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. This explains why we perform the Penitential Rite in the beginning of the Mass to reconcile with God our shortcomings so that we are worthy of the blessed Eucharist. Nevertheless, George welcomed people who were not ready to receive Holy Communion to go forward with their arms placed across their chest so that Father Chua would bless them individually. To me, the highlight of our LSDTM was when a majority of the attendees participated in either receiving the Eucharist or the blessing from Father Chua.The choir was the first group to receive the Eucharistic ritual and then they led to sing the Communion song of On Eagle's Wings.
The Concluding RiteFather said the prayer after Communion and instructed us to bow our heads to receive his blessings. Like the previous songs, the audience joined the choir and gave a heartfelt rendition of Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.After the recessional, Eddie gave a speech thanking Father Chua, the Brothers, the choir director, the tremendous assistance we got from SBCCC, the people who helped in the Mass and especially those who made an extra effort and joined us in our LSDTM. He also mentioned the recent blood drive to help one of our own. The response is great as within two weeks, more than 30 friends have either given blood or platelets, or are waiting for their turn to make their precious donation - a gift of life. Eddie projected a ten-minute slide show. It showed pictures of the Brothers who served La Salle College, Hong Kong in a chronological order of their arrival to the LSC campus. Both the pictures of the erstwhile majestic-dome compound and the present-day Quad structure were included. A handsome collection of pictures of the history of La Salle Primary School was shown. The slide show ended with pictures of our well-respected teachers. Cheerful remarks were audible among the audience and you would definitely know who left the most impression on their students. The choir again led to sing our School song. A round of applause erupted inside SBCCC. You could feel the sense of pride and jubilation. Indeed, everyone who attended our first LSDTM will long seal that moment of pure satisfaction because each had contributed to its success. People were so joyful that they seemed to want to stay inside the church and to share their boyhood stories at LSC. I took the ushers and organizers minutes to get everybody assembled for a group picture on the steps of SBCCC. Refreshment was served but not before Brother James and Brother La Salle cut the cake. Father Chua stayed behind and conversed with some Old Boys. The friendship grows stronger. Schoolmates were already looking forward to next year's LSDTM.
PostscriptI thoroughly enjoyed the experience in organizing our LSDTM. No matter whether you were among the early planners or joined forces in the later stages, or whether you are my senior schoolmates or of the younger generations, each of you left on me an indelible impression of the La Salle Spirit. Decades passed since my Scouting days with the Seventeeners; you have rekindled in me our unique La Salle heritage of service and participation.Eddie told me that 80 people attended our LSDTM, and half of them were Old Boys. SBCCC is a humble church. Its size not only brings the parishioners closer together but also provides the right ambiance for newcomers to concentrate on the liturgy. It has sustained and grown through the years and continued fervently its original mission to serve the Chinese community. SBCCC will celebrate its 70th Anniversary in December. With the neighboring Cathedral High which was founded seven years before our beloved La Salle College, and with the hospitality of Father Lam and his capable staff, shall we say that we have found a home for our LSDTM? St. John Baptist de La Salle - pray for us.
Submitted by Anthony Luk (Class '66)
The Making of the La Salle Day Thanksgiving Mass (LSDTM) Slide ShowThe idea of a slide show to pay tribute to our Brothers and teachers at the LSDTM came early to my mind. Unless I could find the pictures to prepare the presentation, I did not announce this commitment. However, the more I thought of the endeavor, the harder I looked for the material.
The Basic SetConstantine Au (Class '87) joined our Class '66 tour from Los Angeles to Grand Canyon in the summer of 2005. Our friendship started there. He sent everyone on the bus Our Brothers, the publication of La Salle Old Boys Association Hong Kong, as a token of thanks for a very memorable trip (that included watching both the serene sunset and the brilliant sunrise at the southern rim of Grand Canyon). Our Brothers contained pictures and stories for the majority of the seventy Brothers who had served our alma mater, La Salle College (LSC) Hong Kong.I emailed Constantine and asked if he had digital copies of those pictures. He replied that Andrew Wong (Class '89) had used them in a slide show for a LSCOBA Christmas function. The basic set of 57 pictures arrived within days. I was elated.
How about the Lay TeachersAmong our classmates, Thomas Yip is the go-to guy for historic pictures and anecdotes of LSC. He generously sent me a CD containing his collections, which include pictures of the '60s headline news in Hong Kong.I searched the Internet and found some more pictures of the majestic-dome campus. But I did not have any good pictures of the current Quad structure. Kan Kwok Ming, my classmate residing in Hong Kong, loves photography and produces professional shots. He kindly accepted my request and made a special trip to La Salle Road and took outside shots of the current LSC and La Salle Primary (LSP) buildings. I still lacked pictures of our lay teachers. Denise, wife of Gerald Lee (my classmate), is a serious photographer. In all our major class reunion functions, she has taken thousands of megabytes of digital pictures. I asked her if she could send me pictures of our former teachers. She did promptly and went the extra mile in asking Andrew Mok, one of her Class '65 connections to substantiate her supplies. Subsequently, Kowk Jing Lau (Class '65) emailed me the pictures of the teachers whom I had asked for. The gems are safely stored on my disk.
Icing on the CakeIn late March before I exchanged emails with Kan Kwok Ming, I emailed Mr. Pau Shiu Hung (Class '61), my former Scoutmaster. Mrs. Elizabeth Pau, his wife, recently retired after serving LSP for forty years and for the last eight years, she was the Principal of LSP. In my email, I asked for any recent pictures of LSP. I did not receive any replies (as noted below, Pau Sir had been traveling in Australia).I was in Hong Kong for the Easter weekend. After breakfast with Thomas Yip and Kan Kwok Ming at the International BP (Scouts) Hotel, I was ready to return to my room. A voice shouted "Anthony" as I was about to step inside the elevator. I turned and to my great and pleasant surprise, it was Pau Sir walking towards me. We hugged and chatted in the lobby. Pau Sir had just returned from a trip to Australia. I explained why I needed the LSP pictures. Pau Sir said my timing was right as LSP just published The Golden Years, La Salle Primary School 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication. On Easter Sunday, I was at Pau's residence and he gave me two copies of The Golden Years. Within minutes, I jotted down a list of pictures that I can use for our LSDTM slide show. Pau Sir indicated that a LSP teacher is a guru in Internet and he could help get me the pictures. To make the story short, days after I returned to Los Angeles on Easter Monday, Pau Sir connected me with Mr. Tang Man Hon, Patrick, the LSP teacher. He must be the database manager and/or the Internet master. Mr. Tang was extremely helpful in sending me the specific requests that I made on successive but rapid email exchanges. You will see that the LSP pictures are icing on the cake for our LSDTM slide show.
The PresentationHow I should prepare the slide presentation without narrations to connect with generations of La Salle alumni is a huge challenge. It became a formidable task that I did not anticipate, although I was overjoyed with the digital pictures thus far compiled. As students under the roof of the majestic-dome campus, we were blessed with the best crop of Brothers. Understandably we shared immense sentiment and attachment to the erstwhile campus. But the Quad buildings have been the current LSC for thirty years. How would I first bridge the gap?I had three informative pieces of research material. They are: (1) Our Brothers, publication of La Salle Old Boys Association Hong Kong. Editors: Constantine Au, Michael Lee, Wesley Wong and Andrew Wong; (2) Sons of La Salle Everyone, A History of La Salle College and Primary School 1932 - 2007, Mark Huang, and (3) The Golden Years, La Salle Primary School 50th Anniversary Commemorative Publication. I started to read these three publications. As I began to arrange the slides in order, I added bullets adjacent to the pictures or subtitles to the slides. They are aimed to highlight the contributions of our Brothers or the events. I must have played with the order of the slide presentation in a half dozen ways. Gradually, I realized that many Brothers started out in St. Joseph's College. Only a few arrived in Hong Kong and were immediately assigned to La Salle College. Moreover, with the reduction in the number of Brothers remain in Hong Kong, Brothers who had taught us moved to administrative positions in other offspring of Brothers Christians Schools. Indeed, it is the institution of Brothers of Christian Schools that counts. It is our Brothers and our lay teachers as educators and counselors who devote their life to give us the instructions and tutelage as laid down by St. John Baptist de La Salle that count ultimately. I hope you like the arrangement especially the transitions between the parts. I chose the hymn Sancta Maria from the CD of Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias to be played along with the slide show. When you watch the slides either individually or with a group of Old Boys, you will reflect differently to the stories of our Brothers.
Unfinished WorkThe slide show is far from complete. The slides are largely the history of the first forty-five years of LSC. You may justifiably say that they show mainly the LSC staff of the '60s. Hence, I urge every LSCOBA Chapter to start a collection effort of LSC pictures relating to her many student activities, achievements and major events. The current students, too, should form a closer relationship with their teachers. Take pictures and write down your stories. In this Internet age, share your experiences on the School's website. We, Old Boys, love to be in touch with our alma mater.
PostscriptThe LSDTM slide show was first presented after the LSDTM on May 17, 2009 in Los Angeles. We are grateful that Old Boys from every decade since 1940 attended the inaugural function. Now, we can earnestly begin a homecoming roundtable to share stories starting from Brother Cassian, the second Principal of La Salle College and all the way down to recent years when the torch was passed to lay persons as Principals.Finally, there are two color slides at the beginning and the end of the LSDTM slide show. Denise took the two pictures at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. The first one is "Tapestry of Love and Devotion." The actual tapestry is hung on the left side and near the front of the Cathedral when you face the altar. The second picture is the sculpture by Robert Graham of our Blessed Mother when you are about to enter the Cathedral. When you visit Los Angeles, drop by the Cathedral and pay your homage. May God bless and keep our Brothers, teachers and everyone of our Lasallian family.
Submitted by Anthony Luk (Class '66) |
