Blake and Montana welcomed and introduced La Salle school to our Lasallian Youth groups’ Monday meetings. Justine from La Salle School opened with a prayer which was followed by praise and worship, led by Patrick and Miguel - one of La Salle’s LSY Committee members.
Our first activity was to play human bingo which allowed us to get to know the La Salle pupils and others from De La Salle Holy Cross College in different grades. Mrs Stonier gave a brief talk on the Pope and what he has done in the 8 years that he was Pope.
Groups were formed to play “white smoke trivia”, a true or false game, where each group had white paper representing the white smoke for true and black paper representing black smoke as false. This was a very interesting game as we learnt new facts about the Pope and the voting process. Next was a short YouTube video on what happens next? , the papal conclave (voting process), facts about the Pope and explaining what comes next and how they go about electing a new Pope. Philippe ended with a prayer and we all went outside for hot dogs and drinks, allowing us to socialise and get to know more pupils from La Salle school. Three mothers helped prepare the food and drinks and we would like to thank them for their service to LSY.
It was a very worthwhile event and we look forward to interacting more with the LSY group from La Salle College.
This was the first Lasallian Youth camp of the year 2013. The camp was at Kadesh Barnea in Hartebeespoort. We
arrived on Friday evening. The theme of the camp was Faith and it was called “Let Go, Let God”.
Our first talk was entitled “What is faith?” it was given by Father Bonga and it was a very interesting talk. A sharing was done by Mrs Stonier, it was very inspirational and moving. It was about believing without seeing. We did some praise and worship as well which was led by Patrick Boroughs and we shared our feelings with our small groups.
We woke up on Saturday morning very early; we had a very busy day ahead of us. The second talk was called “Growing in our faith” done by Harry Houseman. We had a sharing by a lady called Cindy, it was about her life and how hurt she was as a child but that she never gave up on God. We discussed in our groups ways in which we could improve our faith. The third talk was done by Moia Bareiro and it was about “The faith challenges in our lives”. We had a sharing by Dominic Valentine about his life and the challenges that he has gone through.
We were put into groups and did a team activity which included: an obstacle course, Soccer, Volleyball, Scavenger Hunt, Clay modelling and mind games. We all had lots of fun. We were able to go for confession with Fr Bonga. The leaders had one on ones with their group members on Saturday afternoon. We celebrated Mass in the evening with Fr Bonga. We did more praise and worship.
The 4th talk after dinner on “The Holy Spirit” was done by Luc De Laroche, was a very powerful talk and inspired us all. The leader prayed over the group members which was very special for everyone and emotional for 
some. During the pray overs the rest of the participants were
invited to reflect on different stations including: a self reflection on how God sees me vs how I see myself; reflection on our lives and the weekend; time to pray with Mary, Our Lady at a small altar we set up; pray the Stations of the Cross or spend quiet personal time in prayer. Many people felt the Holy Spirit entering them.
We had adoration afterwards which was a very quiet, peaceful time which allowed us to reflect on our own thoughts and challenges. The evening ended with a praise party (which everyone enjoyed) and a bonfire with marshmallows. Most wrote letters to their friends and a love letter to their
parents on Sunday morning after we celebrated Sunday Mass together. Fr Bonga really made an effort to make the Mass so relevant to us as teenagers and related it perfectly to the theme of the camp. Montana Zoghby and Blake Roberts gave the final talk – “Sharing the faith”. There was a final group sharing and then lunch was served. When we arrived back at school, our parents were waiting for us and we shared with them what had happened at the camp, had an opportunity to speak to them and share our love letter with them and Fr Bonga ended with a final blessing for all of us and a prayer for our parents.
The camp was amazing and we felt enriched in our faith and happy afterwards.
Justine Baron
All parents and teachers are invited to the annual Lasallian Youth parents’ honouring evening on Monday 15th October at 6pm in the hall”
At the end a very busy academic and sporting term, the third Lasallian Youth camp took place. Although it was only a day, at school, as opposed to a full weekend away, it was still spiritually fulfilling none the less. The day was jam packed, starting early and finishing after the Saturday 6 o’clock mass.
Mrs Stonier and the committee leaders went out of their way to make this camp special. The theme for this camp was relationships. Talks were given on the topics of the importance of families, both our own families and the Lasallian family as a whole, how to lead a life of purity and lastly Fr Bonga gave an interesting sharing on his vocation and his personal relationship with God as well as practical advice, for us young Christians, that would help strengthen our own relationships with God.
There were also many fun-filled activities that were aimed at encouraging new friendships as well as strengthening our existing ones. These included a shoe swapping ice breaker and a variety of games run by different committee members, that were completed by all the groups. After that, all participants got into pairs and had one-on-ones where personal issues, that had surfaced during the talks, were discussed and shared.
The camp was a huge success especially as it gave the Grade 10s and 11s, the future leaders of Lasallian Youth, a chance to lead and facilitate.
On Saturday 2nd June 2012, about 60 young Lasallians went to Ikholwa Children’s Home in Weltevreden Park. The aim of the camp was not only to improve the living area of those childrens’ lives, but also to grow closer to God through service.
As the girls’ home had been recently redone, it was unnecessary for us to redecorate; so we spent the day re-vamping the boys’ home. The house wasn’t big enough for all the Lasallian Youth members to help with the labour, so half spent time at the girls’ home, where all the children were and played with them. Games and activities had been organised by the LSY committee to keep the children entertained. Most of us were touched by how positive and happy the children were despite being so underprivileged and having so little. It made us appreciate the small things in life.
A lot of time and energy went into improving the boys’ home. A vegetable garden was planted, the jungle gym sanded and repainted, doors and security gates sanded and repainted, revarnishing of the shed, bookshelves installed and murials painted on the garden boundary walls.
We would like to thank everyone for their time and effort. Eight parents and 2 teachers helped out all day and this is much appreciated. Our kind work and service was gratefully received by Ikholwa Children’s Home. We hope to continue our relationship with the children at Ikholwa and visit them on a more regular basis.
On Sunday 3rd June, a few LSY members helped out at the International Food Fair held by St Charles’ Parish.
We invite and encourage more Lasallian Youth members to get involved with service and outreach projects.
Gaby Feher
Fully Reliant On God Camp. 2 to 4 March 2012
We filmed the pupils singing a song on the camp on Saturday evening. They are so excited that it’s been uploaded to you-tube.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQFDsMABCU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
A presentation on the camp can be downloaded here. (NOTE: 9 MB)
Lasallian Youth committee pilgrimage to Ngome 2012
The Lasallian Youth committee, accompanied by Ms Te Brake, Mr Raath and Mrs Werth went on their annual pilgrimage to Ngome, on the weekend of the 20th of January.
When we set off for the weekend on Thursday, we were exhausted from our already busy matric schedule. In all honesty not all of us were too excited for this weekend as we were all so tired and already had piles of work. The 7 hour bus journey although long turned out to be a great bonding experience.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday were very busy. We had various talks and sharing’s given by Ms Te Brake, Mr Raath, Mrs Werth, Michael and Gabby that made us think deeply about the various aspects of our lives and about the what being on the committee really entails as well as helping us prepare for Lasallian Youth 2012. We had group sessions when we did mostly planning to express our thoughts and ideas and show how we want to run Lasallian Youth this year as well as how we want our year to be different and unique.
Saturday was a unique and special day for us all as we visited the Ngome sight, where Mary appeared. The Shrine that was built in a place where 7 streams met. Sr. Renolda May was told to build this shrine in honour of Our Lady during one of her visions. The sight was incredible. Each one of us felt completely at peace. After visiting the site Kate lead us through the Stations of the Cross. Each committee member read a station and we were all amazed how the words that we read were totally relevant to each one of us in some or other aspect of our lives. We went back to Inkamana Abbey feeling refreshed and at ease.
Being a pilgrimage, the main focus of the weekend was to strengthen and grow our personal relationships with God. We attended 6 am mass everyday as well as evening prayers with the Monks. On Friday afternoon we were given a guided tour of the Abbey by one of the Monks. It was fascinating to us to see how humbly the Benedictine Brothers live their lives. The Brother who took us on the tour was amazing, filled with insight and knowledge and was able to answer any possible questions we had. We were shown their magnificent library and educated about the history of Inkamana Abbey.
The pilgrimage was definitely a success. We learnt so much about each other and it is safe to say that we all come home the closest of friends. We have a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a Lasallian and how lucky we are o be part of Lasallian Youth.
At the final camp for the Gr 12 2011 Lasallian Committee, a Lasallian News newspaper was produced with contributions from each pupil. (5.1 MB)
Lasallian Youth Mission camp to Khata Day Care Centre in Khatlehong
On the last weekend in May, we went on our mission camp, a weekend where we got to help fix up Khatha day care centre in Kathlehong Township. On arrival the mammoth task before us was clear, and the early morning didn’t help lighten the task. We set off at 7.30 Saturday morning, with all the things we would need, sandpaper, paint, ladders and a couple of fathers to. The people at the day-care welcomed us, and upon arrival we were briefed on the procedure we would use (groups of 2 or 3 on different tasks) although our original strategy dissolved into one involving much more chopping and changing, looking at the tasks that would need way more than 2 people.
The tasks ranged from sanding down huge walls(huuuge), painting them, painting other things in general and fixing up the bathrooms, with partitions and mirrors, since the mirrors were at the wrong height for the kids (or rather the mirror, singular) and the toilets stood exposed with hardly any privacy between the little girls and boys areas. We got started straight away, and despite having many hands, the work was most definitely not made light. Everyone got together and helped lessen what was left to do. At lunch the staff of Khata Day Care made us an extremely tasty soup that helped to strengthen the group for the rest of the day. That day we left the day care looking considerably more vibrant, with awesome new murals, brightly coloured tyres and jungle gyms among lots of other things.
We left the same time Sunday, to finish the job. After cleaning up and laying all the finishing touches we ended the work (painting till the last moment). Before we left, the ladies sang and danced for us (which the less shy among us joined in on). We left with our goodbyes completely tired and ready to sleep.
The weekend was filled with Hard work, but the funny photos, the messes, the chatting over painting a wall, the laughing and the getting to know people better and most importantly being excited for how excited we knew the kids would be when they saw all the changes, made it all worth while.
In the end we all took a lot out of it, a little character building, and appreciation for the things we have, as well as the privilege of helping people. The group gives many thanks to those who donated, the Fathers who did an awesome job and the Teachers who accompanied us as well as Khatha for the experience.
917 Lasalian institutions together with all Lasallian communities and groups, in 97 countries around the world.
The rationale of the activity in one sentence:
Celebrating the "unity in diversity" of our worldwide Lasallian family by getting as many groups of Lasallians to pose for pictures in star formations in remembrance ot two important dates in the legacy of our founder.
Wednesday, the 6th of April, we held a Easter party for the orphans from Sparrow Village at De La Salle Holy Cross College. We all waited excitedly for the children to arrive while we finished setting up stalls around the hall. Our planned activities included pin-the-tail-on-the-bunny, easter egg painting, face painting, magnet fishing and ball games. There was also a reading corner where the children could relax and hear a story.
When the bus arrived, the children were visually apprehensive, but in no time at all they were all smiling, as they were paired up with a buddy (and possibly due to all the sweets and party packs they received). Crystal Ham and Dean Gossayn were the first to sport the easter bunny face paint, although it looked decidedly better on the children.
The afternoon was filled with fun activities, a treasure hunt, some actions songs with the piano, and getting to know the children. By the end, it was discovered that three of the children were really exceptional hip-hop dancers, and their “crew” wowed us with a brilliant performance on stage.
At the end, we said our goodbyes, some having a hard time, and the day ended as a success with the children apparently smiling and singing all the way home. We all hope to be able to visit the children again soon and are thankful for such an inspiring opportunity to give a few underprivileged children a fun afternoon.
Harry Moyo
We left school on Friday 11th March at 2:30pm and it was a really scorching hot day (which was not the best for a long bus ride). When we arrived at Kadesh Barnea near Hartebeespoort Dam, we did the usual, hawling bags out of the bus and sorting out rooms and groups. The theme of the camp was ‘Superheroes’ and the five talks were all centered around this theme. Each grade had created a decade of the Rosary, which we all prayed together under the star-lit sky.
On Saturday, we woke up fresh and ready for the day (some, only after a cup of coffee). The day began with some Praise and Worship, a talk, a few ice breakers, and of course, food. The five talks covered different types of Superheroes – those from the comics, present day heroes and our ultimate Superhero, Jesus Christ; their powers; the villains we face in our lives; and how we should all strive to be those Superheroes in our own lives, and realise that each of us are Superheroes by the life that Jesus led. The talks were excellent and well-prepared, given by Crystal Ham, Harry Moyo, Nina Carew, Luc de Laroche and Dean Gossayn.
Later in the day, we all participated in the Amazing Race, which was meant to test our knowledge of and teach us about Jesus’ miracles, but for most groups there was just running around, singing and some with strange Superhero outfits and weapons. One of the evening talks on the Holy Spirit and the power it gives us, really taught us all a lot.
During the course of the afternoon, each participant has a one-on-one discussion with their facilitator (a Grade 11 or 12 pupil), to share about different aspects and challenges we face in our lives. There was time for confession and ‘pray overs’ – where the facilitators prays with each of their participants, for their specific intentions, shared during the one-on-one discussion.
Saturday evening hosted a Praise Party (the highlight for many), led by our very own Lasallian Youth band, where we sang songs and praised God together. This is a truly bonding experience. The evening concluded with a bonfire, marshmallows and time for fellowship.
Sunday began with a team meeting, praise and worship and then the final talk. Although not every moment of the weekend can be mentioned, the little things in between, like free time swimming, stories and jokes from Valentino (the MC for the weekend), and all the other laughs and moments we shared helped to make this a weekend that we won’t soon forget.
- Harry Moyo
Lasallian Youth committee
We embarked on our pilgrimage to Ngome on Thursday 24th February 2011, not knowing what to really expect, but being excited for the weekend nonetheless. Thoughts on the long long drive that awaited and our missed mid-term break still lingered. The trip didn’t fail to meet up to our expectations, it was just as long as was forecasted. It really didn’t feel too long, as a wonderful thing happened. Without any coercion or prompting, our entire committee just naturally sat with their prayer partners (a person of the opposite sex chosen through much thought and prayer – used as support and a prayer warrior throughout the year) and the weekend bonding began.
Arriving at Inkamana Abbey (about an hour from Ngome) in the dark, after unloading and settling in (albeit after a few bug scares – and not just from the girls), we ended the day with evening prayers and rested after the long journey.
Waking up early every morning for morning mass at the church in the Abbey, was truly a wonderful and moving experience, even though it meant being woken up by the church bells at 5:30 every morning. Other than the wonderful hospitality we received from the brothers (and nearly as importantly, the great food), we learnt of Sister Reinolda May, who had had visions of Mary at Ngome (and at the Abbey which we, like she did, stayed at), but also of each other within the committee, through talks, sharings and just being around one another.
The trip to Ngome itself on Saturday, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not necessarily just being there, but being there with other pilgrims and the committee. I think most of us found it life-changing. From learning together from talks, to the most hilarious skits (that had people paralysed with laughter), to the hysterical laughing (and crying) on the bus rides. I think the part that was truly special was how close our committee was by the end. This pilgrimage has set us in good stead for the rest of the year
Harry Moyo
Lasallian Youth Newsletter 1
- In November, the Lasallian Youth group organised a Christmas party for the underprivileged children of
Nazareth House. The day started with the grade 11s setting up their stalls with different games and activities. Our school bus went to fetch the children from Nazareth House. When they arrived at De La Salle Holy Cross College, they were greeted by our young Lasallians with open arms. Each child was paired up with a “buddy” from the rest of the grades and encouraged to visit each stall. The different activities included icing and decorating cupcakes; fishing for prizes; swing ball; face painting; mini sports games; a reading corner and then a visit from Fr Christmas on his motorbike. A few of our young Lasallians put on a Nativity play and sang a few Christmas carols. Fr Christmas handed each child a party pack (which were kindly donated by the Young Lasallians) and a juice. As the afternoon came to an 
end, the children of Nazareth House sang a few songs for us; we said our goodbyes and helped them all back onto the bus. We sent a Christmas present home for each child (these were donated and wrapped by students of our college) and donated two boxes of fruit.
A very big THANK YOU to all who gave of their time, donations and talents on this day, and who helped contribute to a very worthy cause.
- We had a braai for our students and then ended the year with a Praise Party in the church hall. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lasallian Youth committee of 2010, who gave so much of themselves during the course of the year and served our school and community. I wish them all God’s richest blessings for the future and may they continue to live out the Lasallian values.
- Lasallian Youth for 2011 has begun on Monday afternoons, in the high school hall from 16:30 – 17:30. Everyone is welcome to join us.
