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Br Celestine

Brother Celestine Gavin’s contribution to De La Salle College Cronulla

Brother Celestine has had a long association with De La Salle College Cronulla and he has left a lasting legacy to the many staff and students who were fortunate to know him, as he demonstrated to all what it means to be Lasallian. 

This began in 1966, at the age of 35 when Brother Cel was appointed Principal of the “new” Senior College that catered for Year 11 and 12 boys, and he remained in this role until 1973. During this time as a young Principal, Brother Cel was recognised for his leadership of Brothers, staff and students, as well as his work as an educator. There would be countless students who have been positively influenced by Brother Cel’s wisdom, leadership and humility. These qualities of Brother Cel are recognised each year when a graduating student is awarded the Brother Celestine Award for Service to the College Community. This award recognises the student who has been selfless in their understanding of others and their willingness to assist others.  The recipient is also selected for their demonstrated skills in motivating the student body to support the various activities organised at the College.

After leading the Cronulla community, Brother Cel worked in various Lasallian schools as Principal and in other roles. He  returned to the College in 1994, where he lived as a true Lasallian in his care for all staff, students and the school. During this time Brother Cel  would teach on a part time basis as he furthered his love of languages - Latin, French and Italian. Brother Cel returned to university where he studied Italian achieving a B.A. (Hons.), and then studying the religious poetry of a medieval Franciscan priest in his work towards a Ph.D. I remember him catching the train into the university and speaking of the difficulty in translating the mediveal poetry.  Not only was he pursuing a very specialised skill, but he was demonstrating to all the importance of lifelong learning. 

Brother Cel had so much time for the staff at the College and was never too busy to stop and ask how things were going and he was always ready to offer gentle encouragement, support and advice. Brother Cel would always check in with me and ask about my three very small children, remembering the smallest of details. I will never forget when he arrived at my classroom to take over the lesson and tell me to go home immediately because my mother, who was looking after my 2 year old son, had fled the house when my son let the pet budgie out of the cage. It was obvious to him that my mother was terrified of birds and refused to go back inside until the bird was secured.

Brother Cel was able to give me great courage and support when I was appointed REC at the College in 2004. He was actively involved in the prayer life and would offer advice on finding ways to encourage our students and staff in their faith development. Cel’s spirituality was practical, real and very much focused on living a life that modelled the actions and words of Jesus Christ.

I am sure all staff have their unique memories of Brother Cel and have experienced the gentle care, humility and wisdom he readily shared.  Brother Cel was quick to offer sage advice to us all when things were tough and would often share his favourite Latin phrase  ‘illegitimi non carborundum’ .

Brother Cel showed his great regard for the students, staff and also the school. Each afternoon for as long as I have known Brother Cel, he would methodically check each room in the school, for windows to be closed, lights off and in more recent times, to ensure air conditioning was also off. If any staff members were working late, he would also offer a kind work and check all was well.

Brother Cel and the Brothers were always keen to support the staff and show their appreciation for all the work completed each term and they would host us for afternoon tea, with their famous fish cocktails, chips and a few beers on the last day of term. The redevelopment of the Brothers residence was a challenge and great change for all the Brothers, as they were relocated to Randwick for about 2 years while the new houses were built. Each day Brother Cel and members of the community would make the  trip to Cronulla to be with staff and support the College.

I would like to take some apt words from some of the Brothers that were published in the ‘Journal La Salle - Edition 1, 2021’ where an article featured Brother Cel. Br. Maurice, another much loved and long time member of our Cronulla community, who passed away late last year, described Brother Celestine as “ a deeply spiritual and prayerful person ever ready to serve the needs of others”. Another Brother said “He lives his faith by example” and he always saw positive in people and was never disparaging others.’

We were fortunate to celebrate many milestones in the life of the College with Brother Cel, including the Founders Days, celebrating St John Baptist de La Salle and many of his birthdays. We have fond memories of Brother Cel’s 90th birthday in 2021. Brother Cel’s health deteriorated in 2022 and he needed more specialised care and was moved from the Cronulla community. We will remember Brother Cel for his gentle ways, generosity and interest in all he met, his love for our College and especially for living out what it means to be Lasallian. We remember Brother Cel with love and  honour his legacy by remembering the importance of ‘faith, service and community.’

 

(Author: Maree Cullen, De La Salle College, Cronulla)