Peter Meers: Being Part of the Lasallian Community

As I move to retire after 38 years in schools, it is lovely to have the opportunity to reflect on the place and importance of the Lasallian Community on that journey.

My own schooling in Mudgee was a mixture of Catholic and state. I attended St. Matthew’s Primary School in the late 1960/ Early 1970s, where I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy. Back then, you either went to the state school or the “Convent School” in my home town.

It was a time of school milk, marbles, handball and yo-yos, and strict discipline. I very much appreciated my schooling, and have great respect for my Mercy upbringing, as well as my time at Mudgee High, where I was School Captain.

My close association with the Lasallian Community commenced when I became Assistant Principal at James Sheahan Catholic High School in Orange in 2008, followed by Principal in 2018.

For four years between 2013 and 2016, I had the privilege of travelling to Sri Lanka with Year 11 Students, for an immersion with the Lasallian Brothers in Mannar, in Northern Sri Lanka. The De La Salle Brothers run many schools in this poor area, so devastated at the time by the long running civil war.

We stayed with the Brothers and visited schools where we saw the respect for them and their amazing impact in providing education, care and support. I enjoyed the friendship and wonderful warmth and generosity of the Brothers, making enduring friends.

Two of the Brothers, Brother Selva and Brother Yohan, were able to come to Australia, spending time at James Sheahan and being guests in my home.

As Assistant Principal and Principal I had the good fortune to attend many Lasallian Leaders Gatherings and APLECs. I was always struck by the strength of the community, the strong bonds between the Brothers and the Principals, teachers and lay community. I very much saw it as a family.

In 2019, I travelled with fellow Lasallian Principals to Port Moresby. Like with Sri Lanka, I felt honoured to have experienced the profound impact of the Lasallian Brothers and teachers in PNG, and to have experienced their passion and enthusiasm for their vocations.

I visited schools in Port Moresby and Bomana, as well as spending time at the Hohola Technical School, and Sacred Heart Teachers College, where I had the special opportunity to present to young teachers. I will also always treasure the chance I had to visit Owens Corner at the beginning of the Kokoda Track.

In addition, Sheahan has formed a special relationship with Sant Singh Wala School in Pakistan, where we have been twinned for many years. I have felt humbled to have helped support this school. Once again, what has struck me, is the community respect for the Lasallian Brothers and teachers, in this case in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.

In witnessing the work of the Lasallian community in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and PNG, it has reinforced how privileged I am to live in such a wealthy country as Australia, how I should rise every morning with gratitude for what I have, and always stay aware of the great needs of so many people and children in poorer, financially disadvantaged countries around our planet.

Conversely, in having the opportunity to meet Brothers and lay Lasallians from around our region, I have been strengthened and challenged by the warmth, generosity, friendship and deep spirituality of people with very little financially, compared to myself.

One of the occasions I will always treasure was the chance to attend a LLG in Brisbane, and to see first hand the difference be made by yourtown, the stunning contribution of Kids Helpline around Australia, and the support being provided to struggling families and children, through Lasallian services and projects.

Throughout my time at Sheahan, I also have been very grateful for the enthusiasm and contribution of the Young Lasallians in leading students retreats at our school and forming strong, personal bonds with our staff.

Over the past 16 years or so, I have also built treasured friendships with many Lasallian Brothers and had the honour of being welcomed in their communities. I will also always fondly remember the LLG held here in Orange in 2020, only days before Australia shut down with COVID.

This year, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to visit Reims, of which later I presented to our Bathurst Diocesan Principals. In speaking about my visit, I reflected on the following attributes of John Baptiste De La Salle

• He was an ordinary person, who could have chosen a life of privilege and material comfort

• He saw a need and was determined to make a difference, even when faced invariably by setbacks, resistance and uncertainty at times

• He showed courage, great resilience, and recognised the power of community

• He understood the importance of support, respect for all human beings, and the centrality of God in his mission

• Without ever setting out to do so, he left an incredible legacy in the support of humanity, following in the footsteps of and the challenge given by Jesus to follow him.

I will always have a special place in my heart for the Lasallian community and the professional and personal friendships that have grown from that association. I hope that I can continue a connection through the Lasallian Community Network.

Source: Peter Meers, Principal, James Sheahan Catholic High School