LEAD Story 457

Former students of St. Andrew’s Secondary School (SAS), Muar, have long been generous in giving back to their alma mater. Their contributions have enabled the Muar Andreans Association (MAA), the school’s alumni body, to establish three funds dedicated to the holistic development and well-being of its students.

MAA President, Mr Tang Ching Leng, expressed his appreciation for these former students, noting that “they embody the enduring values of St. Andrew’s Secondary School—service and community—and inspire Andreans to rise above their limitations.”
The first is the Robert O’Sullivan Excellence Award, which recognises and rewards students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, sporting success, exemplary leadership in school societies and organisations, or significant contributions through community service, public recognition, or initiatives that enhance the school’s standing and development. Rooted in the Lasallian spirit of compassion and service, the award also provides financial support, enabling Andreans to participate fully in school life with dignity and confidence.

The second, The Grace’s Foundation Award, has played a vital role in advancing programmes beyond academics. Its support nurtures character, well-being, and resilience, helping the school cultivate a more caring and enriching environment in line with its mission to form individuals of integrity and purpose.

The third, the Dominic and Henry Tan Scholarship, is a cornerstone initiative that recognises and uplifts deserving students, particularly those from B40 families and minority groups. It seeks to overcome the challenges faced by less privileged students by providing opportunities regardless of academic standing. More than financial assistance, the scholarship affirms the belief in potential over circumstance, encouraging every Andrean to grow, excel, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The Principal of St. Andrew’s Secondary School, Muar, Ms Tay Peng Hoon, recorded her deep gratitude to all benefactors whose generosity continues to shape the educational journey of Andreans, especially those in need. The Robert O’Sullivan Excellence Awards the Grace’s Foundation Award, and the Dominic and Henry Tan Scholarship stand as pillars of support, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence, equity, and holistic development.

In honouring this generosity, we are reminded that the true measure of education lies not only in achievement, but in the lives uplifted and the futures shaped. St. Andrew’s Secondary School will continue to carry this legacy forward—forming Andreans of integrity and faith, inspiring excellence, and nurturing lives devoted to service beyond self, in the true spirit of the Lasallian tradition.

On the morning of 15 May 2026, the Lasallian community gathered in unity and thanksgiving for the annual La Salle Day Mass, commemorating the Founder’s Day of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Held at Stella Maris Church, the celebration brought together the principal of La Salle Secondary School, Catholic students, teachers, parents, members of the school board, alumni, and fellow Lasallians from across the community.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m., the church gradually filled with students dressed in their school shirts, educators warmly greeting one another, and alumni returning to reconnect with the Lasallian spirit that had shaped their lives. Despite the early hour, there was a strong sense of joy, gratitude, and belonging among everyone present. More than just an annual gathering, the celebration served as a meaningful reminder of the shared mission and values that continue to unite generations of Lasallians.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Sylvester Wong Vun Cheong, an old boy from the Class of 1997. His presence made the occasion especially meaningful, as he stood before the congregation not only as a priest, but also as someone who had once walked the same halls and shared the same journey as many of the students present today.

In his homily, Fr. Sylvester reflected on the life and mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle, reminding the congregation that Lasallian education is not merely about academic excellence, but about touching hearts, building character, and serving others with compassion and faith.

Throughout the celebration, the participation of the students was especially inspiring. Their presence reflected the continuing legacy of the Lasallian mission — young people learning not only within classrooms, but also through faith, fellowship, and service. Teachers, parents, and school leaders stood together in prayer, reaffirming their commitment to nurturing the next generation with the values of integrity, respect, and care for others.

As the Mass concluded, the fellowship continued at the La Salle Junior Block School Hall, where the Lasallian community gathered for a joyful morning of celebration and camaraderie. The gathering also served as a Teachers’ Day celebration and a heartfelt tribute to Madam Lim Hoi Yuen on her retirement after years of dedicated service to the school community. Adding to the festive atmosphere were special student performances, which brought smiles and applause from the audience as students expressed their appreciation through music, dance, and stage presentations. Alumni reconnected with former teachers and friends, while school leaders and board members shared conversations about the future of Lasallian education in Malaysia. The atmosphere throughout the morning was filled with warmth, reflection, gratitude, and hope.

The La Salle Day Mass 2026 was not only a celebration of a founder, but also a celebration of a living mission — one carried forward “together and by association” by every member of the Lasallian family.

By Stephen Merecidio (Aspirant, DLSU)

Last May 15, 2026, on Founder’s Day, the Young Lasallians of LEAD gathered to share meaningful stories and experiences of volunteerism in the Lasallian Family.

I am honored to share my own reflection and experience during this gathering. As an Aspirant of the De La Salle Brothers, I took part in this gathering during the 2026 Brothers’ Vocation Camp at St. Joseph School - La Salle in Bacolod, Philippines, alongside more than 30 other Aspirants and Contacts. To cap off our visit to St. Jo, as it is fondly known, we were blessed with the opportunity to share our experiences of volunteerism within and beyond the Aspirancy Program during the breakout sessions.

During the gathering, we were blessed to meet Ms. Julia Mayer, Chair of the Lasallian Youth Commission of the De La Salle Brothers, who gave us a glimpse into their efforts to promote volunteerism within the Lasallian Family and to invite more young Lasallians to foster genuine human connections and together shape a future animated by the “spark” and built through collective action. I was enthralled to hear the stories of my fellow young Lasallians, who, at this critical time in the world, are invited to work together to inspire positive change through creative and impactful initiatives, whether big or small.

On a personal note, the “spark” that continues to motivate me is the inspiration that I pray for daily in my discernment as an Aspirant. All are invited to discern God’s will for them in this life, and I sincerely believe that whatever decision to which our discernment leads, it should always be the decision to love and serve the vulnerable in different ways. While no single individual can bring swift and radical change on their own, the light that illumines our steps always begins with the smallest spark. I am reminded once again of our One La Salle prayer, which says, “Even if I’m not the light, I can be the spark.” Perhaps the invitation to discover our spark is found not in what we can do for others, but in whether we can become the spark that awakens light within them.

I thank God for the spark that nourishes our faithful “yes” to His invitation every day. May this gathering be the first of many, where Young Lasallians can feel empowered to spark change in their own ways. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

By Caius Timothy Yeoh Rui, Secondary Year 4-SJI

I was one of the lucky students chosen to be invited to La Salle House this year for the gathering of Young Lasallians in Singapore with the theme, “Young Lasallians: Partners in the Mission,” held on 9 May 2026. This event brought together 14 young Lasallians from St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI), together with Mr. Dominic Ang, Vice Principal of SJI, and Br. Ivan Umali FSC of La Salle Centre - Singapore, with the principal aim of deepening our understanding of the Lasallian Mission in relation to the Global Young Lasallian movement. Facilitated by Chelsea Catli, a member of the Youth and Vocations Committee of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD), the gathering also served as preparation for the Singapore Mission Assembly, which would take place the following day.

As first-timers, my friends and I only had a vague idea of what the gathering would be about. Lasallian-related stuff? A lecture on De La Salle values? Despite having studied in Lasallian schools for roughly seven years already, my impression and understanding of the Lasallian identity had always been somewhat blurred and unclear — simply serving the poor, like how our founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle, served others.

However, I had always felt connected to and drawn towards the Lasallian identity, even without fully understanding what it truly meant until this experience. Although I was definitely more exposed to the Josephian context of my school, SJI, I always found a firmer sense of meaning whenever Lasallians stood up shoulder to shoulder, singing “We are Lasallians.”

During the preparation session for the assembly, our facilitator, Chelsea Catli, explained the actual work of the Lasallian mission clearly and concisely. My understanding of the Lasallian identity began to expand. Regions. Districts. Sectors. I realised that I am part of a worldwide Lasallian organisation actively striving to serve “the last, the lost, and the least” — the peripheries who are often overlooked and ignored by society. And this very purpose and mission are what make us Lasallian.

So how can I live out my life the Lasallian way? Well, LEAD explains it perfectly:

• Live your Passion
• Engage with Peripheries
• Aspire for Change
• Dare to Love

One should live out one’s passion, actively engage with the peripheries, aspire for greater change in the world, and dare to love others as much as one loves oneself.

As a Catholic, these values are deeply aligned with what I believe in. As Matthew 20:16 says, “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Just as St. John Baptist de La Salle gave up wealth and status to serve “the last, the lost, and the least,” Lasallians today are also called to live lives of humble service, helping those in the peripheries experience transformation and hope.

One thing that was explained especially well was the connection between the Lasallian mission and the present world. How can Lasallians continue to live out their purpose today? I was genuinely amazed when I understood how structured and organised the Lasallian mission truly is.

There are four different fields of Lasallian work:

Culture of Vocations. Helping others discover their vocational purpose in life.
Serving the Poor. Direct service work — being physically present to accompany and serve those in the peripheries.
Sustainable Organisational Growth. Reviewing structures and frameworks within the Lasallian organisation to ensure continued growth and effectiveness.
Networking and Communications. Travelling across sectors and districts to communicate, collaborate, and gather feedback.

This is a contemporary organisation that continues to adapt to an ever-changing world, while remaining faithful to the core identity of being Lasallian: an active call to serve those in the peripheries.

With this deeper understanding of the Lasallian mission and identity, thanks to Chelsea’s session, I entered the Singapore LEAD Mission Assembly 2026 feeling calm and confident. I was clearer about what I felt and what I believed about being Lasallian. There is now a fire of passion within me to live out the Lasallian mission and to become more involved as a Lasallian.

And so, my Lasallian experience has now been painted much more clearly.
 

By Miguel Castrillo (Grade 12-SJII) and Jarred Ampania (Grade 12-SJI)

On 9 May 2026, the Singapore Mission Assembly took place at St. Patrick’s School, bringing together different stakeholders in the Lasallian family – namely De La Salle Brothers, board members, school leaders, staff, students, alumni, and parents. The Mission Assembly allowed for like-minded people to come together and engage in reflection and spiritual conversation, ensuring no voice is left unheard and no stakeholder unrepresented, contributing to the strengthening of the Lasallian mission in Singapore and the wider Lasallian community. 

As student representatives for our respective schools, we were incredibly proud and excited to represent the St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) and St. Joseph’s Institution International (SJII) students’ perspective at the Singapore Mission Assembly. Going into the day, we weren't entirely sure what to expect. However, what struck us most was how the different members of our community—spanning varied levels of prestige, contributions, and direct involvement—all embodied the core Lasallian values in their own unique way. This turned what were initially foreign faces into a circle of friends; the communion we shared instantly made us feel right at home.
Beyond that comfort, the assembly allowed us to see how communion beautifully knits faith and service together. While God loves each of us individually, it is through the communion and community He offers us that we can do great, unspeakable things together. We witnessed a powerful microcosm of Lasallianism as a whole: the many diverse parts of our district, much like different key ingredients, worked harmoniously together over our spiritual conversations. 

Beyond strengthening our understanding of the Lasallian mission and its global scope, we learned a lot from the participants in our respective groups. For instance, in our spiritual conversations, a teacher from St. Stephen’s School shared the realities of her classroom, particularly reflecting on the challenge of having only two Catholic students in her class of 30. Yet, she encouraged her boys to participate in regional activities, such as visiting eco-camps in the Philippines or Thailand. Hearing her ambition to strengthen the international Lasallian experience, we were deeply inspired to adopt a similar mindset. 

Hearing her speak of these goals showed us the value of something that is easily taken for granted: the importance of a supportive, global community, especially one that intentionally reaches out to encompass the peripheries. It proved to us that we are never isolated in our school environments; we are part of a massive, living family dedicated to lifting one another.
Ultimately, as student representatives for our respective schools, the lasting hope and insights we gained from this experience are: Not only are we called to build communion by being persons for others, but we as Lasallians also strive to be the spark; to be the yeast; to be the catalyst for change.

Apart from taking on the role of student representatives for young Lasallians in Singapore, we also took on the added role of student facilitators. Truth be told, being a student facilitator – especially in a group full of adults – was filled with challenges and was not at all easy. Despite that, the challenges undoubtedly shaped a unique experience for both of us.

For instance, we shared similar concerns regarding the summarising of the group discussion for the assembly. We acknowledged that this role we played was pivotal in ensuring the Lasallian mission catered to each and every stakeholder that was a part of it. Knowing that, we worried whether we would be able to sustain our attention for the three hours of discussion to capture all the points mentioned by the group members. 

During the actual discussion, we struggled to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the free-flowing discussion. As such, we found it difficult to capture each point in detail. Fortunately for us, our group members were kind enough to share with us the notes they took down before and during the discussion so that consolidating all the points from each person would be easier. Having everyone’s notes definitely helped us tremendously, but on a deeper level, it also revealed the importance of collaboration.

Applying this idea of collaboration to the broader picture, we realised that our experience as student facilitators affirmed the importance of working together towards a common goal. Similarly, the Lasallian mission calls each and every Lasallian to work together in the spirit of association to achieve our common mission of serving the last, the lost, and the least. 

Through our role as student facilitators, we were able to truly appreciate everyone who was present at the 2026 Singapore Mission Assembly. To think that each and every single one of us – regardless of which stakeholder group we represented – were willing to sacrifice our Saturday morning for this Mission Assembly, it really did say something about the cohesiveness of our Lasallian family. Indeed, ‘We are one, but we are many’ – many individuals who are united by the shared dream of looking out for and engaging with our brothers and sisters in the peripheries.

We are, and will always be grateful for the opportunity presented to us in this Mission Assembly. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
 

The Philippine Lasallian Family came together in La Salle Green Hills last 22 May 2026 in the spirit of synodality and hope for their Philippine Sector Mission Assembly (PH SMA). The gathering was attended by around 115 representatives-- Young Lasallians, Lasallian partners, Brothers, Formators, Teachers, School leaders, and external partners-- who represent the many and diverse ministries in the Sector. 

The PH SMA served as a sacred space for communal discernment, inviting participants to listen attentively to where the Spirit is leading us as a Lasallian community. Through meaningful dialogue and reflection, delegates shared the challenges they face, the hopes they carry, and the dreams they envision for the future of the Sector and District. The assembly also provided an opportunity to assess how we have lived out our call to be Leaven to the Peripheries and to discern how we might respond to this mission with greater courage, creativity, and radical availability.

Building on the insights and aspirations that emerged from the assembly, the Philippine Sector will host the LEAD Discernment Exercises this coming November. These exercises will help weave together the stories, experiences, and collective wisdom of the Lasallian Family into a shared pathway toward the future, guiding the District as it continues to respond faithfully to the signs of the times and the needs of those entrusted to us. 

From 4-8 May 2026, science educators from various public schools convened for the third year of "Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building." This initiative is part of the ongoing partnership between De La Salle Philippines, De La Salle Dasmariñas – Basic Education Division, and the Security Bank Foundation Inc. This year’s program focused on empowering teachers to spearhead student-led, sustainable science projects tailored to their local communities.

Over the course of the five-day program, participants strengthened their leadership capabilities through intensive workshops on stakeholder engagement and partner mapping. They were also equipped with specialized evaluation tools to streamline the planning and execution of community initiatives. The program culminated in a series of presentations where teachers defended their community action plans before a panel of experts, receiving strategic recommendations for implementation in the upcoming school year.