One of my favourite sayings; There is no such thing as coincidence - just connections!

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Francis Dean
5 years ago
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1 EULOGY JOHN HANSON St John Baptist De La Salle, when writing his meditation for the early Brothers retreats, quoted the Prophet Daniel, Those who instruct many persons in Christian justice will shine like stars throughout all eternity. St John Baptist De La Salle also wrote in the same meditation: What a consolation for those who have procured the salvation of souls, to see in heaven a great number whom they have helped to obtain the advantage of enjoying so great a happiness! They will shine, indeed, in the midst of those whom they have instructed One of my favourite sayings; There is no such thing as coincidence - just connections! The Brothers have had a small book commonly called The Maxims, a collection of short quotations, allocated to each day of the year, from St John Baptist De La Salle s writings. The passage for today, 26 th November, is: Since the first object of your mission is to procure the salvation of souls, you should labour to achieve this aim, with all possible zeal, imitating in this, in some measure, the charity of God, himself In his active days, Brother John was an exemplar of this Maxim, and all that should be, in a great teacher and minister to the young. In his more latter days, Brother John, in his own quiet manner, continued his ministry, among the residents of both the Independent Living Units and the Hostel, here at Villa La Salle.

2 At this point I would like to acknowledge that in preparing these words regarding Brother John and his life of seventy years, as a De La Salle Brother, I have been assisted by contributions of a number of Brothers who knew Brother John, longer, and in more varied situations, than I have. Some are celebrating Brother John s life, with us here today, and I hope that they will hear justice done to their contributions. The first message, acknowledging the notification of Brother John s death, was from a Brother, who is oversees, stating: I was confirmed with the name, Anthony, as was my brother, a name taken after Br Anthony (who later reverted to his Baptismal name, John) who was so much loved, when we were boys at school. Another Brother noted that, as a student in one of Brother John s classes, he found Brother John to be a very enthusiastic and capable teacher. He was firm in discipline, and managed, at the same time, to be very friendly. Maths was, apparently, one of this Brother s weaker subjects, but with Brother John as teacher, this Brother got 100% in the final exam. That Brother went further to admit that this occasion was the only time in his schooling when I gained full marks. Knowing who that Brother is, I can verify, from personal knowledge of him, that this is probable a very true story!! Another Brother, who today could be considered one of our top academics,

3 wrote of his experience with Brother John, in the early 50s: I was privileged to spend my first two years in community with Brother John. I was responsible for Grades 3 & 4, along with another teacher, sharing the classes with me. As the primary school finished one hour earlier than the secondary classes, I was assigned to teach Modern History to Year 9, for the last lesson, each day of the week, in Brother John s class. I will always be grateful to Brother John who one day, without even mentioning my difficulties in the classroom, simply remarked that he had found out that the best way to work in the final lesson of the day, with Year 9 was to make sure that they had lots of written work. That Brother realised, later, just how this, apparently casual, remark was Brother John s own gentle way - forever a gentleman of telling me how to improve my situation. This Brother concludes: Brother John was always a happy and welcoming Brother, who is often very fondly remembered by his old boys, for whom he had been their first Brother-teacher. Another Brother, writing in reference to the mid-50s writes: I was taught Maths in Proficiency and History, in Intermediate, by Brother John. Later on, after I had joined the Brothers, Brother John left the Brothers, briefly. When he returned, I admired him greatly for the way he coped with the humbling experience of repeating his Novitiate,

4 living with young men who were some 10 years his junior. Again, the humble quiet gentleman! Yet another Brother writes: My first contact with John was when he re-joined the Institute in 1957, and spent a year in the Novitiate with us. He blended in remarkably well, with us much younger novices. He was, as I noticed on many occasions in the years that followed, a happy man, who made community life a joy. My next time I was with Brother John, was when I lived with him at "La Salle House", Castle Hill, Sydney, where he was Director, and I was asked to care of a very sick Brother. He was always most grateful for that, because it released him from what was really a great burden, for him. Finally, I lived with him at Southport. When I arrived he was already in the early throes of dementia. He called everyone "Champ", as a way of covering up his lack of name-recall. He was always cheerful and never lost the ability to say THANK YOU. In the last 18 months of his life he was mostly confined to bed, but, he never lost his smile and was always energised when people came to talk to him although it was obvious that he did not understand the conversation. Gentle, joyful, grateful. Three words by which I will always remember him. Yet another Brother writes: John was my Director in community on two occasions.

5 As a young Brother I did practice teaching, where Brother John was the Director/Principal. It was there, that his fraternal kindness and empathy touched me for the first time. He was then - and ever after, when Director, faithful to meeting the Brothers individually, every week in my case. He accompanied me long before we ever used the word in the Institute. I was overseas, when John was once again appointed Director. Again, his beautifully handwritten letters were always appreciated. When I returned to that Community where he was Director, he once again accompanied me. He was loved by the Brothers, students and staff definitely one of nature s gentlemen. He always thrashed me on the squash court! And now our final but no lesser contribution! In the late 60 s Brother John was Prefect of Junior Novices, because of his love of the Brothers and his attention to caring for others. This was followed, for these traits, by his appointment as Prefect of Boarders at Oakhill College for several years. He was appointed to be the Principal of De La Salle College Kingsgrove Sydney. He conducted an excellent college and was loved my students and teachers alike, because of his fair dealings and understanding of them. At Kingsgrove, younger Brothers were always appointed there, because of John s faithfulness to the regularity of community life and because his personal, gentle qualities would be an example to them. As well, as a good teacher, he was a great model for them.

6 They learned from observing him. At one time there were five brothers under 25 with Brother John and one other senior Brother in the Community. In earlier days, here at the Villa, Brother John took great care of Brother Edward Gehrig. In fact Brother John s caring was detrimental to his own health, as he gave all of his attention to Brother Edward. It was when Brother Edward was admitted to Abri, across the road, that Brother John s own health failed. Brother John continued to visit Brother Edward, each day, until he, Brother John, forgot who he was visiting and where Brother Edward was. That Brother continues - as he is want to do - - From my contact with Brother John, later in his life, here at the Villa, he was known to love a piece of chocolate, and one could see the joy on his face when he was given a piece. In fact he loved his food - and always ate what was presented to him, with appreciation. In the more recent times, when Brother John was incapable of much response, it was a pleasure to go to his room and say a prayer with him, and see him smile at the end of the prayer. He would become peaceful and relaxed when a prayer was said. He knew something special was happening. Most times, as I left, there was a smile - and a THANK YOU. The visit was worth it, just to see the smile! The carers seemed to like caring for him as he was gentle with them

7 and would not make their life difficult. As for myself, I have had the privilege of knowing Brother John in his very latter years, only, as a patient in the hostel. Before being completely bed-ridden, my contact with him was that with a very gentle person. Despite the steady creep of the Alzheimers, as long as he was able, I too, experienced his expressions of appreciation for anything that was done for him. He was always thankful to the carers for all that they did for him. When he was no longer able to say much more, he always managed to say THANK YOU to anyone who did him a service. Not only THANK YOU - but with a smile. I, too, had similar experiences as already mentioned, when saying a prayer with him. And so I would like to close this tribute to Brother John, by returning to the words of Saint John Baptist De La Salle: What joy a Brother of the Christian Schools, De La Salle Brother, will have when he sees a great number of his students in possession of eternal happiness, for which they are indebted to him, by the grace of Jesus Christ! What a sharing of joy there will be between the teacher and his disciples! What a special union with one another there will be in the presence of God! It will be for them a great satisfaction, sharing together the blessings.

8 Brother John is now receiving his promised reward. God Bless you Brother John!

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