Dear Friends,

Before reading further, I ask you to pause for just a moment and recall your favorite teacher. Bring that person to your mind and recall what was it that made him or her so memorable and impactful?

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This year we are celebrating the 75th anniversary when on May 15, 1950 Pope Pius XII named Saint John Baptist de La Salle the Patron Saint of All Teachers. In doing so, the Church acknowledged not only a remarkable founder but also a timeless truth: teachers change lives.

De La Salle believed that education was more than instruction—it was a path to human dignity. He was one of the first to organize schools that were free, accessible to the poor, and centered on the belief that every child is capable of learning and growing. He trained a community of educators, established a network of diverse schools, and set in motion a mission that now spans the globe.

As we mark this anniversary, we honor not only Saint La Salle, but all the teachers who have followed in his footsteps.

• Teachers of the past who lit the spark in our own lives—those we still remember with gratitude and affection.
• Teachers of the present who walk alongside today’s students, especially those facing the greatest challenges, and show them their potential.
• Teachers of the future, many of whom are sitting in our classrooms today, already inspired by the power of education to transform lives.

In our Lasallian schools, the mission is alive in every lesson taught, every student encouraged, and every dream made possible. But some students cannot access this gift without our help.

The Saint John Baptist de La Salle Fund provides scholarships to students from families with limited financial resources. Your past generosity has made a real difference—and today, as we celebrate this powerful Lasallian anniversary, we invite you to renew that commitment.

Let’s keep the legacy of Saint La Salle alive—not just in history books or stained-glass windows, but in classrooms full of promise.

Because teachers shape the world. And with your help, they always will.

Live Jesus in our hearts – Forever!