"Dear Friends,

I am excited to share with you a bit about my time away since having left on sabbatical six months ago. As well as sharing with you my personal experience, I trust this reflection will also be a mirror for you to reflect upon how San Miguel Schools Chicago has impacted and touched the heart of the worldwide community. The goals for my sabbatical time were simple: study, travel, explore areas new to me - personally and professionally, and spiritual renewal. My hope was that these pieces would act as lenses for me to see anew, to see more clearly, to grow, to be pushed beyond my comfort zone and to stretch. I realize this time is a priceless gift, and I am deeply grateful for it.

I am currently winding up four months of travel and, I must admit, the San Miguel Schools have followed me in nearly every country I've been. People know about them, they are curious about them, they are inspired by them, and they can't seem to hear enough about them.

One of the five countries I was privileged to visit in Latin America was Ecuador, the land of our patron, San Miguel Febres Cordero. I had always heard that our saintly Brother Miguel was a national hero in Ecuador, however it was quite different to see and experience that myself. There are life-size statues of San Miguel, and plazas dedicated to him in various places in Quito, the capital and largest city.

This year, the Brothers in Ecuador have launched a series of activities and cultural events to mark the centennial year of the death of San Miguel. As one small part of this year, they have decided to translate the book "The Schools That Faith Built" from English to Spanish and to publish and distribute it. Some of you may recall that this book was written about ten years ago specifically on our two San Miguel schools in Chicago. It was written by one of our Brothers, Terence McLaughlin, and his intent was to capture the inspiration and the hand of God in founding these two schools.

In Rome I was given the opportunity to share our work in Chicago with 65 of our educational leaders from around the world. I was humbled by their interest and enthusiastic response. Many were aware of our work before we gathered. It was clear to me that this powerful moment was a reflective lens through which these leaders were assessing the realities in their own countries and cultures. A number of them sought me out individually in the days following to say that their dream would be to see a similar response to the poor unfold in their own countries.

Shortly after my time in Rome I was invited to visit some of our works in several areas of Spain, including the Basque region. Besides gaining insight relative to the educational structure in these areas, I was given the opportunity to present again on our San Miguel Schools in Chicago at a conference of Lasallian teachers from Spain and Portugal. Afterwards, I met with a smaller group of 20 who have been contemplating a new educational response to the poor in the region of Valladolid, Spain. I, personally, was deeply touched by this meeting, the quality and commitment of those gathered, and could feel that God's Spirit is working powerfully in their lives.

To push my own comfort level a bit, I visited a few areas in the Middle East: Qatar, Israel, and Palestine. This is an area of the world that is a mystery for me, and one that I must confess I know little about. What I walked away with are images very different from those that typically come over the news services in the States. While in Palestine, I very much enjoyed a visit and stay with our Brothers at Bethlehem University. For over 30 years, our Brothers have been working with Palestinian students - roughly 35% Christian and 65% Muslim. It is a work of reconciliation and witness.

I set one of my week's aside in the Holy Land to make a retreat on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus spent much of his public ministry. It was a serene place at the base of the mountain where Jesus preached the beatitudes; and literally a stone's throw from the place where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes.

For a healthy dose of solitude I am spending six weeks in New Zealand. I was here one time before for just a few days and told myself if ever given the opportunity, I would come back to explore. I am captivated by the rich beauty and simplicity of this country. My goal here-- as much contact with nature as possible. I will also take a bit of time to catch up on our Lasallian educational mission here.

In brief, I can say my time thus far has been a privileged time for me. It has been a time that has allowed me to see anew, to see life from different perspectives, to be challenged and to grow. In the process, it has allowed for some healing in my life and it has opened my soul.

I look forward to seeing you upon my return to Chicago. Please be assured of my continued gratitude for each of you in helping build the dream in Chicago of providing a quality human and Christian education for our most precious resource, our young people - especially those most in need. I can attest that your efforts really are changing our world.

With respect and affection,

Brother Ed Siderewicz
Co-Founder