A Tribute to Bro Denis

2004

Our Spiritual Leader and Guide

Legion of Mary 1997 Racial Harmony Day 1999

1982 Pilgrimage 1999 Holy Week

Unveiling of mural on Speech Day, 15 April, 2000

Jesus, who has said, ‘Let the little children come to me’, and who inspired us to lead them to You, bless our profession, assist us in our work and give us the spirit of charity and humility so that we fulfil , lovingly, out duties, and are worthy of Your promise that teachers who have guided the children in the right paths will shine like stars in Heaven. Amen. – Bro Denis, 2000

Our Caring Colleague

Bro Denis in St Gabriel’s in 1970 1992

1997 Tr’s Day 70th Birthday Celebrations

Our Beloved Teacher 1984

Excerpts from 1984:

The room…is gone! But the friends are still around! We are always at your service! Actually all your teachers are your friends too! Maybe in class, they are very serious and demanding, but outside of class…wow…so gentle so good to talk to…did you try? Feel free to contact them. Make a point of talking to all of them! In class, the teacher deals with a subject. Out of class, they deal with Y-O-U. Why don’t you make an attempt to benefit from their guidance and counselling. See you!

1979 2002 1991

1988 Table Tennis Team 1981 Softball Team

1987 Kimono for a cause

1978 Gardening Society

1980 Message After 15 long-awaited years, St Gabriel’s walked away with the North Zone softball Championship with a vintage performance. On a warm afternoon on April 23rd, we edged out Upper Thomson Secondary by a solitary run in nail biting finish.

Remembering Brother Denis Message from Bro Denis on 5 March 2015 when we wanted to name a fund in his name at SGSS

Hi! Everyone! I am lost for words to say how greatly honored and profoundly humbled I truly am when I was told of the BROTHER JEAN DENIS CARE PROGRRAM. All my life I strove to impart to my pupils especially those most in need how much they were precious to me and to God. I am grateful to all my friends and colleagues who will embark in this GIGANTIC Project not for my own glory but to fulfill the needs of all Children At Risks. He who helps such children are helping God Himself Thanks a million and may you ONE DAY at a time with the help of God and through the Intercession of Mama Mary. Make this most worthy project a lasting success . I ,JEAN DENIS, will be united with you for the rest of my life and throughout Eternity I embrace you all. ONCE A GABRIELITE always a GABRIELITE. Jean Denis Gervais BSG Keeping you all in my heart

I will never forget St Gabriel’s Secondary, the staff and it’s pupils.! You are all recorded in the deepest recesses of my heart. St Gabriel’s wrapped my life like my skin wrapped my body. I thought I would never be able to leave it. But as the Loving Spirit can move mountains, it was no problem for Him to transfer me to Montfort Centre in 2004. My 38 years at St Gabriel’s were a picnic! My former students may not say the same thing as I was quite strict with them, but I LOVED THEM A LOT TOO. My relationship with the staff from morning till afternoon was a sunny ‘Hi!’ followed by a big smile reflecting my great happiness to work with them. They were all so lovely, so caring, so generous to me. It’s no wonder that I was so fond of them!

St Gabriel’s boys have always been ‘walking surprises’. Most of the time, they were adorable but they could be cheeky or really naughty-naughty. However, when we

were relying heavily on them, they never failed to be their best. When we had special appeals to make for donations, they would put their left hands on their hearts, and their

right ones in their pockets to come out with $$$$.

Any tragic incident during my stay? I should say one, when the inspector tried to dump me from school because of

my poor English – with a French accent on top of that! But Principal Brother Noel asked me to teach Science and

Maths instead and that turned out to be a blessing to me as I had taught these subjects for 15 years in Canada

before coming here.

And you know what! Everything turns out to the advantage of those who love God! The Ministry of

Education – imagine this – asked me to teach French – which is what I did for four years. I had to stop when St

Gabriel’s became a full day school, for there was no time for “Voulez-vous Paster Francais!’

I leave you with the thought that everything turns to the advantage of those who love God. May I suggest that you live by this message – You will be happy the rest of your

life!