Dear Lasallians,

It is a pleasure to greet you today from Chicago, Illinois, USA. As many of you know already, my District has kindly granted me a year for personal study and other activities. I am taking courses at Catholic Theological Union, doing volunteer work once a week at our San Miguel Middle School for Latino children, and working on several personal projects.

One of these projects is the Defense of the Rights of Children, which the 43rd General Chapter decreed should be "a major focus for the Lasallian mission of education during the next seven years."

Every District, Sub-District, and Delegation is to include this theme in its plan of action. Moreover, it is to name at least one Brother or partner to provide leadership in this area and to foster cooperation with local organizations that promote the rights of the child.

Towards the end of the General Chapter, to my great surprise, the Regions of the Institute announced their decision to recognize my service as Superior General by establishing the Brother John Johnston Fund for the Protection and Welfare of Children. For personal reasons I decided to change the name to the Lasallian International Children's Fund. The purpose of the fund, however, remains exactly the same. It is to be used for the protection and welfare of children. These words will be prominent when the definitive description of the fund is formulated.

As of today, contributions total $ 215,418.83. Donors include five Regions (two of which are also Districts), thirteen other Districts, Sub-Districts, or Delegations, and five individuals. A total of thirty-four Districts, Sub-Districts, or Delegations have contributed, either directly or through their Region, a few both directly and indirectly. These gifts have arrived without any solicitation or reminders. I want to express my sincere gratitude. The hope is that gifts from the Lasallian world will bring the fund to at least $350,000, and that ways will be found to receive contributions from private and corporate donors.

Funds are invested in a Religious Communities Trust account, an account managed by Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. For your information checks can be sent directly to me at the above address or funds can be deposited directly by wire. Your commercial bank can wire transfer funds through

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK-CHICAGO BRANCH TO:
The Northern Trust-Chicago
ABA# 071000152
Credit: Religious Communities Trust
Account # 30283380
Final credit: Lasallian International Children's Fund
RCT# 3741-001-00

I am currently receiving very valuable help and advice from the Visitor, Auxiliary Visitors, and Director of Finance of the Midwest District. Nevertheless, the fund is totally independent of the District. During the month of December I will meet with a group of interested Brothers and lay persons to formulate a written description of the Lasallian International Children's Fund and the criteria that will govern its use. The next step will be to organize a permanent governing board.

It is important that Lasallians understand that the purpose of the fund is the protection and welfare of children. Grants will be made from the interest of the fund in the spirit of the General Chapter decision that defense of the rights of the child be a major focus for Lasallian mission. I hope that in my next communication, I will be able to provide you with a precise description of the Lasallian International Children's Fund and its governing criteria.

Once again, I want to thank the Regions for establishing this fund and all those who have already contributed. I join you in praying that the fund will further the promotion and protection of the rights of children everywhere and help Lasallians to live today our founding story in a new and creative way.

My prayers and best wishes, Lasallians.

Fraternally in St. John Baptist de La Salle,