Today we show our gratitude and affection for the major contribution Brother John has made to the Institute. Many of you know that Brother John was raised in Memphis, Tennessee near the banks of the great Mississippi River, called by indigenous Americans the Father of Waters. This great River system runs for 3740 miles or 6021 kilometers from north to south through the middle of the United States.

In many ways during these past 14 years as Superior and before that 10 as Vicar, you Brother John have been like that great River. Like the Father of Waters which gives life to so much land, you has been instrumental in encouraging the life and growth of the Institute. For example, you have supported and encouraged local vocations in the five countries of the Lwanga District, helped to develop fine formation programs, a novitiate and scholasticate and encouraged formators and leaders for this new District to come from all parts of the English-speaking Institute. You encouraged the creation and growth of Christ the Teacher Institute to train Brothers, other religious and lay teachers to insure a Lasallian future for English-speaking Africa. In Asia, you have encouraged growth and leadership encompasing a greater interdependence with other Regions. In the Mideast, you have tirelessly supported the growth of Bethlehem University that stands as a beacon of hope in oppressed and war-torn Palestine. Like that great river, you have brought life to new parts of the Institute.

Throughout history, the Mississippi has been a source of transportation and movement beyond the smaller river towns and larger cities. In a similar way, you, John, have encouraged us to think beyond the confines of our own Districts and Regions. You challenged and encouraged the whole Institute and especially the English- speaking world to give 10% of our active Brothers to the developing parts of the Institute. You challenged us to move beyond the the walls of our great and strong institutions of the English-speaking world to look to the poor around us. You have written and spoken with passion of the rights of children and like another John Baptist De La Salle have called us to join him in creatively and boldly speaking for and caring for the children who are the refuse of an uncaring world. Like a flowing river, you have taken us to new horizons to serve the poor of our lands and the world.

The Mississippi River is a known and familiar friend to those who live by its banks and you have been that to us. As our new Superior said: you know us personally by name. In knowing us so closely, you also called us to greater authenticity in our community and personal lives. Your letters to the Institute and to the Brother Visitors which I particularly appreciated were articulate and visionary, but also realistic because you know our ideals as well as our problems. You know our schools and educational centers; you remember our partners and associates. At the table just the other day, you spoke of students by name that you met in Australia. You are a familiar friend to the whole Institute.

In the North where the weather is brisk and cold and the banks are often covered with snow, the great river moves swiftly. Like that river, you Brother John have responded quickly to the new developments in our Institute, changing your own views and articulating new ideas in a rapidly changing world. You have also been leader among leaders, a voice for those in charge of congregations, attending synods and international gatherings making each of us Brothers proud. When you last visited the USA/Toronto Region, you spoke of the radical discontintuity with the past that we are experiencing. Your boldness in addressing these realities demonstrate your adaptabilty and vision.

But the river also moves slowly in the South where the weather is warm and sultry and the banks are covered with green. You also know when to move slowly as you understand and help those of us in District leadership with pastoral concerns and the inabilty of some areas, and some people to change rapidly. You have understood when to challenge and when to comfort, when to be bold and when to be patient. You have been both the rapidly moving flow and the slow-moving river.

I have used the words Father of Waters to describe you, John, but perhaps more so, you are Brother. Our new superior said he hopes to be a Superior General for us and a Brother with us. John, you have been that for us these years. You have been an energetic sign of unity for our family, a sign of hope and reality, a sign of honesty and encouragement. You are our Brother who knows us and loves us.

So, it is with gratitude that we salute you as you return to where the River runs through our Midwest District from North to South and where you grew up. But the Mississippi does not end at the great Delta area south of Memphis. Instead, it flows down through New Orleans to the wide boundless Gulf of Mexico. John, I know that while this part of your journey has ended ,a new expanse awaits your talents and experience to serve young people and our Brothers. We of the English speaking world give you our heartfelt gratitude and we Brothers of the Midwest welcome you home.