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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, June 5, 2003 |
 Lasallian
Passion Burns! While many people enjoyed a holiday over Easter, over
100 young Lasallians from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
gathered in Auckland to celebrate their Lasallian heritage and deepen
their commitment to the Lasallian mission.
The theme for the gathering was "Let the Passion Burn", reflecting the
Easter Passion of Jesus Christ and how this should impact us with
passionate dedication to the service of youth and the poor, in the
spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle.
Brothers In Action, a group of former students of De La Salle College in
Auckland hosted the event the first time it had been held outside
Brisbane.
The five day gathering commenced with a Powhiri (traditional Maori
welcome) and interactive cultural performances. Powerful music was
provided by members of the De La Salle College Auckland community, led
by Andrew Ulugia.
Workshops during the gathering ranged from creative dance and ethnic
drumming to Lasallians initiatives such as Fish Lasalle, Camp Lasalle,
volunteer projects and leadership skills. Many of these initiatives are
run voluntarily by former students of De La Salle Schools.
Keynote speaker Eric Amaladas from La Salle Centre in Malaysia
challenged participants to have a strong foundation in faith as they
seek to live lives of service.
Moving Easter liturgies took place throughout the gathering, including
Stations of the Cross acted outdoors in one of Auckland's largest public
parks.
Typical feedback received through the web site is "Had an awesome time
and I'm counting down the days till Melbourne hosts the next one!
Congrats to the team who organised this years gathering...it was the
best Easter experience ever! Keep safe everyone and may the Lasallian
Spirit live on forever!! AMEN"
The spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle is definitely alive and well
in Oceania!
(Br. David Hawke) |
 UMAEL
Meets in Mexico: From May 15 -18, UMAEL (World Union of Lasallian
Former Students) held its third congress in Mexico City, Mexico. The
first conference of the Congress was given by Br. Álvaro Rodríguez
Echeverría, Superior General, and was entitled "Called
to Serve." In the photo, Jean Pierre Hascoët (President), welcomes
the guests including Br. Álvaro, Br. Claude Reinhardt (General Councilor),
Br. Salvador Valle (Brother Visitor, District Mexico-North), Br. Rodolfo
Vivanco (Brother Visitor District Mexico- South), Guillermo Vélez
(President FELMES), Humberto Valladares (Administrator for III CONGRESS
UMAEL) and Gerardo Jiménez General Coordinator of the Congress.
 A
festive dinner was presented in traditional Mexican style, complete with
entertainment provided by the students of Benavente School of Puebla,
the students of La Salle University and by a traditional Mexican
mariachi band.
 Br.
Claude Reinhardt gave a presentation on May 16 entitled "Former
Lasallian Students: faithful and committed heirs!" and Jean-Pierre
Hascoët on "The International Dimension of UMAEL."
 The
program concluded on May 18 with José Ramon Batiste Peñaranda
(Spain) being elected the new President of UMAEL. We wish José Ramon
best wishes as he takes on the responsibilities of President.
For more texts and pictures of the UMAEL Congress visit their site at:
http://www.umael-lasalle.org
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
 Brother
Mang Ming Tran, The Long Journey: Brother Mang began his
Lasallian journey as a Junior Novice in Viet Nam. Due to the political
situation he had to leave his family and country in the dark of night
and sail for the Philippines. In the Philippines he was kept in a
refugee camp for several years. During this time he taught some of the
other refugees, worked with a Boys' Scout Troop, and studied computer
programming with pencil and paper. Mang's brother who preceded him as a
refugee was in the seminary in Canada. He made arrangements for Mang to
enter Canada as a refugee. While living on the west coast of Canada he
inquired where he could find the Christian Brothers. He was directed to
the Brothers in the Toronto District who willingly accepted him. Mang
studied for a while in Toronto and then made his Novitiate at
Skaneateles, New York. Following his Novitiate he did his undergraduate
work at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California. Again he returned to
Toronto to teach at De La Salle College 'Oaklands'. In preparation for
his final vows, Mang was assigned to West Catholic High School in
Philadelphia where he taught math and computer science. He also began
work on his Masters Degree in Computer Systems at La Salle University.
After taking his final vows in Toronto he returned to the Baltimore
District and was assigned to La Salle College High School where he again
taught math and computer science. On May 11th Brother Mang received his
Masters Degree in Computer Systems, completing the degree work in two
years and three summers while teaching full time in the high school. On
May 17th the Baltimore District formally accepted Brother Mang as a
member of their District. Mang's Lasallian journey took him from the
Junior Novitiate in Viet Nam to the Philippines to the Toronto District
to the Baltimore District. Academically he journeyed from his high
school in Viet Nam to his Bachelor's degree at St. Mary's College in
Moraga, California to his Master's Degree at La Salle University in
Philadelphia. Brother Mang's journey is continuing as a Lasallian
educator.
(Br. Robert McCann) |
 3rd Lasallian Forum, "The Christian education in changing times":The
Lasallian Province of Porto Alegre held another Forum on 15th May.
This 3rd Meeting tackled the topic "An education in changing times". It
gathered about 130 Lasallian educators from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa
Catarina, in the "Br. Arsênio Rambo Both" Hall, in Unilasalle.
Under the coordination of Br. Léo Inácio Knapp, director of the
Education and Ministry Commission, the event focused on a reflection
about the specificity of the "Christian school", according the
foundational origins of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian
Schools, and facing the present situation, to search for means of creative
fidelity to this identity.
 Br. Edgar Nicodem,
Provincial, opened the Forum by describing his experience with Lasallian Brothers today. He also
reminded the gathering that the Forum is a way of sharing and
concretizing the plans of
the 10th Provincial Chapter.
The key speaker of the event was Br. Israel José Nery, who has published 49 books and many articles on Education, Catechesis and
consecrated life, along with several CDs and videos.
Br. Nery dealt with "The Christian school in the
concept of the foundational origins of the Institute of FSC, and its
confrontation with the present situation". In the second session his
topic was "The Lasallian Christian school today, and its project of
religious education, which includes the explicit announcement of Jesus
Christ".
The event was closed with a celebration on the occasion of La Salle Day,
coordinated by Br. José Odillo Kirch.
(Br. João Angelo Lando) |
If you have news notes that you would like us to consider
publishing, please email us: lasallew@lasalle.org |
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