News of the Institute and Lasallian Family

Rome, October 14, 2003

Br. Superior Names Ad Hoc Committee on the Rule: Brother Superior General recently created the ad hoc Committee mandated by Proposition 38 of the last General Chapter "to study what implications changes in the Church and in the Institute might have for the present text of the Rule". The intent of Proposition 38 is to update the Rule by enriching it with the developments that have taken place in the Church and in the Institute since 1987.

The following Brothers have been appointed to the committee:

Br. José Manuel Agirrezabalaga (ARLEP, SECOLI Secretary)
Br. Fernand Becret (France)
Br. Pierre Ouattara (RELAF)
Br. Robert Schieler (USA-T)
Br. Leonardo Tejeiro (RELAL)
Br. Michael Valenzuela (PARC)
Br. Antonio Botana (designated at-large)
Br. Gerard Rummery (designated at-large)

The committee will hold its first meeting from Feb. 23-27, 2004 in the Casa Generalizia in Rome.
(Br. Victor Franco)
 
Choose Life : The District of Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea recently organized a Lasallian Formation course at its La Salle Motel Conference Center in Narooma, Australia (24 to 29 August). The workshop was entitled "Choose Life," and it was intended as an advanced program for Lasallian Partners and Brothers who had completed previous Lasallian formation programs offered by the District. The aim of the workshop conducted by Brother Vicar General William Mann, Brother Visitor David Hawke, and Lasallian Formation Director Trish Carroll was to help the participants come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be Lasallian in relation to personal spirituality, to ministry with young people, and to membership in a Lasallian community.
(Br. William Mann)

 
A "Popular" St. John Baptist De La Salle: Among the 29 'mysteries' of the neighbourhood called Town Square, in the locality of Guardia Sanframondi (Benevento, Italy) we came across one that was dedicated this year to St.John Baptist De La Salle.

This famous religious manifestation which is celebrated every seven years in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption, in this locality in the south of Italy, has roots going far back into the past and attracts large crowds of the faithful and onlookers.

The idea of having our Founder represented in this popular celebration, in a colourful and unusual way, as a devotee of Our Lady and an assiduous pilgrim to the sanctuary of Our Lady of Liesse, came from Professor Vincenzo Di Crosta, a member of Signum Fidei and affiliated to our Institute.
(Br. Rodolfo Meoli)

International Contest entitled "Knowing De La Salle"
: Given the success of the first International Contest entitled "Knowing De La Salle," the pastoral ministry team of San Antonio-La Salle College in Ciaño (Asturias region of Spain) has begun its second contest.

The contest hopes to achieve three things:
To open links between persons who are close to the Lasallian movement throughout the world.
To approach the person of the Founder, the life of Districts, the history of the Institute, in a way that is fun for participants.
To bring up to date all those who wish to know about current events and news as regards the institution.

You may sign up to participate during the month of October and the questions will be given in November.

For more information, in three languages, visit the "Knowing De La Salle" web site at: www.lasalle.es/ciano/conocerls/

We look forward to your participation! Greetings from Ciaño!
(Adolfo José Hernández Martín)
 
Formation Week for young Brothers from the ARLEP Region (Spain and Portugal): : Again this year, from August 16 - 21, the Formation Week was held for the young Brothers from the ARLEP Region.

The week was wonderful in that it promoted the meeting of young Brothers among themselves, in such a way that they were able to live together and to share their many and rich experiences as De La Salle Brothers for a few days.

This year the week was held in Griñón with the same 23 young Brother participants.

The formation topics were structured in two parts:

The first part centered on the topic: "Building community in light of Lasallian tradition, the Rule and the 43rd General Chapter." This section was led by Brother Luis Timón.

The second part was devoted to "Getting to know experiences which involve caring for those most in need in the Districts of ARLEP"

This section was begun by Brother Juan Pablo Martín Dueñas, General Councillor, who reflected on serving the poor by means of education within the Institute. Then several rich, concrete experiences were discussed such as the Fishing Village of Santander, Alucinos (Madrid), Agüimes (Canary Islands) and Guadix (Granada). This section was concluded by Brother Adriano Trescent (HAL) from Catalonia.

Brother Alberto Prada (Secretary for Formation) participated in the first three days of the session. Also present were the Brothers Visitor from Madrid and Valladolid, as well as the Auxiliary Visitor from Catalonia. We are grateful to all of them.

For more information, see: http://www.lasalle.es/
(Brothers Tomás Serrano and Olimpio García)
 
The Education Center of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Homestead, Florida : Last July 20 we celebrated the 12th anniversary of our founding. The center was established in 1991, when a group of young immigrant Mexicans, by means of Sister Soledad Mendoza, MGDSPS, sought help from former Lasallian students who were in the area and who were involved in catechetical pastoral ministry. Since that time we have continued our educational mission for immigrants in need.
(José M. Dorado)

Congress on the Lasallian Mission
: From August 3 to 6 over two hundred Lasallian educators gathered at Lewis University for the Midwest District Congress on the Lasallian Mission. Brother William Mann, Vicar General, gave the opening keynote presentation. In a short overview he outlined some of the interesting and challenging developments in the Institute around the world. He was also complimentary to the Midwest District about many of its new initiatives including the development of the San Miguel Schools and the creation of the new Mission and Ministry Council. He indicated that others are watching the District for future initiatives.

Brother Frank Carr addressed the assembly on Monday morning. He outlined some of the challenges facing the District and encouraged all Lasallian educators to deepen their understanding of the Mission. He suggested that all members help the District in new ways according to their talents.

On Tuesday morning Julie Michels, Principal of Totino-Grace High School, spoke about her experiences as one challenged by her "Lasallian vocation" as a wife and mother. Among other subjects she invited the participants to consider the importance of having more women in administrative positions in Lasallian ministries especially where half or more of the students are young women.

The challenges, recommendations and new ideas will be presented to the Mission and Ministry Council for discussion at its September meeting. Their results will be forwarded to the District Chapter, which will take place in November in Winona, MN.

For further information see:  http://www.cbmidwest.org or http://www.cbservices.org/cbmid.nsf/pages/2003middistrcongress

If you have news notes that you would like us to consider publishing, please email us:lasallew@lasalle.org
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