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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, April 30, 2003 |
 Archivists
Visit the Generalate Archives: Nearly 320 years have passed since
the beginnings of the Institute and the variety of countries and
cultures where it has been working makes the Brothers archives
collection one of the most exciting in Rome. At the invitation of
Brother Edwin Arteaga Tobón, archivist of the Institute in the
Generalate, two American Brothers, Eugene O'Gara (Archivist of the
L.I.N.E and New York Districts), Robert Werle (Archivist of the Midwest
District, in Memphis) and Miss Amy Surak (Archivist of Manhattan College
and the New York District) came to Rome to study the organization and
proceedings of the Generalate archives from March 2nd to March 14th.
After their investigation of the archives, the three archivists gave the
archives' staff a helping hand launching and almost finishing several
short range tasks. But their greatest contribution is the Consultants
Report that was written at the end of their visit. The report contains a
set of recommendations, policies, procedures and regulations that will
be implemented for the archives. Their Report was presented to Brother
William Mann, Vicar General and to all those concerned by the archives
in the Generalate. Thanks to Brothers Eugene and Robert and to Amy for
their assistance in helping us develop the archives.
(Br. Edwin Arteaga Tobón) |
 Br.
Superior General Welcomes Bishop Joseph Suwatan, M.S.C: On March 28,
Br. Álvaro invited members of the General Council and other guests to a
reception and dinner in honor of Bishop Joseph Suwatan, M.S.C., Bishop
of Manadao, Indonesia. Bishop Suwatan was instrumental in having the
Brothers of the Parc Region come to Indonesia to found Universitas
Katolik De La Salle Manadao, which was founded in 2000. This is the first
venture of the Brothers into Indonesia and in the three years since its
founding has grown to a student body of 1200 students. The Bishop was a
wonderful dinner guest, delighting the Brothers with many stories of his
long involvement with the De La Salle Brothers. The reception and dinner
took place in the recently renovated dining room facilities.
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
 Venerable
Brother Alpert Motsch: On Saturday, April 5, 2003, on the occasion
of the 5th anniversary of the transfer of the remains of Venerable
Brother Alpert Motsch to Saint Joseph the Worker Church in Paris, there
was the annual pilgrimage to his tomb. Mass was celebrated by Monsignor
Michel Guyard, Vicar General of the archdiocese and former student of
the Brothers. The Monsignor represented Cardinal Archbishop Lustiger.
Following the ceremony Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, FSC Superior General,
unveiled and blessed a triptych which was placed on the Venerable's
tomb. It was painted by Ms. Mariella Federica Turpaud. Present also were
Brother Rodolfo Meoli, FSC Postulator General and a large number of
Brothers and faithful, among whom were fifteen pilgrims, descendants of
the Venerable, who came directly from Eywiller, his native town.
(Br. Rodolfo Meoli) |
 The
consecration of Saint John Baptist de La Salle parish church in the
Piletas residential area: Just three years ago the parish of Saint
John Baptist de La Salle celebrated the Eucharist, baptisms, weddings
and first communions out in the streets of Piletas, sometimes even
amidst mud and rain! Thanks to the support of the Lasallian community of
Bajío and that of Mexico City, the family of Arena Torres Landa, and the
last wishes of Brother Manuel Alvarez Campos, the modern-style parish
church dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle was consecrated.
Filled with emotion, Father Fernando BriseZo González, pastor of Saint
John Baptist de La Salle parish, was thankful for the support received
so that the Piletas community could have God's house among family
houses.
"Today we can enjoy this beautiful piece of construction and people will
no longer refer to the 'street parish of Saint John Baptist de La
Salle.'" We spent three years hearing confessions, baptizing, witnessing
the sacrament of matrimony for all those who wanted to marry in the
parish - out in the street, sometimes when it was raining, often times
in muddy conditions. How wonderful it is today to be able to look at
this work of God," reflected the pastor, Father Fernando BriseZo, who
also was celebrating 25 years of ordained priesthood.
In his homily, the Bishop of the Diocese of León, José Guadalupe Martín
Rábago, first of all thanked God, who inspired the architect for the
church, Esteban Villasante Sánchez, a former Lasallian student. He was
also thankful for the perseverance of all those who put forward
suggestions for the work. He thanked the parish community because the
members also supported the construction of the church.
The bishop said: "I am very grateful for the Lasallian community, who
have been very close to this work and who took up the realization of
this work with great enthusiasm. I am thinking now about how happy
Brother Manuel Alvarez would have been were he able to be with us today.
It was he who often dreamed about and enjoyed imagining a church
dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle. I am sure that he looks
down on us in this liturgy from heaven."
In his intervention, the rector of La Salle University at Bajío, Juan
Roberto López, stressed the fact that Saint John Baptist de La Salle
will be an inspiration for the personal needs of this parish community.
Brother Ricardo Sánchez, who lived with Brother Manuel Alvarez for many
years, thanked Brother Juan Roberto López and his team in Brother
Manuel's name, for his having completed this church dedicated to Saint
John Baptist de La Salle and thereby fulfilling the last wish of Brother
Manuel as his last words expressed his desire to see this work
completed.
One of the most significant details of this church is the sculpture of
Saint John Baptist de La Salle. The saint is looked at by statues of a
boy and a girl, done by the artist Carlos Espino, and they represent the
De La Salle's devotion to the education of children.
The church also has two stained-glass windows, done by the stained-glass
window maker Mario Ortiz. In one of them is the moon and the sun is in
the other window. Over the altar there is a large stained-glass window
which depicts a colored image of the universe. Outside, the walls are
yellow and white. The interior of the church is very bright, commented
Esteban Villasante. In his message to the parishioners, the architect
asked them to enjoy their parish church and that the entire community
should respect it and help to prevent graffiti.
(Angélica Anguiano) |
 Dr.
Nils J. Diaz Named Chairman Of The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission:
Pictured here at Centro Educativo SJB De La Salle in Homestead,
Florida, USA is Dr. Nils J. Diaz, an alumnus of the Brothers of Cuba.
President George Bush has recently designated Dr. Nils J. Diaz as
Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Congratulations to Dr. Diaz on his new appointment and we thank him
for his continuing support of the Lasallian Mission in Centro
Educativo SJB in Homestead, Florida.
For the press release in English, please visit
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2003/03-041.html
(Jose M. Dorado) |
If you have news notes that you would like us to consider
publishing, please email us: lasallew@lasalle.org |
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