Two articles about Bethlehem University were recently published on the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) web site. Both of these articles are both inspiring and informative. Although the NCR does not normally give permission to post their articles on other web sites, we were given permission and they are published here in English. One article, Persistence for the Future, details the story of Annaliza Younan, a recent graduate, who persisted in spite of many obstacles and was able to Graduate from Bethlehem University. Her struggle to get an education is, unfortunately, typical of Bethlehem University students rather than the exception.

The other, Nurturing Academia in a War Zone, describes some of the history of Bethlehem University which last October marked its 30th anniversary. The article will provide you with an excellent overview of the University’s difficult history.
^{(Pat Morrison, former NCR managing editor)}

CIL Session: On Sunday, 17 October, 59 Lasallians involved in Formation for Lasallian Mission began their five week program. The participants, 23 lay associates and 26 Brothers, have gathered from 20 Districts and 14 countries to participate in a three part program, the first part of which began in their home districts as each participant, along with his or her Reference Group of other Lasallians, developed a report on a particular ministry.

During the first ten days of the program the participants have been analyzing the reports and attempting to develop common themes and questions regarding the Lasallian Educational Mission and the formation process for that mission.

With the CILists are three young children, sons and daughter of two of the participants. The first ten days have been rich with coming to know one another, learning how to form community across languages and cultures, and investigating key issues in Lasallian mission. The group has developed a website (http://www.lasalle.es/cil) to record the story of its life together, including galleries of pictures.
^{(Br. Fred Mueller)}

Pastoral Visit to Malta: At the end of October, Br. Superior General made a Pastoral visit to Malta. He was accompanied by Br. Claude Reinhardt, General Councillor, and Br. Sean Sellors, Visitor of Great Britain and Malta. He had meetings with the Brothers, our Lasallian Family, former students, Signum Fidei members and the Senior Management Teams of our Schools. He also has a meeting with the Archbishop of Malta.
^{(Br. Martin Borg)}

La Salle University, Bogota: Last October 23, 2004, at La Salle University, Bogota, Colombia, the sacrament of confirmation was conferred upon 60 students and other members of the university community. They were prepared for this by the university's pastoral ministry team, which is under the direction of the Vice-Rector's Office for Promotion and Human Development and it is part of the program for Christian Formation and Leadership for the sacramental life of the university.

Pictured is Monsignor Fabian Marulanda, Secretary General of the Columbian Bishops' Conference, as he celebrates the sacrament in Holy Cross Church at the central campus of La Salle University, Bogota, Colombia.
^{(Brother Luis Fernando Cardenas M.)}

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