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The above numbers could be increased depending on the funds available.
|
| 14 Temporary housing sheds | $2,492 |
| Replacing 14 household's items | $1,568 |
| 12 Catamarans | $1,872 |
| 12 Fishing nets | $4,020 |
| Study materials for 8 schools | $33,700 |
| Furniture for 5 schools | $ 4,500 |
| Toilets and classrooms in 6 schools | $140,000 |
| For 800 student scholarships | $36,000 per year |
Information on the response promised by Proyde (Promotion and Development, of the Spanish Lasallians) to those damaged by the tsunami of the Asian southeast. 1. We will be taking care of 6 diocesan schools which have been seriously affected in their infrastructures, materials, teams and personnel (both teachers and pupils). The aim is to guarantee that they will be able to begin the next school year (which in India begins in June) in a normal way.
Funds will be provided for the renovation and reconstruction of buildings; for acquiring materials and education teams; for scholarships for students and salaries for teachers.
2. Help will be provided for the families of Lasallians who have been affected. There are five. Two have lost their fishing boats and the others have lost various items of household equipment.
3. We will be taking care of coastal villages devastated by the tidal wave and we have set as our objective to guarantee the following for at least three months: food, a supply of drinking water, clothes, medicine, school materials and school grants for the inhabitants with special attention to the needs of children.
4. As a service to 16 affected villages in the Nagapattinam district and in collaboration with the government, the Brothers will set up a hostel for 100 children left as orphans by the catastrophe.
5. For about ten of these villages we will set up programs for creating employment and opportunities for development so that the inhabitants can straighten out their lives by once again earning their living.
Catholic Bishops from Europe and North America Visit Bethlehem University: Bethlehem University hosted a delegation of Catholic bishops from Europe and North America. Bishop William Skylstad, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, was among the visitors. Brother Vincent Malham, President of Bethlehem University, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their support to the Palestinian people and Bethlehem University.
An open discussion was organized for the guests with faculty and students of Bethlehem University, and Brother Vincent spoke about the tremendous role of Bethlehem University in the development of Palestinian society. Also, discussion addressed the political climate in the region and the impediments Israel puts in the path of a comprehensive and just peace.
(George Sahhar
Public Relations/ Development Officer)
Lasallian Volunteers Retreat, Goshen, NY, USA: This year’s 38 Lasallian Volunteers gathered for their Midyear Retreat over the Martin Luther King Weekend in Goshen, NY. They came together to re-connect with friends; to share stories, frustrations and hopes; to relax and have fun; to pray and to renew their commitment to the poor. Led by Brother James Zullo, they explored the transitions of the past months with the hope of discovering God’s presence in these transitions and to discern God’s call for the future. They named many endings, shared their experiences of losing control and glimpses of new beginnings.
“Feet First … Hands on … Eyes Opened … Heart Aroused … Mind Expanded ” This quote by Br. Michael French describing the Lasallian Volunteers’ experience provided a backdrop for the weekend. Using the Emmaus story as a model, the Lasallian Volunteers explored how they experienced glimpses of God in their midst and how their hearts have been aroused. The weekend included practical sessions about serving another year, helping in development efforts for the program, and continuing their Lasallian involvement through the Tuition Remission Program. A Prayer Service of Re-Commitment concluded the retreat.
Alumni volunteers led the cooking for the weekend and prepared an incredible Thanksgiving meal on Saturday night with all the fixings. District Contacts from the Midwest and LINE Districts also joined the festivities and took the opportunity to connect with their volunteers.
(USA/Toronto Conference web site http://www.cbconf.org)
On January 6th 2005, at the De La Salle Centre of Port-de-Paix, Br. Lanès Escarmant, delegate of the Haiti Sector, greeted Br. Miguel Campus, General Councilor, and the other Brothers in attendance on the occasion of this historic meeting. When the greetings were over, Br. Lanès thanked in very glowing terms all those confreres who lovingly devoted their lives to the cause of the human and Christian education of young Haitians of Ile-de-la-Tortue, Saint-Louis-du-Nord and Port-de-Paix.
Then there were excellent talks from the Brothers responsible for the setting-up of the new entity “Haiti/Antilles.” Br.Miguel Campos stressed the courage and the hope of the Brothers of Haiti and the Delegation of the Antilles in consenting to such a union at this moment in history. Br. Adalberto Arranda saw in this a sign of an apostolic fruitfulness. Br.Pedro Fernandez rejoiced to see this unification being carried out on the Feast of the Epiphany, a day giving a profound missionary sense to this innovation. To end this round of talks, Br.Louis-Paul Lavallée, with Br.Ernest as his spokesman, expressed his total confidence in the Haitian Brothers taking root in their native soil, capable of creating the model best suited to the needs of the young people of their country.
These talks were followed by the signing of agreements of understanding between French-speaking Canada and the Antilles. The Br. President of the Delegation gave out souvenir bookmarks and calendars and then there was a group photograph.
After a break for relaxation, we went to the chapel for the Eucharist. At the Offertory the Brothers Scholastics renewed their annual vows. As a sign of unity in the Delegation all the Brothers also renewed their vows. The agreements of understanding were placed on the altar along with the bread and wine.
Each person was aware of the important role he had to play so that the Delegation which Haiti had just joined would produce fruits in abundance.
(Br. Ernest Bourgault)
La Salle University of Pachuca, Mexico, in the Generalate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools: The rector, several department heads, teachers, and students from La Salle University of Pachuca, Mexico, arrived at the Generalate in search of ourselves and our roots. We named the pilgrimage through France and Italy "Following the Footprints of Saint John Baptist de La Salle." And so it was. In Athis Mons, France, we saw how the old age of the senior Brothers was bearing fruit. In Liesse and in Rheims. we sensed the happiness and enthusiasm of the first Brothers. In Rouen, as we witnesses the abandonment of Saint Yon, we were struck by the ups and downs of life. Parmenie for us was a reliving of a process begun by the Founder. We gathered brochures and stones but above all we were revitalized by a small piece of the Lasallian identity.
We concluded our pilgrimage in the Generalate and there we witnessed the contradiction between the winter coldness corridors and the warm welcome of those who live there. We learned we are members of a large family that shares the same mission and lives it decisively. We were enriched by the responses of Brother Alvaro, Superior General, to our questions and concerns. He subsequently was kind enough to present our University with a relic of the Founder, a highly prized symbol of those steps we had come to seek.
We enjoyed the house's excellent hotel service. For us this was an immersion, starting from the Center of the Institute, into Lasallian history and its worldwide outreach in service of the education of children and the young. Our stay at the Generalate was the culmination of a course on Shared Mission, which was given to us over the course of two years by Brother Jorge Bonilla, our mentor and guide during our pilgrimage.
(La Salle University of Pachuca)
lasallew@lasalle.org
News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Br. John Fernando, FSC from India writes about two visits to the Tsunami affected areas and the Volunteer work being done there: All our Volunteer team members (inclusive of Brothers, Partners, Young Lasallians and students) have returned from their volunteer services in the affected areas. There were 150 participants. They were all moved and shared the burden of the people by living with them for 7 days. Indeed, their stay enabled them to induce hope against hope and to balance reason versus faith. Their interviews with the people helped them to cope with life.