This eleventh General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will focus on "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church". The theme had been chosen by John Paul II and was confirmed by Benedict XVI.

Most members of the Synod are elected representatives of the world's Episcopal Conferences. The Pope himself has also chosen 34 bishops and two priests who head lay movements. Among the latest 36 nominees, are four bishops from the People’s Republic of China including – for the first time – one underground bishop who is “not recognized” by Beijing.

Other observers, like Br. Álavaro, who attend the Synod sessions, include lay Catholics and representatives of other Christian groups. The priests who lead two lay movements – Opus Dei and Communion and Liberation – are included, as is the head of the Jesuit order. Communities of the eastern rite will be represented by prelates from the Syro-Malabar, Maronite, Ukrainian, and Melkite churches.
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

Fortieth anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis: On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the publication of Perfectae Caritatis, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life organized a Symposium to consider the direction which consecrated life has taken, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to search for signs and orientations that may assist all consecrated persons to be "Witnesses of the transfiguring presence of God." (Pope Benedict XVI)

The Symposium, “Consecrated Life: Appraisal and Future Orientations,” was held in Vatican City from September 26-27 2005. During the Symposium, Br. Alvaro Rodríguez, Superior General, was asked as President of the Union of Superiors General to address the assembly on the topic, “Present Reality regarding Consecrated Life: Its Realization, Challenges and Perspectives.” Linked here is the text of his address.
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

Young Lasallian Volunteers Visit the Sudan: A group of Young Lasallian Volunteers from Egypt recently visited the Lasallian Community in the Sudan, which is the District of the Proche Orient's recent mission initiative. In this photo, the Volunteers are in a place called Jabal Oulia. They conducted there a project of BIBLES. One of the Volunteers wrote: "It's a very poor place ... These people are coming from the south of Sudan ... Although they are Christians, they are learning Islamic religion in their schools; and so they don't know anything about bibles ... So we bought a big number of bibles from the money of the donation from Egypt, and we gave the bibles to them...."
^{(Br. Georges Absi)}

Meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the 44th General Chapter: The Preparatory Commission for the General Chapter held its first meeting from September 12 to September 23, 2005, at the Generalate in Rome. During their meetings, the Brothers on the Commission began their reflection on what was requested of them by Circular 453, that they "organize an interactive process" for the preparation of the Chapter and that they aid in Chapter process itself in an alternative way.

After hearing from Brother Superior and his Council, the Brother Secretaries in charge of International Commissions, and Brothers in charge of General Services, there was a clear expectation that the Chapter would be one of discernment, that it would seek to hear the Lord's voice in today's society, that it would engage in discussion, that it would be an encounter among Brothers, that it would promote inter-cultural awareness, and that it would offer lines of action and orientations rather than formulate numerous propositions or engage extensively in legislative decisions.

With trust in God and with the support of the Brothers from around the world, the Commission will look for alternative, creative, and participatory ways both in preparing for the 44th General Chapter and in the way it is organized.

The Commission will return to Rome to meet from Sunday, February 12 to Saturday, February 25, 2006.
^{(Br. Carlos Gómez)}

150th Celeberations of Lasallian Presence in GB: During this academic year, 2005 - 2006, Lasallians throughout Great Britain will be celebrating 150 years of Lasallian presence there. It was on 1st August 1855 that nine De La Salle Brothers opened their first school in Clapham, South London, which after many moves and financial difficulties became St. Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, which still exists today.

This year of celebration will begin with four regional celebrations, South East & London, Wales, the South Coast, and the North. The Northern celebration was held at Salford Cathedral on Friday 23rd September at 1.30pm. During this celebration various Lasallians from 11 to 60 years told their story in between music and song from the various schools in the Lasallian Network (North). The year will end with a national celebration in Liverpool Cathedral on Monday July 3rd 2006 at 2.30pm. During this year of Celebration the main souvenir will be a prayer book written by the pupils themselves and distributed to every school in the network.

Over the past 150 years the Lasallian Mission of service of the poor through education has grown beyond the Brothers to include teachers, retreat workers, governors, parents, ex-Brothers and any educator who has felt inspired by the story St. John Baptist De La Salle. In recognition of this expansion, the Lasallian Assembly last March set up a Council for the Lasallian Mission. The aim of this Council is to carry forward the Lasallian Mission here in Britain for the next 150 years.

The Lasallian Network is a dynamic multifaceted group that quietly works in the field of education through schools, retreat work and educational projects in developing countries such as India, Kenya and Ghana. It holds meetings ranging from National Assemblies to regional head teachers conferences. It is particularly known for its work at its retreat Centre of St. Cassian's, Kintbury, and for its pioneering Catechetical work in Catholic schools around Bristol, carried out by the LAMB Community, (Lasallian Mission in Bristol).
^{(www.delasalle.org.uk)}

La Salle University, Bogotá, Colombia, celebrates the 95 years work of the San Victor School: On September 22nd La Salle University paid tribute to the 95 years of work completed by the San Victor de la Salle School. It was founded as an annex school of the Instituto de la Salle whose Director was Br. Aphraate Victor, who, a few years earlier had been Visitor of the District of Colombia. In recent years it functioned as an official school supported by the government. Following the new policies of the government, help was withdrawn this year and so it was closed.

Due to the fact that it served for many years as a place for teaching practice for the Faculty of Education of La Salle University, the latter highlighted these 95 years of work with a tribute to the 320 pupils, the ex-Directors and collaborators of the school. The program consisted of a Eucharistic celebration, recreational activities of an academic and cultural nature and the giving of a present to each pupil.

The photographs capture some of the day’s events.
^{(Br. Edgar Figueroa Abrajíml)}

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