Celebration in the Dominican Republic for the Centennial of Lasallian presence in the Antilles 1905 - 2005: July 5 was the day in the Dominican Republic for the centennial celebration of La Salle in the Antilles. After festivities that had begun in Cuba and continued in Miami and in Puerto Rico, Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, Superior General, and Brother Miguel Campos, Councillor, along with Brothers Adalberto Aranda, Delegate, and Pedro Fernández, President, presided at activities that happened on this day and which gathered together Brothers, colleagues, and associates from throughout the country.

A Eucharistic liturgy of thanksgiving that was celebrated at the Primate Cathedral of America by Cardinal Nicolás Jesús López Rodríguez, was the first gathering point. Along with members of various religious congregations from all over the country, the Lasallian Family was present in the cathedral and they offered their gratitude to the Almighty for the educational work that had been done in this land. The Cardinal expressed his appreciation for the work done by the Brothers in their various works and Brother Álvaro Rodríguez stressed the determination of Lasallians in responding creatively to the needs of children and young people.

The luncheon which followed the liturgy provided an excellent opportunity for sharing fraternity. De La Salle Dominican College welcomed the representative groups from places where Lasallians are present and the conversation was both joyous and festive.

A key moment of the day was the interchange with Brother Superior General who, in his opening talk, emphasized the deep sense of association for the educational service of the poor "in looking together in the same direction, the direction of the mission to children and young people." He highlighted the different experiences that had been taking place in this regard in recent years, the renewed commitment on the part of all of us, Brothers and lay colleagues, to lead the Lasallian mission with passion. He made a special point about the work for Lasallian vocations on the broad level, especially those for De La Salle Brothers. After his intervention, Brother Adalberto Aranda, Delegate, invited those present to participate in an enjoyable interchange with the four Brothers who were special guests, and this allowed for sharing valuable information about the Lasallian world today, to clarify concerns about the daily running of our Lasallian works, and to receive guidelines on the best ways to make real today the Lasallian educational tradition.

A performance by the Lasallian Counterpoint Choir entitled, "The New Generation That is Already Designing the Roads of the Next Century," and some words by Brothers Raúl Calvo, Director, and Pedro Fernández, President, brought the celebration to a close.

All of the celebrations in the Antilles had as their common purpose to highlight the great challenge for the Lasallian mission there, a challenge which was the slogan for the entire Centennial year, to ensure that all current Lasallians and those of the future might be "a new generation for the educational service of the poor."
^{(Luis Peña)}

The 19th session of Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies recently concluded at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California. 64 participants from the United States, Ireland and Nigeria gathered for three-weeks of study, prayer, reflection and fellowship.

The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies is a comprehensive formation and education program that studies the origins of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Lasallian Mission. This intensive three-week, three-summer formative program is lived in a community focused on study, prayer, liturgy, and a sharing of experiences with others engaged in Lasallian ministries in various sectors of the English-speaking world.

Through the reading and examination of the original writings of St. John Baptist de La Salle and his contemporaries, participants are able to touch the energy of the Institute’s beginnings and become animators themselves of the Lasallian heritage in their own ministries and communities. Founded in 1987, this program has introduced nearly 500 participants to the life, works, spirituality, and educational vision of De La Salle.

More information regarding the Buttimer Institute may be found at Christian Brothers Conference www.cbconf.org/Programs/programs-buttimer.html or at www.buttimer.org
^{(Tina Bonacci)}

Webmaser on Vacation: I am going on vacation so there will be no "Current Events" posted during August. The next current event will be posted about September 13th.
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

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