Circular 453 sent to the printers: Circular 453, announcing the 44th General Chapter, has been sent to the printers and will be distributed as soon as possible. In order to prepare for the International Assembly of 2006 and the General Chapter of 2007, we have made two additions to our Publications section with links to various documents important for these two events. You can access Circular 453 and other documents online by visiting the Publications section. The logo for the International Assembly of 2007 is also linked there if you want to have a copy.
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

Memorandum of Understanding between the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Rome Italy and the Lasallian Education Fund (LEF), San Francisco, signed at the Generalate of the Brothers: On June 15th, Br. Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General and Br. David Brennan, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Lasallian Education Fund, met with the General Council of the Brothers to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Brothers and LEF.

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is in the spirit of proposition 37 of the 43rd General Chapter: “That Brother Superior and his Council consider the feasibility of setting up a fund collecting office with a view to finding new sources of funds for the permanent endowment of the Institute, in order to allow it to support its educational mission of service of the poor.”

Br. Marc Hofer, in his welcoming words to the group, reminded them that it was indeed Br. David who, during the 43rd General Chapter, initiated proposition 37 which was then adopted by the capitulants to the Chapter.

Br. Álvaro thanked Br. David and Mr. Michael Mulcahy, President of LEF, for their willingness to reach the agreement. He also said, “I thank you for your special cooperation in continuing to satisfy the needs of the Institute, that are always orientated to respond to the needs of young people especially the poor.”

The Mission of the Lasallian Education Fund is to transform lives through education by providing financial support for under-served children around the world to attend traditional Lasallian schools and other innovative non-traditional Lasallian programs and enterprises and to provide an education for students that will be a catalyst for change in their lives, stimulate their minds, nourish their souls and engage them as productive members of society.

Part of the Memorandum of Understanding states, “It is evident that the 43rd General Chapter and the Lasallian Education Fund have the same mission: to promote the educational service of the poor.”

The four stated aims of LEF in the memorandum are:
a. to become the foundation leader in attracting funds for education of the poor worldwide;
b. to become globally recognized;
c. to build capability and capacity for fundraising in the Lasallian world; and
d. to study the feasibility of creating networked agencies coordinated and managed by LEF in different countries of the world.

Br. Bill Mann, Vicar General, underlined the importance of the memorandum of understanding with regard to the Brothers priority of Association for the educational service of the poor. He spoke of it as one more example of how our association with the laity is essential in fulfilling our Institute’s mission.

SECOLI, established by the General Chapter of 1966, has as its purpose “to be a coordination entity, whereby those Districts that are able, can aid those most in need.” As such, it will continue in its current role. The Memorandum of Understanding does not impact the role of SECOLI which is the “internal” coordination entity of the Institute. LEF, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding, is primarily concerned with “attracting funds for education of the poor worldwide.” SECOLI and LEF will seek ways to be mutually supportive in their diverse yet complementary aims.

Good luck and best wishes to the LEF for success in this important venture.

For further information about LEF consult their website: www.LasallianEducation.org
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

Queen’s Birthday Honours: Brother Ambrose Payne has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his services to education through leadership and representative roles in the secondary and tertiary sectors of and with professional organizations, and to school rugby union football. Br Ambrose is now the Provincial of the De La Salle Brothers in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
^{(In The Loop Newsletter)}

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