Lasallian Centenary in Australia:On Friday 26th May, one hundred years after the arrival of the Brothers in Australia, the impressive altar of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia was the perfect backdrop for the Centenary Mass that brought Brothers, colleagues, friends, students and staff from De La Salle school communities together in celebration.

In his homily, Archbishop Frank Carroll, (a former student of one of the De La Salle schools in Sydney), said that it was “a great privilege to be present at this Mass of thanksgiving to pay tribute to the Brothers”.
He encouraged the students to appreciate something of the very special spiritual and educational heritage of which they are blessed to be a part and to commit themselves to sharing the mission of the Brothers and the good news of the Gospel.

“The spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle is alive and well in our schools and in new forms of outreach to the poor and marginalized in our society. The Brothers and members of the Lasallian family sow generously the seeds of Gospel faith and love. May we never forget to thank them and the rich heritage they have given us over these one hundred years”.

Future Directions

Provincial Br Ambrose Payne said in celebrating the past, we acknowledge the contribution of the Brothers and look with excitement to the future.

”Today, what began in Armidale in 1906 is reflected in the presence of the Brothers in 20 different locations across three countries. Involved are more than 800 co-workers in touch with more than 10,000 young people, many in schools and some in welfare programs”

“The second hundred years will be a time in which partnerships and associations are the striking characteristic of everything in which the Brothers are involved”.

The work of the Brothers and Lay Partners remains dynamic in a range of activities to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged not only in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea but in the South East Asian region.

Congratulations to the Brothers of the District of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and their associates as they celebrate their 100 years of service.
^{(Angela Finn)}

Meeting with the Pope : His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI met at the Vatican on 22 May 2006 with approximately 1,500 Superiors General and Vicars General of Religious Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The hour-long prayer service and the hour-long papal audience, which were held in the Paul VI Hall, were organized by Cardinal Prefect Franc Rodé, with the assistance of the Unions of Superiors General (USG/UISG).

Brother Superior Alvaro Rodríguez Echeverría and Brother Vicar William Mann attended the gathering. In his role as President of the Union of Superiors General (USG), Brother Alvaro was one of four persons to extend some words of greetings to the Holy Father.
^{(Br. William Mann)}

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