Dr. Bernard Sabella elected to Christian seat in Jerusalem: In the recent Palestinian elections Dr. Bernard Sabella, a former full-time and current part-time faculty member at Bethlehem University, won one of the 2 Christian seats for Jerusalem. Dr. Sabella’s wife, Mary, is a full-time Counselor at Bethlehem University. Following the election campaign, Dr. Sabella said, “During the campaign I have touched base with our people and saw the love we all have to the good earth of Palestine. I was elated by the participation of Christian Palestinians in the process.”

Congratulations to Dr. Sabella and to Bethlehem University for this distinguished honor.
^{(Br. Donald Johanson)}

Brother Superior’s visit to the Valencia-Palma district of Spain: On the 19 January, Brother Alvaro began by visiting the town of Benicarló in the province of Valencia. In that town he presided at the inauguration of the centenary celebrations of the founding of the Association of Former Students of the Brothers’ college. The Association has as many as 800 members.

Other events in Brother Superior’s visit are as follows:

Meeting with all the Brothers of the District with whom Brother Alvaro commented on this year’s pastoral letter. Brother Alvaro especially emphasised that part of the circular which touches on the Brothers’ personal life journey, which all of us must follow in our answer to God’s call.
Official opening of a pastoral centre for adolescents who find it hard to fit into the family or society. At this ceremony representatives of the local civil authorities were present, as well as a great crowd of persons connected with the Brothers. Brother Alvaro reminded his audience of various elements in our modern world which urge us to answer the needs of children and young people. The community in charge of this project consists of four Brothers and two married couples who are Lasallian Associates.
Meeting with the Lasallian Associates of the District. There are seven laypersons and one priest officially associated with the Brothers, and they explained to the Superior their system of Association and outlined their commitments to the District. Brother Alvaro pointed out the various ways of being an Associate, and how these ways can be followed differently according to the circumstances of each person.
Visit to La Salle College in the city of Teruel. This visit was part of the centenary celebrations for the arrival of the Brothers in the city. The presence of the Superior added lustre to a marvellous celebration by the students, who had decorated the college with artistically designed welcoming notices.
Visit to the community of Ibiza. Three Brothers work on the island in diocesan work. They each give religion lessons in the state schools of the island. They are also in charge of the commission for Religious Education and for Catechesis in the Diocese. They run the St. Augustine distance programme in Theology. They are in charge of the Bethany Project, a social centre concentrating on teaching literacy to immigrants, they offer assistance to students with learning difficulties and finally they organise a vast number of activities for children during the summer holidays.

The Brothers welcome into their community house their religion students, catechists, and teachers in such a way that the spreading of the Gospel message becomes an integral and fruitful part of their community life.
^{(Br. Juan Pablo Martin)}

The District of Bogota begins the Postulancy: Last January 8, the District of Bogota began the first year of Postulancy program. Brother Balbino Mantilla Fuentes, Director, and Brothers Alfonso Guevara and Fernando Granada, staff members, were happy to welcome 14 generous young people in the program. The fourteen young people have decided to take this important step and begin the process of being mentored and of discernment in the "Plan Ruta."

A significant group of Brothers from throughout the District also offered encouragement to these young men by their presence on this great day.

The initiation ceremony and the reception were the responsibility of the second-year postulants, who looked after the new postulants and their families.

The Eucharistic liturgy, presided by the Postulancy chaplain, was highlighted by the intervention of Brother Jorge Enrique Molina, Visitor, who formally welcomed the young men and he encouraged them to begin the process with generosity and with a sense of radicalness.

The Secretary for Pastoral Ministry, Brother Carlos Forero, as the District person in charge of mentoring and discernment in the "Plan Ruta," officially presented the group of young men to the formation staff. Brother Alexander Santafe, Secretary for Formation, offered thanks to the Lord at the end of the celebration, for sending workers into the cornfields.

We wish all these young men the best during their initial formation and we promise them our constant prayers that the Lord may establish their vocations on solid ground, and to those who mentored these men along the way, we express the gratitude of the entire District for their zealous efforts as they mentored these candidates.

The 2006 Pre-Novitiate: Brothers Oscar Elizalde, Director, and Eduard Quitian, Sub-Director, headed up the formation process for these seven young men who began the pre-novitiate year with a Eucharistic liturgy. They were accompanied by the Brothers from the Pastoral Ministry community, the community from La Salle University and representatives from the Scholasticate community, the San Bernardo Institute, and the Brother Miguel La Salle School.
^{(Br. Carlos Forero
www.lasalle.org.co)}

Lasallian International Children’s Fund to Begin Disbursements: Brother John Johnston has announced that the Lasallian International Children’s Fund now has a market value of $ 363,000 and will begin disbursements May 15, 2006.

Towards the end of the 43rd General Chapter, the Regions of the Institute announced their decision to create the Brother John Johnston Fund for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Subsequently, Brother John modified the name to Lasallian International Children’s Fund. He and his advisors decided to allow the fund to grow to at least $ 350,000 before beginning disbursements.

The purpose of the fund is to provide monies from interest and dividends for programs directly in service of needy children and youth, for advocacy projects on behalf of children, and for the training of leaders in the promotion of the rights of children. The fund will provide between $13,000 and $14,000 annually, sufficient to make aid available for three or four mini-projects that meet the criteria.

Because the fund is intended to provide assistance internationally, and because SECOLI has a highly effective infrastructure already in place, Brother John has asked the Directors of SECOLI to designate recipients from among those seeking assistance.

Requests, therefore, should be sent directly to SECOLI, using the standard Request Form for Mini-Projects” and conforming to all SECOLI policies. The Directors of SECOLI will choose three or four projects for funding by the LICF. They will make disbursements annually on May 15, feast of St. John Baptist de La Salle.

The Lasallian International Children’s Fund has reached its current value because of ongoing contributions and market growth. The hope is that the fund will continue to grow, making more monies available each year. Anyone wishing to contribute to the principle of the endowment can send donations to SECOLI, indicating clearly that the contribution is intended for the Lasallian International Children’s Fund.
^{(Br. John Johnston)}

Faith & Finance: The 60th meeting of the International Economic Council was held in Rome during the last full week of January. Time was devoted to discussing the ordinary agenda items such as: examining the annual audit of the Generalate; reviewing the current budget and the current diversification of investments and the valuation of the stable patrimony of the Institute and the Formation Fund; General Chapter resolutions and recommendations with financial implications; and contributions to the Centre of the Institute, etc.

At this session however additional time was spent discussing what is necessary to continue to develop the relationship between faith and finance, particularly how investments are used in support of the Educational Mission of local Districts and the Institute at large. Joining the Council for this discussion were Brother Louis DeThomasis, Chancellor of St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, and Brother Michael O’Hern, President of Christian Brothers Investment Services, Inc. from the United States of America. In addition, the Council consulted with representatives of Bank DeGroof from Belgium.

It is absolutely necessary that available local and international resources be invested safely, with the necessity of maintaining the capital, but also with the greatest possible investment returns consistent with appropriate risk tolerance. The growth of financial assets increases the possibility of maintaining and expanding Mission. In addition, when religious own shares of verified companies, they must make certain that their investments are moral and ethical, and in keeping with teachings of the Church.

Securing the future in all these areas is becoming increasingly more difficult to accomplish, particularly where those in charge do not have sufficient experience and/or aging. Consequently, trust has to be placed in the outside management of resources. The Council’s discussions centered on the possibility of creating in Europe a structure or company similar to Christian Brothers Investment Services in America. If we are to continue to be responsible stewards of our resources and grow them ethically for Mission, it is incumbent on all of us to take the necessary steps to guarantee it. While normal business will continue to be addressed, these important longer term investment management discussions will continue through the next several months and at the next session of the IEC.
^{(Br. John Patzwall)}

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