Lasallian Leadership Institute's Third Cohort Graduates: Gathering in Mt. Pocono, PA from March 23 through March 25, 2006, the East Coast’s third cohort of the Lasallian Leadership Institute graduated. Br. Bill Mann, Vicar General of the Institute, was the final presenter of the three year formation program. He focused the group around a metaphor of the Lasallian family as a house. The weekend provided time for the group to take in content, to share time in prayer, to spend time in community, to partake in a celebratory dinner and to graduate on Saturday morning.

The examination of the metaphor of the Lasallian ministry as a house highlighted the constant need to build and renew within our individual apostolates, our Districts, our Region and our worldwide community. While viewing clips of the film Life as a House, we were guided in discussion around the need to choose life or death. If we choose life, we must constantly renew ourselves as we grow and change with life's vicissitudes. We are called to build a house that gives light to all and welcomes all members of God's family built firmly upon the foundation of St. John Baptist de La Salle and all the Lasallians who have gone before us.

The three year program ended with a commissioning prayer service put together by the members of the La Salle University group. As we gathered for the last time as LLI students we reflected on our three years together and prayed for our future roles as leaders in the greater Lasallian family. The graduation of the third cohort passed the torch to the fourth cohort of the Lasallian Leadership Institute which will meet for the first time this summer.
^{(Tim Donovan, Associate Director of Education, Baltimore District)}

East Coast Districts and Toronto Delegation Mission Councils Meet: Manhattan College in the Bronx, NY hosted the first joint Mission Councils meeting of the Baltimore, Long Island-New England, and New York Districts along with the Toronto Delegation to discuss the future of the Lasallian Mission on March 22, 2006. Prior to the meeting a sub-committee was called together by the East Coast Visitors and the Toronto Delegate after the 2004 Futures Assembly to examine new ways to bring the ministries of the group closer together. This body with representation from throughout the districts and the delegation was charged by the Futures Assembly to examine efficient ways to expand the Lasallian mission and to explore new support networks to further the mission. The joint meeting of the Mission Councils opened with a prayer for guidance and then provided a forum for members to react to the initial recommendations of the sub-committee.

Members of the sub-committee presented background on the purpose of the meeting, the functions of a possible new model, and outlined a possible working structure. Bro. Fred Mueller from the LI-NE District facilitated the discussions and gave the background. Marianne Gauss of the Baltimore District provided input into the functions of a closer network. Bro. John Patzwall, the Toronto Delegate, gave insight into a possible confederation model for the East Coast Lasallian Mission. The members of the committee then took questions and passed the proposals along for reaction.

The reaction phase was twofold. The first reaction was done in small groups of mixed Districts for discussion. The second response came from the individual Districts with the Toronto Delegation joining the New York Districts reflecting the emerging relationship of these two bodies. Both the mixed groups and the district representatives offered insight into possible strengths and challenges from the proposed model. Strengths ranged from greater resources, increased networking to a wider identity of the mission. The challenges ranged from meeting the needs of geography, funding the confederation to flexibility allowing for the uniqueness of each ministry. These insights were noted by the sub-committee for the continued development of bringing the East Coast ministries together to most effectively foster and enhance the Lasallian Mission. The work in Manhattan provided a great deal of energy for the ongoing discussions.
^{(Tim Donovan, Associate Director of Education, Baltimore District)}

European Association of Directors of Lasallian Institutions meet in Malta: The Annual Congress of ASSEDIL (European Assoc. of Directors of Lasallian Institutions) was held in Malta from March 31st to April 3rd 2006. The theme was: Leading and managing a Lasallian School in a changing society.

This year there were 120 participants and the conditions for work and lodging were excellent thanks to the welcome and preparation of Br. Martin Borg and his team in Malta.

After some words of welcome and the statutory General Assembly of the Association, the theme was taken up by a variety of speakers who led the participants to a high level of reflection: Monsieur Michel, delegate of trusteeship/sponsorship in France, Br. Terry Collins, Auxiliary-Visitor of Great Britain and Br. Herman Lombaerts, university lecturer from North-Belgium.

Furthermore, some Maltese personalities honored us by sharing some time with us and telling us about their experiences and their present pre-occupations (the former President of the Republic and the present Minister of Education).

The exchanges in small groups allowed the theme of the Congress to be dealt with and also allowed the Directors to take up again the questions put to the Partial Assemblies which are being held at present in the Lasallian Regions. ASSEDIL is also participating in this reflection which is taking place during these months all over the Lasallian world.
This Congress is also helping to reinforce the links at European level, thus prefiguring the future Lasallian Region of Europe.
^{(Br. Claude Reinhardt)}

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