News of the Institute and Lasallian Family

Rome, May 22, 2007

KASLIK – LEBANON - PAPAL DISTINCTION FOR BR.ILDEFONSE KHOURY FOR HIS LIFE DEVOTED TO CATECHESIS: On Sunday May 13th , Br.Ildefonse Khoury, received a high Papal Distinction which was presented to him by the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Mgr.Luigi Gatti, for his more that 50 years devoted to catechesis in Lebanon and the Middle East. This took place in the course of a ceremony organized in his honour, and in which a large number of prelates of all the Eastern Churches and a large number of religious and catechists took part.

In the course of the ceremony, at the Holy Spirit University (USEK, Kaslik, Lebanon), the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, represented by his Vicar, Mgr. Roland Abou Jaoudé, expressed his thanks for the decisive role played by Br.Ildefonse in the running of the Episcopal Commission for Catechesis in Lebanon from its creation.

“The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, in Lebanon and in the Middle East, is honoured and rejoices at seeing one of its members distinguishing himself by his commitment to catechesis”, said Br.Georges Absi, Provincial Superior, who thanked all those who contributed to the obtaining of “this high distinction which the Church reserves for its Apostles”.

In thanking all those who had ‘plotted” to organize this ceremony, which hurt his well-known modesty, Br.Ildefonse reminded us that the Brothers all over the world, in the Middle East and in Lebanon, remain attached to the catechetical teaching of the Catholic Church and that they continue in the footsteps traced by their Holy Founder, in giving priority to announcing the Word, by teaching and by example.
^{(For further information: www.lasalle-po.org)}

MANADO - INDONESIA - YOUNG LASALLIAN CAMP: With the enthusiastic response from many students and support from its members, the Young Lasallian Corps (YLC) of Universitas Katolik de La Salle Manado organized the second Young Lasallian Camp (the first was held on October 2005). The Camp was held on 28-29 April 2006 at the campus building, with just 2 weeks preparation from the YLC Gathering on April 14, while the students were celebrating the Feast of La Salle.

Taking the theme "Friend for All, Lover of the Needy", students were put through the key session led by the new Brother Advisor for YLC, Brother Eustace Amarajothy (from Sri Lanka). In this session, Brother Eustace enlightened students on the key values of being Lasallian, emphasizing on the need to take special attention to the needy. Students were also involved in another input session and discussion on Lasallian Youth, sharing their Lasallian experience with the whole group.

The 2 days camp was filled with a wide range of group exercises and community building games (also with the campfire!), furthering the students' understanding on their existence as one Lasallian partnership. This value was once again highlighted by Father Wahyu's homily on the Sunday Mass, that Lasallian should be one, as the Father and Jesus are also one.

All the inputs were concluded with an action plan for the YLC to carry out during the year 2007, including also preparation for APLYC8 in Singapore.
^{(Gracia Posumah, YLC Manado)}

BARCELONA - SPAIN - NEW WEBSITE: You are invited to visit the website of Lasalle Congrés from Barcelona.

www.sallecat.org/centres/lscongres

JINAN - LEBANON - BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY PARTICIPATES IN THE 6TH CONFERENCE OF THE FACULTIES OF ARTS IN THE ARAB UNIVERSITIES: Bethlehem University as a member in the Association of Arab Universities participated in the 6th Conference of the Faculties of Arts in the Arab Universities which was held at Jinan University in Lebanon on 21 & 22 April 2007.

Dr. Waleed Mustafa, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, with Prof. Qustandi Shomali represented the university and participated in a colloquium on “Quality and Accreditation in Higher Education in Arab Universities” during which Prof. Qustandi Shomali presented a paper on “Blended Learning” and its implementation at Bethlehem University.

The conference recommendations emphasized the importance of professional development, quality assurance, and enhancement of research activities.
^{(From www.bethlehem.edu)}

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