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News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, October 9, 2007 |
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 BETHLEHEM - PALESTINE - INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE CONCLUDES WITH DEEP HOPE FOR FUTURE: Participants in the International Religious Conference “Exploring Christian-Muslim Relations in the Middle East and the West” held at Bethlehem University concluded their three days of presentations and exchanges today. The presenters and participants from Germany , Switzerland , France , Belgium , Sweden , Israel , the United States , Philippines , and Palestine left the Conference with a better understanding of and a deeper responsibility for the future of Christian-Muslim relations in their respective communities.
“Inter-religious dialogue is possible,” said Fr. Jamal Khader, Cardinal Hume and Cardinal de Furstenberg Endowed Chair of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University , Palestine . “Our belief in God, in human beings and in the power of education pushes us to be optimists.” The challenge now, as it has always been, is how to continue this dialogue in a way that will produce concrete change. Fears and misconceptions must be addressed, people must be educated and dialogue must be initiated.
Dr. Werner Wertgen, a Professor of Theology from Katholische Fachhochschule, University of Applied Sciences , Germany , said that it was imperative to understand the context in which the religious communities live before initiating dialogue. One conference participant, George Rishmawi from the Siraj Center in Beit Sahour, called dialogue a tool for justice, while Pr. Vincent Hanssens, former general secretary of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), said, “Dialogue is the responsibility of every citizen of a multi-cultural society.”
Many noted the extreme importance of academic institutions in not only providing a space for dialogue to take place, but in making concerted efforts at initiating this dialogue and focusing it further. Presenters agreed that Bethlehem University was the ideal venue for such initiatives, considering its location in the Holy Land , the crossroads of the three monotheistic religions. Fr. Henri de La Hougue, Vice-Director of the Institut de science et de théologie des religions (ISTR) in Paris , said “Because Bethlehem is located in an area where the culture and history is the same, you have a great opportunity to build a model for the whole world. Bethlehem University is showing us that dialogue is possible and fruitful.”
Dr. Eduardo Domingo, Associate Professor in the Theology and Religious Education Department at De La Salle University in the Philippines , among others, commented that the participation of Bethlehem University students in the conference was essential and most appreciated. “I loved having the students because I see the sincerity of these young people. It gives us home and the impetus to work for them and for the future,” Dr. Domingo said.
Under the auspices of the Cardinal Hume and Cardinal de Furstenberg Endowed Chair of Religious Studies at Bethlehem University, which was established through the generosity of the Friends of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land (F0BU), it was suggested that Bethlehem University hold a yearly international religious conference on inter-religious dialogue. Father Jamal, Chair of the Department, concluded saying, “We believe in what we are doing. With the on-going support of our friends and benefactors, and the blessings of God, we at Bethlehem University will do whatever it takes to continue inter-religious dialogue in the Holy Land .”
The International Religious Conference at Bethlehem University presented over fifteen discussions about Christian-Muslim relations and dialogue in 11 countries around the world, including Egypt , Palestine , the U.S. , and the Philippines . Its main aim was to address the challenges of coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East and the West by sharing the personal experiences of academics and students alike.
Bethlehem University thanks all of its guests, students, faculty and staff for participating in and contributing to the conference. For their generous support in making this conference possible, the University community gives special thanks to its partners: the Friends of Bethlehem University in the UK (FoBU), the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and an anonymous donor.
Conference proceedings will be available shortly after the Conference. For more information, please contact religiousconference@bethlehem.edu
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 ROME - ITALY - LASALLIAN STUDIES HAS ITS OWN SPACE ON THE INSTITUTE WEBSITE: LASALLIAN STUDIES now offers you a dedicated “LASALLIAN STUDIES” space on the Institute website (www.lasalle.org).
This new section is intended to encourage a better knowledge of our Founder, to disseminate his thinking and his writings, and to make articles, studies and research on St John Baptist de La Salle more widely available. Its aim is to make the work of researchers, formation staff and Lasallian organisers easier, as well as to provide further insight into John Baptist de La Salle for those who want it.
The specific focus of LASALLIAN STUDIES is knowledge of St John Baptist de La Salle, of his thinking and writings, of his life as a person and as a Christian, knowledge of his times and, more generally speaking, of the history of the Institute and of its Brothers.
This LASALLIAN SECTION contains a list of the publications produced by the Rome-based LASALLIAN STUDIES (Cahiers lasalliens, Lasallian Studies, Lasallian Essays, Lasallian Themes) which is regularly updated.
It contains also some more recent Cahiers lasalliens as well as some older ones of particular interest. The Cahiers lasalliens are normally published in French. This will be the case also for the other publications.
If you come across an articles you think is interesting, let Brother Jean Louis Schneider, head of Lasallian Studies in Rome, know, or send him a copy.
Under the heading “Various articles and research” you will find material which has already appeared in the Institute Bulletin or in other publications, as well as original material.
You can send your own contributions in French, Spanish, English or Italian to Lasallian Studies and their suitability for publication on the site will be assessed.
The Complete Works of St John Baptist de La Salle in French, in a revised version annotated by Brother Alain Houry, Institute Archivist, can be found under this heading. Versions in Spanish, English and Italian may be made available, but this eventuality depends on those locally responsible for their production.
Views expressed in articles published are solely those of their authors. Lasallian Studies and especially the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools disclaim all responsibility for the views expressed in these articles.
Documents appear on the sight in both Word and PDF format.
All enquiries regarding this LASALLIAN SECTION on the website should be addressed to Brother Jean Louis Schneider, Director of Lasallian Studies in Rome at the following email address:jlschneider@lasalle.org
(Brother Jean Louis Schneider, Director of Lasallian Studies)
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 PARIS - FRANCE - THE YOUNG MEXICAN AND AUSTRALIAN LASALLIAN VOLUNTEERS HAVE ARRIVED: They were met on their arrival on September 8th by the national SEMIL and Young Lasallian teams - an enthusiastic and promising meeting as they will be seeing one another several times in the course of the year. They will be staying at Maison La Salle, rue de Sevres, Paris until October 13th.
Language studies and learning about France
We have organised an intensive course for them to help them improve their French. Every morning, they follow a language course at the Alliance Francaise, while in the afternoon they practise their spoken French with Brother Pierre Josse and the Maison La Salle community. They will also have lectures on French economy, politics, education, as well as on Islam and the Church in France.
Also on the programme for these Young Volunteers are visits to two schools (Notre Dame de La Gare and Francs Bourgeois) to provide them with a first contact with French students. They are making the most of their stay to visit Paris, which they call a “museum” because they find the buildings and monuments there so beautiful. At the beginning of October, the Young Volunteers will introduce themselves in a more concrete way and will tell you, in French, where their mission will be.
(District of France – www.lasalle-fec.org)
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 TOLEDO – BRAZIL – 2nd INTER-DISTRICT MEETING OF YOUNG LASALLIANS:
From September 7th to 9th 2007, 260 Young Brazilian Lasallians between the ages of 14 and 20, from 29 secondary schools and one Lasallian university, met in the city of Toledo, in Parana State, Brazil.
There were young representatives present from the 11 States of the nation and from the Federal District. Because of the long distances to be traveled to the meeting place, some groups travelled for up to 24 hours by bus. This youth meeting was the method that the Young Lasallians chose to celebrate the Centenary of the Lasallian presence in Brazil.
The Meeting was organized by the teams responsible for Youth Pastoral Ministry in the Districts of Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre. In each Lasallian schools there already exist linked groups which develop systematic projects of formation based on faith, fraternity and service. This was the Second Inter-District Meeting. In 1997 we had the first meeting with a similar range and in the same place to celebrate 90 years of Lasallian presence in Brazil.
The theme of the 2nd Meeting was the same as that which had motivated all the solemnities of the Lasallian Brazilian Centenary: “Learn from the past, consolidate the present, project into the future”. In the dynamic of the meeting the young people listened to some experts, Lay Persons and Brothers, who recaptured the history of youth, of the Church and of the Brothers in Brazil. They participated in work groups, workshops, liturgical celebrations, cultural presentations and even a public demonstration through the streets of the city. At the end of the meeting, in the midst of much joy, liveliness and the will to grow in their faith through fraternity for service, the young people wrote a “Letter of Commitment”. In this letter they showed the strategies and the way they intended to take on and live their commitments as Young Lasallians in the society and the Church of Brazil.
The Lasallian Youth manifested their hopes for a better world where the Kingdom of God would be the construction of all Lasallians. WE are convinced that pastoral activities and youth meetings such as the one in Toledo, develop in the young the leading role in the search for a liberating education and ideals for a more just and fraternal society.
(Brother Marcelo Piantkosk)
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 PROVIDENCE - USA - LASALLIAN YOUTH ASSEMBLY: Almost 100 students from Lasallian Youth groups from throughout the Baltimore, LI-NE and New York came together to share faith, service and community. Time for sharing faith from the opening liturgy to beginning and ending each day with prayer.
Faith formation activities were also included reflection time on service and the inspirational story of the keynote speaker Sound of Sight author Neil Halford. The students engaged in service varied ministries from senior adult care centers to childcare agencies throughout the greater Providence metropolitan.
The participants also engaged in time to make connections and share ideas with each other during ice cream socials, free time and excursion activities. The coordinating team of Mrs. Maryann Donohue-Lynch, Mr. Greg Albanese and Mr. Patrick Reilly ran a great event that created a welcoming and faith-filled atmosphere throughout the week.
This excellent Lasallian formation program gave all in attendance many experiences and ideas to share with their schools and provided a solid understanding of what being part of the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle is all about.
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