ROME - ITALY - INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF LASALLIAN RESEARCH AND RESOURCES: It was the first meeting of an international Council since the 44th General Chapter.

From February 27th to 29th the CIIRL  addressed itself to interiorizing the new structure of the “Service of Lasallian research and resources” (Circ.456), and to foreseeing the activities to be carried out.

Some of the themes dealt with in relation to “Research” were: the Lasallian tradition in its diverse dimensions; to establish links and further relationships with Lasallian researchers and places of research; to promote new research and identify and form future researchers and the publication and circulation of the work of the researchers. As regards “Resources” they reflected on the manner of preserving, restoring and enhancing the historic Lasallian patrimony situated at the Center of the Institute: Archives, Museum and Library and making this patrimony a tool in the service of the understanding of the Lasallian tradition.

Br.Jean-Louis Schneider, Head of the Research Department, presented the work already carried out  and the work in progress. Along with Br.Pedro Gil he invited reflection on the organization of the next SIEL (International Session of Lasallian Studies). Br.Alain Houry, Head of the Resources Department presented the theme of the Archives and the Library and the project for their future re-organization in the Mother House.

 The Participants in this CIRRL meeting were Br.Jacques D’Huiteau, the General Councilor who accompanies this service, Bros. Mario Presciuttini, Jean-Louis Schneider, Alain Houry, Lorenzo Gonzalez, Jon Lezamiz, Francis Ricousse, Jesus Rubio, Dominique Rustuel, Marc Somé as well as Mr.Luis Enrique Ruiz Lopez and Ms Tina Bonacci and Ms Trish Carroll. Br.Pedro Gil participated as an invited guest.
^{(Brother Lorenzo González Kipper, Secretary General)}

ROME – ITALY - ICYL MEETING X: The International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL) held its tenth meeting in Rome between the 6th and the 11th of February. For this meeting ICYL was accompanied by the Vicar General, Bro. Thomas Johnson.

ICYL’s busy agenda for this meeting was mainly taken up by three specific projects. One of the projects was the evaluation phase of the International Lasallian Day of Prayer for Peace (ILDPP) held in October 2007 as well as the preparations for the launching of its follow up activity; International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP 2008). ICYL invites all Young Lasallians to stay on the lookout for further details to be issued on the initiative’s web page at a later stage.

Following the proposal presented by ICYL to the General Council regarding the establishment regionally based Formation Programmes for Young Lasallian Leaders, it was decided that a pilot project would be set up and evaluated for the RELEM region. ICYL has received feedback from Bro. Jacques d’Huiteau, General Councillor for this Region and was pleased to learn of the positive disposition of the RELEM districts to undergo such a venture.

The ICYL delegate Joseph Gilson was selected to be present in Melbourne for the upcoming International Lasallian Youth Gathering (ILYG). On behalf of the ILYG organizers, ICYL would like to take this opportunity to convey to all interested participants and group organisers the urgency of purchasing the flight tickets. ICYL wishes all participants an overwhelming ILYG based in faith, shared in community and in search of better ways how to be of service in today’s world.

GUAYAQUIL - ECUADOR – PERPETUAL PROFESSION OF TWO BROTHERS: On February 9, feast of Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, two Brothers made their perpetual profession as Brothers of the Christian Schools.

They are Brothers Jeanpierre Oswaldo Zambrano Palma and Angel Edmundo Benavides Hilgert. The event was held in the chapel of Colegio San José-La Salle in Guayaquil amid a very fraternal gathering of Brothers, family and friends. Both of these Brothers are former students of Colegio San José in Guayaquil.

They made the Novitiate in Rionegro, Colombia and the Scholasticate in Colegio Hermano Miguel-La Salle in Quito.
^{(Brother Ángel Benavides)}

RÉUNION ISLAND - THE “BROTHER SCUBILION ASSOCIATION”: On January 29th 2008, at 5 p.m., the members of this Association had an extraordinary meeting. Bro Nicolas Capelle, Visitor of France, gave a warm welcome to Mgr. Gilbert Aubry, Bishop of the isle, to Bro. Rodolfo Meoli, Postulator General, to Sister Juliette, representing the Superior General of the Guadalupanas Sisters and to all the other members.


Mgr. Aubry began the meeting with a prayer; after that he addressed some particular words to Bro. Vincent Maillot, Vice-Postulator of the Cause of Blessed Bro. Scubilion, underlining the sum of work he realized during more than twenty years, both in the field of relationship (publication of the bulletin, groups of devotees,…) and in the spiritual (welcome to pilgrims, prayers with them,  listening to them,…) and material field (environment, exposition halls, podium, …). Mgr. thanked him not only on his own behalf, but even on behalf of his brother priests and bishops of nearby isles such as Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. At the end he gave him the personal blessing of the Holy Father, brought from Rome by Brother Rodolfo.

On his part the Postulator General thanked Brother Vincent for the enormous and enthusiastic work done and gifted him with a souvenir of Rome. Afterwards came the moment of the transfer of the charge of Vice Postulator to Brother Michel Joseph and of Assistant Vice Postulator to Sister Jackie Rasoanasolo, Superior of the Community of Guadalupanas Sisters, installed at the Brother Scubilion Center last year. A “vin d’honneur” ended this first part of the reunion.
^{(Brother Gérard Lorion)}

LLIRIA - SPAIN - SECOND MEETING OF ASSOCIATES FROM ARLEP: The 2nd meeting of Associates from ARLEP was held from February 15 - 17 in Lliria (province of Valencia). A total of 80 persons attended this meeting, including Associates and Brothers from the Districts in ARLEP.

Organized by the Shared Mission and Association Commission of ARLEP, the work was focused on trying to achieve three objectives:

– Interchange and sharing
– Formation and clarification of some aspects of association with the aid of an expert
– Discussion of some practical aspects and how the future should be organized.

The morning of the first day was devoted to a presentation of the current reality of association in the Districts. At the present time there are 92 Associates in ARLEP, of which 35 are members of the "Signum Fidei" Fraternity.

District representatives had exhibits showing who and how many there are in terms of dynamic reference communities which followed the meetings back in the work or mission to which they belong. Personal stories, challenges and perspectives were shared in mixed District groups. Brother Antonio Botana gave an interesting talk on "The 2006 AMEL Assembly: sign of a new stage in the Lasallian story."

The second day was devoted to sharing discussion on 5 themes, concerning how the future should be organized: formation, structures, local shard mission teams, accompaniment of Associates and funding.The evaluations of this event were very positive. The welcome given by the house and community in Lliria was outstanding. This was a very significant experience and a new sign of hope for the future.
^{(www.lasalle.es)}

ROME – ITALY - UMAEL (World Union of Lasallian Former Students):The Executive Committee of UMAEL, officially elected during the last Congress in Panama, October 2007, met in Rome, from 21 to 24 February.

It was its first long meeting, an occasion to examine the structure and the organization which UMAEL wants to develop for the next four years, in accordance with the Regional structure of the Institute.

It was also the occasion to evaluate the Congress and to think of the next World Congress to be held in the Philippines in 2011. In continuity with the orientations issued these last few years, UMAEL wants to double its efforts in the fields of solidarity, communications and its participation in the life of the Lasallian family.
^{(Brother Claude Reinhardt, General Councillor )}

DEATH OF BROTHER MICHAEL BOURNE
Brother Michael Bourne died 19 February 2008 at St. Helens, England, aged 89.  He entered the Junior Novitiate in Lembecq-Lez-Hal in 1930 and after the Scholasticate spent 35 years teaching in Peru and Argentina.

In 1979 he went to Rome, first as a CIL Translator and then as secretary to two Superior Generals, Bro. José Pablo and Brother John Johnston. He spent 15 years working in the Mother House.

Michael was proud of his vocation and proud of the Institute. A more detailed account of his life can be found at www.delasalle.org.uk/Michael_Bourne_RIP.pdf
^{(Brother Michael Curran, Director of St. Helen's Community)}

IN MEMORIAM FR. GAUDENZIO LANGOL
(8.8.1952 – 6.2. 2008)     

Dear Fr. Gaudenzio,

I am certain that you are alive in the Lord and that you can hear us. Yesterday we received the sad news of your death. You were always a fighter for life, but now it seems that death has been stronger. Death came unexpectedly, the unwelcome guest of a moment in time, but that was enough to end your journey. The Brothers of the Christian Schools, who were blessed by you here at Mass in the Mother House for almost 5 years, starting in 2002, have been truly shaken on learning the awful news.

It is difficult to forget your calm, reassuring smile, in spite of the many problems which the family into which you were born in 1952 had to face. We can only imagine in our hearts the joy you experienced on becoming a priest of Jesus Christ. But few can have known the problems which you had over there when you were asked to direct the minor diocesan seminary. You wished me to know about them, sharing with me some moments of prayer and priestly brotherhood in front of the altar or on short walks under the shady trees as well as during the Community meals.

When your bishop entrusted to your care some serious pastoral work back home, you obeyed and returned to Uganda, even though you had not yet finished your thesis in Canon Law. It was almost finished and I know that you were preparing to defend it this year, after Easter.

In your manner, simple and polite, you reflected so much the spirit of your Ugandan people. In the midst of your people you expended without hesitation, the energy of your full human and pastoral maturity. A tragic accident stopped you.

Now, rest in piece, dear brother!  Take your rest, the race is over!

We, on the other hand, pray with gratitude, through the intercession of St. John Baptist De La Salle, that your life may be received in the peace and in the light of the Lord. Amen.
^{(Rome- Mother House of the Brothers of the Christian Schools - February 8th 2008 )}

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