Prayer in Language Groups

Breakfast

Presentation of the reports of the Thematic Groups

Break

GROUP F: “GOVERNMENT”

The last of the 6 reports presented was from Group F (Government). This report was coordinated by Br. Ambrose Payne (Australia). All the regions of the Institute were represented by the 17 members that comprised this group. The reporter for this group was Br. Jacques D’Huiteau (France).

The themes which continue to surface have to do with animation and the government of the Institute. Concrete proposals are being made concerning the structure of the General Council.

The situation in which the Institute finds itself in the 5 different continents varies considerably. The dynamism and force which we desire for the Institute over the next seven years must focus on maintaining unity amidst this diversity.

Having finished two days of intense discussion on the thematic reports, the groups will now reconvene to study the suggestions that each received from the Chapter Assembly.

Now each group has an overall view that will help them to avoid duplicating the work of other groups and addressing issues that have been overlooked. The 6 reports will be modified and enriched both in content and style for presentation to the Chapter Assembly in the next few days.

REPORT D: “INTERIOR LIVE”

13 Capitulants formed this theme group which is coordinated by Br. Jorge Gallardo (Japan). The reporter to the Assembly was Br. Josep Martí (Spain) who recalled the origins of the Institute and the great importance which the Founder gave to the spiritual life of the Brothers.

Contemporary thinking is at variance with the past. The times in which we are currently living often lead us to forget about God. Our advanced technology and comfortable living lead to a type of secularization wherein religious values lose their significance.

The life of the Brothers is situated in the reality which people live today and we must lead lives that are spiritually significant and rooted in the present as well as in each of the countries where we are present.

GROUP C: “SERVICE TO THE POOR”

The dimension of service to the poor has been a topical subject during the 3 centuries of the history of the De La Salle Order. The words of the Founder “ the abandonment of the children of artisans and of the poor” continue nowadays to be a call for Lasallians. This was the initial message which Br.Jean-FrançoisMorlier (France) gave to the Chapter Assembly as Group Reporter for Group C.

This Group, made up of 18 Capitulants from the 5 Lasallian Regions, was co-ordinated by Br. Francisco López (Panama).

For their work, the source they used was the Report of Br.Superior and his Council, which gave an explicit invitation to this service to the most needy, as well as certain contributions from the International Assembly 2006. They also took into account the documentation from the Inter-Capitular Meeting of 2004 and from the folders of the Capitulants.

As with the rest of the Reports, this was an unfinished draft. The rich interventions of the Capitulants in the discussion which followed the presentation, will be of help to the Group in drawing up the definitive text which will later be proposed to the Capitular Assembly.  

OPINIONS

Aad VAN BENTEM - Pays-Bas

This is my second General Chapter. Only about 45 persons who participate are known to me. It means that the Institute has rejuvenated its leaders during the last years. I was happy to see the 'Magnificat' booklets.

In the preparatory commission of the 2000 Chapter  I had asked for them, but the commission did not want to carry out my suggestion... The program during the first eight days was so filled with plenary and group sessions that I had no time to read the documents and papers! As a foreigner in the three languages I always like to see the written texts of the presenters. I was disappointed that the members of the Preparatory Commission, did not withdraw their names from consideration after the first week thereby allowing the capitulants to choose their own President and Central Commission.

In this way the Chapter had no opportunity to show that it was in favour of the new concept of the 2007 Chapter. The five days of discernment brought tranquillity in the end! Aad van Bentem.

Frederick MUELLER - USA

The experience of the first two movements of the chapter has been for me an exhilirating and challenging one.  I have found much life in meeting Brothers from around the world who share a common wish to live in faternity and to serve young people in need.  I have been challenged by the many ideas offered by our presenters and, as well, by the many diverse cultural, socio-political situations where the Lasallian world is present. 

The Preparatory/Central Committee has done an extraordinary job.