Dear Brothers,
Dear Friends, partners and associates in Lasallian mission,

Let us take a look back over our recent history. We have just ended our year of celebration of the 350th anniversary of the birth of St John Baptist De La Salle. In our news bulletins and letters we have reported on major experiences of brotherhood, of celebration and of enthusiastic service, as lived in our sectors throughout the year. In many places it was an occasion for sharing with older students and alumni some essential aspects of our Lasallian tradition (spirituality and meaning of service of youth and of the poor).

The last event of the year took place at the end of December in Australia. This was the meeting of the Young Lasallians of PARC (the Lasallian Pacific Asia Region). This was a great success from every point of view and a marvellous conclusion to our year 2001.

This last gathering as with others in your Regions confirms for us the interest of many young people today in the person of our Founder and in the educational commitments of Brothers and Lasallian laypeople.
During the World Youth Days of August 2000, over 1000 Young Lasallians from everywhere celebrated in our Generalate their belonging to the great Lasallian Family, before joining with the youth of the whole world in the streets and churches of Rome. On that occasion, the Young Lasallians of Quebec undertook to organise, preceding the WYD of Toronto, a gathering of Young Lasallians delegated by their sectors, in order to share a deep experience of spirituality and service and to consolidate bonds within this international movement. We strongly encouraged them and entrusted to them the organisation of Quebec 2002. We ourselves will be present at this gathering.

The purpose of this letter is simply to remind you of the event and to urge you to encourage a few young people of your sector to take part.

We know that this will not be possible everywhere but it could be that in some places solidarity within the Lasallian Family could assist in overcoming the difficulties of scheduling or funds.

For all enquiries and registrations: Yanick Chamberland-Richer

E-mail jlcf@sympatico.ca and site http://quebec2002.tripod.com