|
 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, April 15, 2003 |
  Dear
Brothers and all members of the Lasallian Family: Easter is the
feast of life. Easter is an invitation to join in the life of the risen
Christ: So that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father's
glorious power, we too should begin living a new life (Romans 6: 4).
Easter is the Feast of hope. It is not easy to keep hope alive in world
marked by war, terrorism, death, injustice, pain...but nevertheless the
Resurrection of Jesus is a sign and a foretaste of the living God's
victory over the idols of death.
"To be alive in order to give life, thanks to the Resurrection of Jesus"
ought to be our Easter catchword this year. Recently I received some
reflections about this liturgical season from a close friend of mine and
I would like to share with you a thought from W. Jäger that he had for
me: As long as a branch sees itself as only a branch, it will be afraid
of drying up and falling to the ground. But if the branch sees itself
not as just a branch but as part of a tree, it will lose the fear of
drying up and falling, since its real life is the tree and the tree's
life - which is really what the branch is - continues living.
To let ourselves be "invaded " by God's life made manifest in the risen
Jesus and to use this life in service and in love where life seems to be
without hope I think is the best way of living the Paschal mystery and
this is my wish for each of you.
During these Easter days the Brothers will receive a
pastoral letter about pastoral vocation ministry, since one
proposition from our last General Chapter called on all Regions of the
Institute to organize a meeting to reflect on the ministry of vocations
in 2003. I believe that this time of Easter is the best time to relaunch
a program for the pastoral ministry of vocations that is active and that
gives witness. Here again is the time to be alive in order to give life.
I am sure that I can count on the support of all members of the
Lasallian Family in this regard. They can find this document on our web
site.
Fraternally in De La Salle,
Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría
Superior General |
Recent travels of the Superior:
Br. Superior made a brief trip to France, 3-7 April. He was invited to
assist at the celebration, in the schools of Avignon
and Cavaillon, of the tricentenary of the Brothers' presence in the
Vaucluse area. He spoke on 3 occasions and conferred the Diploma of
Affiliation on a layman of Avignon, M. Robert Issartel, prominent in
public administration and former student of the Brothers of Avignon. He
has played a big part in committees of management of Catholic schools in
the Diocese of Avignon and in particular of the Institute schools.
(Br. Peter Gilfedder) |
 The
Coordinating Council of Former Student Associations for ARLEP
(Spain-Portugal Region) met in Zaragoza, Spain. The purpose of the
meeting was to look at the different tasks: participation in the
upcoming III UMAEL Congress (Mexico City, 2003); take a CENSUS of the
Associations in ARLEP (37).
The Former Students Associations of Zaragoza-Montemolión as well as that
of Torrero, along with those of Zumárraga and Llodio, held a meeting
with the Council. During one session they made plain the reality of the
Associations in ARLEP and in other parts of the world.
The Gold Medal was awarded to José Atares (Mayor of Zaragoza) and to
Vicente Merino, both of whom are former students of the Brothers.
The Brother Regional Coordinator of ARLEP, Ismael Beltrán, attended this
meeting as an advisor to the Council.
(Coordinating Council
of A A A ARLEP) |
 District
of San Francisco Project for a New University: A plan is being
developed to create a new Christian Brothers' four-year university in
Placer County, California. For news in English of the announcement (made at
Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento) and for further
information, click on http://cbhs.ca.campusgrid.net/home
( J. A. Gray
Director of Public Relations and Information Services) |
 75th
Jubilee of the College of Saint-Marc: The celebrations for the 75th
anniversary of the founding of the College of Saint-Marc in the District of Proche-Orient will begin on April 19th with a sports day and
marathon. On May 3rd there will be a Solemn Mass in the chapel of the
college followed on May 4th with a Grand Festival which will include
presentations by pupils as well as an audio-visual presentation of
photos, memories etc. We wish the Brothers and partners of Saint-Marc
College a happy anniversary.
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
  The
Lasallian Youth Association of Agümes in the Grand Canary Islands
(Spain) participated, along with other youth associations, in the
"Family and Community" days that dealt with the topic of young people at
risk and possible solutions
The Lasallian Youth of Agümes were actively involved in providing aid
for the young residents of the La Salle youth home run by the Brothers.
(Br. Fernando Manzanares Abegón) |
 Alumni
of Saint Mary's College of California Present Award to Christian
Brothers:
For the second year, members of the Alumni Board of Directors recently
spent a beautiful afternoon at Mt. La Salle, Napa California, USA
visiting the retired and other Brothers in residence there. The day
began with mass in the Brother's Chapel and was followed by a joyful
lunch in a private dining room.
Board members present this year were: Dr. Jess Santucci '88, President
of the Association, Gloria Perkins '98EE, President Elect, Elaine Wang
'86, Greg Smith '87 (and his wife Gina '87), Alumni Director Giles G.
Miller '84, and John Neudecker '72. At John's suggestion, the Board
commissioned a plaque to be presented to the Brothers.
The Brothers have the plaque hanging now in their living room where it
has been warmly appreciated.
(St. Mary's College) |
 On
Sunday, March 23, Brothers Balvino Mantilla Fuentes and Jorge Alexánder
González Morales pronounced their Perpetual Vows in the Church of the
Immaculate Conception at the University of de La Salle, Campus La
Floresta. Congratulations to the Brothers of the District of Bogotá. |
 Web
Notes: The Superior General's
Pastoral Letter
on Vocations has been added to the
Publications section.
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
If you have news notes that you would like us to consider
publishing, please email us: lasallew@lasalle.org |
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