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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, April 30, 2003
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 Archivists Visit the Generalate Archives: Nearly 320 years have passed since the beginnings of the Institute and the variety of countries and cultures where it has been working makes the Brothers archives collection one of the most exciting in Rome. At the invitation of Brother Edwin Arteaga Tobón, archivist of the Institute in the Generalate, two American Brothers, Eugene O'Gara (Archivist of the L.I.N.E and New York Districts), Robert Werle (Archivist of the Midwest District, in Memphis) and Miss Amy Surak (Archivist of Manhattan College and the New York District) came to Rome to study the organization and proceedings of the Generalate archives from March 2nd to March 14th.
After their investigation of the archives, the three archivists gave the archives' staff a helping hand launching and almost finishing several short range tasks. But their greatest contribution is the Consultants Report that was written at the end of their visit. The report contains a set of recommendations, policies, procedures and regulations that will be implemented for the archives. Their Report was presented to Brother William Mann, Vicar General and to all those concerned by the archives in the Generalate. Thanks to Brothers Eugene and Robert and to Amy for their assistance in helping us develop the archives.
(Br. Edwin Arteaga Tobón) |
 Br. Superior General Welcomes Bishop Joseph Suwatan, M.S.C: On March 28, Br. Álvaro invited members of the General Council and other guests to a reception and dinner in honor of Bishop Joseph Suwatan, M.S.C., Bishop of Manadao, Indonesia. Bishop Suwatan was instrumental in having the Brothers of the Parc Region come to Indonesia to found Universitas Katolik De La Salle Manadao, which was founded in 2000. This is the first venture of the Brothers into Indonesia and in the three years since its founding has grown to a student body of 1200 students. The Bishop was a wonderful dinner guest, delighting the Brothers with many stories of his long involvement with the De La Salle Brothers. The reception and dinner took place in the recently renovated dining room facilities.
(Br. Donald Johanson) |
 Venerable Brother Alpert Motsch: On Saturday, April 5, 2003, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the transfer of the remains of Venerable Brother Alpert Motsch to Saint Joseph the Worker Church in Paris, there was the annual pilgrimage to his tomb. Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Michel Guyard, Vicar General of the archdiocese and former student of the Brothers. The Monsignor represented Cardinal Archbishop Lustiger. Following the ceremony Brother Álvaro Rodríguez, FSC Superior General, unveiled and blessed a triptych which was placed on the Venerable's tomb. It was painted by Ms. Mariella Federica Turpaud. Present also were Brother Rodolfo Meoli, FSC Postulator General and a large number of Brothers and faithful, among whom were fifteen pilgrims, descendants of the Venerable, who came directly from Eywiller, his native town.
(Br. Rodolfo Meoli) |
 The consecration of Saint John Baptist de La Salle parish church in the Piletas residential area: Just three years ago the parish of Saint John Baptist de La Salle celebrated the Eucharist, baptisms, weddings and first communions out in the streets of Piletas, sometimes even amidst mud and rain! Thanks to the support of the Lasallian community of Bajío and that of Mexico City, the family of Arena Torres Landa, and the last wishes of Brother Manuel Alvarez Campos, the modern-style parish church dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle was consecrated.
Filled with emotion, Father Fernando BriseZo González, pastor of Saint John Baptist de La Salle parish, was thankful for the support received so that the Piletas community could have God's house among family houses.
"Today we can enjoy this beautiful piece of construction and people will no longer refer to the 'street parish of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.'" We spent three years hearing confessions, baptizing, witnessing the sacrament of matrimony for all those who wanted to marry in the parish - out in the street, sometimes when it was raining, often times in muddy conditions. How wonderful it is today to be able to look at this work of God," reflected the pastor, Father Fernando BriseZo, who also was celebrating 25 years of ordained priesthood.
In his homily, the Bishop of the Diocese of León, José Guadalupe Martín Rábago, first of all thanked God, who inspired the architect for the church, Esteban Villasante Sánchez, a former Lasallian student. He was also thankful for the perseverance of all those who put forward suggestions for the work. He thanked the parish community because the members also supported the construction of the church.
The bishop said: "I am very grateful for the Lasallian community, who have been very close to this work and who took up the realization of this work with great enthusiasm. I am thinking now about how happy Brother Manuel Alvarez would have been were he able to be with us today. It was he who often dreamed about and enjoyed imagining a church dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle. I am sure that he looks down on us in this liturgy from heaven."
In his intervention, the rector of La Salle University at Bajío, Juan Roberto López, stressed the fact that Saint John Baptist de La Salle will be an inspiration for the personal needs of this parish community.
Brother Ricardo Sánchez, who lived with Brother Manuel Alvarez for many years, thanked Brother Juan Roberto López and his team in Brother Manuel's name, for his having completed this church dedicated to Saint John Baptist de La Salle and thereby fulfilling the last wish of Brother Manuel as his last words expressed his desire to see this work completed.
One of the most significant details of this church is the sculpture of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. The saint is looked at by statues of a boy and a girl, done by the artist Carlos Espino, and they represent the De La Salle's devotion to the education of children.
The church also has two stained-glass windows, done by the stained-glass window maker Mario Ortiz. In one of them is the moon and the sun is in the other window. Over the altar there is a large stained-glass window which depicts a colored image of the universe. Outside, the walls are yellow and white. The interior of the church is very bright, commented Esteban Villasante. In his message to the parishioners, the architect asked them to enjoy their parish church and that the entire community should respect it and help to prevent graffiti.
(Angélica Anguiano) |
 Dr. Nils J. Diaz Named Chairman Of The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Pictured here at Centro Educativo SJB De La Salle in Homestead, Florida, USA is Dr. Nils J. Diaz, an alumnus of the Brothers of Cuba. President George Bush has recently designated Dr. Nils J. Diaz as Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Congratulations to Dr. Diaz on his new appointment and we thank him for his continuing support of the Lasallian Mission in Centro Educativo SJB in Homestead, Florida.
For the press release in English, please visit http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/news/2003/03-041.html
(Jose M. Dorado) |
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