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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, May 20, 2004
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  Intercapitular
Meeting, 10-22 May 2004, Generalate, Rome: This meeting, as planned
by the 43rd General Chapter, has been taking place with the
participation of Regionals, Visitors, Auxiliary Visitors, Delegates and
Presidents of Delegations, those from the General Services of the
Institute, General Councillors and the Superior General. Altogether 116
Brothers have been involved, not in making decisions, but in evaluating,
sharing, reflecting and praying about the mission which, through De La
Salle, the Church has confided to the Lasallian Family: the educational
service of the poor. They have been considering concrete examples and
reviewing the current situation in Districts and Regions.
They have been
reflecting deeply on the association of Brothers and lay people
conjointly committed to the mission. They have been looking at concrete
examples of the formation of Brothers and lay people. They have been
sharing experiences of colloquia about Vocational Promotion and plans
for fostering the growth and strengthening of the Institute and the Lasallian Family. Special attention has been devoted to the life of the
Brother and of the Community: the young Brother, the middle-aged Brother
and the senior Brother.
In order to promote the best way of carrying on
the Lasallian mission there has been further reflection on the topic of
the restructuring of the Institute, taking on board aims and means with
an eye to the 2006 Assembly on Association and Mission as also to the
path leading to the 44th General Chapter of 2007. Constantly
running through all of this has been the theme of the responsibility and
the function of the Brother Visitor.
 Times of fraternal sharing have
been strongly supported and appreciated. Prayer periods and celebrations
of the Eucharist, led by different Regions, have enabled prayer to
resonate in unison with the whole Lasallian Family. A video of the
Meeting will provide Lasallians of the entire world with a summary of
what has been reflected on and lived in this important and profound
Intercapitular Meeting.
(Br. Lorenzo Gónzalez)
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 Bethlehem
University Hosts Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General
of the De La Salle Brothers: April 14, 2004, Brother Álvaro
Rodríguez Echeverria, Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers, made
an official visit to Bethlehem University on 12 and 13 April 2004. He
was accompanied by Brother Marc Hofer, General Councilor, and Brother
Georges Absi, Provincial of the Province of the Middle East.
The visit started in the evening of 12 April 2004 with meeting the
Brothers' Community, and attending a Concert in the University Chapel
offered by the Olive Branches Choir, of which Brother Henry Chaya and
Brother Myron Collins are members.
On Tuesday 13 April, Brother Álvaro gave a major address entitled
"University Education and the Lasallian Mission" to the faculty, staff,
and De La Salle Brothers assembled in Furno Hall especially on the
occasion of this visit. In addition to speaking of the Lasallian spirit
and present realities of university education in today's globalized
world, Brother Álvaro spoke to the University community about his vision
of a Lasallian higher education where teaching, research, and social
transformation play an integral role.
Archbishop Pietro Sami, Chancellor of the University and Apostolic
Delegate, offered a prayer asking for inspiration and empowerment so
that educators can serve their students with courage. Brother Vincent
Malham, President-Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, spoke of the
great honor for Bethlehem University to welcome Brother Álvaro, Brother
Marc, and Brother Georges, and he spoke highly of their fraternal
support and dedication to the University.
A reception was held during which members of the University community
greeted Brother Álvaro and thanked him for the encouragement and support
Bethlehem University is receiving, acknowledging the invaluable role of
the De La Salle Brothers in conducting Bethlehem University and helping
Palestinian youth.
Brother Álvaro's visit included a meeting with the Executive Council and
Members of the Board of Trustees. He toured the campus with Student
Ambassadors. Brother Álvaro visited UNESCO's Biotechnology Research
Center, Fuglister Computer Lab, the Social and Cultural Center, the
Palestinian Heritage Center: Turathuna , and saw the view of Bethlehem,
Beit Jala, and Beit Sahour, with Jerusalem in the distance, from the
balcony of the historic Bethlehem Hall.
In the afternoon the visiting Brothers met with students as they
discussed their concerns, challenges, hopes, and dreams, given the harsh
conditions in the Holy Land. The meeting was followed with a Palestinian
cultural performance, during which students performed cultural music and
traditional Dabkeh dance.
(Br. Jack Curran)
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