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 News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, June 29, 2004
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 Francophone Belgium Signum Fidei Fraternity, Roman Pentecost:
It was the beginning of May 2003. The francophone Belgium Signum Fidei Fraternity were enjoying their annual recollection at the convent of the Poor Clares in Malonne. Outside the time for formation, given by Brother Assessor Philippe on the Apocalypse of Saint John, periods for discussion enabled one of us to put forward the following proposition: since 2004 will be the tenth anniversary of our commitment to the Fraternity, why not celebrate it in Rome at Pentecost and renew our commitment before the relics of Saint John Baptist de La Salle?
The suggestion was quickly adopted by most of us and the plan refined in the course of the year.
That is how six of us came to experience the great joy of meeting in the Mother House from 28 to 31 May at the Feast of Pentecost.
Here are a few highlights of those three days :
  Our meeting at the San Guiseppe Institute with the Roman Fraternity, the very rich discussions we had with them, especially about our activities and also the Style of life - in this matter we experience the same difficulties - their incomparable kindness which enabled us to enjoy a eucharist in a parish church (what a great number of young scholastics from a missionary order and what inspiration), and the very friendly banquet to complete the day! Thanks to Brother Stefano and to Carlo and Paolo for their generosity!
There was Pentecost morning at the Vatican where we could feel the universality of the Church with our hands and our hearts, even if the circumstances (and the crowd) meant that we felt the breath of the Spirit in three different ways. Sharing these experiences around a fine table also gave us a feeling of community.
The renewal of our commitment that same evening was the still point, like the pause sign in music, in the spiritual part of our stay. An organ was playing in the chapel and the ceremony was carried out before the relics of our Dear Father and in the presence of Brother Victor Franco. Yes, at the heart of this world, the breath of the Spirit was truly releasing new energies at that moment!
Our two discussions, of the Pentecost letter of Brother Victor Franco and of the sending out of the apostles in Matthew, chap. 10, enabled us to discover ourselves again, in truth, within the mission of those baptised in Jesus Christ.
 We were truly impressed with the renovated Museum, consecrated to John Baptist de La Salle and the Institute: it is splendid in its conception and its presentation, and a big cheer for those who played a key role in it!
And then, we must not pass over in silence the "Belgium" evening - thanks, Brother Constant! - and the few cultural bits and pieces which allowed us to immerse ourselves in the "Tempo di Roma".
Thanks also to Brother Superior who made time to chat with us. Thanks to Brother Victor Franco for making himself available for us. Thanks to Brothers Marcellino and Constant, drivers beyond compare, and to all those responsible for ensuring a welcome at the Casa!
(Marie-Louise Evrard, S.F.)
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Some Participants’ Comments During the Intercapitular Meeting:
 Bro. Frank Byrne, District of New York:It’s always encouraging when you hear a challenging theme being responded to. Today I’ve heard examples of how Lasallian education for the 21st century is being shaped. Partners, volunteers, alumni, other religious and Brothers young and old, are responding to needs that they have perceived and studied.
Examples of responses were a new program, a new ministry, a network and a curriculum. These works have provided a benefit for the people who were being served, but those working in these ministries were energized.
Of course there are challenges: finances, finding new works, aging Brothers, smaller number of Brothers, encouraging Brothers, old and young, to get into direct service with the poor, balancing our traditional works and new initiatives.
This is what God wants of us. I’m confident he will bless our efforts.
 Bro. Jean-Baptiste Seguin, District of France: “It’s really amazing what’s happening around the world. I’d no idea.” This was a Brother’s comment during the break. The last General Chapter shifted gears so that serving poor youngsters through education became, or became once again, the priority everywhere in the Lasallian world.
New needs have brought new responses. I’ve been struck by the importance given to several works for educating girls and to making sure that women’s place is recognized. New programs for immigrant kids show realistic use of imagination.
Making sure that the gap between what we’re saying and what we’re doing gets less is pushing us Brothers to check on our lifestyle and pushing all of us Lasallians to check that our works are really genuine. Are we hearing what the poor are saying to us?
Finance looms large in today’s world. We’ve got to make it our servant not our master. Bonding the human with the Christian is a Gospel imperative for us.
 Brother Jesús Miguel Zamora, District of Valladolid: In spite of our current difficulties (aging, burnout, disappointment, routine) the movement towards the poor allows us to enjoy some sparks of creativity which brighten a future that looks promising.
Our history is strewn with small samples of hope in a world more and more in need of fraternity and a sense of God.
The rich experiences that have been shared among us concerning education as a life option - human rights, dignity, teacher training - in Central America, the formation of citizens in Medellin, the creative response to the needs of the poor in the San Miguel schools in the United States, education in the social meaning of labor in Colombo, the promotion of women, human development, interreligious dialogue in the schools of upper Egypt, all of this allowed me to grasp the efforts made by many Lasallians, Brothers and lay, in making faith in humankind something that is believable and in making possible God's desire that humankind live. In our confidence and in our weakness we continue reflecting a plural Institute, one that is sensitive to the pressing needs of the young. We are an Institute that continues to look for effective channels, aware that not everything has been done. We are a living Institute, but we are in need of continual conversion, and we cannot turn a deaf ear to the needs of tomorrow. We are confident that God continues to be present in our work. We are living an adventure, that of service to those who are served the least, and that adventure is worth consecrating one's entire life. |
 Teacher-training days in Barranquilla (Colombia):
The Biffi-La Salle School in Barranquilla, Colombia, was the venue for teacher-training from June 14 - 16. One-hundred and ninety teachers from Lasallian Schools from the northern coast participated in the sessions. Participants came from La Salle School in Montería, La Salle Institute in Barranquilla, CEB 59-La Salle and, of course from Biffi-Lasalle School in Barranquilla. The teachers worked intensely over the course of the three days on topics related to classroom research, values and pedagogical leadership as well as on specific practices in each academic area.
These work days were marked by a sense of fraternity, Eucharistic celebrations and prayer, and all of this took place within an atmosphere of reflection and academic preparation on the part of the teachers in favor of Lasallian educational ministry.
At the close of the teacher-training meeting, participants expressed new challenges and the goals they wished to accomplish in each of their educational communities, the need to implement new strategies in order to renew pedagogical practices. All these changes are founded on the principles and criteria of our Lasallian heritage.
(Brother Mauricio Gallego)
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 “Under Construction”; 2nd Italian National Young Lasallians Gathering: “Under Construction.” This was the title of the Second National Meeting of the Italian Young Lasallians that was held at the Generalate of the Brothers of the Christian School from April 29 to May 2. In these four days there were many issues addressed such as the Rights of the Child, the volunteer work done by groups of YL throughout Italy and the development of an International Movement of YL.
The focus of the meeting is suggested by the title of the gathering: the Italian YL movement is now “under construction.” The issues and activities proposed during the meeting were intended to analyze the situation and start a national coordinating commission, made up of Brothers and 2 Young Lasallians from each major YL group in Italy. The commission will meet for the first time this summer and will be responsible for coordinating and organizing all of the pastoral activities in Italy for the next two years.
The meeting was opened, Friday morning, by the speech of the Vicar General, Bro. William Mann, who spoke and answered questions of the assembly about community, that together with faith and service, is one of the values that form the base of the movement.
The gathering was enriched by the testimony of Vichy Sciberras, a young woman from Malta, who proved how life could be beautiful when you discover the love of God even if you are forced to live in a wheelchair. There were also speeches by Br. Donato Petti (Visitor of the Region of Italy), Br. Luigi Guarneri (Director of Lasallian Missions) and Robeto Bianco (President of the Italian Lasallian Family).
Saturday all of the Young Lasallians present at the meeting signed the Constitutive Paper of the YL Italian Movement. This document contains the values on which the movement is going to be built and the aims that the movement is going to pursue. Mass concluded the meeting, which was a new and greater chance to experience the Lasallian charisma once more.
(ICYL)
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