 The Second and Final Week of CIL: The second part of the session focused on looking at the reality of the Institute in terms of its great geographic regions. Among the things that surfaced, the following stood out: community, Lasallian mission in a more secularized context, the lifestyle of the Brothers as consecrated men, shared prayer as the core of the Brother's activity, the new situation of mission with lay personnel, the forms of association/belonging, senior Brothers, meaningful educational service of the poor, the presence of the Brothers in formal and non-formal educational settings.
The third phase of CIL was devoted to an in-depth look at Lasallian icons, especially as these are present in the Founder's Meditations. Brother Álvaro, Superior General, incorporated them into his reflection for the group. He shared his conviction that the Institute is experiencing a privileged time. He began his intervention with a visual presentation on a song by Diego Torres: The Color of Hope. There is growing interest, without precedent in the history of the Institute, in association for the Lasallian mission. Nevertheless, it is evident that the community is not seen with the same vitality within the project of mission and therefore it is important to strengthen community living. There are many temptations that lie ahead: Secularism, a "feel good" society, human love human love which displaces the meaning of divine love, forgetting about our essence as human beings, being merely employees in our mission, making institutions the priority, clericalism, a poor and excessive use of new technology. Nevertheless, there are many door that are open today to the Brothers, a new phase in the history of the Institute is emerging in which each Brother must be and feel that he is a protagonist.
The interventions of Brothers William Mann, Vicar General, and of General Councillor Miguel Campos, helped the Cilists to focus on the roots of the Institute, with a critical view of the founding moments which included Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the first protagonists.
Later on, assembling by continents and in plenary sessions there were shared parallels between the Founder's experience and current reality...there were serious debates with many and varied interventions.
The fourth and the final phase of CIL: the creation of programs to foster interactivity in preparation for the 44th General Chapter. Long and fruitful work sessions were spent in Regional groupings. The goal: to involve as many Brothers as possible in the process of prayer, discernment, and reflection. Bringing things back to the large group was both plentiful and profitable. The agreement in our proposals was quite striking. The Institute is very diverse but among those present, from nearly 40 different countries, there was a common view. A CD was produced which gathered together materials that had been drawn up. The principal ideas were:
– The 44th General Chapter is important, but it is not the end of the journey to be made, but a launch into the future.
– Most important of all is the opportunity and the achievement of revitalizing communities.
– There is a process that involves the conversion and the renewal of the Brothers.
– It is not so much about commenting on a Document but about an in-depth look at "the text of our lives," "our own stories," "our icons."
– There must be awareness of the new needs, new times that require new and appropriate responses.
– Being convinced that as Brothers and as members of the Lasallian Family "we are" able to move forward in seeking new ways.
CIL concluded with an emotional and profound act: commissioning. The Brother participants were officially sent by Brother Superior and his Council to bring to their Districts and Regions all this good news.
(Br.
Lorenzo Gónzalez )
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 The Coordinating Team of the Organizing Committee for the Youth Symposium meets at the Mother House: On May 20th and 21st, the Coordinating Team of the Organizing Committee for the Youth Symposium met at the Mother House to work out the final details of the process of organization. The object of the meeting was the sub-dividing of the rooms and areas to be used, the management of financial details and the organization of work groups. The list of those participating in the event numbers at present 125 delegates coming from all 11 Regions of the Lasallian world. They will meet in Rome to reflect on the Mission and to share their own experiences. The Vicar-General, Br. William Mann, took part in the meeting as did some representatives of the International Council of Young Lasallians, who have contributed to and are still contributing to the organization of the Symposium.
Up to now we have planned and organized periods for work and sharing in groups, witness sessions and presentations which will contribute - in addition to the talks given by external personalities - to making the “La Salle Youth Symposium”, as it is called, an enriching experience for all the young people who will be taking part.
(Davide Smaldone)
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 25th Anniversary of the La Salle Comprehensive Formation Center of Tijuana, BC, Mexico: The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the La Salle Comprehensive Formation Center was held on Saturday, May 20, 2006. There was great joy due to the many Brothers who attended, both from Mexico and from the United States (District of San Francisco). The event began with a Mass that was concelebrated by the Bishop and five priests, two of whom were former students from the Center. Saint Francis Parish was chosen for the celebration, because it was this Franciscan community, Third Order to be more precise, which opened its doors to begin the Formation Center in 1981. After the Mass, there was a festive supper, during which the founding Brothers and the Brothers who currently work at the La Salle Center were recognized. Recognition was also paid to the many lay teachers and Lasallian partners that took the idea of association seriously, and freely offered their services to thousands of young people and adults who came for the various courses. Some of the lay Lasallians participated in the life of the Center for five consecutive years while others participated there up to as many as twenty-five years, the total number of years of Lasallian presence in Tijuana.
(Br. Juan Gómez Moreno)
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