Coming from the Lasallian school of Bethlehem…A Story of Shared Bread: From the 7-18 of December 2005, eight of the Lasallian schools of Moribhan-France shared bread with 15 young Palestinians students and two teachers from the Lasallian School of Bethlehem. The following is an adaptation of an article written about that experience by Brother François Kerdoncuf, who is a member of the pastoral team of the Agriculture school of Kerplouz-France.

After an S.O.S call launched in April 2003 by the school of Bethlehem to Br. Francois, some of the school projects of Kerplouz were dedicated to helping the Palestinian youth of Bethlehem. The youth of Kerplouz were eager to know more about Bethlehem (which means ‘house of bread’ in Hebrew) and about the young students there. Since the famous Intifada there has been no more tourism in Bethlehem, no more work, and the olive plains were devastated by the construction of the famous Separation Barrier.

Everyone in Kerplouz was mobilized to participate in solidarity projects, emails and letters to and from Bethlehem. An amount of 10,000 Euro was sent there. The idea of inviting those from Palestine to come to Moribhan was eventually presented. The French consulate paid for the travel, the General Council of Moribhan paid for the transports, and the students were accommodated for free in the houses of the Moribhan families. Maher, the French language coordinator of the Bethlehem school continually repeated “we are in an open air prison, under the heat of the sun.”

It was a sign of Brotherhood and community life to see all of the young Palestinians, Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims sharing the stairs of the church to sing the John Baptist De La Salle hymn together. “Coming to this place is a sign of brotherhood”, said Maher, “Muslims and Christians sharing the Lasallian values.”
^{(Br. François)}

The Pastoral Visit of Brother Superior to the Region of Spain and Portugal (ARLEP): Br. Álvaro, Superior General, began his pastoral visit to ARLEP on January 14. Meeting with Brothers and lay partners Brother Álvaro commented on a number of issues including those in his annual Pastoral Letter. He urged Directors of communities to foster and strengthen Brotherly relationships among the members of their Communities, the distinctive sign of the Lasallian School. “With such fraternal relationships we all help one another in our task of making the means of salvation available to young people. We must have confidence in these young people because their aspirations, weaknesses and needs point out to us the road which God wants us to follow.”

Meeting with Brothers and young people who organize groups for youth activities, Brother Álvaro reminded them of the words of John Paul II: “Young people are the best messengers of the Gospel among their contemporaries.” Brother Álvaro went on to invite them to organize their activities from the point of view of Shared Mission.

The centers of Casa de la Selva, Comtal and Manlleu are noteworthy because they count on the cooperation of families and on various social organizations of the city. These centers work with immigrants and students who have learning difficulties. As an example, in the Manlleu Center close to 30 percent of its students need to join specialized groups where they can aim at cultural adaptability or where their need of special attention over different learning problems can be broached.

Brother Álvaro also visited the small center in Cintra where 60 young people are helped after they have failed in ordinary educational programs and need a system completely adapted to themselves. He applauded their work and pointed out that these centers and many others, like the San Miguel Schools, are a great example to all Lasallians because they remind us that our charism requires us to be very attentive to the real needs of our students.

He visited the Josepets Center where different kinds of pastoral activities take place such as Proide, youth groups and the “Circle” group where more than 400 retired persons undertake cultural work in the Lasallian style which they learned when they were Lasallian students.

Br. Álvaro met with the 40 lay associates of the District, some of whom were members of Signum Fidei, and others members of groups which meet from different educational centers.

The Pastoral Visit of Brother Álvaro to ARLEP will last until 23 of February and will end after visits to the seven Districts of the Region.
^{(Br. Juan Pablo Martin)}

Lasallian Volunteers gather for “like-minded” Midyear Retreat: From January 13-15, 2006, the 2005-2006 Lasallian Volunteers of the United States/Toronto Region gathered in Goshen, New York, for a retreat weekend. They shared stories of challenge and success, fellowship and fun, reflection and prayer and rededication to the ministry for the second semester. Br. Jim Zullo, Midwest District, helped the volunteers process their experiences using Br. Michael French’s categories of Feet First, Hands On, Eyes Opened, Heart Aroused and Mind Expanded. He also helped them look at making needed adjustments for community and ministry.

Lasallian Volunteers Clare Petroski and Jolleen Wagner facilitated a discussion for a statement they will write expressing how the volunteers are part of the Lasallian mission and how they see themselves associated for the mission.

Most volunteers enjoyed the hospitality of the New York City communities for an evening in the city before returning to their ministries.

Quotes from the Volunteers:
“Honestly, I just think that every time our group comes together, it’s beautiful.”
“It was the perfect time to connect with like-minded people.”
“It was really great hearing everyone’s experiences and seeing that we have a lot of the same problems.”
^{(Jim Ruck, Lasallian Volunteers Staff)}

Workshop Participants in Thailand Express Dreams for the PARC Region in 2020: From 27th to 31st December, 2005, thirty seven Lasallian Brothers and Sisters from the Pacific-Asia Region met in Pattaya, Thailand, for a workshop entitled: “Let the Passion Burn: His Light in the World Amongst Young People.”

As a result of the workshop, participants agreed that their dream for the PARC Region in 2020 included communities of Brothers, Sisters and Lasallian partners “without borders”, educational ministries providing hospitable spaces and a sense of belonging as well as being accessible and welcoming to marginalised youth groups, Lasallians creatively responding to emerging needs and a new organisational structure that promotes Regional cooperation, interdependence and solidarity.

The group strongly endorsed various movements including the establishment of a Lasallian Formation Centre for the Region, the establishment of a mobile Lasallian formation team with media support, the identification of persons who can be trained as resources persons in various fields, the establishment of an intentional Lasallian community composed of Brothers/Sisters/Partners directed towards serving Sectors in need and the establishment of a database for needs identification and resource mobilisation in the Region.

The group also asked that all Lasallian Formation programs include in-service training in curriculum development for initial and continuing formation, especially in terms of being counter-cultural (Sociological), being prophetic (Theological) and involving justice and peace (Ideological).

Br. Álvaro Rodríguez, Superior General, and Br. Victor Franco, General Councillor, attended the gathering. Br. Michael French, Secretary for Continuing Formation, facilitated the program and the presenters included Br. David Miller, Br. Yohan Soysa, Br. Egbertus Joikul and Br. Armin Luistro. The presence of Brs. David Hawke and Aidan Kilty was also greatly appreciated by the participants.
^{(Report by: Brs. Tony Cummins, Aidan Kilty and David Miller, edited by Br. Donald Johanson)}

The District of Valencia–Palma opens the "Projecte Obert," its first center for court-appointed minors in the Community of Valencia: The center opened on January 23 of this year. The center receives cooperation from the "Ministry of Social Welfare of the Region of Valencia." The official opening ceremony began at noon in Paterna in the auditorium of the Professional School.

Currently, twelve adolescent boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 17, reside at the center. These boys and girls attend Colegio La Salle in Paterna, the Professional School, or the Cervantes Public School, among others.

Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, attended the opening ceremony and he was joined by Rafael Matas Rosselló, the Brother Visitor of the District of Valencia–Palma, General Councillor Juan Pablo Martín, and by the Auxiliary Visitor of the District, Brother José María Valero. Many civil authorities attended this event as well, among whom were Minister Alicia de Miguel, from the Social Welfare Ministry, and the mayor of the city of Paterna, Francisco Borruey.

Brother Álvaro emphasized the central work of the De La Salle Brothers and of all Lasallians who work in defense of the rights of minors, adolescents, and the young. He stressed that we live in a world in which young people find it more and more difficult to find a reason that will help them to find meaning in their lives. The task of the Lasallian community is to be at the side of these young people and to help them find this meaning. It is our task to help them take the step towards a worthwhile adulthood and to protect them as they make their way towards this goal.

The initiative carried out with the opening of the "Projecte Obert" Center is within the framework of social commitment. The goal is to try to cover the costs of the students who live close by, and to contribute to their personal and professional development, as well as to try to integrate them into society.
^{(Juan A. Sánchez, Communication Department at La Salle Valencia–Palma)}

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