Toronto - Canada - Brothers helping Brothers: Starting January 17, 2007 the Toronto Delegation will be under the pastoral care of the New York District, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in North America. During the last decade, the Brothers in Toronto have courageously and faithfully committed themselves to maintaining and enhancing the Lasallian mission in Toronto at De La Salle College “Oaklands” and to finding new opportunities to extend their mission. However, the reality of diminished numbers and the ageing of the Brothers (25 Brothers with an average age of 78 in late fall of 2006), became the final catalyst for canonical change and incorporation of the Toronto Delegation into the New York District which has stepped forward to assist in the spirit of “Brothers helping Brothers.”

The New York District, with its own long and glorious history, now goes forward fortified with new faith-filled members who are in many ways different and the same. Together they will write new chapters in that history on a transborder basis as they attempt to “create communities where the experience of God is shared” and where, together with their Lasallian colleagues, they strengthen and enhance the Lasallian educational mission.

On January 17 a Mass of Thanksgiving will be held at the La Salle Manor in Toronto followed by the Closing Ceremony and dinner. Visitors from the Institute and the Region will join in celebrating the presence of the Brothers in Toronto for 155 years.
^{(News - www.cbconf.org)}

MALTA - SIGNUM FIDEI IN MALTA: Bro. Victor Franco,Councillor to the Superior General. was in Malta to receive eight new applicants into the Signum Fidei Fraternity. Eight mothers have been following a preparatory course in the style of life of Signum Fidei for the past two years. Bro. Louis who is the Moderator of SG in Malta accompanied these new members at three hour sessions of Lasallian Spirituality and pedagogy.

At a very moving celebration of the Holy Eucharist the eight members made their consecration in the presence of their husbands and children and witnessed and signed by Bro. Victor Franco. The Signum Fidei in Malta is growing fast among teachers and parents.
^{(Bro Martin Borg)}

Valencia – Spain -Renewal of commitment: The 2nd MEL Assembly of the District of Valencia-Palma ends with the renewal of commitments by the Associates of the District.

The 2nd MEL Assembly of the District of Valencia-Palma ended with a Eucharist during which the Associates of the District renewed their commitments to De La Salle.

We also celebrated the incorporation of a new Associate: Xisca Artigues.
^{(News – District of Valencia-Palma)}

Valencia - Venezuela - Inter-District Formation Commission: On October 12th to 15th 2006, the annual meeting of the Formation Commission of the Districts which share the Inter-District Novitiate of Rionegro took place. Br. Alberto Prada Sanmiguel, one of the Formation Secretaries of the Institute, was also present.

In a climate of fraternal sharing, there was an exchange of ideas on the advances and good decisions made in youth pastoral ministry, put forward by those in charge of formation in the respective Districts. Another theme which was taken up was how to share at an inter-District level, other stages of formation and how to continue thinking of greater collaboration and integration.

An important part consisted in sharing plans for formation and the drawing up of some common criteria which, in the end, will form the basis for thinking of the dreams which we could build together.

We would like to emphasize the fraternity and the attention shown to us by the Venezuelan Brothers and especially the work of the Br. Director of La Salle College Tienda Honda, Caracas, Br.José David, who put his culinary skills at our disposal.
^{(News – Districts of Venezuela)}

Cancun – Mexico - LA SALLE UNIVERSITY CANCUN CELEBRATES ITS 15th BIRTHDAY: La Salle University Cancun recently celebrated its 15th Birthday with a big feast at which those present could enjoy tasty Mexican snacks, rich desserts and family games as well as different artistic performances of Ballet, Salsa and Jazz. Music was not left behind…the traditional music student group of La Salle University Morelia started off the evening with characteristic and traditional songs which had more than one spectator singing and dancing their songs.

The group Vektor and the finalists of ‘Te Reto a Cantar’ (I challenge you to sing) rounded off the animated and well-attended evening. In order to renew our commitment and fidelity to the mission of the founding patron, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, a mass, presided over by Monsignor Pedro Pablo Elizondo, was said in the University auditorium.
^{(Constanza Ramos Serrato, La Salle University Cancun)}

Tarragona - Spain - Gold medal for La Salle Tarragona: La Salle College Tarragona is celebrating its centenary. For this reason the Gold Medal of the city of Tarragona has been awarded to the De La Salle Brothers. The solemn act was preceeded by an interesting talk given by ex-President Jordi Pulol.

It was the Mayor of Tarragona, Mr.Joan Miquel Nadal who made the formal presentation of the Gold Medal, which was accepted on behalf of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, by the Visitor, Br.Jospe Martí.
^(News-REL)

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