BR. JOHN JOHNSTON - HEALTH UPDATE: The Brother Superior received word today that Brother John Johnston’s health has declined significantly in the last few days. He is presently in the hospital and the doctors do not see any improvement. However, Brother John was able to call Brother Alvaro this morning and spoke clearly. He said he felt quite weak but was at peace.
^{(Brother Thomas Johnson, Vicar General)}

BEATIFICATION OF 58 BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

Dear Brothers and members of the Lasallian Family,

The universal Church is joyfully preparing to celebrate the beatification of 498 martyrs on October 28 of the current year. Of these, 58 are Brothers of the Christian Schools. [MORE]
^{(Brother Alvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General)}

NAPA – USA - THREE YOUNG LASALLIANS BEGIN THEIR NOVITIATE YEAR IN CALIFORNIA: On Sunday September 2, the chapel at Mont La Salle in Napa, California, was filled with smiles, songs, and solemn prayers, as De La Salle Christian Brothers, lay Partners, families and friends, gathered to celebrate the beginning of a novitiate year for three young men. Young they may be, but the three novices, who now embark upon an intensive communal year of study, work, prayer, and discernment, are already deeply experienced in Lasallian education and mission.

Brother John Luczkowski, 26, a native of Philadelphia, holds degrees from La Salle University in Philadelphia and has taught in two Lasallian schools in Philadelphia, La Salle High and West Catholic High. Brother Peter Nguyen, 29, who grew up in Maryland, earned degrees from the University of Maryland and La Salle University in Philadelphia, and has taught at La Salle High in Philadelphia and Hudson Catholic High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Brother Christopher Patiño, who is 23, graduated from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, then from the University of Arizona; both during college and after graduation he worked on the staff of San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona, serving most recently as Director of Admissions.

Brother John and Brother Peter, members of the Baltimore District of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, had already gone through a robing ceremony in their home district, entitling them to wear the black robe and white rabat (collar) of the Christian Brother and to append to their names the letters “FSC” (for Fratres Scholarum Christianarum). On Sunday it was Chris Patiño of the District of San Francisco who received the robe and other symbols of the Brothers’ life – a Bible, a copy of the Brothers’ Rule, a crucifix, and a rosary.

Congratulations To All !
^{(District of San Francisco – www.delasalle.org)}

PANAMA - IVth UMAEL CONGRESS: Every four years, the UMAEL (World Union of Lasallian Former Students) organizes a world congress. The fourth world congress will take place very soon in Panama, from the 24th of October to the 28th of October 2007.

Its theme is: “enter to learn, leave to serve – solidarity through education”. All information regarding the congress can be found on: www.umael-lasalle.org

You are all invited to take part in the Congress!

The members of the UMAEL Executive Committee met in September (7-9) at the Generalate in Rome in order to verify the progress of the organization of the Congress. They also used the meeting to deal with current concerns of the Union (solidarity project with SECOLI, new members of the Union, financial situation, congress matters, etc).

They had an interesting meeting with Brother Superior Alvaro Rodriguez and the new General Council, during which José Ramon Batiste, president of UMAEL, presented the work of UMAEL, the progress made in the past years as well as the possibilities for future development. The Brother Councillors expressed their comments and congratulations to the Executive Committee for the work they have done for UMAEL.
^{(Br. Claude Reinhardt)}

CLERMONT – FRANCE – 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANONISATION OF BR. BENILDUS: After days that were cool and humid, the sun lit up the sky and warmed the atmosphere….

The first important rendezvous took place in mid-morning with the solemn Mass. It was celebrated in the open air, on the sports field of what used to be the Brothers’ College but is now the Margeride Reception Centre.

At 10.30 the reliquary of Br.Benildus arrived, carried in procession by the White Penitents. The celebration was preside over by Cardinal Albert Vanhoye.. In his homily he expressed how “by his faith” Brother Benildus had been a man of God among his Brothers, how he was able to live love in his daily service….

At the end of the morning there was a special reception in the courtyard of Town Hall. The Mayor, M. Bastide, thanked the Cardinal for honouring the commune of Saugues with his presence: there was also the awarding of the town medal, the signing of the Visitors’ Book and even some musical items performed by one of the artists from the Inter-Celtic festival which had just ended…

At 3.30 the crowd gathered in front of the church for the procession. After Eucharistic adoration, the celebration ended with a meditative veneration of the relics. Passing in front of the ‘St.Benildus’ house (the school of Br.Benildus), following the White Penitents who were carrying the reliquary, hundreds of people were praying and singing.

This was also an occasion - thanks to a video projection - for leaving Saugues and even France, for a quick trip through several countries in different continents where Lasallian educational action takes place nowadays. Our prayers took on a world dimension….
The celebrations were prepared by the White Penitents and Diocesan Hospitality. Many sick people, a lot of them in wheel-chairs, came from different parishes in the diocese.
This Eucharistic celebration for the sick was presided over by Mgr. Nenri Brincard, Bishop of Puy-en-Velay, and Cardinal Albert Vanhoye. Many of the sick received the “Sacrament of the Sick”…..

“After happy hours of festive celebration, I carried away with me - all at the same time-
like a treasure, the witness of the profound faith of the inhabitants of the Margaride, the fervour and the zeal of the White Penitents and the confident prayers of the sick before the relics of St.Benildus. I was struck by seeing how much the goodness and the charity shown by the holy Brother to the children of this canton in the Haute Loire for 21 years, still remains so present today in memories and hearts. Very naturally the pilgrim mingles with the crowd who give thanks for the wonders accomplished by this humble Brother of the Christian Schools…..” (Br.Jean-Paul)
^{(District of France – www.lasalle-fec.org)}

BOGOTA - COLOMBIA – FOURTH MEETING/WORKSHOP OF SECOLA REPRESENTATIVES: The Fourth Workshop for Representatives of SECOLA (Latinamerican Educational Service of Cooperation) took place at the Casa de Cristo Rey.

Participants looked at ways to achieve their general objective, which is to consolidate the mission of SECOLA on the regional and national levels.

The specific objectives were:

1. To evaluate the running of SECOLA for the 2006 - 2007 year on all levels.

2. To look at the Administration and Management of this NGO and how it is functioning in the SECOLA national sites.

3. To consolidate the Foundation's strategic plan.

4. To analyze policies and strategies for fund-raising.

5. To continue the discussion and to establish operating agreements on the SECOLA volunteer program, communication, and the three-year plan.

Mario Burgos guided the work and deliberations. General coordination was in the hands of Brother Telmo Meirone, the Executive Director of SECOLA.

The meeting was held from July 22 - 26.

SECOLA is consolidating its work with interesting initiatives in favor of the promotion of the teaching profession and in favor of children who are socially at risk. A central office is being set up in Bogota, Colombia and there are delegations in each of the countries of Latin America.

For more information, visit www.secola.edu.co

QUEENSLAND - AUTRALIA - QUEENSLAND YOUNG VOLUNTEER AWARD: As a Share the Mission Volunteer, nineteen year-old Matthew Ross recently received a Queensland Young Volunteer Award, recognising his significant contribution to young people through his work at BoysTown.

BoysTown, a service established by the De La Salle Brothers, helps children, young people and families to overcome the most severe disadvantages - problems such as abuse, homelessness, long-term unemployment and mental illness. Services include employment and training programs, parenting programs and counselling though Kids Help Line and Parentline.

Matthew’s volunteer experience began in 2006 when he joined Share the Mission, the De La Salle Brothers Volunteer Program which offers the opportunity to work at a Lasallian school or organisation for 10 months while living in community with the Brothers.

“I never dreamed that helping others would be so rewarding,” Matthew said.

At BoysTown, Matthew assisted with everything from youth work to administrative duties.

“Working on programs to help young offenders prepare for life back in the community and unemployed young people gain employment skills was meaningful work that I found very satisfying.

Putting your faith into action and developing an increased sense of service was something I gained from the Share the Mission experience,” Matthew said.

Upon completing the volunteer program, Matthew did a training course with Kids Help Line and was employed as a counsellor.

For now, however, he has taken leave to volunteer as a Media Officer to film the journey of the World Youth Day Cross and Icon around Australia.

For information about the Share the Mission volunteer program www.delasalle.org.au

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