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News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, February 19, 2008 |
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 LAGO ATITLÁN – GUATEMALA - BROTHERS FROM THE REGION OF RELAL PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR PERPETUAL PROFESSION: A group made up of 27 young Brothers from eight Districts in RELAL (Lasallian Region of Latin America and the Caribbean) participated in a pre-profession retreat from January 2 to 22, 2008, at the "Karmel Joyú" retreat house on the shores of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.
The excellent spirit and openness of the Brother participants made for a favorable atmosphere for an in-depth experience during the three-week retreat: silence, openness, fraternal life, long periods for reflection and prayer, opportunities for sharing the experience of God. The personal accompaniment of each Brother was particularly appreciated.
These young men are a wonderful "yeast" for the entire Region as they return to their Districts, desirous of staying on the path, of continuing their accompaniment of teachers, children and young people with whom they work on a daily basis, and in their searching for the accompaniment they need to live their faith as a constant process of conversion according to the Gospel. John Baptist de La Salle continues to be alive within the Region and today he has a young face.
(Brother Jesús Rubio, Secretary for Initial and Ongoing Formation)
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 VILLA WARCALDE – ARGENTINA - NEW NOVICES: Last January 30, during the Fifth District Chapter of Argentina-Paraguay, the three Argentine novices Brothers Pablo Bernal, Sergio Franco, and Rubén Darío Roa began their novitiate.
At the ceremony of initiation, which was held at the doors of the novitiate, Brother Visitor granted them formal admission and gave them each a copy of the Rule of our Institute. They expressed the freedom of their decision in front of almost all the Brothers of the District. After that, a Eucharistic liturgy was celebrated.
The following day the Chapter concluded and it made decisions that will allow the District to apply the decisions of the 44th General Chapter.
(Lasallian Novitiate of Argentina-Paraguay)
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 BOGOTA – COLOMBIA – NEW POSTULANTS: On January 6th , on the occasion of the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany (the Feast of the Magi), the reception of the new postulants too took place in the Postulancy of San José de Guausa.
Accompanied by members of their families and by a large number of Brothers and friends of the District, 10 young postulants arrived at the Postulancy of San José de Guausa and thus began their formation as Brothers of the Christian Schools. These young men were given a warm fraternal welcome by the formation team and the Second Year Postulants.
Let us pray to the Lord for these young men and for the Brothers who are forming them and let us wish them success and many blessing in this process.
(Brother Carlos Andrés Forero – www.lasalle.org.co) |
 BETHLEHEM - PALESTINE - SAD AND TRAGIC BREAKING NEWS: Today, Monday, 28 January 2008, has been a rather trying day here in Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers invaded Bethlehem and at least one Palestinian teenager was killed by the Israeli soldiers.
Many of us thought we were past all of this with the so-called re-initiated peace talks spurred on by Annapolis, etc ... but no, the harsh reality of the Israeli occupation strikes us boldly here in Bethlehem again today.
What happened? Around 1 pm or so, Israeli soldiers invaded Bethlehem, apparently in pursuit of someone. They went around shooting and tossing tear gas and ransacking of homes. At least one Palestinian teenager was killed. We believe that the soldiers may have just left around 8pm or so.
I are not sure -- and to be honest, I don't want to go out to see -- but just as I am typing this message, there have been a few more explosions, so maybe they are still in town!
A more detailed report was posted on Maan News a little after 4pm today: http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=27477
Pray for peace … and justice.
(Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development)
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 TOGOVILLE – TOGO – 6TH CHAPTER OF THE SUB-DISTRICT OF BENIN: From December 24th to 29th last the 6th Chapter of the Sub-District of Benin took place. It began on the 24th with a day which the Capitulants devoted to reflection and prayer. This day was animated by Br. Pierre Ouatara, Director of CELAF.
The Chapter approved 22 propositions in regard to Planning in the Sub-District and its Communities, the Pastoral Ministry of Vocations, MEL and the Lasallian Family, Community Life and the accompanying of the Brothers. The Chapter elected a new Sub-District Council which met for the first time on the 29th.
While awaiting the approval of the Propositions by Br.Superior and his Council we would comment that one of the Propositions with most significance is that which was approved at the beginning of the process which will allow us to reach the stage where the Sub-District will be transformed into an autonomous District.
(www.lasalle.es)
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 MANILA – PHILIPPINES - CITIZENS FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, HONESTY & INTEGRITY: On Friday, 18 January 2008 at 4:00 p.m., more than 800 warm bodies participated in a gathering and candle-lighting ceremony held at the Cafeteria of La Salle Green Hills. The theme of the gathering: “7 Years is Enough” .
Hosted by Nelca B. Villarin (Director of District Justice and Peace Commission) and Raymond Palatino (Kabataan Party List Representative), the gathering started with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem led by a multi-sectoral choir. Sr. Arnold and Fr. Rudy led the participants in an inter-faith prayer. Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, Chair of the Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission, then provided a presentation on the national situation. He articulated the sentiments of the organizers that the Arroyo administration is a morally bankrupt government because it failed to address issues based on the principles of truth, transparency and accountability. Representatives from the different sectors, namely, the youth, farmers, laborers, women and media also gave short speeches on how the government had neglected their rights and causes. The cultural presentations, artistic renditions of social realities, ignited the participants to march towards the EDSA Shrine to demonstrate rejection of moral bankruptcy in the government.
Br. Armin FSC, along with members of the religious sector and political personalities led the march to EDSA Shrine. Amidst the downpour of rain they attempted to reach the shrine, which was blocked by a batallion of policemen. After a failed negotiation with the police and the threat of being dispersed through water canons, the participants just finished prayers and placed the candles from that corner of EDSA stretching along Ortigas Avenue and left the area peacefully.
The gathering held last Friday provided a venue to affirm the struggle of many patriotic citizens to hold the government accountable to more than 80 million Filipinos who deserve a morally upright government. The gathering is a part of a continuous process in building a network and national movement to promote awareness and activism for the welfare of all Filipinos. The challenge for us in the Philippine Lasallian Family is to contribute in eliminating the cynicism and apathy in the minds of our young people so that they may see that the current political situation is integral to their learning as Lasallians, Christians and Filipinos.
For those who joined the gathering last Friday, thank you so much. We hope to see you all again soon!
(Levi V. Albania, Liaison Officer District Justice and Peace Commission La Salle Provincialate)
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 MADURAI – INDIA - LASALLE YOUTH MOVEMENT: A great beginning of this New Year for the young Lasallians in the Delegation of India! 221 young Lasallians and 14 Partners from 13 different projects in two different States gathered for three days of ‘Lasallian Association’ at Boys Town, Madurai.
The gathering focused on ‘Youth and Media Today’. Fr. Hendry, National Director for AICUF gave the inaugural address. He challenged the participants on the influence of media in their life.
On the Second day, Fr. Packiaraj exhorted the participants for their talents and made them to appreciate their potentials. He warned them that all these talents might go in vain if we allow the media to influence us.
The other sessions were dealt by Mr. Chinnappan from Chennai and Bro. Jeyakumar. He explained the different communication media – print and electronic – today. Certain bureaucrats control these media and we are forced to listen and see what they want us to. The freedom of press is only for the owners not for the stakeholders.
The third day was dedicated to film appreciation and criticism. Some clippings were screened and Br Jeyakumar explained how to appreciate and rate any film. Certain criteria were given and students did some exercise in appreciating and criticizing the films. They did this with much joy for this was something new to them. The discussion was eye opening for many as they brought out what is not observed by other members of the group. This was really an educative session.
Then the evaluation and thanksgiving session were organized. The students were full of appreciation for this type of seminar and for many it is first time to attend such programs. They expressed their gratitude to Brothers, Coordinators and all those who helped for the successful planning and executing of the seminar.
(Brother Arockia Doss, President)
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 BOGOTA - COLOMBIA - NEW WEB SITE FOR THE DISTRICT OF BOGOTA: After five years, the web site, www.lasalle.org.co, has been redesigned, the content improved, and all Lasallians now have the possibility of interacting not only with the information on the site but also with thousands of Lasallians throughout the country by means of comments and in forums that are available in the different sections of the site.
Lasalle.org.co is the official Lasallian District of Bogota web site and it has been opened to publish the daily happenings of the ministries of the District and all the activities that emerge regarding the evangelizing efforts of the Brothers and other Lasallians from all corners of the country.
Both news items as well as photos can be accessed by users after a simple registration process which will promote the building up of an interactive, fraternal space where each user comment will have a real name and an e-mail.
Our web site is made up of five sections wherein you can find general District information. There are other sections where the content is "dynamic," that is, it is updated as situations in the District demand.
Our new web site was created by the Lasallian publications team and they have set up a dynamic site that uses the most innovative tools for creating social networks by means of the Internet. We invite you to navigate our web site often as it is often updated.
(Brother Jorge Alexánder González Morales, La Salle Publicaciones)
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 USA – CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: Last week, January 27 - February 2, was celebrated Catholic Schools Week.
The 2008 theme, "Catholic Schools Light the Way," reminds us that we are called to "light the way" to the kingdom for others even as we walk "the way" of discipleship and grow in faith ourselves.
For more information, visit www.ncea.org/news/CatholicSchoolsWeek.asp
(www.lasallian.info)
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