DEATH OF BR. MANUEL OLIVÉ VIDAL
We have just received news of the death of Br. Manuel Olivé Vidal in the city of Lima, Peru. His faith, his joy and his passion for the education of the poor will for ever be an example for us all to follow. Br. Manuel was known to all and deeply admired as co-founder, together with Br. Paulus Adams, of the Signum Fidei Association.

Br. Manuel went from us to Heaven just on the eve of the liturgical feast of St. John Baptist de La Salle. May God grant him the prize of eternal Glory. May he rest in peace.
^{(Brother Alberto Gómez, General Councilor)}

MANGUNDÉ – MOZAMBIQUE - BROTHER SUPERIOR AND THE COUNCILLOR FOR AFRICA VISIT THE MISSION IN MANGUNDÉ: From March 8 to 10, the young Brothers of the newly-formed Lasallian missionary community in Mangundé, Mozambique, were delighted to meet Brothers Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, Superior General, and Gabriel Somé, General Councillor for Africa.

The La Salle-Mangundé community is located in the Mission of Mangundé, made up of two religious communities (De La Salle Brothers and Comboni Sisters) who are in charge of the Saint Francis of Assisi secondary school. This school has 1,666 students who are economically poor, from grades 1 through 12, two boarding sections with 762 students, a Health Center and Day Hospital (for the treatment of those infected with HIV/AIDS). There is also a parish church and land for agricultural activities. Three foreign volunteers help in the Mission of Mangundé (an Italian doctor and two teachers from the United States Peace Corps).

After the Sunday Eucharistic celebration, the Brothers spoke to the teachers, students, and collaborators of the Mission, and they highlighted the importance of education for the development of the country and they spoke of living out the faith as spiritual food for our mission. We had a rich, fraternal exchange and sharing on the Institute and on the work done by the Brothers in Mozambique. During the visit, Brother Superior emphasized the importance of taking on and living the propositions of the 44th General Chapter.

We felt blessed by the visit of the Superiors and the visit coincided with the time when the Church was preparing to celebrate the central mystery of Catholic Christian faith, Easter, which invites us to live deeply the missionary zeal that we inherit from Jesus Christ by means of the Lasallian charism.
^{(Brothers Domingos Zina Faz-Ver – Director, Roberto Carlos Ramos e Vanderlei Miguel Kraemer)}

CONAKRY - GUINEA - VISIT OF BR. SUPERIOR: During the first stage of his Pastoral Visit to the Brothers in Africa, Br.Alvaro, accompanied by Br.Gabriel Somé and Br.José Manuel Sauras, visited the De La Salle College of Professional Formation in Conakry.

After a meeting with the Brothers and the members of the Lasallian Family, Br.Alvaro greeted the pupils of the Centre.
^{(Brother Pedro Mª Astigarraga)}

ISATNBUL – TURKEY - BR. JACQUES D’HUITEAU IN THE LASALLIAN ESTABLISHMENTS OF TURKEY: Br.Jacques d’Huiteau, Regional Councilor for the Europe-Mediterranean Region (RELEM) has spent 12 days in Turkey. Accompanied by Br.Visitor, Georges Absi, he visited the three Lasallian Lycées and the primary schools which are associated with them.

Mr.Michel Bertet, delegate for the administrative supervision of Lasallian establishments in Turkey, accompanied them during these visits.

Bros. Jacques and Georges participated in the District Council between February 29th and March 2nd . On March 7th and 8th they attended the meetings of the Association of French  Catholic Schools of Turkey, which was presided over  by Br.Régis-Claude Robbe. This body is made up of 6 Lycées, three of which are Lasallian.
^{(www.lasalle-po.org)}

ARAVACA – SPAIN - DISTRICT OF MADRID DISTRICT CHAPTER: The 14th District Chapter for the District of Madrid concluded at the Easter Vigil on March 22. Twenty-seven Brother capitulants shared, over the course of 7 days, prayer and discernment on the different aspects of the life of the Brothers in the District. The Chapter Assembly approved what will be the Lines of Action for the coming years and it elected a new District Council which will assist Brother Visitor in his task of leadership and governance.

Invited guests included Brother Jacques D‛Huiteau, General Councillor for RELEM (Lasallian Region of Europe and the Mediterranean), Brother Alberto Gómez, General Councillor, and Brother Ismael Beltrán, President of ARLEP (Lasallian Grouping of Spain and Portugal). The results of the evaluation showed the high level of satisfaction on the part of the Brother capitulants for the prior preparation and the development of this 14th District Chapter.

The Brother capitulants addressed a Message to the Brothers and other Lasallians in the District. The web site of the District of Madrid will list more detailed information. Before the end of 2009 this 14th District Chapter will have another session for the sole purpose of ratifying the decision to integrate into one District, according to the plan for restructuring of ARLEP.
^{(www.lasalle.es)}

PORTO ALEGRE – BRAZIL - THE LASALLIAN NETWORK REOPENS THE LA SALLE BREAD FOR THE POOR WELFARE SCHOOL: On March 26 at 4:00 PM the Lasallian Network reopened the La Salle Bread for the Poor Welfare School. Since the beginning of 2008 this important institution which serves the poor through education was taken charge of completely by Lasallians.

The school will work with orphans from the Bread for the Poor Foundation, which is administered by the Lasallian Network, as well as with deprived children from the Barrio Ciudad Baja region.

The premises were completely renovated and they include 10 classrooms, a toy library, a library, computer lab, science lab, areas for teachers, administrative offices, faculty offices, and bathrooms. The Welfare School will be able to handle 450 students.
^{(www.lasalle.edu.br)}

VENEZUELA - RENEWAL OF VOWS: On March 20, Holy Thursday, four Brother Scholastics renewed their annual vows during a commitment ceremony. The Brothers are: Luis Félix Romero Hurtado, Reinaldo José Morales Valero, Freddy Enrique Uzcátegui, and Jorge Anís Souki Meneses.

We congratulate these Brothers for this act of love and generosity to the demands of Jesus in the Mission of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in Venezuela.
^{(Brother José Pereda)}

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