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News of the Institute and Lasallian Family
Rome, July 1st, 2009 |
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 BETHLEHEM – BR. GEORGES ABSI APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY: Br.Visitor Georges Absi has been named by the Holy See to preside over the Bethlehem University, succeeding in this post Mgr. Fouad Twal, who has become Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
In a letter dated June 16th, the Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University (BU), Br.Peter Bray invited the Members of the Regency Council to meet in Rome to approve the election of Br.Georges to the Presidency, after his choice has been confirmed by the Holy See.
Br.Bray indicated that following the proposal of the name of Br.Georges to the Holy See by the Superior General Br.Alvaro Rodriguez, the Congregation for the Oreintal Churches published its agreement.
Br. Bray announced that Br.Georges will be presented to the Members of the Council on June 25th and 26th for his formal election according to the statutes of BU and he added that Br. Georges “is the ideal person for this post having served for a long time as a De La Salle Brother both as an educator and as a Director”, before being elected Visitor. He has been a member of the Administrative Council of BU since December 2003.
The District of the Middle East has 22 establishments and missions in Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, the Sudan as well as the Holy Land/Jordan with around 60 Brothers, 2,000 Lay Lasallians and more than 20,000 pupils.
In his message to the Lasallians of the District, the Brother Secretary, Jean-Claude Hérault writes: “We rejoice at the appointment by the Vatican on June 9th 2009 of Br.GEORES ABSI, Visitor of the District of the Middle East as President of Bethlehem University. Our prayers and our fraternal support accompany Br.Georges in this new responsibility.”
(www.lasalle-po.org)
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 PHILIPPINES - A JOYFUL CELEBRATION: 13 June, Saturday was a joyful day as we witnessed commitment professions of several young brothers and the entrance to the postulancy of five young men. Novices Brs. Aikee Esmeli and Mikey Cua publicly pronounced their first vows in the presence of family, friends, Brothers and other members of the Lasallian Family.
Five aspirants also took a step further in their discernment with their entrance to the postulancy program. Marlo Castillo, Francis del Rosario, Wilson Gorosin, Ignaci Heri and Angelo Paragas committed themselves to discern His will in the coming year.
Our six temporarily vowed brothers namely, Brs. Alex Diaz, Sockie de La Rosa, Mandy Dujunco, Arian Lopez, Rey Mejias and Richie Yap were also on hand to renew their vows. At the beginning of my sharing during the eucharist I mentioned that 13 June 2009 marks our Superior General’s Golden Jubilee as a Christian Brother. Let us keep our postulants and all our young brothers in our prayers. Let us also remember our formators, JJ Jimenez, Vince Fernandez and Rory Higgins.
(FSC Bulletin 2009 N. 23 - www.lasallian.ph)
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 MALLORCA – SPAIN - MEETING OF LASALLIAN FAMILY: The District of Valencia-Palma held a meeting of the Lasallian Family in Palma de Mallorca and Pont d’Inca. Many activities were carried out during two intense days (June 6th and 7th) aimed at boosting the sense of belonging based on Lasallian identity.
There were many Brothers and other Lasallians present from both the island and peninsular zones along with invitees from Madrid, Italy and other places.
Br.Jaume Pujol, from the District of Catalunya, gave an interesting talk on “Being a Lasallian Today” with a committed, open, sincere and disinterested vision of the relations which the Lasallian ought to develop in his work and life environment. There was a sharing in small groups of some reflections on lines for the future.
After the showing of an original video on the history of the District of Valencia-Palma, Br.Ismael Beltrán , Visitor of the Central District and President of ARLEP, spoke about the long and intense process of the Convergence of the Districts of ARLEP.
This was followed by the blessing and inauguration of the alterations to the Residence of the Brothers in Pont d’Inca. After enjoying a pleasant visit to the new premises, those present made their way to the church of Pont d’Inca for a thanksgiving Eucharist, during which the Brothers renewed their Vows and the Associates renewed their commitment.
The most emotive moment was at the end of the Eucharist. The Lasallian Community of the District paid homage to the newly Affiliated Members and to all the Lasallians who have become noted for the generosity of their devotion to the Institution and to the District.
(www.lasalle.es)
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 VENEZUELA - THE FUNDACIÓN LA SALLE AWARDED THE "ARISTIDES BASTIDAS" PRIZE 2009 OF SCIENTIFIC JOURNALISM:
The Fundación La Salle de Ciencias Naturales (La Salle Foundation of Nature Sciences) was awarded the "Aristides Bastidas" Prize 2009 of Scientific Journalism, section Institutional Scientific Communication, for its 50 years history in support of the scientific research and its social application at the service of people.
The event was attended by a large group of personnel of the Foundation, to receive the recognition of their work in promoting the knowledge in favour of the needy persons.
(Brother Juan Bosco Chacón, President of the Foundation) |
 SAN FRANCISCO - USA – DE MARILLAC ACADEMY GRADUATION 2009 : On Friday, May 29th, De Marillac celebrated its 2009 Commencement Liturgy. Archbishop George H. Niederauer presided at the Mass, along with concelebrants Fr. Louis Vitale, OFM, Fr. Jorge Hernandez, OFM, and Fr. Michael Padazinski.
The Commencement ceremony included speeches by our Valedictorian and Salutatorian, and several students and an alumnus were recognized with distinguished awards for service and leadership.
We are pleased to report that 100% of our 8th grade students will be attending private schools upon graduation. Again this year, 70% of De Marillac alumni who are now seniors in high school will begin college in the fall. Some of the colleges and universities our alumni will be attending include: the University of San Francisco, St. Mary's College of California, College of the Redwoods, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco State University and Sonoma State University.
Special thanks to KTVU FOX 2 and Reporter Jana Katsuyama for coverage of our 2009 graduation. A direct link to the news story is below.
(www.demarillac.org) |
 ROME - ITALY - VEGA FORMATION PROGRAM:
The International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL) will be sponsoring a nine day formation program for Young Lasallians of RELEM (Europe – Near and Mid-East) from July 11 – 19, 2009.
This is the first time in this Region that over 25 Young Lasallian leaders from more than 10 different countries will assembly for an experience of Faith, Service and Community that will prepare them to “train the trainers” in their own local Districts. Representatives from the other four Regions of the Institute (RELAF, PARC, RELAL, USA/Canada) will also be present so that they in turn may replicate the program in their Regions.
To get a better sense of the program please go to www.lasallevega.org and catch the excitement as the countdown to VEGA continues!
(Brother Charles Kitson, Coordinating Secretary for Lasallian Family and Association)
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 SAO PAULO – BR PAULO PETRY, NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CLAR:Br Paulo Petry, Visitor of the District of Sao Paulo, has been appointed as the new President of the Latino-American Conference of Religious (CLAR).
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