SINGAPORE - 8TH ASIA-PACIFIC LASALLIAN YOUTH CONGRESS: From 2nd till 8th December 2007, about 150 youths from around the Asia Pacific region convened at St Patrick’s School in Singapore for the 8th Asia Pacific Lasallian Youth Congress (APLYC8).

This is a gathering of youths – students, young teachers, youth workers and volunteers – who are associated with the Lasallian Mission. They came from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and host country Singapore.

The theme for APLYC8 is “Many Lives, One Mission”. This is in celebration of our Pacific Asia region, which is the most diverse in our international Lasallian world. This does not only refers to socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity but also refers to the diversity of how the Lasallian Mission is expressed and made real in response to the realities of each place.

Delegates spent the week in lively and dynamic discussions, inspiring and moving sharings, as well as meaningful reflections. It is hoped that these will lead to new service projects and renewal of existing ones. They also took part in more lively activities like Dragon Boating and visits to Lasallian Heritage sites.

Notable presence at APLYC8 include Mr George Yeo, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is a Lasallian himself, who joined in for the opening evening. The Vicar General of the Institute was also present throughout the Congress, in addition to sharing with delegates Lasallian youth involvement around the world.

To find out what happened at APLYC8, please visit www.aplyc8.org

CÓRDOBA - ARGENTINA – FIRST PROFESSION: Last December 8th, Brothers Ezequiel Montoya, Walter Gómez, and Aníbal Veloto made their first profession in the Institute of the Brothers in the novitiate chapel in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. They are the newest members of the District of Argentina-Paraguay.

The celebration was very simple and many teachers and others who had shared in different stages of initial formation of these young men were in attendance. Brother Jesús Rubio, Institute Secretary for Formation, was also present for the event.
^{(Lasallian Novitiate of Argentina-Paraguay)}

NAPA – USA - VOCATION DISCERNMENT RETREAT: Are you a single Catholic male interested in community life, teaching, and prayer? Are you looking for something more in your life?

The Brothers of the Christian Schools, more popularly known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers, are dedicated to education and to transforming the lives of young people, especially the poor.

Throughout the United States the Brothers sponsor over a hundred schools and educational apostolates, including elementary, middle, and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and special programs for court-adjudicated youth and others with special needs. Founded in 1681 by John Baptist de la Salle, the patron saint of teachers, the De La Salle Christian Brothers are at work in more than 80 countries worldwide, serving nearly a million students.

Vocation discernment retreats are held in Napa, California, at Mont La Salle. A weekend in the peace, quiet, and beauty of the Napa hills is a perfect opportunity to explore the direction of your life, with conversation, common prayer and meals, and plentiful time for personal reflection.

For complete information and to register for a retreat, you may contact Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, at br.george@dlsi.org or 707-252-3861
^{(Brother George Van Grieken)}

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