2 December 2008

Dear Brothers

The horrific events in Mumbai and the situation in Thailand invite our prayers for the peoples of both nations. As we commence this Season of Advent let us pray that peace will reign.

WELCOME BR JORGE GALLARDO DE ALBA, GENERAL COUNCILLOR: Br Jorge will be in India mid-December to give a presentation to the assembly of Brothers on the Sudan. As you are aware, Br Superior has requested the Delegation of India and the District of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to provide personnel for the Sudan Project. From 14-24 December, Jorge will accompany me on a Pastoral Visit to Vietnam and Cambodia.

DELEGATION OF THAILAND: Last week I made my first Canonical Visits to the four communities in the Delegation. Br Francis, President, drove me to each place and joined in the various events and the community meetings. The sheer size of the student populations at Bangna (6000+), and Nahkonsawan (4000+) is overwhelming. Chanthaburi was described as a ‘small school” with 1400+ students! The outreach programmes for the poor at Nakhonsawan and Chanthaburi were eye-openers for me. The three schools planned events enabling me to view the educational process, experience Thai culture through music, singing and dance and witness the multi-faith dimension of the Lasallian mission in the country. At Nakhonsawan we celebrated the fact that the Kindergarten section of La Salle had received an educational award from His Majesty the King for the third time in a 10 years’ period. This is unique in Thailand. The current support of the Delegation for a “BambooSchool” close to the Thai/Myanmar border is indicative of the Brothers’ response to the call of the 44th General Chapter to respond to the needs of migrant and displaced peoples. Several Brothers under Br Victor Gil’s leadership are currently involved in the project by visiting regularly and providing resources and funding. To visit with the community of pre-postulants and postulants at Sampran was indeed a tonic. The visit to Nakhonsawan on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady occasioned a delightful evening with the Juniors there.

INTRODUCING PARC’S REPRESENTATIVEON THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG LASALLIANS:Last week I met with Vanessa Abella (Vanes) who is PARC’s representative on the International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL). In time she will be in contact with all Sector Heads in order to gather the name of who is the Lasallian Youth contact in each Sector. She will attend the Youth Coordinators’ workshop in Ipoh in January.

 Vanessa P. Abella is the National Coordinator of the Lasallian Youth Commission (LYC) in the Philippine District. LYC conducts programs between and among schools in order for the Lasallian Youth in the Philippines to have a deeper understanding of the Lasallian Mission, greater appreciation of the unique Lasallian identity, as well as stronger links among various youth groups found in the schools. Prior to becoming the full-time Youth Coordinator in 2007, Vanes previously worked in Venture for Fund Raising as Program Associate for Training where she was responsible for the marketing, management and delivery of Venture's fund raising training programs.

VISITOR DISTRICT OF COLOMBO: Br Denzil Perera commences his appointment as Visitor of the District of Colombo on 1 January. We wish him well and God’s blessings in this ministry. Once again I thank Br Henry Dissanayake for his contribution both in the District and in PARC. He will take a break in Sri Lanka and later in the year follow a renewal programme in India. Henry will be involved on the staff of the PARC Commitment Renewal Programme in August in India.

ST BENEDICT’S COLOMBO: During 2008 St Benedict’s has been celebrating “140 Years’ Contribution of the De La Salle Brothers”. An impressive volume documents this occasion. Most of the Brothers in Sri Lanka attended St Benedicts when they joined as Aspirants. Included in the Distinguished Alumni list are Brothers Luke (the first Sri Lankan Brother) and Baptist and Emmanuel (known to may in PARC) and Bro Nizier, Provincial of the Marist Brothers. Six Brothers currently living are alumni and of course many who have entered eternal life were alumni. The volume lists 83 alumni priests, including four Bishops, one of whom is the current Archbishop of Colombo. Wow what a record!

PAKISTANROMESINGAPORE LINK: On Saturday the Brothers resident in Pakistan gathered for two meetings and linked with me and Brothers Tom Johnson and Robert Schieler in Rome for a conference call over a two hours’ period. Robert and I could not get to Pakistan due to the situation in Bangkok airport. The meeting was very productive with desirable outcomes achieved. Our two men in Rome had to rise before 4.00 am Rome time to participate.

DE LA SALLE BROTHERS COME TO MANILA: Brother Gregory Wright, Visiting Professor at DLSU delivered a very informative lecture on the first Brothers in Manila last Wednesday at the university. The first year novices were present with Brothers Rory, Harry and Peter. It was good to catch up with them.

HEARTS ON FIRE:Please inform your Vocations Ministry personnel that there is a delay to the November edition as all the information is in my laptop in Bangkok.

DELEGATION CHAPTER JAPAN: The Chapter begins on 26 December. It will go on record, I am sure, for being the smallest Chapter in the History of the Institute….8 Brothers will constitute the Delegates to the Chapter. As you will understand some of the senior Japanese Brothers are unable to attend. I will attend as will Br Tom Lavin from the Alliance Council.

DELEGATION OF INDIA CHAPTER: The Chapter begins 12 January, 2009. Br Ambrose Payne is the facilitator. India’s Chapter will conclude the Chapters that have occurred throughout the Region post the 44th General Chapter. The Brothers of India will meet in Assembly on 13 December to determine the final nomination of Brothers suitable to be President to Br Superior.

 PARC LASALLIAN INSTITUTE: The Board of the PARC Lasallian Institute meets in Manila later in the week. Br Mark Murphy chairs the Board.

BR MARK MURPHY: Mark will take up residence in Singapore on 24 January. During PARC 32 he will inform on his time commitment to PARC and the Sub-District of Myanmar. His schedule for 2009 is taking shape so be in contact with him if needs be.

RULE REVISION: With Br Ambrose Payne as Coordinator the group of Brothers developing the first phase of the Rule Revision met last week in Rome. More information will be available early in the new calendar year.

COMING EVENTS: APLEC 7 begins next week in Hong Kong. The response from throughout the Region has been tops! Thanks to all. In early January the Youth Coordinators’ workshop takes place in Ipoh, Malaysia and the Lasallian Services Committee meets in Petaling Jaya, also in January.The PARC Think Tank meets in January in Bangkok.

DAVID’S SCHEDULE: 4-6 December, Kesera, Canonical Visit; 7-11 December, Hong Kong, APLEC 7; 13-14 December, India, Assembly and Council Meeting; 15-24 December, Vietnam/Cambodia, Pastoral Visit; 26-30 December, Japan, Chapter.

PARC OFFICE: The PARC Office will be closed 31 December – 9 January.

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with each of you.

David Hawke FSC