29 April 2009

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO THE CONSECRATED LIFE AND PRIESTHOOD: The recent edition of “Hearts on Fire” and various Church publications remind us that Sunday 3 May is dedicated to prayer for vocations. Let us give this priority in the communities of the Region.

ALLIANCE FORUM/RETREAT; During Holy Week 74 Brothers from seven countries in PARC met at the Redemptorist Centre in Pattaya for a forum/retreat. Br Edmundo’s Bulletin immediately after the event served to inform you of the successful outcome, the fraternal spirit and the excellent retreat presentations of Br Thomas Johnson, Vicar General. The Alliance Council met afterwards to determine the various steps, timelines and focus groups necessary to reach the target date of 15th May 2011 as the foundation date of the new District.

VOWS CEREMONY: Br Marco Rey of the District of the Philippines makes his Final Vows on 15th May andBrothers Mikey and Aikee, also from the Philippines make their First Vows on 13th June; six novices made their First Vows in India on 19th April and three Brothers in Thailand renewed their Annual Vows during the Easter Vigil at the Alliance Retreat.

SRI LANKA: We continue to be mindful of the situation in the north of Sri Lanka. I am in regular contact with Br Denzil, Visitor. Several of the Brothers’ families are affected with some displaced.

SIGNUM FIDEI: Br Alberto Gomez has furnished me with a comprehensive report following his recent visit to several sectors of PARC.He is suggesting that that a coordinator of Signum Fidei for the Region be appointed. I will discuss this with him in Rome next month.

LASALLIAN SERVICES COMMITTEE: Given recent discussions at PARC, it is timely that there is a change of personnel on the LSC to ensure continuity on the one hand and the contribution of new ideas on the other. I am currently in conversation with sector heads, EXCO and the people concerned leading to the announcement of new appointees in the near future.

ICYL REPRESENTATIVE: I met recently with Vanessa Abella who updated me on the outcomes of the March meeting of ICYL. Vanessa has been in regular contact with the Youth Coordinators in your sector. She is in the process of determining a PARC representative to attend the VEGA programme for youth from RELEM in Rome in July. Br Mark McKeon and Joshua Folliss from Australia are attending the programme as staff. See the Institute’s website for information on the Lasallian Month (September/October) of Prayer for Peace which is being promoted by ICYL.

Br MARK MURPHY: Mark has been granted an EmploymentPass for Singapore. Over the past couple of weeks we have found ourselves together in both Bangkok and the office in Singapore so have had many meetings and time for a little socializing also!

SCHEDULE: Br Mark: 1-4 May, Manado; 7-31 May, Myanmar. David:2-20 May, Australia/NZ, Pastoral Visit; 22 May-21 June, Rome.

Prayers and cheers,