18 October 2009 

Dear Brothers and Lasallians, 

PASTORAL VISIT SINGAPORE: Recently I made a pastoral visit to the Singapore sector of the District of Penang. Br Collin Wee, Area Director arranged a visit to both communities and several schools in the country. It is interesting that the Brothers of the two communities, in their respective ministries are involved in various sectors of education including, kindergarten, primary, secondary and college covering, administration, teaching and counseling. Br Dominic from the District of Vietnam joined recently the St Patrick’s community and is studying English. He is ably assisted by Br Gregory Lim. Br Eustace from the District of Colombo resides at St Joseph’s and is involved in the Allied Educators’ programme at St Joseph’s Institution. During this past week Br Pinto from the Delegation of India arrived to be part of the same programme. During community meetings with the Brothers we shared on various Institute priorities and issues. While the two schools, St Patrick’s and SJI are well known it is interesting that four primary schools form part of the Lasallian schools’ network on the island. Br Jeffrey Chan works at St Stephen’s primary and Br Kelvin Tan at St Anthony’s. All four have lay principals and well over 1000 students in each. This year St Anthony’s celebrates 130 years. A banner at the entrance to De La Salle School greeted “Muslim Lasallians” celebrating Hara Raya. I was impressed also on the emphasis being given in the schools to the Lasallian Days of Peace promoted by ICYL. 

DELEGATION OF PAKISTAN: I have just concluded ten days’ of Canonical Visits in Pakistan where I visited all communities and works. Some interesting statistics: in the Delegation there are 14 Brothers, 5 novices at Lipa, 26 aspirants, 400 staff in 21 institutions and 8000 students and others beneficiaries of the services of Lasallians. La Salle High School, Faisalabad has 2494 students of whom 75.02% are Muslim and 24.98% Christian. Compared with other schools in the country, this is a high percentage of Christians, The majority of staff are also Christian. The Delegation is preparing to welcome Br Superior in late November. In addition to his visit to the Delegation he will be present for several functions celebrating 50 years since the arrival of the first Brothers in Multan in 1959. He will also attend the blessing and opening of a church and new parish to be named after the Founder in the Diocese of Multan.  During my visit Br Mark McKeon, Auxiliary Visitor, arrived from Australia to conduct workshops for Lasallian Youth and Mr Peter Cartwright, Finance Manager arrived also from Australia in his capacity as a financial adviser to the Delegation. It is fair to say that the Brothers are concerned about the security situation in the country and the recent unrest involving minorities. Fortunately the recent terrorist activities have not occurred in any places near the communities and works but such attacks are nonetheless a concern for all. 

PRAYER FOR PEACE: You are welcome to give some feedback on how your sector has responded to the call from the ICYL to promote activities and pray for peace in the period 24 September to 24 October. On the evening of 24 October I will attend a Peace Vigil organized by the Lasallian Youth of Singapore. 

FOLLOW UP PARC 32: By separate email I have sent a communication re: follow up of the Interim Mission Council resolution from PARC 32. Sector Councils are asked to do so in preparation for reporting at PARC 33. Like wise progress on Self-Sufficiency of sectors will be reported to PARC 33. A Circular on Self-Sufficiency is in the translation process in Rome and will be circulated in due course. You will find this very practical and helpful. In PARC we have the availability of expertise to assist Sectors in this regard. 

PARC 33: Br Denzil, Visitor has sent out logistical information on PARC 33. If you intend to arrive earlier or stay on afterwards please advise him when notifying your travel arrangements. Kindly note, that most airlines’ flights arrive late at night and depart early morning. The Brothers in Colombo are well aware of this and will meet flights. However there are daylight flights from a number of cities in Asia by Sri Lankan Airlines. 

MARK MURPHY: Mark is currently in California on vocation whilst also following up on fundraising work for some sectors of the Region. He will be back later in the month. 

VINCENT KEATING:  Vince Keating made a visit recently to the Delegation of India where he conducted workshops for formators and Directors. 

REVISION OF THE RULE: You have received correspondence reporting on the Phase One Commission on the Rule’s work. This included an appendix with statistics indicating the global response of the Brothers by Region, District/Delegation. If the reported statistics do not tally with the report you sent to Rome I suggest you contact Br Secretary General directly on jantolinez@lasalle.org.  

SCHEDULE: 22-24 October, Kagoshima; 28 October, Delegation Council, Thailand;30 October- 21 November, General Council RELAL and USA/Toronto/Francophone Canada; 23-26 November, Pastoral Visit, Hong Kong; 28 November-3 December, Visit Br Superior, Pakistan; 6-7 December, Visit Bamboo School, Thailand; 8-14 December, Pastoral Visit, Vietnam, Phase Two; 15-21 December, Canonical Visits, India; 23 December- 5 January, Leave. 

Best wishes and prayers through the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary. 

David Hawke FSC