24 June 2010

VISIT OF BROTHER SUPERIOR TO DELEGATION OF INDIA: Brother Alvaro commences his Pastoral Visit to India on 10 July. While in the country he will visit Kesera and Mochavadi for the first time. I will accompany him. Welcome Br Superior.

VISIT OF INSTITUTE SECRETARY OF FORMATION: Br Joseph Fernando will visit India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar commencing 27th June and concluding 27th August. Along with Br Jesus Rubio (Chuy), Institute Secretary for the Spanish and French speaking sectors of the Institute he will visit the Accompaniment Programme in Colombo. In collaboration with Br Vincent Keating, Joseph will coordinate the PARC Formation of Formators programme also in Colombo. Welcome to Brothers Joseph and Chuy. This will be Br Chuy’s first visit to PARC. It is anticipated that the Accompaniment Programme will be replicated in other Regions. Welcome also to Br John Cantwell Coordinating Secretary of the Being Brothers Today Secretariat who will facilitate the programme along with Brothers John Fernando. Edmundo Fernandez and Christy Cross from PARC.

LA SALLE NOVITIATE LIPA: This Sunday 27 June, Brothers Ico (Philippines), John (Thailand), Naeem (Pakistan), Sebastian (Thailand), Shashi (Pakistan) will receive the Religious Habit and Brothers Angelo (Philippines), Francis (Philippines), Ignasius (Indonesia), John (PNG) and Wilson (Philippines) will be accepted into the novitiate. In addition to the Br Visitor and Chairman of the Board, Br Edmundo, Br Shahzad will attend from Pakistan and Br Stephen Kan from Thailand.

FIRST PROFESIONS IN PARC: Recently five novices in the District of Colombo, three in the Delegation of Pakistan, one from the Delegation of India and one in the District of the Philippines professed First Vows. Two novices from the Delegation of Thailand profess their First Vows this Sunday.

CALLED TO BE BROTHERS is the title of a prayer card for vocations to be prayed by the Brothers produced by the USA/Toronto Region. The prayer begins with the invocation; “Most Holy Trinity’ and is an adaptation of the writings of Br Alvaro. I have purchased cards for every Brother in the Region and have commenced circulating same.

HEARTS ON FIRE: Thanks to Mark Murphy who circulated the latest edition. Keep encouraging people to contribute in order to circulate good practice on vocations’ ministry across the Region.

VEGA IN USA/TORONTO REGION: Over thirty young people from across the Region are meeting currently in Memphis to follow the second of the VEGA programmes on Lasallian Youth Leadership developed by the International Council of Young Lasallians.

GUIDE US IN YOUR JUSTICE; a formation itinerary for a prophetic Religious Life is a book produced by the JPIC Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Union of Superiors General and the International Union of Superiors General USG/UISG. The Forward in the book states; “The primary objective of the itinerary is to offer a way of integrating the Social Doctrine of the Church into all stages of the formation process of the religious life…” At Br Joseph Fernando’s request PARC has purchased a copy for each sector and formation personnel. He requests that the book be studied by formation commissions in the Region. You will receive copies by personal or mail delivery.

MANADO: I was pleased while in Rome to meet two faculty members from DLSU – Manado who were attending the IALU leadership formation programme. They reported that there are now over 1000 students and that a new building is under construction. Br Rey from the Philippines conducted a formation programme there recently. Signum Fidei is still going strong. And of course the question was asked; “when are the Brothers returning?”Br Dodo will give an update on the university at PARC 34.

PARC LASALLIAN INSTITUTE: The second year of the current programme commences next week in Manila. A review of the two years’ cycle will take place soon afterwards. Thanks to all who support this PARC initiative.

CIL PROGRAMME ON ASSOCIATION: PARC will be very well represented. Br John Cantwell tells me that there are now 71 registrations from across the globe.

MOVING TOWARDS LEAD:The Brothers who will constitute LEAD are currently engaged in a pre-sondagereflection process. An analysis of the feedback will be circulated prior to the first sondage for the nomination of the Br Visitor. This sondage commences on 13 August, feast of St Benilde.

Peace and joy to you.

David Hawke FSC
General Councillor for PARC Region.