8 May 2012

Greetings from the Casa Generalizia on this the Feast of Our Lady of the Star.

PARC Lasallian Womens’ Symposium: In his opening address; “Association and Women” Bro Alvaro, Superior General set the scene for what was an inspiring symposium; indeed “A New Moment in History.” Trish Carroll (Australia) in a well researched presentation opened the eyes and hearts of all present to “Women in the Life of De La Salle” and Julia Willie Jock (Malaysia) through an informative power point put all in touch with the mission of Lasallian women throughout the world. Table conversations and sharing both in groups and one-to-one invited all to share their Lasallian stories and involvement in the mission. The outcomes of the gathering will be available on the PARC website and via Dropbox in due course. My appreciation to the planning committee, the Visitors/President of PARC, and special thanks to the Sector of Thailand for logistical support.

Visit to Pakistan: Late last month I completed a pastoral visit to the District of ANZPPNG with a visit to Pakistan. Apart from visiting each community and several institutions two highlights were the three days’ assembly of young Brothers (including one from PNG) which I facilitated with Bro Tony Cummins (Australia) and the Sector Assembly. The Sector Assembly decided to propose to the July District Chapter in Australia to become officially part of the District thus ending the “Sector in Transition” status. As always to meet with the aspirants and postulants was a valuable experience. I will return to Pakistan next month to give the Brothers’ retreat.

Delegation of India: The Delegation Council of India met during the last week of April. On the evening prior to the meeting we gathered to share on the role and responsibilities of the Council using the Rule and other materials as resources for reflection. Following a Line of Action of the Delegation Chapter, a review of all the works of the Delegation will take place this year. The review team involves Brothers from PARC and India and a local Jesuit and lay professor. In the new academic year three young men will commence their postulancy in the Delegation. Bro T Amalan from India arrives in PNG later in the week. He will teach at Holy Trinity Teachers’ College. This increases the number of Brothers from the Delegation working in the country to four.

International Assembly 2013: The Delegates from PARC have been finalized. Bro John Pill will now set up the groups who will work on the themes of the Assembly. He will circulate the names of the Delegates to Visitors/President.

Preparing for PARC Young Brothers’ Gathering: Districts and Sectors are reminded that prior to the regional gathering, local meetings of young Brothers based on the circulated themes are to be encouraged. See Bro Richie’s communications for details. Kindly let me know the dates of your District/Sector gatherings.

Old Boy Appointed as Ambassador to the Holy See: John McCarthy QC, an Old Boy of a Lasallian school has been appointed Ambassador of Australia to the Holy See. He will take up his position in September. He has a son who is a priest.

De La Salle for All Teachers: The National 3 May (Port Moresby and Lae) carried the following news item. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands approved a resolution 24 April making the feast of St John Baptist de La Salle on May 15 every year a Catholic Agency School Day. Agency days mean that the students attend school but celebrate the event.The decision is a result of suggestions made to the Port Moresby Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Board and the monthly contact with all Catholic Education Secretaries throughout the country made by the Lasallian Family National Office supplying background material on the Lasallian Family and De La Salle, his life and work. (Source: “In the Loop,” Bro Ambrose Payne)

New Visitors Meeting Rome: Fifteen Brothers will commence the programme tomorrow evening, 9 May. Brothers Joseph Le Van Phuong (Auxiliary Visitor, Vietnam) and Christopher Soosai (President, India) are attending from PARC.

Fraternal greetings

David Hawke FSC
General Councillor PARC