25 October 2013

Today 25 October marks the end of the traditional monthly novena for vocations. Over the coming weekend 65 plus Brothers and other Lasallians will gather in Rome for the CIL programme on Vocations. Among the group are 17 participants from PARC. The very positive response to this programme throughout the Institute is indeed a good sign. Let’s keep all the delegates in our prayers and look forward in hope to their return home where all will be encouraged to support initiatives they propose for vocations to the Brothers’ life and other Lasallian vocations.

Welcome: Bro Thomas Johnson, Vicar General, who will give presentations at the PARC Commitment Renewal Programme and attend also the LEAD Council reflection and evaluation days. He will visit Vietnam and Cambodia before heading for Thailand. Bro Denzil Perera, Visitor of the District of Colombo will be at the PARC Office for a couple of days next week. The staff of the office are meeting with each Bro Visitor/President individually prior to PARC 37.

Affiliation Fr John O’Connor: Fr John of the Diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand was granted Letters of Affiliation during a moving Liturgy of the Word in the Chapel of St John Baptist de La Salle, Oakhill, Sydney, last Tuesday evening. Not only has he been involved extensively giving retreats, chaplaincy services and spiritual direction for many years in the District of ANZPPNG but he has also presented seminars to Brothers of the legacy District of Penang and the Visitors’ conference of PARC.

Pastoral Visit to LEAD: Recently I visited the Sector of Japan as part of a visit I am making to LEAD during this year and early next year. In each community I had time with the Brothers individually, participated in a community meeting with the Brothers and while in Hakodate met also with students of the Mission Club and a selection of key staff of La Salle. My thanks to Bro Rodrigo Sector Leader for arranging the schedule.

La Salle Novitiate, Lipa: Bro Vincent Keating, Director returned to the novitiate Wednesday after home leave in Sydney. During this past week Bro John Pill has been taking classes with the novices on the vow of “Association for the service of the poor through education.”

President of the Delegation of India Visits Papua New Guinea: During this coming week Bro Christopher Soosai will make his first visit to PNG. Currently there are three Brothers from the Delegation working in the country. He is stopping off in Singapore enroute to visit the two Brothers from India who work in the country.

45th General Chapter Delegates: Official notification of the capitulants of the 45th General Chapter has been circulated. Bro Richie Yap of LEAD has been appointed the Liturgy Coordinator of the General Chapter. Immediately after PARC 37 (February, 2014) the capitulants from PARC will have a pre-General Chapter meeting.

PARC Commitment Renewal Programme: This programme for Brothers preparing for Perpetual Profession or those recently professed, begins in Thailand on 2 November. John Pill is in contact with the respective participants and their Visitors/ Presidents. I appreciate that John took on the coordination of this programme in its final stages of planning.

Schedules: Bro David: 5-14 November, Philippines, Part 2 of Pastoral Visit; 21-22 November, Thailand, LEAD Council Reflection/Evaluation. Bro John: 2-16 November, Commitment Renewal Programme, Thailand.

Best wishes and prayers.

Bro David Hawke FSC
General Councillor PARC