(February April 2011)

Transcription

1 (February April 2011) Cordial greetings from Rome. I am happy to send you the Information sheet for the last few months, referring to the activities carried out by some of the SIGNUM FIDEI communities of the Lasallian world. My thanks to those who sent in the information.may knowledge of these realities help us to strengthen our links of fraternity and solidarity and may we remember each other in our prayers. May our lives continue to be a reflection of the presence of the Risen Lord. Br. Alberto Gómez Barruso USA - HOMESTEAD Miami On a quite regular basis we receive news from the St.John Baptist De La Salle Education Centre. The unconditional dedication of its promoters and leaders is admirable. I remind you that it is a non-formal Education Centre for immigrant children and families which has been offering gratuitous formation in South Florida since The Centre was founded by Signum Fidei and Cuban past-pupils who feel themselves profoundly Lasallian. Every Monday and Friday a group of teachers and volunteers look after the pupils in extra-curricular activities as well as providing them with food. On this occasion they tell us about classes in sewing/dressmaking at beginner level both for girls adults offered by Ms Ofelia C. Granados and Ms Dalila Moquete. They have given presents of second-hand sewing machines to the best pupils. D. José Manuel Dorado Dominican Republic Santiago de los Caballeros The Signum Fidei group of Colegio De La Salle of Santiago celebrated its consecration and renewal on Friday March 18 th with a Mass during which Ms Rosa Ualquiria Ricardo consecrated herself and Carmen Sirí, Luisa Hernández, Inés Paulino, Jauanil Fabián and Albalidy Reyes renewed their consecration. Llisán Wu and Miriam Valdez made their renewal as Associates. This group is noted for its fervent spirit of work both in the College and in its communities. From the beginning, Br. Agustín has been Advisor to the group. Words of congratulation were spoken by Br. Pedro Acevedo, Director-General. We were accompanied on this important occasion by Br. Avelino Guerrero, Councilor for the Sector Puerto Rico- Santo Domingo, District of Antilles-Mexico South. We ask that everyone join in prayer for the growth and improvement of all the Signum Fidei groups and communities. May such groups be formed in those institutions which do not yet have any. Alba Reyes 1

2 Signum Fidei Holy Land The Holy Land Signum Fidei group held a retreat during Lent in the school in Bethlehem. Fifteen Signum Fidei and three Brothers were present (Brothers Albert Alonzo, Jean Manuel and Daoud Kassabry). The retreat was animated by Br. Charles Kitson, Secretary for the Lasallian Family and Association in Rome, who centered the theme on the foundations of the Lasallian Family. The day began with prayer prepared by the Bethlehem group, followed by a talk from Br. Charles Kitson. There was time for meditating on the Pope s Lenten Pastoral Letter and we ended with a fraternal meal. H. Daoud Tahta - Egypt The young community of Tahta sends greetings and wishes that the Peace of Christ be with you all. The election of the coordinator of the group took place in the presence of Br. Sameh, Mardy Farouk, Phil and the coordinator for Alexandria, Ms Teresa. Mr. Mena Zakaria was elected. Mr. David J. is Vicecoordinator, Nana Nagy the Secretary and Marvin Murad the Treasurer. The SF community meets on Tuesdays for prayer, especially at present praying for peace in Egypt and all over the Middle East. Among the activities carried out by this community which lives in a city where there is no college or community of Brothers, is the collection of clothing for distribution to poor families and diverse educational activities with children from distant villages. Mena Zakaria Br. Michael Jacques, Former Assistant General, passed away on March 31 st, 2011 Br. Michael Jacques was born in 1916 in Kuching (Borneo). He was always proud of his French-British-Hakka ancestry. True to his religious vows, Br. Jacques has lived a life of detachment from all things, dedicating his vocation to God and humanity. His passion as an educationist propelled him to the heights in the La Salle Institute. In his teaching career spanning 48 years, Jacques, served twice as Brother-Visitor in the La Salle provincialate of Malaysia- Singapore-Hongkong. He was also elected to be Assistant to the Superior General in Rome from 1966 to His life as a Brother and his teaching career took him from his idyllic hometown to Penang, Ipoh, Malacca, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo, Hongkong, London and Rome. Br. Jacques always stated "We should never despair while we still have life. My watchword is to live as authentic a life as possible". He was a man who had passion with life and seemed to have continued this 2

3 spirit even in adversity during the restive period of the Japanese Occupation when he was under constant fear of being captured and tortured. Br. Jacques was always perceived as the gentle-giant as he spoke with "quiet decorum" even if it was just an exchange of pleasantries. He led a meaningful life, involving service to society. Br. Jacques was for many years the Assessor of the Signum Fidei Community in Kuala Lumpur. He deeply believed in the value of Association of Lay Partners and was loved by all of them. Br. Michael was "The Educator s Educator", "Someone for all". Equatorial Guinea Lent Retreat 2011 From Equatorial Guinea we have been sent these photos taken during their Lenten Retreat. They also send us their reflections and proposals which are all very interesting, because the challenges which they are facing as persons or as members of a family and of a community are very similar from one place to another. It calls attention to the reading which they are doing of their own lives and of their mission with the eyes of faith. I am picking out some of their ideas because I believe that they can help us all to grow: At times we do not understand what is happening to us in the community or in the family - we see God s plan in dedication to others, to difficult children Just as with Jesus, it costs us as well, to understand God s plan I have to ask Jesus for help in carrying the cross, knowing that if we are of God this will follow in spite of problems, yes I do believe that ours is of God. - When I lost my son I asked myself Why?. In the group I am all the time becoming more animated, stronger, with clearer ideas. Starting out from the family I sought to teach children, which is what I like we should not get discouraged because education is a difficult profession. Presence in the group is essential - We need to support each other and to look for a commitment which involves us all. We ought to live each other s problems close up and not give up on prayer. We should look at our Founder. He too experienced difficulties. We need to bring to completion some work, have something as a group. We should feel that we are instruments of Jesus, that He uses me. - We should help the poor. Madagascar We have planned a meeting of all the Signum Fidei and aspirants to Signum Fidei for April 30 th. If all turn up we will be 35 a good group! Part of the meeting will conduct in common. The other part will be in two groups, the Signum Fidei in one and the new aspirants in the other. Our aim is to facilitate getting to know each other. Some from Ambositra hope that they will be able to make their consecration during the feast of the Brothers during the holidays. The others are just beginning. Regarding the project for the Centre for Improving the lives of Women in Anosibe, we have already taken the necessary steps with the Mayor s Office. Br. Alberto has sent us part of the money which we have received from a generous Lasallian donor for this construction. WE are already leveling the ground and reinforcing the soil. We imagine that it will take us about two more months if all goes well. The place is for now still a wetland, but since we are at the end of the rainy season, the land will continue to dry out. We need about 300 square metres of earth and afterwards or at the same time to compact it. We have to do it little by little, in small vehicles, putting the earth into small bags to raise the level of the land. H. Joan Sala 3

4 Haiti Port de Paix Br. Hermann Austinvil sends us this message: On April 17 th I animated a Retreat Day for the members of the Signum Fidei Fraternity. The atmosphere was very good. Present were: Jean-Michel Altes, Mme. Apolina Alze, Miguel Angel A. Duvercy, Wilfaine Lucien, Pierre Roger, Michel Beauchamp, Henri San Carlos Sainvilia, Pedro Perfecto Julio, Altes Christina. All showed a great thirst for knowing better the spirituality of the Founder. We should avail of this opening sot to help them to better understand the spirit through which our institutions ought to be animated. The next theme will be consecration. We recommend ourselves to your prayers. Colegio Manos de Dios LIMA Perú. We receive frequent messages and videos of the activities taking place in the Signum Fidei communities of Peru. Recently they told us about the beginning of their year of pastoral ministry activities. In one of their videos they tell us about CONIPO, COmunidad del Niño PObre (Community of the Poor Child). This is a project of Colegio Manos de Dios, directed by Signum Fidei, which arose from the commitment of young people to make a present of chocolate for Christmas (NANIPO). This year they have as their pastoral objective to animate and accompany children in their meeting with Jesus. If you have a few minutes to spare don t fail to look at this video on the Internet: Spain - Andalucia On Saturday April 16 th in Colegio La Salle - Viña - Cádiz the members of the Signum Fidei Fraternity of Andalucia met for a day of intense Formation, Prayer, Meditation and sharing together. The central theme of dialogue was Circular 461 on Association, especially Chapter 4 which deals with The need for discernment. Mr. Simeón Martín, with his experience, helped us to understand the theme better and to take from it the best that each one could carry within a very fruitful dialogue. 4

5 EIGHTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF SIGNUM FIDEI COMMUNITIES. PHILIPPINES In Bacolod, Philippines, the Eighth National Assembly of the District's Signum Fidei communities was held on April 7, 8, and 9. Those in charge of Signum Fidei communities in New Zealand and Indonesia also participated. A teacher from Papua New Guinea and a Brother from Vietnam attended as observers, since in those countries there are no communities. The Assembly's central theme was "Re-creating Signum Fidei communities. Strengthening Association for the Mission." Brother Raymundo Suplido provided the first paper entitled "Strengthening fundamental elements of Association" and Brother Alberto Gómez, International Advisor, spoke first on "The evangelical sources of life in community," and then he offered an overview of Signum Fidei communities in 31 countries of the Lasallian world where they are established today. ational president Ms. Myra Patambang and Brother Antonio Servando, National Advisor, collaborated in organizing this Eighth Assembly and they should be congratulated on a job well done. In total more than 140 Signum Fidei members participated and a good number of Brothers from the District were present at various times. At the closing Eucharist five new members made their first consecration and 82 made their annual renewal. In addition, requests from 29 new aspirants and 9 observers were received. 5

6 Signum Fidei en Manado Indonesia The Catholic University of Manado, in Indonesia, takes the name De La Salle. It was founded in the year 2000 and belongs to the Diocese of this city. At the present moment there is no community of Brothers present there, but the Lasallian Spirit is particularly present thanks to the young staff and the pupils, who feel proud of belonging to this educational Institute. Br. Alberto Gomez, International Advisor to Signum Fidei, paid a visit to Manado between April 13th and 16th and over those days had meetings with various priests of the diocese, with professors and especially with members of the Signum Fidei Community of the University. He called attention to his great wish to keep alive the Lasallian charism in the University and to be faithful to our commitment to belong to the local community. Three of its members were present at the 8th Assembly of the Phillipines. Steps were taken so that there could be greater closeness, accompanying and collaboration between this fraternity and those of the Phillipines since from May 15th this year they will form part of the same District LEAD. Various members of the community expressed their wish to soon be able to celebrate their consecration. We especially congratulate the animator of the community, Mr. Stevenus Ngenget and his coordinating team and we call upon all to follow this path of association for the mission and to be a living sign of the presence of the Lasallian charism in Indonesia. A second meeting took place with the animators and members of the group of Young Lasallians (Young Lasallians Corps). The great spirit of friendship and the desire they have to remain united at La Salle and in La Salle is admirable. Colombo Sri Lanka We have received greetings from Mr.John Leslie Fernando in Colombo. He sent us a document with the history of the community. The first group of Signum Fidei began in 1999, animated by the late Br.Eustace Bastians. At present there are 12 consecrated members in the community totally dedicated to the Lasallian Mission and living the charism of St. John Baptist De La Salle. Br.Denzil Perera visited Malta in April to present the works carried out thanks to the twinning between the two communities. 6