Brothers
and Partners of the District of San Francisco,
In Rome, Italy, in June 2000, the Brothers' 43rd General Chapter decreed that, "in Districts, Sub-Districts, and Delegations, the Brothers and their Associates create a structure - or improve an existing structure - responsible for the Lasallian educational mission, in which all participate with a deliberative vote" (Proposition 5). The Chapter also asked that "the criteria for the participation of Brothers and their Associates in the structure" and the definition of its relationship with the Visitor, be created in consultation with Associates (Proposition 6.) In response to this decree, and to further strengthen and expand Lasallian Partnership between the Brothers and their lay and religious colleagues, the District of San Francisco will hold an unprecedented District Assembly on Mission at Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, July 28 through August 2, 2002.
Since 1999, the work of the District has been successfully guided by our Context for Action and Action Plan. The work of the Assembly this summer, followed by the Eleventh District Chapter this fall, will set the direction for the Lasallian educational mission in the District of San Francisco and the means for fulfilling it though the next four years, 2003-2007.
Locally and worldwide, thousands associated with the ministry of Lasallian education are working to secure the future of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and revitalize our mission. We strive constantly to deepen our knowledge of the Founder and of the history of the Institute, as instructed by the Brothers' Rule, always mindful of our ultimate purpose: to give a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.
I ask for your prayers for the District Assembly on Mission, its participants and its success, as well as for similar events taking place around the Lasallian world. As the Brothers' colleagues take a more active role, with voice and vote, in the Brothers' deliberative bodies, we pray that together we will continue to touch the hearts and minds of young people through Christian education.
In Saint John Baptist de La Salle,
Brother David
Brennan, FSC
Visitor, District of San Francisco
April 12, 2002