Dear Brothers and Lasallian Partners,

Again we are about to enter into the Church's Advent and Christmas seasons. So much of what is at the heart of these seasons is overshadowed by the culture in which we are immersed, that it now takes a special effort on our part to engage the Mystery that comes to the fore in these seasons.

What is this Mystery? Last year, I suggested that we might consider the coming of the Lord not as something entirely either in the past or in the future, but as one coming begun with the Incarnation and to be completed in the Parousia at the end of time. If we did that, we could see ourselves as participants in the coming of the Lord, allowing him to be present, through our Christ-like way of life, to our students, their parents, our Brothers, our colleagues and all whom we encounter in selfless concern for them.

Another aspect of this Mystery, especially prominent throughout the Christmas season, from Christmas Day through the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, would be the celebration of God's presence in the seemingly most unlikely events and persons to bear that presence. This theme is especially Lasallian. De La Salle refers to it explicitly in his meditation for the Epiphany: ". . . The Magi entered the stable and found a little Child wrapped in poor swaddling clothes in the company of his mother Mary. . . . They prostrate themselves before him . . . . They honor him as their King and adore him as their God. . . . Recognize Jesus beneath the poor rags of the children whom you have to instruct."

Participating in Christ's coming and recognizing him present already in others may seem like contradictory realities, but we have only a paradox here. Our redemption through Jesus' coming in our flesh, his living, suffering, dying, and rising has an "already" character about it as well as a "not yet" character. Redemption is already accomplished in Christ but it is not yet fully realized in us. Our union with and in him allows us to participate in both aspects of his redemptive Mystery. We can be and are engaged in his coming, not yet fully realized, but we can be and are engaged in recognizing that he is already present in those whom we instruct, their parents, our Brothers, our colleagues in our mission, our families, friends, and even those with whom we have chance and brief encounters.

You may recall that last year at this time I forwarded Superior General Brother Alvaro’s appeal to you for donations to the Lasallian Formation Fund. This fund is to assist the formation of Brothers in Districts and Regions which cannot by themselves financially support this formation. I indicated that Brother Alvaro, complying with a stipulation of the 42 nd General Chapter, requested this appeal not only for 2005 but 2006 and 2007 as well. He suggested that we respond during the Advent Season and has recently sent the Brother Visitors a reminder of this for 2006.

So, once again, I request our Brothers’ communities to donate an amount indicated in a separate letter to our Brother Directors, and I invite our Lasallian Partners to donate as they may wish. All checks should be made payable to De La Salle Institute and designated for the Lasallian Formation Fund. The total received will be sent to the Generalate in Rome by mid-January. Donating to this fund is one very practical way in which we can participate in the coming of the Lord and honor his presence in those who are in need.

Brother Alvaro thanks all the Brothers’ communities and Lasallian Partners who donated to the Fund last year. The goal of raising $400,000 to assist in the formation of young Brothers was surpassed.

May the Lord strengthen all of us to be those through whom he continues to come into this world as well as those who recognize his presence especially in those who are poor, weak, or marginalized.

Fraternally,

Brother Stanislaus Campbell, FSC
Visitor