Brother Visitor's Letter
By Brother David Brennan, FSC

As we look toward a new millennium, the future of the Lasallian educational mission in the District of San Francisco will depend on the scope and quality of our efforts to form and inspire our Brothers and Partners. As we continue to expand our works in response to increasing needs, we witness our Partners' heightened understanding of and commitment to the Lasallian educational mission. More of our Brothers and Partners are coming together to integrate their experiences of mission, prayer, and community.

The District of San Francisco has undertaken an approach to Lasallian Partnership that respects the dedication of our Brothers as consecrated members of a religious community. At the same time that we honor the personal and family commitments of our non-vowed Partners, we welcome their participation as we collaborate together in carrying out the Lasallian mission. One cannot look around the District without seeing increasing evidence of Partnership:

• Partners comprise 50% of the CEOs, 75% of Principals, and nearly 84% of trustees of the governing boards in our secondary and elementary schools.
• At Saint Mary's College of California, the President continues to be a Christian Brother, but much of the administrative leadership and nearly a majority of the Board of Trustees are Partners.
• At the District level, Partners represent 60% of the District Leadership Team and two laymen with extensive corporate experience serve with full voice and vote as members of the De La Salle Institute Board of Directors.
• Ten Partners joined 36 elected Brothers in charting the future direction of the District of San Francisco at the Tenth District Chapter (1998-99).

I look upon my recent appointment to a second four-year term as Visitor and the re-appointment of Brother Stanislaus Campbell as Auxiliary Visitor as opportunities to articulate the vision that the District has embraced in the Context for Action and Action Plan documents and at the 1998 Convocation. Clearly, our primary mission is to provide a "human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor." We also must respond to the words of Pope John Paul II during his recent visit to Mexico, "Love for the Poor must be preferential, but not exclusive."

The District will continue to expand its service of the poor and marginalized in places like Cathedral High School in Los Angeles and La Salle Vietnam House in San Jose as well as through initiatives such as the High Potential Program at Saint Mary's College. Each of these programs changes and saves lives. At the same time, we advance our service of the poor as we work with others who are in more favorable socio-economic circumstances by encouraging them to "become more sensitive to the unjust situations of which the poor are so often victims" (Brothers' Rule, Article 14). The grace-filled service learning that is being undertaken by our young people in collaboration with their teachers, advisors, and campus ministers is also another way that lives are being changed. Our Lasallian works are ultimately a "people-to-people" ministry among many individuals from all walks of life -- Lasallian educators, support staff, board members, benefactors, alumni, and others -- who make a difference in the lives of our students and those who are touched by them. What was once the Brothers' work has become the work of Brothers and Partners. What were once Brothers' schools are now Lasallian schools. I am convinced that the closest and most authentic ties that we have with our Partners are those that are grounded in our mission.

As we step boldly into the future, we do so with trust in God's Providence and confidence in our ability to serve those entrusted to our care. Although the road may be long, even bumpy at times, we go forward together. The needs are great; the graces to meet them greater.