The
Reception of the Body will take place at Clayton Court
at
4.00 p.m.
on
Monday
3rd June 2019.
The Funeral Mass for Brother Anton will be at Clayton Court at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 4th June 2019
The interment will be at Midhurst Cemetery
The District of Ireland, GB and Malta held their Chapter on the 7th – 11th April 2019 in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Ireland. The Chapter opened with the Founder’s Mass on Sunday evening. It officially began on Monday 8th April with the acceptance of the Statutes which will now be sent to Rome for approval. Brother Laurence, Visitor, addressed the Chapter outlining the vision for the next four years and reporting on the work of the District Council over the past four years. A new suggested structure was outlined for the Delegates.
The Lasallian Partners presented the work and propositions of the District Mission Assembly held on 31st October – 3rd November 2018.The proposed propositions from the Assembly were discussed and accepted by the Chapter. The work carried out by the Lasallian Partners was warmly acknowledged. The Delegates felt that having the Lasallian Partners present at the Chapter was ‘a breath of fresh air.’ The Lasallian Partners were invited to form a panel on day two when the Chapter discussed ‘the life of the Brother’. They affirmed the vocation and impact of Brothers in their lives; it was a highly emotional session and a beautiful witness of ‘together and by association.’
The Delegates agreed that the District will only be unified fully if the finances are brought together. This proposition scored the highest number of votes in the District prioritisation process.
All the sessions were expertly moderated by Brothers Aidan Kilty and Dennis Malloy. The Steering Committee worked tirelessly to ensure each session had all the resources necessary. On Thursday afternoon, in the context of a prayer service, Brothers Ben Hanlon and Michael Curran received their obediences as Auxiliary Visitors. This was followed by the election of the District Council.
This Chapter, without question, was one of the best in the history of both former Districts. The District has a strong mandate for the next four years and in the spirit of collaboration and creativity is prepared to ensure the vitality of the Brothers, mission and Lasallian Family for the future.
During Lent we are asked to do three things: Pray, Fast, and give Alms. In doing these, we begin the process of renewal within ourselves in order that we may be ready to meet Christ risen from the tomb on Easter Sunday.
It is through depriving ourselves and giving to others that we allow God to enter into our hearts and be shown in the work we carry out in His name; disciplining ourselves through the act of fasting allows us to take a step back from our increasingly secular world and allow God into our hearts and, when we give of ourselves for those less fortunate, we show the love of God we carry inside us to those whom we encounter.
To go without and to give of ourselves simultaneously is a difficult task, one which we may falter in. It is with the first task of Lent, that of prayer, that we find the strength and the grace to carry out the other task faithfully.
Our Founder said of prayer; "The more you devote yourself in prayer the more you will do well in your work ." (Med 95.1) so this Lent, let is heed the words of St. John Baptist de La Salle together with those of Pope Francis. Renew ourselves through prayer and action so that we may be living examples of God's Holy Presence to those entrusted to our care.
Live Jesus In Our Heart. Forever.
