FRATELLI CRISTIANI

Via Marcantonio Colonna, 9

00192 Roma, Italia

31 January 2005

Dear Brothers,

I would like to inform you that the nine members of the North American Leadership Team gathered at the Franciscan Renewal Centre in Scottsdale, Arizona, from January 23^ld to 28^th, mainly to discern and nominate a Province Leader for the new Province. Br. Barry Lynch convened the group as the representative of the Congregation Leadership Team, and Fr. Gordon Judd, CSB, was the facilitator. Br. Dave McMahon was the on-site coordinator.

The gathering in Cornwall had moved that "in collaboration with the Congregation Leadership Team, the newly appointed Province Leadership Team, acting as representatives of the Brothers in North America, will select from its members their nomination for Province Leader."

Aided by a straw ballot from the Brothers in North America, and guided by prayer, discussion, reflection and openness, the nine members sent in their nominations.

The Congregation Leadership Team has appointed the following

Br. Hugh O'Neill                   Province Leader

Br. Nick Morris                   Deputy Province Leader

They will head the team which includes Dermot Bray, Dan Casey, Kevin Griffith, Dave Lucas, Kieran Murphy, Mark Murphy and Brian Walsh.

This new team will begin its term of office on July 1 2005 and conclude it with the Province Chapter in 2008.

With this move I also congratulate the Brothers in our three provinces in North America. They have given huge commitment to the Chapter Insight regarding New Wineskins for New Wine. Everyone is aware that this is but the beginning of a journey into a vastly uncertain future as they all try to transform minds and hearts and facilitate new life in mission and ministry. With the newly formed Region of Latin America and the approaching formation of the Pan African Leadership Team, they now are the third part of the Congregation to have completed a significant step along the way.

I ask that all communities pray for our Brothers who take on this new responsibility in July this year - truly an onerous responsibility, but one also full of wonderful possibilities. This is a time for risk-taking, not a time for timidity. Pray for them the gift of God's continuing presence that they too might open their whole hearts to Christ present and appealing to them in the poor.

Yours sincerely in Jesus and Blessed Edmund,

    Br. Philip Pinto

    Congregation Leader