Prot. N. 1811/08                                                                                   Rome, March 7, 2008

Circ.65/02-08

To:                      National SFO Councils

                          International SFO Councilors

Dear Brothers and Sisters,  Peace and good to all!

One of the subjects discussed during the last meeting of the CIOFS Presidency, held in Assisi from November 10th through 18th, 2007, was the review and analysis of data provided by National Councils regarding the Demographic Survey. It is worth noting that Presidency Councilors, through their various visits to National Fraternities, have witnessed to the fact that National Councils have worked diligently and carefully in collecting information for this survey in different levels. The end result of this process has become an important resource that has enabled you to have a better knowledge of the membership and, thus, of the local fraternities.

Up to the present day, we have received 50% of responses to the Demographic Survey. This data has become a very valuable tool for the service provided by the Presidency around the world, enabling us to organize and carry out formation projects and other activities. In this way, pastoral plans have been developed according to the needs of each National Fraternity.

At the same time, the Presidency is saddened by the fact that there still are National Fraternities that have not sent the survey back, nor have they even updated their data. Even though this may be due to different reasons, it directly affects the Fraternity itself and reverberates into the whole Order. For all these reasons, we ask you to please UPDATE the Survey attached herewith.  Shall you need help in fulfilling this task, do not hesitate to contact us. It is the direct responsibility of the International Council to ensure that this work is properly done on behalf of the National Fraternities.

In order to assist those National Councils which have not yet started this important task, we have attached a “record card format” for the local Fraternities to use in collecting the data from their members. This format is to be distributed to the respective Regional or National Council, according to the particular circumstances, in order to have everybody fill out the Demographic Survey as soon as possible.

We ask you to please submit this data before AUGUST 30, 2008, so that the results may be presented at our next General Chapter.  Please send the information to the signer as follows:

                                    Rosalvo Gonçalves Mota

                                    E mail: rosalvom@uol.com.br

                                    Address: Rua Maria Figueiredo, 618 Aptº 164

                                    04002-003 – São Paulo – SP - BRASIL

We thank you in advance for the attention given to this important matter and implore for you the blessing of the Lord who has given us brothers and sisters,

            Rosalvo Gonçalves Mota, OFS

                  Vice-Ministro General