Reflecting on the experience of the International Assembly of 2013

This entry was submitted by Denis de Villers of the Francophone Canada District. It is available in English and French.

Au lendemain de l’expérience de l’Assemblée Internationale de 2013...

Le 16 mai dernier prenait fin la 2e Assemblée Internationale de la Mission Lasallienne.  À l’image de l’ensemble de ce que nous avons vécu pendant ces deux semaines, la cérémonie de clôture fut priante, intense, émouvante et hautement significative.

Au plan humain, l’expérience est en soi d’une richesse incomparable. En effet, la diversité des cultures nous a permis de partager nos réalités respectives. Même au niveau du fonctionnement des échanges en équipe thématique ou de langue, il nous a fallu nous adapter pour tenir compte des sensibilités de chacun.

Une chose est certaine, nous avions tous des airs de famille que nous nous sommes reconnus : Une seule famille pour une seule mission. Et cet air de famille lasallien commun nous a donné l’énergie nécessaire pour d’abord plonger avec confiance dans l’expérience pour ensuite surmonter les obstacles qui se sont présentés à nous. Les langues d’usage différentes, les habitudes alimentaires, les modes de vie, les façons de questionner les choses, les manières de célébrer et de prier, voilà les richesses que nous avons appris à mettre en commun.

Au plan spirituel, ce sont nos espoirs, notre foi, nos rêves et nos projets que nous avons amenés avec nous pour les mettre en partage. Un moment privilégié pour recharger nos batteries lasalliennes en un lieu saint, terre de Dieu.

Ce rêve lasallien pour la construction du Royaume de Dieu, nous l’avons partagé, nourri et enrichi avec passion. Il a pris la forme de 9 défis, 24 pistes de réponses et 73 moyens concrets de mise en actions! Nous rapportons avec nous une passion renouvelée et des projets plein la tête. Notre défi est assurément de partager ce souffle nouveau avec les gens de notre région, de notre district et de nos œuvres. Ce n’est pas la fin mais un beau début.

Un merci plein d’admiration va au comité préparatoire, aux responsables de la liturgie, au personnel du secrétariat, au personnel de traduction et aux bénévoles spontanés qui ont su faire de cet évènement un franc succès porteurs de beaux fruits.  

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May 16th was the last day of the second International Mission Assembly. It was really representative of what we experienced during the two weeks, especially the closing ceremony. It was prayerful, intense, moving and highly significant.

From a personal point of view, the experience was of an incomparable richness. In fact, the diversity of cultures allowed us to share our respective realities. Even at the day-to-day level in the thematic team or language groups, we had to take into account the realities of each one of our members.

One thing is certain, we recognized ourselves by our common Lasallian family traits: one family for a single mission, this is what we came for! This common Lasallian family “blood” gave us the energy to first dive with confidence into the experience and then overcome the obstacles when they arose. Dealing with different languages, habits, ways of questioning things, ways to celebrate and pray, was a challenge and a richness that we learned to share.

Above all, it’s our hopes, our faith, our dreams and our projects we brought with us that we shared with confidence. This whole Assembly was a privileged moment to recharge our Lasallian batteries on the holy ground of God.

We shared, nurtured and enriched our Lasallian dream for the construction of the Kingdom of God with passion. It took the form of 3 themes, 9 challenges, 24 responses and 73 concrete actions! We left the Assembly with a renewed passion and our heads full of projects. Now, our challenge is undoubtedly to share this new life with the people of our Region, District and ministries. This is not the end but a beautiful beginning.

A great thanks goes to the Preparatory Committee, the liturgy team, the staff of the secretariat, the translation staff and spontaneous volunteers who were able to make this event such a successful event.

Reflecting with Gratitude

Janet Ruggiero in a
small group discussion.

I am at Mont La Salle, my first time back since I returned from Rome and the International Assembly. Everyone asks how was it? Did you have a good experience?  Are there any new initiatives we should be doing based on the discussions at the Assembly? So many questions yet my responses seem to always talk about individuals I met, events that occurred or adjectives that described my experience.  The one word that keeps coming to my mind is the word gratitude.

In gratitude for the unbelievable opportunity to be a member of the RELAN delegation. Each member of RELAN participated fully in everything  - their amazing organizational skills, their facilitation, the ability to speak so slowly and so elegantly, and of course their dancing. They truly are an amazing group of individuals, especially the young Lasallians - no better group to laugh and talk with.

Brother Michael French and
Charlie Legendre

In gratitude for the prayer services especially the music. They were, thought- provoking, inspiring, and awakening, especially when the pottery hit the ground. I can still hear the drums and “We Are Marching.” Brother Charlie and Brother Michael - you truly touched my heart and aroused my spirit.

In gratitude  for new friendships. The first person I met from outside our Region was Josephine Drumange from Papua New Guinea, a quiet woman but strong who would smile and greet me throughout the Assembly. We often ate together where she talked about her work and her living in community with her two sons. She was just one of the amazing individuals who is committed to the mission and building new relationships. These new relationships were integral to overcoming frustrations with language differences, word meanings and process difficulties. 

In gratitude  for courage. On at least two occasions, delegates talked about risking their lives to carry out the mission but knew it was the right thing to do. Their courage cannot but make each of us desire to do more within our own District and recommit ourselves to this mission of service to the poor.

In gratitude  for the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Their foresight and wisdom in reaching out and engaging lay partners early on to "march" together in association and in solidarity was amplified within the Assembly. Brother Álvaro, in his closing remarks, said it best “When we gather as Lasallians and go beyond our cultural and religious differences, we feel as though we are brothers and sisters and we live an experience that another world, marked by love, understanding, and respect, is possible.”

Janet Ruggiero
Director of Board Formation
District of San Francisco

Reflection: A New Pentecost

-Written by Brother Frederick Mueller, FSC, Ed.D., on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013

As I reflect upon the International Assembly 2013 on this Pentecost Sunday afternoon, I cannot but help to think about our final gathering in Rome in the Sanctuary of Saint John Baptist de La Salle as we celebrated and enacted a new Pentecost in the Lasallian Family, replete with large tongues of fire hanging above us and blowing in the wind.

In his homily today Pope Francis reflected on three words: newness, harmony, and mission. He asked: “Do we have the courage to strike out along the new paths which God’s newness sets before us, or do we resist, barricaded in transient structures which have lost their capacity for openness to what is new?...Am I open to the harmony of the Holy Spirit, overcoming every form of exclusivity?...Do we tend to stay closed in on ourselves, or our group, or do we let the Holy Spirit open us to mission?”

For me, the International Assembly was an experience of newness, harmony, and mission. For some of us, the newness was being in the Motherhouse; for some of us, the newness was being in an international and multi-lingual gathering; for all of us, the newness was sharing the lived experiences of the Lasallian Family around the world in 2013—a sharing of information, a sharing of music and dance, a sharing of simple conversations among new friends.

Our challenge was to have the courage to “strike out along new paths,” to smash the pottery jar representing structures and ideas of the past (as we did in a dramatic scene during a Prayer Service), and to break out of “transient structures which have lost their capacity for openness to what is new.” We needed to find new language to address our presence in multi-religious societies, e.g. how we can authentically evangelize in non-Christian cultures. We needed to admit to the challenge of sustainability of Mission and set up a process to address those issues of financing and personnel that impact Mission.

The frustration of speaking different languages and of finding common understanding of key concepts mirrored that of the pre-Pentecost gathering of the peoples. However, with the help of translators, both the official and unofficial ones, with the persistence of delegates who made allies and friends and worked behind the scenes, and with the deeply-held commitment of all who were present—we found some harmony. As one of our fellow delegates, Brother Enrico Muller of Italy has written: “I feel myself different. I feel we are speaking one language and we try to speak the language of the poor.”  In our final Prayer Service, when the symbolic voices of disharmony gathered together before the sanctuary and the choir chanted, Veni, Sancte Spiritus (“Come, Holy Spirit”) and “Domine, opus tuum” (“Lord, the work is yours”), it was only natural that those gathered before the sanctuary embraced each other in a circle of harmony, a circle of unity: “One Family—One Mission.”

Finally, the Assembly refused to turn in upon itself and Regions refused to get stuck in their own needs and situations. Together, the delegates stretched themselves in the “Actions” following upon each “Challenge” to find new, creative, and innovative ways to further the Mission, be it ways to evangelize the young caught up in a social-media driven environment or to re-invigorate Lasallian pedagogy in light of the educational needs of our students, especially the most vulnerable among them.

In his final address to the Assembly, Superior General Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría challenged us as he said: “I believe that this Assembly will have meaning if we have taken the steps to insure that future (a future where Lasallians continue to serve as ministers of God’s salvation of the young). Not because we are looking for survival or for prestige but because of the need for service in a world that is so complex for young people today and a world that confronts the old types of poverty which are on the rise and the new types of poverty. In that way we are responding to God’s saving plan.” The delegates responded to his challenge symbolically in the final Prayer Service as we literally marched out of the sanctuary, candles raised, hearts on fire, singing loudly: “We are marching in the light of God…we are marching in the light of God.” A New Pentecost, indeed, in the Lasallian Family!!

The Dance Has Ended (Day 11 – May 16, 2013)

Dr. William Hudson
casts his vote.

The first task for our last day was to revisit our responses to the challenges we had developed and to turn in our final version to the Secretariat. It was a gentle and affirming morning’s work. After several days of struggling to find the right language, everything seemed to fall into place to the satisfaction of the thematic groups. These final versions were published on large sheet of paper and each delegate was given five colored dots to vote for those responses that he or she thought should have highest priority. 

In the afternoon each Region gathered to discuss the experience of IA 13. The RELAN delegates noted the joy of working together as a Region and the impact of sharing with so many committed Lasallians from all over the world. As we stated in the reflection we shared with the whole assembly:  “The chance to fully experience the kaleidoscope of our Lasallian Family will be something we will carry with us back to our Region, our Districts and our ministries.”  

Read the reflection >

At the end of this session Brother Álvaro gave us his final presentation. And towards the end of his time he made a strong call in favor of our work with young people: “The world of the young needs more than theories, testimonies and signs that will unsettle them and open them to the transcendent. There is no doubt that the young people we teach today will need, above all, a word or gesture that reaches their heart, and it is there that they will find God and open themselves to their brothers and sisters in need.  The challenge is always to unite this warm and compassionate stance with a prophetic word and a kind of ant-establishment action, all of which will come from the same kind of love.”

Immediately following Brother Álvaro’s moving exhortation, the delegates moved in solemn procession to the Chapel for the final ceremony, where we were welcomed by a beautiful mobile of tongue of fire. We lived a celebration of our movement from the Babel of linguistic and cultural confusion to the commitment of Pentecost. Carrying the light of Christ, to the sound of throbbing drums and amidst a flurry of colored banners, we left the chapel singing “We Are Marching in the Light of God.”

See more pictures >

The evening continued with a social and picnic-style meal, lots of conversation and sincere good-byes. 

At the end of our time together, I believe that we all felt that we had accomplished what we came to do: to remember that we are Lasallians Associated for the Educational Service of the Poor: ONE FAMILY, ONE MISSION.

Brother Michael French
Midwest District

Celebrating Founder’s Day (Day 10 – May 15, 2013)

Imagine, spending Founder's Day at the Center of the Institute!  The day began with a joyous morning prayer prepared by the Lasallian Region of Latin America (RELAL). All day, there was an underlying sense of excitement to be together as we celebrated St. John Baptist de La Salle, and I was very conscious that this Founder's Day was being spent in prayer with Brother and lay Lasallians from around the world, united by the Lasallian mission.

After prayer and announcements, we went back to our thematic groups to rewrite, if necessary, our responses based on the feedback we received from the previous day's process. When you are charged with developing challenges and responses across languages, cultures, and continents, you have an obligation to listen well to questions, concerns and suggestions from the entire group.  After the group input, our thematic groups created our third and final round of refinement to the responses and presented these to the entire group at an afternoon session.

Midday, the work was halted for a few hours so that we could celebrate mass and a meal together.  The delegates to the International Assembly were joined by the entire staff from the Generalate for mass and lunch.  It was good to have such a diverse group celebrating being Lasallian.  After mass we were treated to a very special luncheon, including antipasto, pasta, meat, vegetables, and dessert—topped off with a proseco (sparkling wine) toast to the Founder.  It was a wonderful gathering.  But all too soon, the festivities were over and it was time to go to the afternoon session where the third and final drafts of the challenges and responses were being presented to the International Assembly delegates.  The delegates broke into applause as we finished the afternoon's task.  Tomorrow we will enter into a prioritization process.

After 10 days of being with this worldwide community, and only one more full day left of the agenda, the joy of coming to the end of such an important task is tempered with the knowledge that by Friday we will be saying goodbye to people who have been our workmates and companions for nearly two weeks.  John Baptist de La Salle said to the earliest Brothers, "To touch the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle you can perform." (Meditations 139.3).  Surely the Founder must have also known how the companions that share this mission touch and transform each other's hearts as well.

Tonight, the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) went out to eat at Joseph's, a wonderful restaurant near the Generalate.  It was a great time to relax, tell stories of our time together, and remember our favorite moments of the Assembly.  For some it was the rich and meaningful prayer, for others it was meeting Lasallians from all over the world, for others it was getting to know better the people from our own Region. Each of the 20 delegates shared their favorite memories of the International Assembly.  If there is one thing that will characterize our delegates from RELAN, it has been our ability to laugh with one another.  The laughter flowed easily tonight, as it has throughout the International Assembly. 

I end my reflections of the day with a profound sense of humbleness and pride.  Humbled by being chosen to represent the Region to this International Assembly, and incredibly proud of our Region and the leadership roles that our delegates have undertaken with the Assembly.  Also proud of the challenges and responses which have been deliberated and refined for the good of the worldwide Lasallian educational mission.

Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever!

Dr. Maggie McCarty
Executive Director
Office of Lasallian Education
Washington, DC

Entering a New Phase (Day 9 – May 14, 2013)

Spring has arrived at the International Assembly! We gathered for morning prayer to celebrate with one another the hope of resurrection, new growth and our belief in things yet to be seen or realized. As we transitioned from the challenges of winter into the possibilities of new life born from our retreat stillness, we were guided by a new process. The preparatory commission revised the process as related to our Thematic Groups providing more time for work in our smaller Language Thematic Groups. This allowed for space and opportunity to cultivate new “shoots of growth.”

Each Language Thematic Group had one challenge to process in order to identify responses related to the challenge. The Assembly gathered together in the late afternoon to listen to the reports on responses presented by each Thematic Language Group. The Assembly then offered comments and asked clarifying questions regarding the response report. On Wednesday, Founder's Day, the Language Thematic Groups will continue to revise their responses for a final presentation to the Assembly.

The grace of the Holy Spirit is truly present through our conversation, discernment of ideas and the building consensus as to how we Lasallians are called to witness to our faith and the Mission through the work of this Assembly.

Evening prayer was a beautiful reflection regarding an older master potter who gives his masterpiece to his apprentice. Upon receiving the piece of pottery she smashes it into a thousand pieces, picks up the pieces and incorporates the shards into her clay. An inspiring parable for our work. The story was beautifully acted out by the eldest among us (PARC's Bro. John Pill) and the youngest among us. (RELAN's Catherine Dery)

Dr. Greg Kopra (San Francisco District) 

and Dr. Margaret McCarty 

(Office of Lasallian Education) 

show off their dance moves.

The evening ended with a great celebration from our fellow Lasallians from RELAF! Fantastic African drumming and dancing!

Maryann Donohue Lynch
District of Eastern North America

Starting the Second Week (Days 6 – 8, May 11 – 13)

The International Assembly did not meet in sessions on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, several busloads of participants made field trips planned by the preparatory commission to Orvieto and Assisi. I decided to stay in Rome and explore. Brother James Joost and I walked a five-hour circuit on Saturday which began at Saint John Lateran Basilica and ended at a little sidewalk restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood. Ms. Janell Kloosterman and I decided to see if we could see Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square after Mass on Sunday. We left the Generalate at 11:00 a.m., took the Metro to the stop near the Vatican, and joined the throng of thousands waiting. We could not get near the Square but found a spot down the Via Conciliazione. We stole a glimpse of Saint Francis on our tiptoes from deep in the crowd and were definitely caught up in the joy, excitement and hope of this Pope who seems to have his priorities in the right place.

In anticipation for the next major movement of the assembly (the writing of the responses to the challenges identified), we dedicated today to prayer and reflection. We allotted several hours to quiet reflection on Scripture texts, on a Zen teaching, and a pastoral letter from Brother Álvaro. After our personal quiet time, we gathered in thematic language groups to share our reflections and to express our insights visually. My thematic language group (Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry [English]) happens to have a very talented artist, Brother Laurence Hughes. Brother Laurence created the poster at the left to capture the essence of our group sharing.

The morning prayer presented us with the parable of the mustard seed, with a Zen parable in which the master asks the young monk to look beyond the number of seeds in the apple to consider how many apples there are in the seed, and Brother Álvaro’s letter of December 2012 in which he names the issue of our day as "not knowing how to see what we cannot see." In the picture, explained Brother Laurence to the entire assembly, is a matured apple tree which is the 300+ year Lasallian mission bearing fruit today. The outstretched hand of the Founder invites other to create responses to the needs of the day, needs symbolized by the heart at the top of the sapling. The road stretching out beyond the horizon is the "not yet" of the Lasallian mission.

In our Mass to close our day, the presider noted that we, like the disciples, await the Spirit after the Ascension of Jesus. The Liturgical Calendar and the Mission Assembly are precisely in sync at this point - we await the Spirit to guide us in the absence of our Savior and in the absence of our brother, De La Salle.

Charles Legendre, AFSC
District of New Orleans-Santa Fe, Director of Lasallian Mission 

One More Day of Rest (Day 7 - May 12, 2013)

The weekend was a much welcomed break after a full first week of prayer, reflection and sharing of challenges facing our thematic groups. Sunday we were offered the opportunity to attend the Papal mass which included the canonization of three people. Groups of people left as early as 6:15 in the morning to insure good seats. My group left the Generalate at 7:30 a.m. to head down to the Vatican.

As we arrived so did crowds of other people. We got through security and found seats in a good section along the center aisle. It was a beautiful experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Pope. At the end of Mass, the Pope went around St. Peter's square waving to the crowd and blessing children. Reports say there were around 80,000 people in attendance.

After Mass, our group took a walk and had lunch in Trastevere. The weather was gorgeous so we ate on the restaurant patio and enjoyed the sun, breeze, good food and wonderful company. After lunch people went their separate ways to visit the sites, do some shopping or head back to the house.

Alisa Macksey
Programs Director
Office of Lasallian Education

A Relaxing Day (Day 6 - May 11, 2013)

After an active week of praying, reflecting, meeting, translating, socializing, dancing, and pasta, we more than welcomed the chance to get away and relax for the day. Some of us went to the ancient town of Orvieto, some of us went to Assisi, and some stayed for a leisurely day in Rome.

After a quiet ride through the Italian hills, my group arrived in Assisi—only to be greeted, literally at the gate of the town, by someone who knew Janet Ruggerio! "Are you Janet Ruggerio from California?" the woman in the car said as she slowly pulled up to us. They are from the same town.

We all laughed at this surprising moment of luck—and also wondered if we were traveling with a secret Italian celebrity. Just moments later Janet enthusiastically noticed her family name on a granita (Italian ice) sign. It was clear that the day would be filled with much laughter!

It was a gorgeous, cool day with large, fluffy white clouds accenting the landscapes and quaint streets of Assisi. It was easy to see how St. Francis was so drawn to a simple life with great adoration for creation. Learning about the ways in which St. Francis was called to "rebuild the church" was a perfect ending to the first week of the Assembly in which we discussed the challenges, and a perfect segue into this week in which we will develop our action steps.

Emily Vogel

Campus Minister

De La Salle Institute, Chicago, IL

One week down.... (Day 5 - May 10, 2013)

As the first week of the assembly comes to a  close, I am in awe of the dedication, knowledge and devotion to the mission. On Friday, we were given the opportunity to reflect upon 21st century challenges faced by the Lasallian mission based upon three thematic groups:  Lasallian Pedagogy, Evangelization, and Community.  After a day of discussion, writing, rewriting, and then more discussion, writing and rewriting, each of the thematic groups finalized their challenges.  

Janell and La Salle School student

Although faced with language and cultural differences, each group formulated statements that articulated  current realities found in varying ministries.  Admittedly, the conversations were tough, at times tedious and certainly filled with passion. 

However, it soon became apparent our goal was clear: As Catholic, Lasallian educators we are called to ensure the Lasallian mission is one that will meet and exceed the educational horizons of 21st century education. We are called to continue the work started by John Baptist de La Salle over 300 years ago: A Human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor.  It is because of this mission, we will move forward so that we can thrive, excel and most importantly ensure Lasallian schools meet the spiritual and academic needs of all students in a complex global society. 

Janell Kloosterman
Principal of Mullen High School in Denver, CO

Intense Day, Fun Evening (Day 4 - May 9, 2013)

Today was an intense day.  The assembly is organized by the four seasons.  Autumn was designed to take a look at where we’ve been since the last Assembly in 2006 and assess our current realities.  Today, we moved into winter by looking at the challenges that face our Lasallian mission. 

Bro. James Joost leads prayer while
Dr. William Hudson runs the
presentation.

The morning began with a winter prayer created and led by our own RELAN. Our song for prayer would be our mantra for the day:  Nada Te Turbe, which translates to, “Let nothing disturb us—God alone provides.”

Immediately after prayer, we gathered to receive instructions for the day.  Our moderator, while reviewing the first three days for us, noted that in their written and oral reports the five Regions of the Institute identified 123 challenges.  Forty-seven (47) of these overlapped from Region to Region.  And of these 47, seven were common to all five regions while 40 were not.  We were told our task now, as we work in the three thematic groups – Lasallian Pedagogy, Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry, and the Educational Community – is to ultimately winnow these down to six to nine challenges for the worldwide Institute. 

Dr. Greg Kopra, Heather Ruple
and Janell Kloosterman meet in
a thematic group.

With that charge in mind, we broke into our Thematic Language Groups, which comprised of around 20-25 people with the same theme and the same language.  We had 75 minutes to narrow down the long list of challenges from all the Regions to only three.  After a short break, we spent another 75 minutes in our Thematic Groups that was made up of about 50 delegates representing all three language groups to share our list and respond to questions from the other groups.

After lunch, the really hard work began.  The task was to weave together our individual group list of greatest challenges to just three.  There was a lot of great conversation and discussion about very real challenges faced by our ministries, Districts and Regions.  Some challenges were common to us all while others we deemed to be particular to a specific District.  We spent 90 minutes with careful discernment to settled on the final three.

It took great concentration to listen carefully to one another, particularly since what was being said had to be translated into two other languages.  While I am doing a fair amount of generalizing, I am finding that language and culture have a great impact on how ideas are communicated.  English speakers tend to want to get down to their point right away and succinctly.  Spanish speakers will take great care and time to share their views.  The French are very precise and choose their words very carefully.

But wait, the day was not over!  All delegates gathered to receive reports from the three Thematic Groups followed by comments and questions.  It was another lively and intense conversation that provided great feedback.  The task tomorrow will be to incorporate the feedback and craft the final version of the Challenge Statements.

Candy table at RELAN-hosted social

We were rewarded for our hard work with another great dinner followed by a social planned by RELAN.  It was great fun.  All of us from the Region brought candy unique to our area.  There were Jelly-Bellys from California, Hersheys from Pennsylvania. Salted Nut Rolls from Minnesota, Jolly Ranchers from California and more.  We served Martinis, Budweiser Beer and Jim Beam Bourbon.  It was all a big hit.  The entertainment for the evening was a not-so-good rendition of the Hustle performed by the RELAN delegates.  It set the tone for the evening and was followed by nearly two hours of non-stop dancing to many American songs as well as international hits.  It was a great way to blow off steam and unwind after a very intense day.

Dr. William Hudson
President of Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, MN

A Day of Retreat (Day 3 - May 8, 2013)

This entry was submitted by Catherine Dery of the Francophone Canada District. It is available in English and French.

La journée du mercredi 8 mai a été riche en réflexion et en moments d’intériorisation. La prière du matin nous a offert des textes riches et des images riches qui nous ont plongés dans notre réflexion. Nous nous sommes ensuite dirigés vers le lieu qui nous convenait afin d’entamer une retraite qui a fait du bien. Beaucoup ont profité des merveilleux jardins. D’autres ont préféré l’intimité de leur chambre.

Catherine Dery presenting

Ensuite, nous nous sommes rassemblés en groupes thématiques linguistiques afin de mettre des mots sur notre réflexion. Cette rencontre a permis aux groupes de travail de se rencontrer, d’apprendre à se connaître par les différentes interventions de ses membres. Surtout, elle nous a permis de mieux cerner notre tâche et de trouver l’inspiration dans la parole de Dieu. Ensuite, l’expression visuelle de cette réflexion et la présentation de cette dernière nous permirent de faire partager notre inspiration avec l’assemblée.

Une célébration eucharistique a suivi, pleine de chants et de moments touchants. L’invitation aux membres de l’assemblée à prier dans leur langue a été un succès. Plusieurs personnes se sont levées pour s’exprimer, nous offrant le portrait frappant de toute la diversité de ceux qui sont touchés par le charisme lasallien.

Après la messe, un apéritif fort joyeux suivi par un temps libre bien apprécié a mis fin à cette journée intense.

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The day of Wednesday, May 8 was full of moments of reflection and interiority. The morning prayer offered us rich texts and rich images that plunged us into our thoughts. It felt good when we then headed to the place that suited us best to begin a self retreat. Many of us took advantage of the wonderful gardens. Others preferred the privacy of their room.

Catherine Dery presenting

Then we gathered in language groups to put words on our reflection. This meeting allowed the working groups to meet, get to know each other by the various interventions made. Most importantly, it allowed us to better understand our work and find inspiration from the word of God. Then, the visual expression of this discussion and the presentation of the latter allowed us to share our inspiration with the assembly.

A Eucharistic celebration followed, full of singing and touching moments. The invitation made to the members of the assembly to pray in their own language was a success. Several people stood up to pray the Hail Mary in their own mother tongue. That showed us the striking diversity of all those driven by the Lasallian charism.

After Mass, a happy hour provided much appreciated free time to end this busy day.

Presentations and Conversations (Day 2 - May 7, 2013)

The second day of the International Assembly offered the delegates the opportunity to listen to two experts to further inform us in our ongoing considerations of where we should journey as "One Family, One Mission" in the coming years.

The day began with prayer in our general meeting room, the Aula Magna. After the necessary announcements inherent in any such gathering, we moved into the morning's program. Dr. Francesc Torralba of Barcelona used his philosophical studies and research to share with us his perspective on education. He posed this question to us--What kind of an education in a plural context should we give, especially for the most vulnerable groups of young people? From there he explored the challenges and opportunities of working in a pluralistic and diverse setting. He postulated that teachers and thus education had two specific ends—to "build" persons and to transform the world, realizing you can only undertake the latter if you accomplish the former. He stressed that more than anything that we must be a welcoming community for all if we are going to successfully "build" the person physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. In "building" this person through education we recognize that education is the primary factor that allows us to change the world and maybe the only factor.

Maryann Donohue-Lynch (DENA) talks
with a delegate from Spain.

After Dr. Torralba's presentation, delegates had the opportunity to first discuss in small groups his ideas and our respective thoughts and then back in the full assembly individuals had the opportunity to offer comments and pose questions to Dr. Torralba. 

After lunch (yes—they serve pasta at every lunch and dinner) and a break we returned for the afternoon program. Our speaker was Tracy Adams, the Director of Boys Town and all its associated programs in Australia. Boys Town is a Lasallian program that addresses the needs of youth and advocates for them. Her talk focused on the importance of advocacy and how they approach it in Australia. They have been quite successful in their advocacy efforts, particularly because of the extensive research they conduct and use to support their positions. It reminded me that we must continue to advocate for young people in our own respective settings, especially in those areas that are central to the Lasallian Mission and the causes of the Institute. Following Tracy's talk we again had the opportunity to share in a small group and return to the full assembly for comment and questions.

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The small group sharing today reinforced the international dimension of our Mission. In the morning I shared thoughts with another RELAN delegate as well as one from Thailand and Vietnam. In my afternoon group I tested my Spanish skills with four delegates from Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. Both groups provided important insights into the challenges they face in their respective countries/cultures.

Alisa Macksey, Janet Ruggiero and
Alan Weyland participate in
evening prayer.

After another break we returned to the Sanctuary for the evening's prayer service. After two days we closed out our first season--Autumn (following the thematic organization of the four seasons) and prepared to move into winter. It was a service marked by song and readings in three languages and a symbolic sharing of light with one another. It reminded us that the "light" of one of us can kindle the light in countless others when we touch hearts and minds. All of this took place in sight of the relics of our Founder and in the palpable holy presence of God.

After prayer we moved to dinner. Arriving a few minutes late (I know that's hard to believe for those who know me) I found a table with only five people sitting at it (from Lebanon, Egypt, and Jerusalem) along with the Superior General, Brother Álvaro. Sitting next to Br. Álvaro, I had an enjoyable time sharing with him and asking his hopes for the assembly as well as his plans when he leaves office in a year. He plans to return to Costa Rica and work with the Brothers and Mission there. He left Costa Rica at the age of 15 and will for the first time, after 55 years in other countries and his time at the Generalate, serve as a Brother in his home country. It was a dinner conversation both simple and profoundly moving for me.

The day concluded with the second of our Regional socials, hosted this time by RELEM. Delicious chocolate, Belgian beer, Italian Prosecco as well as other tasty offerings from Europe and the Middle East were accompanied by singing and dancing to music from various countries. It was a wonderful conclusion to a full day of activities!

Live Jesus in Our Hearts...Forever!

Alan Weyland
DENA

And so, let us… enter the dance… (Day 1 - May 6, 2013)

Approximately 160  Lasallians from around the Institute began the 2013 International Assembly One Family, One Mission: Lasallians Associated for the Educational Service to the Poor gathered in the foyer of the Motherhouse, each of us in our respective Regions. A nervous excitement filled the air, as Brother Charles Kitson, FSC, welcomed us with the words, “We don’t leave the Mission behind, we bring it with us.”

After a warm welcome from Lasallian students from La Salle School, a school that sits behind the Motherhouse, our opening ceremonies continued in the Chapel. A moving dance performance by local Lasallian students from San Giuseppe College, set the tone and gave life and breath for our theme for the Assembly; the movement of the four seasons. Brother Charles Kitson explained, “…We [will] welcome you into the movement from [season to season] from spring to summer, from dreams and visions, to the hard work of making them all come true. This will be our community’s life… dance… for the next eleven days. Listen to its rhythm, feel its beat, and dare to become one with the Mission, the Lasallian Mission.” We accepted his invitation. 

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Moving from the Chapel to the Aula Magna (our main work space and “home” for the next two weeks), we concluded the opening ceremony with drumming and cheers, all trepidation dissipated, ready to begin the work before us. We were welcomed by the President of the Assembly, Superior General Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, FSC and, Co-Chairs Mr. Steve Byrne of Australia and Ms. Carmelita Quebengco of the Philippines. Brother Álvaro in his address laid out our charge and set the stage for what we would focus on during the Assembly. Other activities of the day included a workshop given by Brother Michael French, FSC about understanding and working in a multi-language, multi-cultural reality. Nothing breaks down cultural barriers better than Brother Michael leading us in song! 

In the afternoon, Regions set up their displays and delegates were given an opportunity to spend time learning about and gaining a better appreciation for the breadth and depth of the Lasallian Family and the diversity of Ministries that exist around the world.  Regions were also afforded the opportunity to share their Regional reports to the entire Assembly.  Dr. Maggie McCarty, Mr. Alan Weyland and Mr. Jim Logan, beautifully expressed the accomplishments and challenges facing the Mission of RELAN (and came in under time!).   

It has been an amazing first day.  To be in the Holy presence of so many Lasallians, coming from different realities, but working towards the same goal, ready to dream, and vision, and plan together was truly a life giving experience.  So we enter the dance, boldly, Together and by Association, trusting always in God’s Providence and carrying the Mission with us. 

Live Jesus in Our Hearts… Forever!

Heather Ruple

District of San Francisco