FORMATION FOR MISSION

THIRTY-EIGHT LASALLIAN LEADERS - FOUR COUNTRIES RE-CONNECT IN 2021

Author: Merv McCormack Executive Director of the Lasallian Mission Council.

Approximately thirty-eight Lasallian leaders representing all Sectors of the ANZPPNG District gathered for a one-hour zoom meeting on 1 March hosted by Lasallian Mission Services. After introductions, Lasallian Youth Ministry Coordinator Maddy Forde led the Acknowledgement of Country and opening prayer.

Br David, Visitor, followed, providing opening remarks. Quoting Hebrews 6: 10-12, ‘God is not unjust, so as to forget your works and the love you have shown for his name, or your past and present ministry to the saints’, he spoke of the 44 Lasallian schools and other ministries across the District, the work at yourtown across six States of Australia, the ministry at the La Salle Centre itself, and the almost 32,000 students across the four countries of the District. He expressed his ‘deep appreciation for the successes of 2020 in the unforeseen circumstances’, which COVID presented. He reminded participants that: “You are Part of the Miracle: Our Vision, Our Passion, Our Future”, and that this can be realised with Lasallian zeal, within the certainty of Christian hope.

FORMATION FOR MISSION

Br Peter Ryan, Director of Formation for Mission, as the keynote speaker, referred to the Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission (2020) focussing on:

• Our Living Lasallian Heritage (Why we do what we do?) • Participants involved in the Lasallian Educational Mission (Who are the stakeholders?) • Inspiring and Enduring Fundamentals of the Lasallian Educational Heritage (What are the essentials?) • Looking to the Future Challenges of the Lasallian Educational Mission (Where do we go from here?) • Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis’s encyclical on fraternity and social friendship. • Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on his text Morality.

A short breakout session then allowed participants the opportunity to re-engage and respond to Br Peter’s presentation. Julie Alibrandi, LMC Director of Operations, Br Adrian Watson, Acting CEO of the Lasallian Foundation, and Joanne Nehme, LMS’s Development and Projects Officer, then spoke to various goals which included aligning financial and material support offered by ANZ to PPNG, such as provided through ‘Twinning’ and the ‘Women of Hope’ projects.

This District- wide zoom meeting for leaders was the first of a series of such meetings which will occur throughout the year. The limited time of 60 minutes per meeting deliberately aims to be a user- friendly gathering for busy Lasallians.

FORMATION FOR MISSION

BR. PETER: TAKING UP THE BATON FOR FORMATION

The new Director for Mission has reversed the journey. Completing a Doctorate in Ministry on the east coast of USA in 2019, Br. Peter Ryan returned home to spread the word in the District that “The Work is Ours” the title of his research. Peter from western N.S.W. joined the Brothers in 1982 and has taught at Scarborough, Armidale, Mentone, Oakhill and in New Zealand. As Principal successively at New Plymouth, Bankstown and Oakhill, his wide experience in administration and religious education has prepared him well for the role in formation, vacated by Amanda.

The sub-title of Br. Peter’s dissertation encapsulates his convictions and interests in taking up his new role: “Nurturing and Sustaining Charism in Catholic Schools in the Lasallian Tradition”. Church has experienced increasingly the rapid falling of Brothers’ numbers in our schools, as well as natural on-going generational change of committed Lasallian lay colleagues. It is well recognised, that to safeguard the vitality of the Mission for the future, sophisticated formation of laity in our schools is critical. Peter sees a special emphasis lays in considering any Lasallian formation as a component of Christ’s universal mission and God’s Reign. In addition, John Baptist’s gift may well be in its inclusive nature a ‘spirituality’ open to all in our institutions and agencies, who wish to engage.

The startling COVID world of 2020 has already shown to Br. Peter that versatility and adaptation is critical in delivery of programs. Various technologies can “build on the outstanding work of recent years, and maintaining the building of relationships, tailored to participants across the District”. While face-to-face formation is preferred, IT also offers a broader reach, as 2021 broaches the unknown.

FORMATION FOR MISSION

FINDING THE WAY: LASALLIAN COMPASS DAY 2021

Understanding the tradition and practices of a new school can be daunting for starting or transferring teachers, but it can be enlightened somewhat when they meet, even on-line, across many Lasallian schools. The Compass program provided just that for thirty-seven educators. Run by the ‘Formation for Mission’ team from Lasallian Mission Services Bankstown, it was seen by participants as welcoming, engaging, and relevant to their teaching practice.

The one-day, three-session program combined meeting others, listening to stories of John Baptist de La Salle, the tradition of education for the disadvantaged, and the values that inspired De La Salle and Lasallian schools today. For the beginnings of a network of Lasallian Animators, there was a presentation on the powerful family network in Reims to which John Baptist de La Salle belonged, and which made things difficult for him. Inputs blended into reflection, discussions and listening to others’ experience and perspectives. Some features that were appreciated were a booklet with quotations, timelines etc., and focus on the challenges of incorporating ideas and learnings into one’s interactions with students and colleagues. Interest was raised in the global reach and connections of Lasallian education. A few comments were:

“This is a fantastic program that enables us new teachers to learn about De La Salle as well as broaden our reach through meeting other Lasallian teachers. A great day.”

“Very welcoming and enjoyable way to meet and learn from people from other Lasallian schools and get a deeper insight into how the Lasallian tradition plays a role in our schools.”

“A welcoming and informative day. I found the history of La Salle interesting and the excerpts relevant to my practice. Overall an excellent introduction to the Lasallian community.”

“Very thorough, inclusive and practical. Understanding Lasallian ethos is so important to our culture and behaviour.”

The team of Br Peter Ryan, Mr Philippe Dulawan and Br John Cantwell, who ran the program, foreshadow some timetabled seminars during the coming year.