1. The Lasallian Heritage
An Orientation For
New Teachers, Staff and Administrators
in Lasallian Ministries
This presentation was created by Greg Kopra, Director of Formation for Mission in the District of San Francisco.
Please insert slides of students, clients, staff, teachers, ministries, and so on from your own District as you adapt this presentation for your own purposes.
This orientation takes a full three hours to complete. If it takes place in the morning, recommend continental breakfast to start at 8:30, orientation from 9:00 until 12:00 noon, lunch to follow
Introduce self
Welcome everyone to the Orientation

2. Goals Informational Reflective Informational The Founder
Organization: Institute, Regions, Districts
Some Characteristics of Our Schools
To become familiar with the terminology and cultural references used in the schools on a regular basis.
Reflective
Consider your work at this ministry as it relates to the mission of the broader Institute
I am inviting you to hear this information with the 2nd goal in mind: reflect on this information in light of the work you will do in the ministry.
Seek to apply this information to your work. This is an ongoing challenge for you, since this information will take on new meaning for you as you gain experience over the next several months and years.

3. Introductions Four Things About Yourself…. Your Responsibilities
Your Previous Occupation
What Attracted You to This Ministry?
Any Previous Experience with the De La Salle Christian Brothers or Lasallian Ministries?
This conversation is a very important one, though it may take some time if you have a large group of people.
This allows people to get to know one another. This is important, as it is the beginning of building relationships with one another, and relationship-building is at the heart of Lasallian culture and heritage.
This also allows individuals to reflect on their own journeys that brought them here. This is important as well, as they come to realize that God indeed works little by little, step by step, in guiding us through our lives.

4. Opening & Closing Our Prayer
“Let us remember….
that we are in the holy presence of God.”
Closing:
Saint John Baptist de La Salle…
Pray for us!
Live, Jesus, in our hearts…
Forever!
Point out our common opening and closing prayer rituals
Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God – sometimes used in place of the Sign of the Cross, sometimes used along with the Sign of the Cross – the point is to invite people to do what the words say: let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. Why do we use this as our ritual opening prayer?
Because we tend to forget that we are in God’s presence, especially when we find ourselves in challenging situations.
Also, Lasallian spirituality is a sacramental spirituality – in other words, we recognize God present in the moment, in the encounter, in those entrusted to our care.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us! We remember our Founder, canonized in 1900 and proclaimed Patron Saint of all Teachers of Youth in 1950.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever! This prayer, which De La Salle learned in his seminary days, asks that we allow Jesus to come alive within us and allow Jesus to guide us in all we do.

5. Agenda Common Terms Our Mission Our Founder Meet the Family
Goals, or Essential Characteristics, of Lasallian Ministries
Go through this quickly…don’t belabor these points. Remember: we are going to get to all of this over the course of 3 hours.

6. Common Terms St. John Baptist de La Salle De La Salle, or La Salle
Lasallian
Lasallian Schools
St. John Baptist de La Salle: Founder
Highlight various spellings
Lasallian Schools: formerly referred to as “Brothers’ Schools,” our schools are now commonly referred to as “Lasallian Schools” to indicate that this mission is shared between Brothers and “others”

7. Common Terms Fratres Scholarum Christianarum (FSC)
Brothers of the Christian Schools
De La Salle Christian Brothers
Lasallian Partners or Colleagues
FSC – Latin for “Brothers of the Christian Schools” - also stands for FAITH, SERVICE, COMMUNITY to Lasallian Youth throughout the United States.
Brothers of the Christian Schools – literal translation of the Latin above. You will sometimes hear the entire organization of Brothers referred to as such
De La Salle Christian Brothers – the Brothers of the Christian Schools are commonly referred to as “De La Salle Brothers” in many parts of the world. In the United States, we often hear “De La Salle Christian Brothers” when referring to the Brothers.
Partners/Colleagues – titles used to describe all lay men and lay women who are not Brothers involved in this Institute. Not used lightly – the partnership between Brothers, lay men and women, priests, and other religious working with Brothers in Lasallian ministries is taken very seriously – we really do work “together and by association”

8. Common Terms District Institute Superior General: Brother Álvaro
Generalate, Rome
General Chapter
International Mission Assembly
District
Visitor
District Chapter
District Mission Council
District Mission Assembly
International Institute: refers to all Lasallian works around the world – over 80 countries, nearly 900,000 students, 77,000 Partners/Colleagues, 6,000 Brothers. The headquarters of the International Institute (or just “Institute”) is in Rome.
Superior General: the title of the Brother elected in Rome at each General Chapter (once every 7 years) to lead the Institute. Br. Alvaro was elected at the 44th General Chapter to a second term, which runs from 2007 to He works with a General Council of Brothers to oversee Lasallian works throughout the world. He lives in community with Brothers at the Generalate, or Motherhouse, in Rome. This is the international headquarters of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and of the global Lasallian Family.
General Chapter –gathering of Brother representatives from every District in the world – takes place every 7 years – focuses on issues related to the international educational mission, to governance of the Institute (esp. global governance, electing Superior General, Vicar General, and General Council), and issues related to Brothers’ life
International Assembly on Mission – first held in 2006 just prior to the 44th General Chapter – gathering of Brothers and lay Partners from throughout the world – specifically to address mission-related issues in the International Institute. The second international assembly took place in May 2013, prior to the 45th General Chapter, which will take place in Rome in 2014.
District – the Institute is divided up into 6 geographic “Regions” – each Region is divided into “Districts” – sometimes referred to informally as “Provinces”
Brother Visitor: the title of the Brother elected by his fellow Brothers in the District at each District Chapter (every three or four years, depending on the District) to lead the District. Works with a District Council of Brothers, along with others, including lay Partners, to govern the District. Br. Visitor is elected, in each District, for either a three-year term or a four-year term, renewable once (twice in some Districts). After that, he continues working in Lasallian ministry somewhere.
District Chapter – held every three or four years, including representative Brothers from throughout the District; elects Brother Visitor and addresses issues related to the educational mission, Brothers’ life and identity, and governance.
District Mission Council – referred to in some Districts as a Mission & Ministry Council, this group consists of both Brothers and Partners and advises the Visitor on matters related to Lasallian Mission in the District. These councils were created in response to legislation from the 2000 General Chapter.
District Assembly on Mission – also held every 4 years just prior to the District Chapter; addresses issues related to the educational mission; includes representative Brothers and Partners from throughout the District

9. Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the Gospels
One Commitment Leads To Another
Now, let’s take a few minutes to consider the Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and Lasallian Education – Saint John Baptist de La Salle.
First, we will consider his background – family, upbringing, etc.
Second, we will consider the events that led him into devoting his life to education of the young, especially the children of the poor and working classes.

10. Rheims, France - 1679 The Situation – The Need – Rampant Poverty
Multi-Generational
Educational opportunities for children of poor and working-class parents were few and inconsistent in 1679 Rheims –
Families could not afford the 1-on-1 tutoring available at a price;
Some charity schools existed – sponsored by parishes – but they were very inconsistent in their education – oftentimes it was quite inadequate
A group of Sisters had recently opened a school for girls from poor and working class families – this was a start…but nothing of consistent quality was available to boys…
Without education, these children grew up to remain in the same difficult situation their parents faced. Something had to be done to help them up and out of their difficulties…
As De La Salle says in his Second Meditation for the Time of Retreat…
Consider that it is a practice only too common for the working class and the poor to allow their children to live on their own, roaming all over like vagabonds as long as they are not able to put them to some work; these parents have no concern to send their children to school because their poverty does not allow them to pay teachers, or else, obliged to look for work outside their homes, they have to abandon their children to themselves.
The results of this condition are regrettable, for these poor children, accustomed to lead an idle life for many years, have great difficulty adjusting when it comes time for them to go to work. In addition, through association with bad companions they learn to commit many sins which later on are very difficult to stop, because of the persistent bad habits they have contracted over such a long time.
The Need –
What can be done to break the cycle of economic and spiritual poverty?

11. Meanwhile, on the other side of town…
De La Salle and his family lived in what we might refer to as “Old Rheims,” bordered by the remains of a wall that once surrounded the entire city.
In this part of town, De La Salle and his family lived with others of the same social class as themselves, and encounters with the poor were rare.

12. John Baptist de La Salle 1679
Newly Ordained
Privileged Background
A Person of Deep Faith
Committed to Doing God’s Will
A Path for the Future?
Whatever God Desires…
Education Does Not Appear to Be in the Cards…
Meanwhile, also in Rheims, was John Baptist de La Salle, a man with a plan that does not include creating a system of schools for children of poor and working-class parents….but a man who is deeply committed to doing what he perceives to be God’s will for his life…

13. However… We all have experienced the “howevers”…..
Other than his parents dying unexpectedly, De La Salle’s life had unfolded mostly according to plan up until his ordination. Even the untimely death of his parents, which required him to take a break from his seminary studies for a time to care for his younger siblings and put the family affairs in order, did not throw him off for long. He resumed his seminary studies in Rheims and was ordained at age 27. After ordination, however…
His spiritual director (circled in the painting on the slide) died 18 days after De La Salle’s ordination, leaving him the care of a group of sisters in Rheims who ran a school for poor girls…
While visiting these sisters at their convent, he met Adrien Nyel, who had come to visit the sisters to get help opening a school for poor boys. The sisters encouraged him to speak with De La Salle…
After one school opened (in 1680), the demand grew for another school, so a second opened…
Nyel soon left to open other schools in other towns. De La Salle was left to care for the schools, which were staffed by teachers who were not well-trained, well-mannered, or well-versed in their religious truths…
De La Salle began working with these teachers, encouraging them to trust in God, that God would provide for them. They eventually challenged him, noting that, should the schools close, De La Salle would be OK (as a priest, a canon, and a person with quite a family inheritance) while they would find themselves on the streets…
Ultimately, De La Salle gave away much of his wealth to purchase food for the local people in a famine, and he took vows with 12 teachers, forming the original “Brothers.” This commitment took place in 1694 – only 15 years after the first school opened.
The point here is that his life unfolded in a way that he had not anticipated, leading him to his unique understanding of God’s providence in our lives – a faith perspective that has a serious impact on our work to this very day…
However…

14. One Commitment Leads to Another
Assists Adrien Nyel
Works With Teachers
A Challenge: Trust in Providence
Establishes a Teaching Community
Each “circumstance” is really an opportunity – drawing De La Salle deeper and deeper into this commitment to establishing a system of schools
Ultimately, these events challenge De La Salle to rely on the providence of God to a degree that he never had before – he had always called others to trust in God’s goodness, but he had lived a fairly comfortable life up to this point. This evolving venture, however, was risky – uncertain – fledgling…
It is in retrospect that De La Salle notices clearly in faith the hand of God in all this craziness – in the funny, unanticipated twists and turns his life has taken

15. The Gentle Persistence of God
I had not thought of doing this before, but not because others had not suggested that I do such work…
It was, because of these two events, the encounter with Monsieur Nyel and the proposal made to me by this lady (Madame de Croyeres), that I began to take care of the school for boys. I had not thought of doing this before, but not because others had not suggested that I do such work. Several friends of Monsieur Roland had tried to inspire me in this direction, but the work had no appeal for me, and I did not feel inclined toward it.
-- from The Memoire on the Beginnings
There’s something about timing. De La Salle was not ready to undertake this work when it was first proposed to him by Canon Roland, as his spiritual director, who tried to involve De La Salle with his work with a local group of women who were opening schools for poor girls in Rheims and were seeking recognition as a religious congregation of women.
Initially, he “did not feel inclined toward it.”

16. The Gentle Persistence of God And if I had ever thought…
And if I had ever thought that the care I took of the school masters, simply out of charity, would impose on me the duty of living with them, I would have stopped doing this. For, naturally, I ranked lower than my valet those whom I was forced to employ in the schools, particularly in the beginning, and the very thought that it would be necessary to live with them would have been insupportable to me.
-- from The Memoire on the Beginnings
Strong words! De La Salle was a product of his upbringing. Such work was unthinkable to him early on…it was not on his vocational radar screen. He did not recognize the gift and passion within himself – at the time – for such work. It was only through the support and encouragement and invitation of others and a willingness to listen to God’s call through the events of his life that De La Salle ultimately came to embrace this work as, to use today’s language, his “vocation.”
So, in De La Salle’s mind, this is why God did not present it all to him at once…but little by little…

17. The Gentle Persistence of God
God, who directs all things with wisdom and gentleness…
…one commitment led me into the next one without my having foreseen this in the beginning.
….Apparently, then, it was for this reason that God, who directs all things with wisdom and gentleness, and who is not accustomed to force the wills of [persons], but who wanted to lead me to take complete direction of the schools, did this, in a very imperceptible manner, and over a period of time, so that one commitment led me into the next one without my having foreseen this in the beginning.
-- from The Memoire on the Beginnings
It is in hindsight – in the rear view mirror – that De La Salle sees clearly the hand of God in things. This is why prayer is so absolutely important to De La Salle. It is in prayer that he (and we) is able to look back and see things clearly.

18. One Commitment Leads to Another
To help open a school
To assist teachers
To establish a community of educators – “Brothers”
To dedicate his life “in association” with these Brothers
To provide an education to those who did not have access to a quality, Christian education
De La Salle’s faith – a strong belief that God was calling him to this work – allowed him to seek new responses to the problems confronting the poor children who came to the schools for an education.
He believed that God would not desire the salvation of these young people without giving people like De La Salle the wherewithal to accomplish it.
De La Salle concludes the first point of his Second Meditation for the Time of Retreat with these words…
God has had the goodness to remedy so great a misfortune by the establishment of the Christian Schools, where the teaching is offered free of charge and entirely for the glory of God, where the children are kept all day, learn to read, to write, and their religion, and are always kept busy, so that when their parents want them to go to work, they are prepared for employment.
Thank God, who has the goodness to employ you to procure such an important advantage for children.

19. Who are the Brothers? serve others through education
live in community, praying together daily
consecrate themselves to God
live in the spirit and charism of a long, living tradition
share their mission in a global “Institute”

20. Our Worldwide Mission
The purpose of this Institute is to provide a human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor, according to the ministry which the Church has entrusted to it.
-- The Rule of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Lasallian educational mission is often articulated in these words, which come from the Brothers’ Rule – the guide for their ministry and community life – and OUR guide for our ministry as well.
How many people have seen this statement before?
What words or phrases stand out for you in this statement?

21. Video Overview De La Salle – A Reflection Brother Gerard Rummery, FSC
Australia
General Councillor for 14 years
Significant Contributor to Lasallian Studies
Focus Question:
If you were sitting around a campfire with people who had never heard of John Baptist de La Salle, what would you tell them?
This video is available in DVD format from Christian Brothers Conference. It is included on a disc with three other Lasallian formation videos.
Use this video as a way of summarizing the information on De La Salle and our mission in general.
This will also serve to draw the first part of the orientation to a close.
Following the video, move to the next slide…

22. Stop and Reflect I learned… I was surprised… I rediscovered…
I’m beginning to wonder…
I’m getting clearer about…
I have a question about…
Give people 1 minute to complete one of these sentences –
Pair up with one person to share.
Ask for responses in the large group.
Take a break.

23. The International Institute and the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) Today
A Quick Tour

24. The International Institute 2013 78
Count r i e s
4605
Br o t h e r s
936,463 Students
Source: Brothers of the Christian Schools. (2013). Memento. Rome, Italy: Author.
88,054 Partners

25. RELAN 2013
102 ministries
43 High Schools, of which three are “Cristo Rey” schools
9 Middle/High Schools
12 Middle Schools, of which 11 are “Miguel” schools
7 Colleges / Universities
2 Elementary Schools
20 Educational Centers serving more than 30,000 people in
3 Support Ministries
6 District or Regional Offices
70,000 students, grades K through higher education
755 Brothers
More than 10,000 Partners
District of Eastern North America
District of San Francisco
Midwest District
New Orleans/Santa Fe District
District of Francophone Canada
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

26. The District of Eastern North America (DENA)
14 Secondary Schools
6 Middle Schools
5 Middle/High Schools
1 Elementary School
2 Colleges/Universities
4 Educational Centers / Youth and Family Services
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

27. Francophone Canada District
4 Educational Centers/Youth and Family Services
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

28. The Midwest District 16 Secondary Schools 4 Middle Schools
1 Elementary School
3 Universities
4 Educational Centers/Youth and Family Services
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

29. The New Orleans-Santa Fe District
6 Secondary Schools
1 Middle School
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

30. The District of San Francisco
11 Secondary Schools
1 Middle School
1 College
1 Shared Educational Ministry with the District of North Mexico
Source: Cidade, M.A., Gaunt, T. P., & Gautier, M. L. (2012). Schools, educational centers, and support ministries: A report for the Brothers of the Christian Schools Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN), statistical report. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

31. And – Coming Soon to a Region Near You . . .

32. Lasallian Colleges and Universities 2013
RELAL – 35
PARC – 13
RELEM - 9
RELAF – 1
RELAN – 7

33. Goals of Lasallian Ministries
There are many different ways to summarize our mission as Lasallian ministries. It is important for us to keep our mission clearly in front of us so that it may guide our work and our decisions.
I would like to spend a few minutes with you today sharing with you the “Goals of Lasallian Ministries” – these are fundamental characteristics that one should be able to identify at any Lasallian ministry – the particular way they are present may be different from ministry to ministry, but all five goals/characteristics should be present in one way or another.
The question for you is this: In what ways will you address these goals in your work this year?
-- next slide --

34. Curriculum Co-Curricular Programs Campus Ministry Student Service
Admissions
Hiring
School
Policies
Development
Parent
Board Work
Goals of Lasallian
Ministries
As “Goals” or “Essential Characteristics of Lasallian Ministries,” these five are at the center of all we do in our ministries.
Everything the ministry does should aim toward the strengthening of these characteristics.
Our knowledge of and commitment to these characteristics form the spokes that connect our programs to these central outcomes. The stronger our knowledge and commitment, the stronger the connection.
We hold these characteristics before us as a way of checking ourselves – monitoring ourselves – are we truly a Lasallian ministry?
As I walk through these 5 characteristics with you, ask yourself: “Which one is mine to really attend to this year?”

35. Goals of Lasallian Ministries
A note: this constellation of Lasallian core values are also “interpreted” in light of our current reality and the founding story of Lasallian education – the story of John Baptist de La Salle and the founding of the Christian schools in France in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Essential Characteristics for Lasallian Ministries

36. Goals of Lasallian Ministries
2005: Regional Education Board (REB) commissions a group to revisit and bring up to date the 1986 “Characteristics of Lasallian Schools”
Result: “Goals of Lasallian Ministries” document shared with the Region
A note attached to the full document reads:
“A group from across the United States-Toronto Region gathered in 2004 at the request of the Regional Education Board (REB) to review the 1985 document Characteristics of Lasallian Schools and to pursue a revision of the document. The group completed its work in 2005 and presented it to the REB. The REB accepted the document but chose not to pursue the adoption of the document as the “definitive list” of Lasallian characteristics for all Lasallian ministries in the Region. Rather, it was accepted as another document to reference when a ministry or group of ministries or District is considering the question, ‘Who are we as a Lasallian ministry?’”

37. Umbrella Mission Statement
“The Lasallian ministries of RELAN respond to the needs of those entrusted to our care.”
“While the nature of these ministries may vary across the Region and evolve in response to the signs of the times, they possess the following general goals”. . .

38. We Instill Gospel Values
Let us remember…
Imago Dei
Caring and Love for All Persons
Witness to the Example of Jesus and the Heritage of the Church
Promote Personal and Communal Spiritual Growth and Reflection
Consult the document Goals of Lasallian Ministries, Regional Education Board Subcommittee (2005) for more information.

39. We are Animated by and Foster a Spirit of Faith & Zeal
Let us remember…
Our “work” is a ministry and a vocation
See all things with the “eyes of faith”
Compassion and Care, with special attention to those most in need
The Power of Prayer
Consult the document Goals of Lasallian Ministries, Regional Education Board Subcommittee (2005) for more information.

40. We Exercise a Preferential Option for Those Who Are Poor
Fullness of Life for All
Special Consideration Given to Those in Greatest Need
Concern reaches beyond the local community
Both Social Action and Social Change are values
Consult the document Goals of Lasallian Ministries, Regional Education Board Subcommittee (2005) for more information.

41. We Develop and Maintain Diverse Programs Meeting Recognized Standards of Excellence
Holistic Education:
Mind, Body, Spirit, Heart
A challenging environment
For each one “entrusted to our care”
Professional Development & Spiritual Formation
Accountability and Honest Evaluation
Consult the document Goals of Lasallian Ministries, Regional Education Board Subcommittee (2005) for more information.

42. We Create and Sustain Respectful Human Relationships in Community
Goal: Everyone Finds a Place
Inclusion Instead of Exclusion
Parents, Students, Alumni, Friends
Special Concern for Those Most in Need
Focus on Quality Relationships
Collegial, Collaborative Style of Decision-Making and Governance
The Transformative Power of Example
Involved with the Local and Larger Church
United by a Common Mission
Consult the document Goals of Lasallian Ministries, Regional Education Board Subcommittee (2005) for more information.

43. Welcome
to the
Lasallian
Family!
This ends the orientation session.