The combined group of Lasallian Animators and the Association for Lasallian Mission Committee
Lincroft, NJ – The annual joint meeting of the DENA Animators and Association for the Lasallian Mission Council was held March 19-20, 2018 at Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ. This annual joint meeting is always an energizing experience for the participants that represented many our DENA ministries.
The morning of March 19th began with a prayer service in honor of Saint Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Institute and continued with a brief report from Brothers Dennis Lee, Thomas Casey and Rich Galvin regarding their experience at the Intercapitular session recently held in Rome. The Brothers reflected upon the richness of being together with Brothers from all the Districts of the Institute and the hopes and challenges that our global Lasallian mission present in 78 countries represents.
Plans are underway for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Founder’s entrance into eternal rest and the Year of Lasallian Vocations. During the morning session, the group engaged in conversation and planning as to how these celebrations can be organized at the local ministry and where appropriate how to plan for joint celebrations of ministries that are geographically close. Stay tuned for announcements over the summer!
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- Br. Dennis Lee…
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- …speaks with the Lasallian Animators.
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- Thanks to Christian Brothers Academy Lincroft for hosting.
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- Lasallian Mission Committee would eventually break off into a separate meeting…(Br. Thomas Casey)
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- …for further planning…(Mr. William Gault)
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- and discussion. (Ms. Denise Wallace)
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- Ms. Lisa Juncaj and Ms. Jamie Longo.
The soon to be released DENA Strategic Plan was the focus of the afternoon session with the Animators. The group was introduced to the sections of the plan dealing with evangelization, association and service with the poor. The goal of the afternoon session was to receive the wisdom and the guidance of the Animators as to how best to begin the important work of implementation of the key goals set forth in each area. The process generated a robust and insightful conversation that produced creative and innovative ideas as to how we can move forward as a District on some major projects.
The gathering concluded on Tuesday morning with a review of the 1999 Lasallian Heritage Curriculum produced as a Regional project. The Animators were divided into working groups that reviewed the current curriculum and offered feedback as to how this important resources can be updated to attend to the formation needs of today. Look to August 2018 for a revision of this most important resource tool.
The annual gathering concluded with a commitment to continue the work of association and networking with one another via our Basecamp platform. Gratitude to all who could join us and we look forward to another successful gathering in the spring of 2019!
