Young Lasallians Coordinator Antoine Beland visits DENA

New York, NY – Antoine Beland , the newly appointed International Coordinator for Young Lasallians spent October 22-October 26, 2015 visiting the District. On a whirlwind tour of DENA, Antoine spent his days visiting with young Lasallians in the Philadelphia and New York City area.

Antoine arrived at the District Office the morning of Friday, October 23rd to meet with Maryann Donohue-Lynch, Associate Executive Director for Mission and Ministry, provider of accompaniment to the DENA Young Lasallian Committee and arranged for Antoine’s schedule while in DENA, Brother Dennis Malloy, Visitor, Brother Charles Kitson, Auxiliary Visitor and former Secretary for the International Lasallian Family and Alan Weyland, Executive Director for Mission and Ministry.

Following his time in Eatontown, NJ, Antoine traveled to Philadelphia where Brother Brian Henderson, who accompanies Young Lasallian Professionals arranged for a series of meetings. While in Philadelphia, Antoine met with Matt Joram, Co-Chair of the DENA Young Lasallian Committee along with other with young Lasallians.  Additionally, he had an opportunity to visit with Brother Ernest Miller, Vice President for Mission at La Salle University. While in the Philadelphia area, Antoine stayed at Jeremy House, which is the residence for the Christian Brothers Postulants.

Sunday evening brought him to the New York City area where hospitality was provided at the Manhattan Brothers Community and Highbridge Lasallian Volunteer Community. Monday at Manhattan College was a full day as he had a series of meetings arranged by Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Mission and the Manhattan College Young Lasallian Task Force.

“I really enjoyed Antoine’s visit because I believe its whole purpose was met, from getting to know Manhattan College’s campus to connecting with those who attend the university,” said Victoria L. Hernandez, a Manhattan College student dual majoring in Communications and Computer Science. The Social Media Editor for Manhattan College’s Quadrangle student newspaper, Hernandez believes that Beland got to see the whole spectrum of activities and Lasallian mission happening at the College. “He is traveling to the places that he works for, so it is important that he puts a face to the entity, I am glad he got to know ours.”

“The “grand finale” was a presentation at the fall gathering of LAMM (Lasallian Association of Metropolitan Ministries) that was held at La Salle Academy in NYC. The LAMM gathering was attended by over 30 people representing 6 of the NYC area Lasallian ministries.

“We were very happy to welcome Antoine to DENA and to be able to offer him the opportunity to meet with a number of our Young Lasallians,” said Maryann Donohue-Lynch, Associate Executive Director for Mission and Ministry. “It certainly was a great collaborative effort and I am very grateful to my colleagues that assisted in that effort! Antoine provided us with an experience of the international dimension of the Young Lasallian movement and his passion for the Mission and the zeal which he brings to it is clearly evident. We look forward to many years of working together as DENA moves the vision for the Young Lasallian movement forward.”

“I hope that the Lasallian family connects more [through Beland’s work], not only with the USA students but other colleges in different countries,” said Hernandez when asked about her hopes for all Young Lasallians. “I want to know those students in the Philippines, those from Spain, and the ones studying at Brazil. We must start acting like the huge family we are,  bonded by the Lasallian values. We just need to put them in practice and contact one another to see the change we would like to happen not only in our community but also in the world. ”