The 46^th General Chapter

International Young Brothers Assembly

by Brother Kyle Mena, FSC

The impact of the pandemic on scheduling the International Young Brothers Assembly (IYBA) was difficult to manage. Yet, many hands make light work and thus many hands have been involved in preparation of the IYBA. A core Preparatory Committee has been planning over the last couple of years. Similarly, through the help of email communication and the ZOOM platform, the international Brother delegates were effective in preparing through regular meetings. With opportunities to take notes, a writing team was selected: Br. Javier Hansen (RELAN), Br. Sebastian Cornejo (RELAL), and Br. Fady Salama (RELEM) which led to a document for the General Chapter. Zoom conversations allowed for several presentations including with the Superior General and a major conversation with Young Lasallian Delegates and Young Brother Delegates. Instead of Young Brothers meeting in person before General Chapter, Br. Dylan Perry (Midwest), Br. Matt Kotek (Midwest), Br. Javier Hansen (SFNO) and Br. Kyle Mena (DENA) will have the opportunity to meet with other Young Brother Delegates after the Chapter and discuss ways of implementing its vision.

DENA Delegate

Brother Kyle Mena, FSC

International Symposium of Young Lasallians

from Mr. Justin Martineau

The fourth International Symposium of Young Lasallians (ISYL), thematically titled “United in Community and Mission—Being Protagonists for the Future!,” evolved from its preceding symposia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the main objective of creating strategic directions and lines of action that will guide the Young Lasallian movement throughout the 2020s remained the same, International Council of Young Lasallians reorganized the gathering into a two-year, multi-phase process. Phase one saw delegates—two from each District—participate in synchronous sessions and Focus Group Discussions online. Utilizing online learning tools (such as Zoom and Google Classroom), videos, and other print (digital) resources, delegates engaged in a proposal writing process centered around the four areas of priority which emerged from the Third International Symposium and were affirmed by the 45^th General Chapter and Circular 470 “Towards the year 2021: Living Together Our Joyful Mission.” The delegates ratified four proposals, one for each of Culture of Vocations, Service with the Poor, Communications and Networking, and Sustainable Organizational Growth. Following May’s 46^th General Chapter, one delegate from each District will gather in Rome in mid-November 2022 for the second phase of the Symposium. This in-person gathering will craft the lines of action and areas of collaboration for the Young Lasallian movement based off of the proposals and the results of the 46^th General Chapter.

DENA Delegate

Ms. Julia Turner Chair
DENA Young Lasallian Council

DENA Delegate

Mr. Justin Martineau
Associate Director, DENA Mission & Ministry

International Mission Assembly

from Ms. Maryann Donohue-Lynch

When the theme for the third International Mission Assembly (AIMEL), held March 28-April 8, was announced as Identity-Vitality and Transformation – Together We Make it Possible it provided both the focus to consider who we are as Lasallians in our world today and the inspiration to dream about who the Holy Spirit is calling us to be. When the COVID pandemic struck, it was no surprise that those planning for III AIMEL created a response that was practical and innovative. Through the many months of virtual meetings, the work for the Assembly progressed and resulted in the nine Proposals that will be presented at the General Chapter.

“It was a joy to be with other delegates to the mission assembly for my region and from around the world,” said Brother James Martino, FSC, DENA delegate to the Assembly. “As a middle aged Brother Representative it was a unique opportunity to be with Lasallian women and men engaged in this educational movement, and to understand the international richness and flavors of this educational mission. Our collective experiences articulated a vision of how this mission especially for those on the margins goes forward into the future. Whether the small discussion groups working to understand the cultural differences, our workgroups creating and offering proposals for future direction, or our ending discussions on visioning the future it was a rich experience of learning from each other and embracing the challenge of our future as we envisioned how to best go forward in association.”

Experiencing the final gathering of Phase 1 in Rome was a privilege however what was striking was the care and concern that CIAMEL took for the delegates who could not attend in person by creating ways in which all delegates could interact in a meaningful way through both synchronous and asynchronous activities.

During this entire III AIMEL process, I was particularly grateful for the space created for prayerful reflection. Calling upon Jesus’ Parable of The Sower, we were reminded through ritual, song and silence, that the work of the Sower is to participate in God’s mission for all of creation. As a Lasallian family we tend the soil and the plants through our educational mission, perhaps never knowing the sweet fruit those plants will bear but trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit that our labors will be transformative in the lives of those entrusted to our care. I look forward with anticipation to the second phase of III AIMEL as we prayer together and by association for an inspired and successful General Chapter.

DENA Delegate

Ms. Maryann Donohue-Lynch

DENA Delegate

Br. James Martino, FSC

DENA Delegate

Mr. Alan Weyland