Lasallian Life

To be a Lasallian educator is to take a hand, open a mind and touch a heart. As educators, it is imperative that we recognize that “if we dare to teach, we must never cease to learn.” Our founder, who reminds us that we have been chosen by God to do his work, instructs us to “inspire and lead others by encouraging them.” In keeping with the sentiments of our founder St. John Baptist, animation and Lasallian formation therefore serve as an integral part of the Lasallian experience for faculty, students, and parent community at DEL. To animate or to create in the Lasallian context signifies “to bring to life in the spirit of association.” At the College, the Animator is to promote awareness of the Lasallian global mission – one that embodies the life of our founder and unites us in the Spirit of Faith. It is with great purpose that the common responsibility as Lasallians is to embrace, encourage and nurture the faith and educational journey of the Lasallian student. In recognizing and fulfilling this responsibility, we work to foster opportunities which help ‘animate’ and breathe life to the spirit of the mission while promoting innovative opportunities in teaching and in formation.

As a school community, we share in the practice of recalling the presence of God and as Animator of the College, I am charged with the magnificent opportunity to educate our community about the Lasallian charism, its unique global identity and to remind us of our vocation and commitment to Faith, Service and Community. How fortunate we are as members of this Lasallian family to have the numerous opportunities to engage in formation and to learn about the Founder. It is precisely the teachings of St. John Baptist and the understanding of the global Lasallian mission which serve to propel us in further sustaining the Mission set forth by our founding father. Perhaps quite fittingly, it is the opportunity for a collective engagement which serves as an invaluable experience in bringing to life the heritage and legacy of our patron saint of teachers. I believe it is the daily exchanges between faculty and students, the community building events, the service initiatives and of course the community celebration of the sacrifice of the mass that each uniquely serve to deepen the collective bond of Lasallian association at Del. It is pleasing to have the opportunity to offer a collaborative engagement with the many members of our community, our District, Regional and Global partners in spreading the message of St. John Baptist de La Salle. A message that encourages us to act “in a sign of faith”, to serve those in need and to touch the hearts of the youth entrusted to our care.

As we embrace the Lasallian charism, let us continue to pay homage to our Founder and walk in the footsteps of St. John Baptist de La Salle who faithfully and skillfully set a path in place for us to follow. Let us continue to be inspired by our Lasallian predecessors and our Lasallian global partners as we “fulfill our ministry with all the affection of our heart” and serve as voice for Lasallian Pedagogy and Mission.

Ms. Di Prospero

Live Jesus in our Hearts.

Regional and District Lasallian Formation and Programs

The Lasallian Institute offers a myriad of International, Regional and District programs for teachers/staff members who are interested in Lasallian studies. Lasallians gather throughout the calendar year to share in the mission by studying and collaborating with global partners in Lasallian pedagogy.

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Formation Programs

Butimer Institute of Lasallian Studies

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The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies is an intensive Lasallian education and formation program that studies the life and work of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the origins of the Lasallian educational mission.

Regional Program Takes Place Each Summer

Through an examination of the writings of De La Salle and an analysis of some modern educators, participants develop a deeper understanding of the Lasallian heritage and its influence on contemporary education and spirituality.

The Buttimer Institute is designed to inspire participants to delve more thoroughly into the Lasallian founding story and discover the basis of their vocation as educators. The program also seeks to deepen the participants’ association for the Lasallian mission and provide skills to become catalysts in their own ministries. The Buttimer Institute is a three-year program. Courses are conducted for three consecutive summers, in two-week durations. Graduate credits are available.

Started in 1984, the Buttimer Institute is named in honor of Brother Charles Henry Buttimer (1909-1982), the first American Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (1966-1976).

Huether Lasallian Conference

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What is Huether?

The Huether Lasallian Conference is an annual gathering of Lasallian educators in the Region.

Location and theme change each year with a focus on innovative educational issues. All faculty and staff of Lasallian ministries are welcome to attend. Through a thoughtful blend of keynote addresses, pre-conference seminars, panel presentations, breakout sessions, and prayer services, we call upon scholars from within and outside the Lasallian tradition in matters pertaining to each year’s theme.

In 1973, the Regional Education Council of the Christian Brothers in the United States, under the leadership of Brother Francis Huether, organized a workshop to provide secondary school administrators a forum to address educational concerns. When Brother Francis retired from his position as the National Secretary of Education, the annual workshop was given his name. The rich diversity of Lasallian apostolic endeavors in the Region is more effectively represented, as increasing numbers of educators from our universities, elementary schools, middle schools, childcare agencies, and special ministries for the poor come together with teachers, campus ministers, counselors, and administrators from our secondary schools.

The Conference has provided an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of distinguished Lasallian educators from each District at its closing banquet, an important tradition begun in 1987 that continues to this day.

Lasallian Social Justice Institute

Luke Salm Workshop

The goal of this annual workshop is to enhance and support the Christian education and evangelization of the young by providing professional development for and accompaniment to the District’s Religious Studies instructors, Campus Ministers and other Lasallian educators. Named in memory and honor of Luke Salm, a Brother of the Christian Schools and a theologian, he was the first non-ordained person in the Catholic Church to receive a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD). He ministered in religious and theological education at Manhattan College for over 40 years. He played a significant role in drafting The Brothers of the Christian Schools: A Declaration, a seminal text from the 39th General Chapter following Vatican II for renewal of the Brother’s vocation and the Lasallian educational mission. Lovingly known as “one of the Lasallian giants, his very ‘presence brightened everything’ and his devotion as brother, teacher, and friend inspired and taught many, not only ‘the road to heaven,’ but the pathway toward a more full and glorious life” (William Mann, FSC).

Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice

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This program is conducted on a two year cycle.

The program will consist of five in-person gatherings (three in Districts; two Regional) and four online sessions. (The online sessions will be before and after the Regional Gathering each summer.) Each District program will be run Thursday – Sunday. The summer Regional Gatherings will be run Sunday – Friday. The new schedule should reduce travel costs as well as reduce time away from schools/ministries. The online portion of the program will utilize new technology in an interactive format appropriate for adult learners.

VEGA Young Lasallians

VEGA: one of the brightest stars in the night sky; an Italian acronym for the words Vedere, Giudicare, Agire meaning See, Judge, Act.

VEGA is a formation program for Young Lasallian professionals between the ages of 23-35 years.

VEGA aims to foster association for mission, providing a space for younger Lasallian educators to capture a sense of what it will take to keep Lasallian education in the 21st century vital and vibrant.

Lasallian Images

Who are Young Lasallians?

Who are Young Lasallians? Young Lasallians are traditionally individuals involved with Lasallian ministries between the ages of 16 and 35 – including young Brothers, Lasallian school alumni, lay men and women, and Lasallian Volunteers. Young Lasallian groups in secondary schools and colleges/universities are known as Lasallian Youth and Lasallian Collegians, respectively. The International Council of Young Lasallians unites these young

Following in the footsteps of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, himself an innovator in his time, Young Lasallians display a bold creativity in the world of today. They commit themselves to a multitude of service projects, whether in favor of the poor, children and young people, education, the environment or any need inspired by the Lasallian mission and spirit. Furthermore, they operate at local, national and international levels.

Young Lasallians are constructing agents of a world of love, who act in association with the Lasallian Family and in collaboration with all persons and groups of good will.

Lasallian Volunteers

Lasallian Volunteers provides dedicated, well-trained college graduates for one or more years of service to Lasallian schools and ministries that serve the poor.

Acting out of faith, rooted in the Gospel, and sharing community with the Brothers and other Lasallians, volunteers empower the poor by personalized service primarily through education.

Lasallian Volunteers began as a grassroots movement among the Districts of the Region.

In the early 1980s, communities of Brothers in New York and the Midwest invited lay volunteers to join them in their mission of serving the poor. In 1992, the Lasallian Volunteers program had grown into a national movement, with a staff working to recruit, train and support the volunteers through the Christian Brothers Conference.

From one volunteer in 1981-1982, the ensuing years saw an increase in the number of volunteers. Today, up to 50 men and women are commissioned each years to Lasallian schools and ministries in some of the poorest neighborhoods of America.

Over 500 volunteers have participated in this intense program of faith, community and service.

Contact

For more information, contact:

Ms. Di Prospero

Vice-Principal

ldiprospero@delasalle.ca

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In This Section

Lasallian Life

Ms. Di Prospero

Regional and District Lasallian Formation and Programs

Formation Programs

Butimer Institute of Lasallian Studies

Huether Lasallian Conference

Lasallian Social Justice Institute

Luke Salm Workshop

Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice

VEGA Young Lasallians

Lasallian Images

The Young Lasallians

Who are Young Lasallians?

Lasallian Volunteers

Resources

Lasallian Educator

Founder's Writings

Liturgy and Prayer

Lasallian Links

Contact

Ms. Di Prospero