Preparations have begun for the San Francisco New Orleans District’s first Mission Assembly, scheduled for June 20-23 at Mont La Salle, CA.
65 Brother and Partner delegates will gather to help set the direction and priorities for the educational mission of the District for the next four years. The Assembly’s theme is Reaching Beyond Borders. Inspired by the 45th General Chapter, the theme gives special attention both to the ongoing development of District unity and to the urgent call from the center of the Institute on carrying out the Mission today.
The body of delegates will represent existing leadership councils and associations from the District and its ministries. According to Brother Donald Johanson, Visitor, “For this first Assembly, I felt that it was important to draw from the expertise of those Brothers and Partners who currently are most directly responsible for animating the life of the Mission in our District.”
In January, the Assembly’s Preparatory Committee was named and charged by Brother Donald with the task of structuring the four days of discussion and visioning. Its members are Committee Chairperson Charlie Legendre (Office of Education), Mike Daniels (De Marillac Academy), Brother Nick Gonzalez (Cathedral High School-El Paso), Denise Jones (La Salle Catholic College Preparatory), Brother James Joost (Auxiliary Visitor), Robert Jordan (Justin-Siena High School), Janell Kloosterman (Mullen High School), Greg Kopra (Office of Formation for Mission), Brother Chris Patiño (Office of Vocation Ministry), Gery Short (Office of Education), and Trevor Watkins (Saint Paul’s School).
Since January, the Committee has met regularly, focusing on planning for the Assembly’s daily prayer and liturgies, general sessions, and thematic group sessions and processes. Background work has included reviewing numerous International, Regional, and District documents, as well input from various groups of Brothers and Partners.
A key element that will guide much of the work of the Assembly will be its thematic areas. Delegates will be divided into groups that will address these areas, identifying District strengths and challenges and developing action recommendations for consideration by the Assembly. To date, four areas have been identified:
- Catechesis and Evangelization
- Service with the Poor Through Education
- Formation and Accompaniment for Mission
- Sustainability, Accessibility, and Inclusion
The goal of the Assembly will be to produce a series of agreed-upon action proposals for the District that will then be presented for approval by the District Chapter when it convenes December 28-30, 2016.
Commenting on his hopes for the Mission Assembly, Brother Donald said, “I look forward to the Assembly’s insights and direction as we discern how the District can best serve the Mission within the context of today’s many needs and possibilities.”
