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The first Mission Assembly of the District of San Francisco New Orleans took place June 20-23 at Mont La Salle in Napa, CA.
64 delegates convened under the banner of the Assembly’s theme, Reaching Beyond Borders. Inspired by the 45th General Chapter, the theme gave 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.
During the Assembly the delegates, who were selected from existing District leadership councils and associations, worked both as a body and also in four groups, each addressing a key thematic area. The thematic areas were:
- Evangelization and Catechesis
- Service with the Poor Through Education
- Formation and Accompaniment for Mission
- Sustainability, Accessibility, and Inclusion
The thematic ares groups each produced a “directional statement” that focus on present and future needs and challenges for the District. Following this, the groups then produced a series of “action statements” that recommend specific District strategies for addressing the needs and challenges. Having been reviewed by the body of delegates, both sets of statements will be presented for approval by the District Chapter when it convenes December 28-30, 2016. An interim report of the Assembly’s work will be made available to District Brothers and Partners prior to then.
The overall goal of the Mission Assembly was to assist in charting a course of action for the District’s mission and ministries over the next few years. In remarks made at the Assembly’s closing dinner, Brother Donald Johanson, FSC, Visitor, said, “I think about the fact that we have much work ahead of us, and it will be hard work. However, as I look out at the people gathered in this room and your gifts and dedication, I know that the District is in good hands.”
Here is a brief day-by-day synopsis of the Assembly:
DAY 1 | JUNE 20
Charlie Legendre addresses the Assembly delegates at the welcome dinner.
Delegates gathered at Mont La Salle for an evening agenda, which with a social and welcome dinner. Assembly planning committee chairperson Charlie Legendre, AFSC, delivered opening remarks that touched on the significance of this first Mission Assembly for the young District of San Francisco New Orleans. He also recapped the planning process that preceded the Assembly, outlining the planning committee’s vision and hopes for the Assembly.
This was followed by table conversation activity, at which groups of delegates responded to questions about their experience of “reaching beyond boundaries” in their own ministerial experience, as well as their perceptions of boundaries and opportunities for the District today and into the future.
DAY 2 | JUNE 21
The candle procession of District ministries.
The first full day of the Mission Assembly began in the Mont La Salle chapel with a special prayer service focused on the gifts and unity of the District. Representatives from each District ministry processed candles to the front of the chapel, where they are displayed together and will remain throughout the Assembly.
In the morning’s general session, delegates received via video a keynote address from Superior General Brother Robert Schieler, FSC. In his address, Brother Robert reflected on the significance of “beyond the borders”, an image that had its origins in the 45th General Chapter. The Superior General spoke of how this idea is “an inherent element of the dynamic of Christian conversion.” He asked the delegates to “listen to one another and to the voice of the Delegates of the 45th General Chapter: ‘We want to respond boldly and creatively to the urgent needs of the vulnerable who are found ‘on the borders’.'” He then invited the Assembly to “prayerfully examine your present ministries and boldly consider new initiatives…for the purpose of insuring that what you are presently doing is the best avenue for announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the poor.”
Br. Donald Johanson delivers his keynote address.
This was followed by the keynote address of Visitor Brother Donald Johanson, FSC. Like the Superior General, Brother Donald also presented the Assembly with challenges and invitations. “I ask,” he said, “all of us to be aware of our own frames of reference so that we can present to our District decisions which come from a broad rather than a narrow perspective.” He then outlined 10 challenges from Circular 469, The Documents of the 45th General Chapter. noting, “This circular is directed specifically at the Brothers, but it has important implications for the whole Institute.” After reviewing the work that lay ahead for the Assembly’s thematic area groups, Brother Donald concluded by quoting from Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s Meditation 37, reminding the delegates of the need for God’s grace in order to do God’s work: “When our Founder says in Meditation 35, ‘God wants you to ask him for these blessings…frequently, fervently, and insistently,’ he reminds us that we too must knock insistently, even pounding on the door of God, begging for His help. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”
The remainder of the day belonged to the thematic area groups as they began the work of crafting the directional statements that will lead to the Assembly’s priority statements and action proposals. The delegates concluded the day’s work with evening prayer in the chapel.
DAY 3 | JUNE 22
The delegates view Br. Peter Bray’s address to Pope Francis at the World Congress last November.
The day began with morning prayer in the chapel. This was followed by the first general session of the day, during which the delegates viewed a video of Brother Peter Bray, FSC’s address to Pope Francis on November 21, 2015 at the World Congress in Rome. Brother Peter, who is Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, spoke on the role that the University and Lasallian education are playing in serving young people of all faiths and nationalities in the Middle East.
The delegates then heard first readings of the directional statements that had been drafted by the Assembly’s four thematic area groups. The function of the statements is to each provide a strategic vision that can serve as a guide to the District as it develops responses to the issues and opportunities found in the thematic areas. Delegates offered their critiques and suggestions for each of the statements, after which the thematic area groups reconvened to edit their statements.
The delegates voting on directional statements.
After lunch, there was a second reading of the directional statement drafts, followed by final edits to the statements. There also was a general session in which delegates had the opportunity to share their personal thoughts on their experience of the Assembly so far. The final session of the day was set aside for voting to approve the directional statements for submission to the District Chapter for its consideration this coming December.
The day ended with evening prayer in the chapel.
DAY 4 | JUNE 23
Planning Committee chair Charlie Legendre, AFSC speaks at the Assembly’s closing session.
The final day of the Assembly began with morning prayer. All of the prayer services of the Assembly revolved around the themes of “Called through Communion”, “Called to Serve”, and “Called in Vocation.”
The morning general session featured a video of a talk given by a student from De La Salle North Catholic High School in Portland, OR. In it, she spoke directly and powerfully about what her Lasallian education has taught her about the meaning of faith and hope.
The thematic area groups met most of the day to finalize their action statement proposals. Like the earlier direction statements, the action statements will be submitted to the Brothers’ District Chapter for its consideration.
Delegates of the District’s Mission Assembly 2016.
Their work concluded, the delegates gathered for Mass and a closing dinner. Brother Donald Johanson, FSC offered his appreciation to all for their work at the Assembly and for their presence as part of the Lasallian family. The evening ended which a special candlelight rite during which the delegates celebrated and reaffirmed their commitment to the Lasallian mission and to the life of the San Francisco New Orleans District.
