“At the Doorstep: Our Mission, Our Vocation” seemed a fitting theme for Young Lasallian educators finding their way in their respective schools, their communities, and in their life-long vocation. Twelve Young Lasallians from the San Francisco New Orleans District (SFNO) gathered in Canby, Oregon the days of October 23-25, 2016, to broach the conversation of their place in not only education, but also as representatives of the Lasallian mission.
The Young Lasallian Professionals Retreat group. (Photo courtesy Br. Chris Patino, FSC)
Discussion began with us looking at John Baptist de La Salle’s own life and journey, and the constant redirection toward educating the poor and marginalized. Discussions revealed that “poor and marginalized” can encompass many walks of life: financially poor, as most may immediately conclude, but also spiritually poor. As we walked through De La Salle’s journey, we realized that many of our lives paralleled the stories of our predecessor. We had been presented with situations and opportunities that we thought were our calling, only to find our mutual vocation: education.
But not just education in any general setting. The group shared a common thread of feeling drawn toward Lasallian education, whether we purposefully sought it out or were placed there by our God-given destiny. We felt compelled to answer the door, but sitting in a circle of twelve, we asked, how would we sustain the journey? How would we specifically live out the Lasallian mission in today’s world where there seems to be many opportunities and distractions?
Retreatants share their discussion points with each other. (Photo courtesy Br. Chris Patino, FSC.)
One mission. One community. That is how the Young Lasallians at this retreat unified themselves to live out the mission on a daily basis. In a world that is full of distractions, the simplicity of community, spirituality, and a remembrance of our Lasallian origins will be the daily guiding lights. We will have an attitude of trust that is grounded in faith. We will model ourselves after De La Salle in small commitments with a willingness and openness to answer the needs of others. Over the course of the two-day retreat, De La Salle’s compassionate nature revealed itself, along with his ability to humbly align himself with those he served. This would be our model as educators and as Lasallians.
“Let us remember” is symbolic of the unity of our community. We pray together, not alone. We look to the greater needs of those we serve and how best to respond. We rely on each other and, upon examining our respective communities, we found that Lasallian charism is in abundance among our colleagues, our students, and our broader community. Lasallians are fortunate to be in a culture that is respectful of faith, service, and community as integrated, not separate. Young Lasallians are charged with carrying on this mission, and we therefore must have a willingness to walk alongside those we serve and those we invite into our community. This, Lasallian community, is our mission.
Taking time to pray together. (Photo courtesy Br. Chris Patino.)
The retreat was led by SFNO Young Lasallians Director Kenenna Amuzie and SFNO Vocation Ministry Director Brother Chris Patiño, FSC. The participants, representing four schools from around the district, were: Alyssa Frangipani, Austin Frank, David Gregory, and Sarah Maher (De La Salle North Catholic High School, Portland, OR); Seth Pleger and Emily Stillwaggon (La Salle High School, Yakima, WA); Elliot Hersberger-Gray, Padrah Gatewood, and Joe Welling (Mullen High School, Denver, CO); and Beau Martinez (Saint Michael’s High School, Santa Fe, NM).
Story contributed by Padrah Gatewood, World Languages Teacher, Mullen High School, Denver Colorado.
