Joanne takes on exciting new role in District
Joanne Millea has been appointed Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry for the District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta. Joanne will be joining the Office of Mission and will collaborate extensively with many committed Lasallians who serve on the various Animation Teams, Committees and Councils across the District. As Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry she will be entrusted with the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of Lasallian Formation Programmes at all levels in the District. In addition, Joanne will be developing and promoting a Culture of Vocations across the District’s communities and ministries. She will coordinate action to create, sustain, and strengthen the promotion of a Culture of Vocation in the District for all Lasallians whom the Spirit calls to participate authentically in the Lasallian mission, including to attract candidates to the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. In all efforts, the accompaniment of individuals on their vocation journeys is the central focus.
Joanne, a former Lasallian student, joined the staff at her alma mater, De La Salle School in St Helens, in 2004. Over the years, Joanne, has served on a number of Committees and Councils across the District and has participated and led a number of formation sessions and gatherings over the last decade.
On accepting the position, Joanne remarked, “Having been a member of a Lasallian community for over thirty years, I can safely say that I have grown up with La Salle in my life even though I have not been always consciously aware of just how powerful an impact this would have on me. During the past 12 years, my involvement with the Lasallian Mission, through formation and other opportunities, has deepened with every year. This has allowed me to discover and make sense of my vocation, to tune in to the calls and inspirations that come to me from God, and opened up a wonderful network of committed, like-minded people that create the space in their classrooms and offices every day for young people to be formed through a quality and person-centred Lasallian education. It is such a privilege to be entrusted with this position and I feel very excited for what the future may hold.”
In welcoming the appointment the District Leadership team stated, “We were delighted to receive the interview panel’s recommendation to appoint Joanne to this critically important position in the District. As Director of Formation and Vocation Ministry, Joanne will bring to all Lasallians in the District her passion, commitment and creativity for the Lasallian Charism. Her integrity, authenticity and compassion will benefit her greatly as she strives to connect with and inspire all in the Lasallian Family, be it students or Governors and members of Boards of Management, Principals and Heads or Animators, Brothers or parents. We welcome Joanne to the District Leadership Team.”
Joe Gilson, Director of Mission added, “This appointment is a key and strategic one as it will allow us to proactively ensure the holistic nature and long-term sustainability of the Institute’s mission, the human and Christian education of the young especially those most vulnerable. Increasingly, that mission will only be possible through quality formation programmes for all groups and stakeholders in the Lasallian Family and the intensification of our work in the broad and important field of vocation ministry.”
Joanne will be working closely with District Young Lasallian Council and the District Vocations Team. She will take up this full-time position in September 2021.
