Mission Assembly preparations gather pace
Preparations for the Second District Mission Assembly are continuing to gather pace with a number of significant developments over recent weeks.
Firstly, an official logo for the Mission Assembly has been approved by the District Mission Council and will be used on all material relating to the event which will take place from February 6th to 8th at the San Antonio Hotel, Bugibba, Malta in February 2023.
Also, the Assembly delegates have been identified and invitation letters from Brother Visitor, Ben Hanlon, and Director of Mission, Joe Gilson, have been sent. These individuals will represent all ministry types, all countries, and all Lasallian vocations across the diverse educational systems of the District. All Delegates, Partners and Brothers, will be engaged in a process of listening sessions, working groups, and plenary sessions. The days will be busy but rewarding as we together vision and plan for the future of Mission in the District.
The three thematic groups of the Assembly are:
1. Creating a Sustainable Organisation: This group will delve into the resources and structures required to ensure the long-term sustainability of the District’s current ministries - and, in creative fidelity to the Lasallian Charism and Founding Story, put forward recommendations on how the Lasallian Family in Ireland, Great Britain and Malta could continue to respond to the needs of the young, especially those most vulnerable and those living in poverty.
2. Sharing the Lasallian Legacy and Ethos: This group will look at updating/reviewing of the Lasallian Identity Framework, its use and promotion; a focus on how to unpack the 5 Core Principles for student bodies, parents and all educators. This group will also follow up on the Ethos Strategy Plans which all schools and centres have worked on this year.
3. Accompany Lasallians in our Communities: This group will focus on the promotion, support and development of Animators and Animation Teams across the District; increasing awareness, understanding and commitment to the fostering of intentional Lasallian communities at local, national and District level. This group will also consider how to strategise and resource the process of accompaniment, belonging and Association in the District.
Three Pre-Assembly working groups, one per theme, have also been set up. They will be initiating reflection, which will be shared widely across the District for consultation in January 2023, and in preparation for our time together in Malta. Other groups supporting the celebration of this Assembly include a Prayer and Liturgy Working Group, a Social and Community Working Group, and a Logistics/Operations Working Group. We thank in advance all those who will be supporting this work.
Over the coming weeks and months, further information will be provided, including pre-readings, to enable delegates to feel fully prepared and informed in order to contribute as fully as possible.
This is an important moment for the District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta as we reflect on how far we have travelled in our shared mission together and as we plan for an authentic, transformative and hope-filled mission in the future.