In preparation for the May 2013 International Mission Assembly in Rome, the 17 RELAN delegates met July 29-30 in Chicago, IL. The group began work on a report that will be submitted prior to the assembly. It assesses how the Region has implemented the recommendations to the 2006 Assembly, and examines the current challenges facing the Lasallian Mission in the Region. Each Region will prepare a similar report.
The delegates also formed three groups around the assembly themes: Lasallian Pedagogy with Dr. Roxanne Eubanks, Dr. William Hudson, Janell Kloosterman, James Logan, and Heather Ruple; Evangelization and Pastoral Ministry with Brother Michael French, Charles Legendre, Maryann Donohue-Lynch, Dr. Maggie McCarty, Brother Frederick Mueller, and Emily Vogel; and Educational Community with Catherine Dery, Brother James Joost, Alisa Macksey, Janet Ruggiero, Denis de Villers, and Alan Weyland. Greg Kopra and Charlie Kitson are members of the Preparatory Commission since they serve on the Lasallian Family and Association International Council.
The 2013 International Mission Assembly is the Institute’s second assembly of its kind with the overall theme “One Family, One Mission: Lasallians Associated for the Educational Service of the Poor.” The purpose is to establish an authentic means of collaboration and direction setting for the Lasallian Mission in the world.
The assembly will have 140 delegates with representatives from each of the five Regions based on the number of students in schools and ministries of each Region. Outcomes of the assembly will be presented at the 45th General Chapter in 2014.