The Commission on Evangelization held its first in-person meeting on Tuesday, March 19th through Thursday, March 21st 2024 at the Generalate in Rome.
Commission members María José de la Roca (District MEL/Curriculum, Programs, and Interculturality Assistant Central America-Panama District, Central Headquarters), Brother Michael Valenzuela (Pofessor and Lasallian animator at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Philippines), and Charlie Legendre (AFSC, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Lasallian District of San Francisco New Orleans, USA) were joined at various sessions by General Councilor Brother Ricky Laguda and Brother Sergio Leal, as well as by Brother Superior General Armin Luistro.
The Commission also had the opportunity to meet with Oscar Elizade Prada and his staff at the Generalate of the Office of Information and Communication to discuss their vision for communications and for future communication needs anticipated by the Commission.
In previous Zoom meetings, the Commission members explored the direction provided by the International Assembly of the Lasallian Educational Mission (III AIMEL) and the 46th General Chapter concerning the spiritual needs of young people in our contemporary context. In addition, the call from Pope Francis for the Church to adopt a synodal path – a path of listening, dialogue, welcoming, and encounter – shaped our discernment on evangelization today. After sharing descriptions of the religious landscape in our own Districts and Regions, the Commission identified four priorities: listening, accompaniment, Lasallian spirituality, and a holistic sense of vocation. We devoted the concluding sessions of our meetings to formulating recommendations and their expected outcomes.
The work of the Commission on Evangelization continues the work of announcing the Gospel in innovative ways to those whom we serve. This first in-person gathering was a wonderful step forward in envisioning how our Lasallian Family might join together in efforts to meet the spiritual needs of young people.
