Lasallian Best Practices (2)

Following on from the Lasallian best practices shared by some Brothers and Partners from various Districts during the last Cluster visit, in this second instalment we share three initiatives from the Arlep, Lwanga and Antillas-Mexico South Districts.

“One of the good practices of the Antillas-Mexico Sur District in the area of Association for the Lasallian Educational Mission is our Lasallian formation workshop, which we know as Forla”, says Jorge Luis Cuétara. It consists of “a series of workshops whose sequence sets out a programme for all Lasallians in our District, beginning with ‘what do we mean when we speak of La Salle’: Culture of vocations, Lasallian charism, Lasallian Association, Celebration and Liturgy, Lasallian Spirituality”. 

Currently, this workshop has been and is being delivered on a regular basis in the four countries that make up the District: Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Southern Mexico. “Periodically, workshops are held so that those who have completed this programme can be trained as formators, to replicate the workshop, and in this way its impact can be multiplied to reach as many people as possible within our wider Lasallian community”, notes Jorge Luis.

In the case of the Lwanga District, in terms of best practices, “our strength comes from diversity”, explains the Brother Visitor. “We collaborate not only within the District, but with a wider network”, continues Br. Betre Fisseha, explaining that “we have strong collaboration with different congregations”, such as “the Mother Teresa Sisters, with whom we work and educate students with HIV in our centres; in South Africa, with the Sisters of the Holy Cross; and beyond that, with lay people”. 

Similarly, in the Lwanga District there are “structured programmes that attract candidates from outside the District” to take part in initial formation as future Brothers of the Christian Schools. “With all this, the District is embarking on a new mission and we hope that the collaboration we have with the Institute, the Lasallian world, the RELAF Districts and beyond RELAF will help us to continue with this mission”, asserts Br. Betre.

Finally, Lidia Rey Lillo shares that “a good practice in the Arlep District of Spain and Portugal, to facilitate [formation in] identity, is Lasallian communities; Lasallian communities with varying degrees of involvement and commitment”. 

“We are working to ensure that every educational institution has an intentional community – a group of people, including educators, teachers, non-teaching staff, families and young people – who meet regularly to grow in faith, fellowship and service”, says Lidia, adding that “if they can be supported, where possible, by a Brother from the educational institution or a nearby one, that would be ideal, and always supported by the Animation Teams of the relevant Sector”. 

In the Arlep District there are various types of Lasallian communities: “of Brothers, of Brothers and Associates, with a public commitment and without a public commitment, and Lasallian communities of Associates”, concludes Lidia. “It is also a way of sharing faith, spirituality, fraternity and mission, developing a shared community project and carrying out this work together”. 

Find out more HERE about other Lasallian best practices in the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.