Lasallian Leaders’ Gathering 2024: A Reflection and Recap

A large contingent of Lasallian leaders descended on Adelaide from 3- 5 March for the annual Lasallian Leaders’ Gathering (LLG) from 3- 5 March 2024. Hosted by St Michael’s College, the gathering drew Lasallians from each of the District’s four Sectors: Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea for three days of personal and professional enrichment. Following the commencement Mass in the College chapel, hospitality and dinner provided the opportunity for

friendships to be renewed and new colleagues to be introduced. It was pleasing to note the number of colleagues for whom it was their first LLG. The first day of business commenced with a prayerful reflection from Julie Alibrandi, LMS’s Director of Operations, before moving to three keynote addresses:

• Ms Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and Young People, South Australia

• Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education, South Australia

• Ms Anna Zsigovits- Mace, Assistant Principal, Special Character, Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth (NZ)

All three keynotes were powerful in their presentation, touching on issues surrounding young people today, Catholic Education and Lasallian Spirituality.

Two separate sessions of interactive workshops also took place during the day and provided opportunities for our esteemed Lasallian Educators namely: Emma Chater, Elissa Burden, Br Rory Higgins fsc, Susan Cameron, Peter Meers, Ria Greene, Giovanaa Fiume and Roxana Davies, to share knowledge on topics including “Immersing students in faith by enabling service opportunities”; “Five capacities needed to be an even better Lasallian”; “Diver resources for making meaning in Stage 4 and 5 Religious Education:  building literacy and collective efficacy”; “The Leavening Project”; and “In the spirit of our Lasallian DNA, how to provide opportunities to connect with our charism and truly resonate with students”.

Dinner took place that night in a beautiful hotel setting, on the Fleurieu Peninsula overlooking Sellicks Beach and Aldinga Bay. It was a great way to enjoy Lasallian company after an intensive day of professional development.

The following day commenced with a thoughtful reflection by LMS’s Br Raymond Khan on the late Br Gerard Rummery fsc, before a keynote address by Reg Crawford, renowned leader and story teller who spoke of leadership and decision- making under pressure.

An enjoyable and thought- provoking panel, Mission in Focus, hosted by Julie Alibrandi, followed where Lasallian leaders representing the four Sectors shared ideas around how Mission is delivered in their respective countries and portfolios. It provided an engaging opportunity and international perspective for delegates.

The occasion was taken to present a short session on DLS-CAN which will be launched in Sydney on 14 June 2024. Similar opportunities are planned for other Australian cities during the year.

An interesting and entertaining student panel Lasallian DNA- Where is your focus? followed. Students ranging in age from Grade 6 to seniors responded to questions seeking their views on just what it means to be Lasallian. LLG concluded with some closing remarks from Br Timothy, Visitor, and from Tony Daley, SMC Principal, before delegates bid farewells.

In response to two questions:

• What has the LLG experience meant for your own journey, personally, professionally and spiritually? And

• What are your key takeaways for your community or ministry? the success of the 2024 LLG may be fairly gauged by reference to a sample of delegates’ evaluations:

• “Connections. Best practice in Lasallian schools. Community.”

• “Connection, collaboration, sharing around ethos & charism. Reminder of

• what’s important in leadership in a Lasallian setting”.

• “Renewal and reinforcement of our mission and the importance of being a

• community and not a lot of individuals going it alone”.

• “LLG has provided ideas on how we can be suing members of the Lasallian

• community as role models for our students. It has reignited a passion for

• ensuring all staff at our school are aware of their responsibilities to carry and

• enliven the Lasallian values so they become evident to all students”

• “That there is hope when it comes to connecting students with their faith”

• “The importance of student voice”

• “The importance of keeping young people, especially those on the periphery,

• front and centre of my ministry”

• “That there are Lasallian schools doing amazing things that our school can

• connect to”

• “…being authentic to the vision of John Baptist De La Salle”

Source: Julie Alibrandi, Lasallian Mission Services.