Community, Service, Faith.

The start to 2024 has been as busy and joyful as ever, featuring two of the District’s signature events: the orientation and induction of Lasallian Youth Ministers, followed days later by the Lasallian Student Leaders Seminar (LSLS).

The LMS team journeyed with the 2024 cohort of Lasallian Youth Ministers to a stiflingly hot

Wiseman’s Ferry on the northern outskirts of Sydney for the annual program entitled this year as: “Gathering for the pilgrimage : Leavening” an intensive four day program from 12- 15 January. Over an interactive and collaborative three days, the LMS team accompanied Youth Ministers in discerning the importance of their work and responsibilities, sharing best practices, enjoying the camaraderie of like- minded and committed young people, preparing food and praying together for the intentions of each other and the broader hopes for the year ahead. Topics covered incorporated a range of pertinent matters under the broad umbrella of Professionalism, Processes and Protocols. Issues canvassed included, but were not limited to, the vitality of the Lasallian Youth Ministry culture; the importance of high expectations and performance of youth ministers; the privilege and responsibility of their appointments; goal setting; scenarios and how they may be handled; work site practicalities; authentic and dynamic spirituality; De La Salle; Lasallian Association; Mass and communion.

It also provided the important opportunity to prepare for the Lasallian Student Leaders Seminar which would shortly follow.

Monday afternoon, 15 January, saw the gathering of 55 Lasallian Student Leaders from a wide range of schools in Sydney and regional NSW, Melbourne, South Australia, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. After initial registrations were undertaken at St Vincent’s College (formerly De La Salle

College), Ashfield, representatives departed for The Collaroy Centre in an attractive setting on Sydney’s beautiful northern beaches. The students were accompanied by members of the LMS team, by Lasallian Youth Ministers, and by the 2024 Lasallian Volunteers for a well- planned, thorough, fun, and collaborative week delivering a highly successful contemporary program which has now been operating for the past 25 years.

The next three days were full and included a wide variety of presentations, workshops, quiet time, group activities, meals, recreation and prayer. After breakfast, each day commenced with prayer before launching into an extensive range of topics pertinent to leadership, particularly in a Lasallian context. Issues canvassed included:

• What are our core values

• Authentic leadership; what does it look like; stories and experiences of leadership

• Servant leadership

• Leading out of our values

• The Lasallian Foundation

• Tools for the leadership journey (public speaking; time management; conflict resolution; starting new initiatives; working and communicating with staff)

• Vocations

• Living up to be a leader

• Wellbeing

• The life of De La Salle

And there was time made available for meeting and greeting people from other cities, regions, States and countries. Oh, and beach time and more food.

Thursday night included the celebration of a poignant Mass, dinner, and the Student Commissioning ceremony. The following morning saw the pack-ups, numerous ‘thank you’s’, group photos and departure for Ashfield from where the homeward journeys would commence.

If the enthusiasm and good spirits of all participants were any guide LSLS 2024 was another outstanding success.

Source: Julie Alibrandi, LMC Director of Operations