Partners 2022

Me Maumahara tātou ka tū tātou i te aroaro o te Atua

Let us remember we are in the Holy Presence of God

Recently the New Zealand Sector held the annual Lasallian Partners meeting in Hamilton, Aotearoa.

Over the years this meeting has grown from a small group coming together to discuss our Mission in New Zealand and within ANZPPNG to this gathering of Brothers, Partners and Students, sixty-five in total. Our three schools and Brother’s community joined to delve into “Creating a New Lasallian Map.”

We began the day with a beautiful liturgy led by our young people. Our Icon, gifted to the three Lasallian schools of Aotearoa was brought forward and took centre stage as we began our day.

We were blesed to be able to zoom in Br Louis DeThomasis and Br Raymond Blixt , the co-authors of this book. Br Louis is the President Emeritus of St Mary’s University, Minnesota and Br Ray works from Manhatten College in New York. They spoke for about twenty minutes each and broke down the different chapters for us.

After a very collegial morning tea we regathered for a second session. We had organised for Br Larry Goyette from the Brother’s Community in the Bronx, New York to speak to the students who were with us but in the end we all stayed to listen to him speak. Br Larry began the San Miguel schools 30 years ago. He spoke clearly about seeing need and taking a risk to meet that need. His words eloquently echoed the words of our Founder, that “imperceptibly and by divine providence” we can be led to meet the needs we see in our society. This was a practical example of the messages found in “Creating a New Lasallian Map.”

After a beautifully cooked buffet lunch we moved into small groups to look more closely at the first six Chapters.

Our students were given Chapter 6, “Mapping Paths to an Inclusive World and Church,” and then the three student groups all presented back to the adults in the room. Our Lasallian Mission is in good hands moving forward with these wonderful young people very clear in their knowledge of a world that needs their understanding of “God’s Kingdom come on earth as it is heaven.”

As Lasallian Partners in Aotearoa we are very blessed to be able to work so closely with our Brothers in continuing the Lasallian Mission in our own country and through our Sector

Click HERE to watch a short video from the event.

Saint John Baptist De La Salle                     Pray for Us

Hato Hoani Papita De La Salle                    Inoia Mātou

Live Jesus in our Hearts                                Forever

Kei roto a Hehu Karaiti o tātou ngākau    Mo ake tonu atu

(Author: Anna Zsigovits-Mace)