 | Christian Brothers
Midwest District
7650 S. County Line Rd.
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
630.323.3725
fax: 630.323.3779
info@cbmidwest.org |
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43RD GENERAL CHAPTER
PROPOSITIONS ON LASALLIAN MISSION
Circular 447
The following are paraphrases of the propositions. I have tried to capture the essence in fewer and more direct words than the original.
Associated for the Educational Service of the Poor
Proposition 1
To encourage and support the development of Lasallian association for the educational service of the poor, every District should organize groups of Partners, Associates, and Brothers, and groups of Partners and Associates. In accord with their specific identities, members of these groups should develop forms of Association and consider their relationship to Lasallian Mission.
Proposition 2
Regions and Districts should study ways to share the Lasallian charism with educators and young people of other faiths.
Proposition 3
The Superior General and his Council, in consultation with Regions and Districts, should organize an international meeting of Brothers, Partners, and Associates in the year 2004 or near that year, to provide a forum for sharing experiences of association, for analyzing and evaluating the process of “association” in the Lasallian world, and to present action plans for the consideration of the next General Chapter. Following this international meeting the Superior and Council should publish a report of original and significant experiences of association.
Leadership and Accompaniment Structures
Proposition 4
During the next seven years Regions and Districts should evaluate and strengthen existing forms of leadership and accompaniment offered to Partners in Lasallian establishments. They should encourage, sustain, and evaluate new structures of collaboration and association, structures that will foster new forms of commitment to the education of the poor.
Participation of Lasallian Associates in Decision-Making Structures
Concerned with Lasallian Mission
Proposition 5
On the District level Brothers and Associates should create a structure, or adapt an existing structure, in which Brothers and Associates take responsibility for Lasallian educational mission and participate with deliberative vote.
Proposition 6
In consultation with Associates, District Chapters, or Visitors and District Councils, should determine the criteria for participation of Brothers and Associates in this structure and define its relationship to the Visitor and Council. They should submit their plan to the Superior General and his Council for approval.
Proposition 7
The Superior General and his Council should create a Standing Committee for Lasallian Educational Mission. Membership should include General Councillors, representatives from Regions and Districts, and the International Secretary for Lasallian Educational Mission.
Proposition 8
This Standing Committee should convoke an International Assembly on the Lasallian Educational Mission at least once before the General Chapter of 2007. It will determine criteria for participation and propose its objectives.
Formation of Brothers and Partners for Lasallian Mission
Proposition 9
The Generalate should organize two sessions for the formation of formators during the intercapitular years. These sessions should include a study of our tradition of “association for the educational service of the poor.”
Proposition 10
The Bursar General and International Finance Committee, with approval of the Superior and his Council, should ensure that funds are available to support the formation of Partners in Regions, Districts, Sub-Districts, and Delegations with limited resources.
Proposition 11
Programs of formation throughout the Lasallian world should include a period of first-hand experience in the education of the poor. This experience should be substantial, sufficiently long, and accompanied.
The Educational Service of the Poor
Proposition 12
To strengthen educational service of the poor, Visitors and Councils should evaluate the existing reality of such service in the District. They should engage Brothers and Associates in analyzing this data and in developing a plan of action aimed at strengthening programs and activities. This plan should be formulated within three years. A report of this evaluation, analysis, and plan of action will be studied at a meeting of Visitors with the Superior General and Council.
Evangelization
Proposition 13
District or inter-District committees should be established to promote reflection, leadership, and coordination in our mission of evangelization: specifically in the pastoral ministry of youth, Lasallian Youth groups, and the initial and ongoing formation of youth leaders. Each committee will submit a report and evaluation of its activity to the Superior General during the year 2003.
Urgent Needs: the Rights of the Child
Proposition 14
Every District should make the rights of the child a major focus of concern in its plan of action. It should appoint at least one Brother or Partner to 1) promote cooperation with local organizations committed to the rights of the child, 2) research violations of the rights of children at the local level, 3) alert local authorities of violations, 4) ensure that District schools and universities teach and observe the rights of the child, and 5) maintain communication with the International Secretariat for Lasallian Educational Mission.
Urgent Needs: Educational Renewal
Proposition 15
The International Secretariat for Lasallian Educational Mission should establish a network of communication among Brothers and Partners, employing the new technologies. The purpose of the network is to provide a structure for the sharing of information, ideas, and research, particularly in the areas of 1) the rights of the child, 2) formation of faith communities, 3) promotion of justice and peace, and 4) pedagogical innovation. For this purpose the International Secretariat will establish working teams of Brothers and Partners to deal with priority concerns and will organize periodic international meetings of the members of these teams.
Urgent Needs: Explicit Proclamation of the Faith
Proposition 16
Before the end of the year 2001, Regional Coordinators, in collaboration with Districts, should establish a committee to 1) adapt language and methods to help youth of the 21st century grow in the life of faith; 2) share information among religious educators; 3) increase opportunities for youth to serve the poor; and 4) offer advice on the training and guidance of Brothers and Partners involved in faith education. At least every three years this committee should evaluate its work with the Regional Coordinator and the Visitors.
The Brothers
Proposition 20
Visitors should help Brothers who have reached legal retirement age or the end of their professional career to discover new forms of apostolic activity, by preference educational ministries for the poor.
Proposition 21
The Superior General and his Council should compile a list of places where legally retired Brothers can contribute to the educational service of the poor.
Proposition 22
To enable Brothers, especially young Brothers, to work in the education of the poor, Districts should evaluate the present work of the Brothers, draw up a plan reflecting future changes in their deployment, and determine what needs changing in the governing structures of the District.
Drafted by Bro. John Johnston, FSC
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