From 21 to 23 October, 136 student leaders from sixteen Lasallian schools across Ireland, England and Malta gathered for Mission Possible: Builders of a Better World, the first District-wide Student Leadership programme. The event was made possible because of the generosity of the Brothers of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta. Over three days, the students reflected on Lasallian leadership and faith formation, and how they are called to be change makers in their schools and communities. There was also time for reflection and discernment on vocation.
The programme opened on Wednesday evening with a welcome and opening prayer, followed by a session on De La Salle, what is means to be a Lasallian Leader today and discovering a vocation with Br Jorge Sierra, FSC. from the Lasallian District of ARLEP (Spain and Portugal)
On Thursday, Br Chris Patiño, FSC, who serves as a General Councilor, gave a keynote address that challenged the young people through an engaging presentation focused on “Building a More Fraternal World: Young Lasallians as Change Makers.”
Each student took part in three Skills Building workshops. They were given the opportunity to choose from: Discovering your Leadership Style, Growth Mindset, Diversity and Inclusion in Leadership, Goal Setting and Meditation, Conflict Resolution and Restorative Practices, Social Justice and our Call as Lasallian Leaders, Discerning our Purpose, and Dynamic Celebration of the Word and Prayer Services.
Alongside the workshops and keynote sessions, the students met daily in eleven small groups to reflect on the experience with students from different schools, each accompanied by one of the Volunteers from Kintbury. Students also had the chance to share best practices in building Lasallian Identity from their schools. The days also made room for reflection time, prayer, and evenings of fun and games
The programme closed with a commissioning, sending students home as builders of a better world.
Chelsea Catli, Youth and Volunteers Coordinator, said of the programme……. “It is an important opportunity for young people to come together and see not just what our ‘new normal’ is but to be empowered to see and contribute to our ‘new possible.’ The three-day programme did not just bring student leaders together under one roof, but planted the seeds of building a community that believes in a better world.”
The District is grateful to the students and staff of the sixteen schools who took part, to the team at St Cassian’s Centre, and to all who led and accompanied the programme over the three days.
