Johnston Cohort V Concludes with Capstones and Commissioning

In their final session, nearly 50 Lasallians presented capstone projects before graduating from the program and concluding their two-year formation journey in the Brother John Johnston Institute of Contemporary Lasallian Practice.

Beginning in summer 2024, the Regional formation program covered topics such as the founding story; Lasallian pedagogy; evangelization; Lasallian vocation, spirituality and association; promotion of justice; and educational service with the poor.

Julian Elorduy, religious studies teacher at Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California, said that his understanding of Lasallian spirituality deepened through the Johnston Institute. During the program, “I have been grateful for moments of genuine encounter and intellectual insight. These moments have helped me reflect more deeply on the foundations of Lasallian spirituality and its relevance in the contemporary educational environment,” he said.

The program welcomed participants spanning different ministries, roles and prior Lasallian formation backgrounds.

Anna O’Neill came to the program from Catalyst Circle Rock, a public K-8 charter school in Chicago, that holistically focuses on both rigorous academic curriculum and social-emotional development. The school is secular, yet the mission of “teaching minds and touching hearts” is Lasallian.

O’Neill felt welcome at Johnston, stating, “the ethos and heart of the Catalyst schools continue to keep us tethered to the rich Lasallian history. This awareness and connection to the greater community supports my role at my ministry by constantly reflecting upon my ‘why,’ grounding myself in my ministry.”

She found wisdom in the collaborative community of Lasallians throughout her time in the program. Particularly through the “Parmenie walks” — where participants walked and reflected in pairs in the style of the early Christian Brothers — she was reaffirmed that the work of an educator is not “to be conducted in isolation, but in partnership to hold the space and problem solve the challenges that impact our ministries.”

These final March gatherings met by District and included presentations from Dr. Jan Mines, AFSC, and Dr. Sue Skinner. Participants also presented their capstone projects.

For her capstone project, Anna Capizzi, director of communications at Christian Brothers Conference, led a communications preconference held prior to the Huether 2025 conference. She hoped the project would “inspire others to pursue and lead career-specific formation efforts in their own ministries.”

Each gathering concluded with a commissioning service that included reflections from their respective District accompaniers, time for prayer and a certificate of completion. Graduates were also gifted a copy of “Meditations for the Time of Retreat: A Lasallian Home Retreat” by Brother Vincent Pelletier, FSC.

After receiving their certificates, the graduates recited: “As a graduate of the Johnston Institute, we commit to exercising mission influence in our ministries. Through our continued prayer, study, reflection and dialogue, we strive to deeply animate our shared mission on the local level and within the broader Lasallian family.”

O’Neill said this program has reminded her to pour into herself “to continue carrying out my mission and purpose as an educator.”

“It was an honor to meet such dedicated educators committed to living out the Lasallian mission creatively and faithfully across the Region,” Capizzi said, and added that she found the program experience moving and enriching both personally and professionally.

Elorduy said, “The connections formed through this program will lead to lifelong friendships and continued collaboration with fellow Lasallians who share a common commitment to the mission.”

Registration is open now for the newest cohort of the Johnston Institute through May 8. The sixth cohort will begin with a Regional gathering at Lewis University July 13-16, 2026.

Learn more about the Brother John Johnston Institute and register here

Select capstone projects will soon be posted on the Lasallian Resource Center’s website.

Brother Gregory Flynn, FSC, of the District of Eastern North America, died on March 27, 2026, at De La Salle Hall in Lincroft, New Jersey. He was 90 years old and served 71 years of religious life.

FUNERAL ARRANGMENTS
Tuesday, April 7
9:00 a.m., Visitation
10:00 a.m., Funeral Mass
De La Salle Hall
810 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738

MILESTONES
Born: John David Flynn, Oct. 9, 1935, New York, NY
Entered juniorate: Aug. 30, 1950, Barrytown, NY
Entered novitiate: July 1, 1954, Barrytown, NY
Received religious habit and name Andrew Gregory: Sept. 7, 1954
Pronounced perpetual vows: 1960, Barrytown, NY

ASSIGNMENTS
1955, scholasticate, Troy, NY; Washington, DC
1959, Sacred Heart School, Bronx, NY
1961, Saint Augustine Elementary School, Bronx, NY
1966, La Salle School, Albany, NY
1969, Nativity School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1972, Saint Mary’s High School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1974, Saint Joseph’s High School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1975, La Salle School, Albany, NY
1977, Lincoln Hall, Lincolndale, NY
1980, Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center, Santa Fe NM, first semester
1981, Salve Regina College, Newport, RI
1982, Ethiopian Catholic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, secretariat
2006, Addis Hope Street Children Program, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2011, De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ, resident
2012, Addis Hope Street Children Program, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2019, Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ, resident
2026, De La Salle Hall, Lincroft, NJ, resident

By Matt J. Nowakowski, Ed.D.

The mornings at Mount La Salle began quietly. Before the conversations unfolded and before we were thinking and speaking of Lasallian spirituality, there was the air — sweet with jasmine and roses, heavy with the promise of an early spring. That sensory invitation mirrored what many of us had come seeking: a renewed discussion of Lasallian spirituality. From March 17–22, 2026, 11 Lasallian thought leaders and seven Spirituality Fellows from the Lasallian Region of North America gathered in Napa, California, not to define Lasallian spirituality in the abstract, but to recognize it again where it already lives — among us, between us, inspired by Scripture and within our shared experience.

What emerged through community prayer, meals and discussion was a strikingly consistent realization: Lasallian spirituality is learned through accompaniment. Before it ever becomes theological language or institutional vocabulary, it is encountered as presence — someone walking alongside us when we are not yet sure where we are going. Many of us could trace our own Lasallian formation not to a text or program, but to a Brother, a mentor, a colleague who stayed close enough for us to notice how they listened, how they spoke, how they paid attention. We were, as one participant named it, “caught before we were taught.”

Across our varied roles — as educators, researchers, administrators and formation leaders — the ministry of presence surfaced as the unifying thread. Teaching, especially, was described as an intervention in the contemporary crisis of attention. To teach in the Lasallian tradition is to insist that students understand that their experiences matter, and that education must touch both intellect and interiority. Research and leadership were likewise named as vocational expressions of accompaniment, holding together fidelity to mission with attentiveness to complex and often paradoxical institutional and human realities.

The Emmaus story (Lk 24:13-35) returned again and again as a shared theological grammar. Jesus does not rush the disciples toward clarity; he walks with them in confusion, listens to their grief, and allows recognition to emerge in its own time. In this light, accompaniment is neither passive nor permissive. It is intentional, demanding sustained presence, patience and trust in God’s work already unfolding. As Lasallian educators, we are not initiators of mission so much as participants — joining what God is already doing in our students, our institutions and our world.

A particularly hopeful dimension of our gathering was the emphasis on intergenerational accompaniment. Stories surfaced of Brothers intentionally transferring leadership to younger educators and Partners, not out of necessity but out of confidence in the future of the charism. At the core of our educational mission, the importance of holistic development and full engagement of youth was highlighted. This reframing challenges us to ask how Lasallian spirituality can shape professional life beyond education — in business, engineering, politics and public service — forming graduates who do not merely succeed within existing systems but who work to transform them.

Equally important was the distinction drawn between accompaniment and indoctrination. In increasingly pluralistic and secular contexts, Lasallian spirituality must be offered as invitation, never imposition. Participants spoke candidly about resistance rooted in fear — fear of religious language, of coercion, of dependence. The image that resonated most strongly was that of the educator as icon rather than idol: one who does not draw attention to self, but who points beyond themselves toward transcendence. True formation, we acknowledged, requires interior conversion — freedom from ego, control and self-interest — because the liberation of others begins with our own.

Throughout the week, spirituality and professional practice were never separated. God’s presence was named in classrooms, committee meetings, ethical dilemmas, and moments of institutional fatigue. Listening — deep, sustained listening to God, to students, and to one another — was named as a defining spiritual discipline. Obedience, in this sense, was understood not as compliance but as perseverance in attentiveness. To listen is an act of charity.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Lasallian education was not measured by institutional longevity alone, but by its capacity to accompany people across the arc of their lives. Schools, we agreed, are communities of formation — spaces where reverence for the human person, compassion, discernment and responsibility can be cultivated. In a world marked by fragmentation and distraction, accompaniment stands as a quietly radical expression of Lasallian spirituality, holding together transcendence and fraternity, tradition and adaptive growth. At Mount La Salle, surrounded by emerging spring, we were reminded that this mission remains alive precisely because it is shared — and because it continues to walk with others, one step at a time.

Matt J. Nowakowski, Ed.D. is managing editor of AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education.

Invited thought leaders included:
Brother John Cantwell, FSC
Edmund Chia
Brother Alejandro González, FSC
Brother Ricardo Laguda, FSC
Brother William Mann, FSC
Margaret McGuinness
Brother Pierre Outtara, FSC
Alfred Pang
Brother Robert Schieler, FSC
Brother Michael Valenzuela, FSC
Brother George Van Grieken, FSC

The Lasallian Spirituality Fellows are inaugural members of an 18-month program that engages with Lasallian spirituality and theological texts, De La Salle’s writings, their call to educate and accompany the young, and more. Fellows include:
Tony Behan
Brother Dennis Cronin, FSC
Tom Devlin
Holly Hoey Germann
Brother Nick Gonzalez, FSC
Susan Major
Chris Winiarski

Staff:
Sarah Laitinen
Matt Nowakowski
Tom Southard

A comprehensive statistical report for the 2025-2026 academic year in the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) is now available. Conducted by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate in partnership with Christian Brothers Conference, the report begins with an executive summary and is then divided into detailed sections focused on elementary and secondary schools, higher education, educational centers, youth and family services, and support ministries. The report also provides District and Regional information and a census of the Christian Brothers in the RELAN.

Read the full report here.

The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools has released a new MEL Bulletin 66 titled “Some ’New’ Virtues of a Good Teacher.” In the bulletin, Brother Gabriele Di Giovanni, FSC, Visitor of the District of Italy, expands upon the “12 Virtues of a Good Teacher” and proposes creativity, depth and vision as new virtues in addition to the original 12 — gravity, silence, humility, prudence, wisdom, patience, reserve, gentleness, zeal, vigilance, piety and generosity.

In the introduction, Brother Gabriele considers the contexts in which the original virtues were created and looks to 2020 document, “The Declaration on Lasallian Educational Mission: Challenges, Convictions, Hopes,” for three new virtues that address the changing nature of modern education. He unpacks creativity as a virtue in the first chapter, where he debunks misconceptions of its limitations, explains its universality and details how educators can tend to this virtue in practice. In the second chapter, Brother Gabriele discusses depth in its many meanings and states that it is a requirement for teachers today. Finally in the third chapter, he emphasizes the virtue of vision in educators, recognizing them as agents of change and innovation.

Read the full bulletin.

More than 130 presidents, principals and board chairs attended the 2026 Lasallian Association of Secondary School Chief Administrators (LASSCA) conference in Houston, Texas, March 1-4. Themed “Anchored in Faith: Leading Lasallian Schools Amid a Shifting Society,” the conference offered chief administrators the opportunity to deepen their formation while also exploring the evolving needs of their educational communities.

LASSCA 2026 Planning Committee

The conference began with an opening Mass, followed by remarks by LASSCA vice president, Dr. Chris Fulco, president of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, New York. The Brother Michael Collins Award of Excellence, which recognizes excellence in a Lasallian secondary school and exemplifies the values, standards and passions of Brother Michael, was presented to the Common Ground program at Cretin-Derham Hall in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Common Ground is a specialized, fully integrated academic and social program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Launched in 2024 with two inaugural students who have Down Syndrome and 44 mentors, the program is rooted in the Lasallian charism and offers educational opportunity and personalized structure.

Monday began with prayer and a business meeting led by LASSCA president Joey Scaffidi, AFSC, president of Christian Brothers School in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the meeting, Scaffidi thanked LASSCA immediate past president Mona Passman, principal of Cretin-Derham Hall, for her service and presented her with a gift. The association also nominated and elected John Harrington, principal of Saint Patrick High School in Chicago, Illinois, as the next LASSCA vice president.

Tom Southard, executive director of Christian Brothers Conference then offered remarks and thanked Scaffidi and Fulco for their service and leadership with LASSCA.

Gold-level sponsor Christian Brothers Investment Services introduced the day’s keynote speaker, Brother Superior General Armin Luistro, FSC. In his address, Brother Armin drew inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic letter “Drawing New Maps of Hope,” in which the pope insists that in the face of challenges, educational communities be guided by Christ’s word and respond with creativity, new possibilities, professional training, youth ministry and research.

“We cannot simply reply on the old master plan; instead we must begin educating in motion – that is, innovate and adapt in real-time, especially in navigating complex, future-oriented challenges,” Brother Armin said. He posed the questions: “How can we act locally but think globally?” and “Are we ready to share our insights, but also sit, listen and learn from the experience of others” outside of the U.S.?

Following the keynote, members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian School’s General Council, Brothers Chris Patiño, Rafael Céron, and Carlos Gómez, joined Brother Armin in a “Lasallian conversation” reflecting on the keynote’s message with the audience.

Dr. Melinda Lawlor Skrade, president at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, California, reflecting on the keynote, said, “Most of these leaders think globally. There’s a challenge to transfer those insights locally, and each of us has a privileged opportunity to do just one thing, and by doing just one thing, things could be very different by next year.”

Kevin Dougherty, executive vice president at La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, also appreciated the Superior General’s global perspective and added that “the power of this conference is networking with other school leaders. … We need to create more time and space to share best practices across all divisions of Lasallian education.”

Monday’s schedule also included District meetings and four breakout sessions on Lasallian spirituality, crisis communications, changes in college athletics, and enrollment strategies.

One point from the Lasallian spirituality session that stood out for Jeb Myers, president at Cretin-Derham Hall, was the emphasis that Saint John Baptist de La Salle was a “responsible, pragmatic person who was very committed discerning what God’s will was. That’s something important for us all in education, to both be pragmatic, but also listen for what God’s will is for our students and our communities.”

Ian MacInnes, principal at Saint John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., attended the crisis communications session. With an undergraduate degree in communications and a master’s in education, MacInnes said he was looking for ways to further elevate school communications.

One takeaway from the session, he said, was the idea of prewritten templates and draft messages to aid in community preparedness “so that when things do pop up that you had no idea were coming down the pipeline, you’re at least a little bit more prepared than you were before.”

A popular breakout session was “Name, Image and Likeness” that focused on the transformation of college athletics. Jack Wallace, principal at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, explained that one new change for football players is “the dynamic of students wanting to leave (high school) to attend college early.”

How do schools navigate a situation where a university tells “a student they will receive X amount of dollars to come to university in January and then Y amount if they come in May, incentivizing students to leave early and thus putting a strain on Lasallian schools,” Wallace said, relaying a point from the session.

On Tuesday morning, New York Times bestselling author and TED speaker, Julie Lythcott-Haims gave a keynote address titled “Your Unique Role in Helping Kids Thrive.” Lythcott-Haims motivated the audience to remember their “why” – Why did I become a teacher? Why did I go into this subject or path?

She identified certain modern parenting behaviors that can lead young people to struggle with anxiety, confidence and a lack of resilience. Through personal stories and research-based insights, Lythcott-Haims offered recommendations that educators can try when building autonomy in students: treat each student with kindness and dignity; practice “mirror listening,” i.e., repeat what a student has said to validate their experience; encourage students in their ability to handle their current situation; and ask if they want advice before offering it.

Nicole Freeman, principal at La Salle Academy in New York, New York, said one takeaway from the keynote was how to help parents not “get in the way of their children.”

“Often we tell the kids, ‘You’re getting in your own way,’” said Freeman, but the keynote shed light on the fact that “we’re here to educate the students, but we also need to educate the parents” through more consistent outreach even after freshmen year. “Part of our mission is: How are we helping these families get a quality education?”

The 2027 LASSCA conference will convene in Anaheim, California, Feb. 28- March 3.

Applications for the new Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows program are open now through May 1. Applicants will be notified of their status by June 1.

Christian Brothers Conference has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for those considering applying to the program.

Beginning September 2026, the program will invite participants to deepen their knowledge of Lasallian pedagogy while engaging in three in-person sessions and 10 virtual sessions over 18 months. The inaugural cohort will accompany one another on a journey as fellow learners by exploring where we come from as Lasallian educators while prayerfully considering how and why Lasallian educators continue to be relevant in meeting the needs of young people today. In community, participants will discern how their personal vocation aligns with the underlying and overarching principles and historical impact of the Lasallian educational mission. Together they will enhance and sustain an understanding of contemporary Lasallian pedagogy.

The inaugural group will be led by Dr. Michael Daniels, director of education for the District of San Francisco New Orleans.

Apply today.

Visit the Fellows webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m trying to decide between Buttimer and the Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows. Which should I choose?

The Lasallian Pedagogy Fellows program is an advanced, in-depth study in contemporary Lasallian Pedagogy. The successful applicant will likely have completed the Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies or another advanced formation program (CIL, Brothers’ formation, etc.) and will have an advanced degree or certificate in education.

What are the dates?

The 10 Zoom sessions will be scheduled once the cohort is set but will likely be in the late afternoon / early evening, so as not to conflict with ministerial commitments. We ask you to set aside 90 minutes for each Zoom session so that the conversations do not go longer than that.

The three in-person dates will be as follows: Sept. 25-27 (Chicago, IL); March 2027 (TBD) and February 2028 (TBD).

I heard about the Spirituality Fellows program. Can I do both?

In 2025, Christian Brothers Conference launched the Lasallian Spirituality Fellows program, which closely parallels the Pedagogy Fellows program. The next cohort of the Spirituality Fellows is expected to begin in August 2027. Each program is designed to be an immersive experience that requires time, reflection and commitment. To ensure participants can fully engage with the content of each program, we encourage applicants to choose the one that best fits your current interests and needs and consider applying to the other in a future year.

How many people will be accepted?

We anticipate a first cohort of 10 to 12 fellows. This small group will allow for deeper relationships, a richer learning experience and more meaningful conversations.

What if I’m not accepted? Will I have another chance in the future?

Yes. This is our inaugural cohort. We plan to run this program regularly.

How do I make sure my application is strong enough?

We want to understand your background, and your interest in the program. Why does this matter to you, and how will you use it to benefit your ministry, your District or the Lasallian educational mission? We will take your personal philosophy of education and your recommendation letter very seriously.

Is there actually no cost?

Christian Brothers Conference is covering the cost of the facilitator, presenters, the books that you will be read (which will be sent to you throughout the program), and the facilities and meals during the in-person sessions. You or your ministry is required to cover the cost of travel to the three in-person sessions.

Can I be a presenter on Lasallian pedagogy when I complete the program?

Most likely. Our hope is that the fellows will have an expertise in Lasallian pedagogy that will help them to support Lasallians, ministries and initiatives important to the Institute. They might be invited to speak at schools, they might author reflections or articles, or they might support ministry, District or Regional formation programs.

Questions?

Any questions on the program may be sent to Sarah Laitinen, director of education and formation, at slaitinen@cbconf.org.

By Dr. Kurt Schackmuth

The following essay is adapted from a presentation that Dr. Schackmuth offered as part of the third “Cluster Visit” that took place at the Generalate in Rome, Italy, Feb. 16-20. More than 30 Christian Brothers and Lasallian Partners from 10 Districts and Sectors across the Institute joined the Superior General and his Council to discuss synodality, governance, association, vocation and formation.

“Be sure to spend some time with the Christian Brothers. They’re good men and they were very kind to me when your father died.” My mom offered this counsel as I began my undergraduate studies at Lewis University in the fall of 1993. Enrolling at the institution where my father, a sociology professor, had taught for 14 years before his untimely death from leukemia at age 39, carried deep personal significance. Yet it was my experience living alongside the Christian Brothers at De La Salle Hall, a student residence integrated with a community of retired Brothers, that proved to be especially formative and life-shaping.

As a student at De La Salle Hall, we shared meals each day with the retired Brothers of Christian Brothers Center, attended Mass with the community, and participated in social gatherings that brought us all together. Our encounters with these retired teachers and administrators were marked by conversation, hospitality, friendship and storytelling. They provided an education and “early Lasallian formation” for me that extended well beyond classroom and campus ministry experiences.

After graduation, I accepted an entry level office assistant position at Lewis working alongside Dr. Stephany Schlachter, then-vice president for mission and planning, and Brother James Gaffney, FSC, then-president. Their mentorship introduced me to what we now call “mission integration” work in Catholic higher education and laid a strong foundation for my growth as a Lasallian higher education executive.

My initial formation was soon strengthened through participation in the more formal and intensive three-year Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California in the early 2000s. That experience contributed significantly to the development of my Lasallian identity. I am blessed to have learned from some of the most respected figures in Lasallian scholarship and formation, including Brothers Luke Salm, Gus Loes, Gerard Rummery, Jeffrey Calligan, William Mann, and Don Mouton, along with Mimi McCaul, AFSC. They have all had a lasting impact on my knowledge and understanding of the Lasallian charism.

One does not, of course, “become Lasallian” simply through participation in a formation program. The very notion of becoming Lasallian resists precise definition, as it reflects not a destination but an ongoing journey shaped by lived experience, meaningful relationships, and sustained formation and professional development over time. Much like the Founder himself, I was led step by step, often in ways that were not immediately apparent or fully anticipated. Now, nearly 30 years into my service at Lewis University, and shaped by countless opportunities for professional growth, formation and generous accompaniment, I have come to a deeper understanding of what it has meant for me to “become Lasallian.”

I am fully aware that my own journey has been distinctive and that each person comes to participate in the Lasallian mission in unique and particular ways. Reflecting on my own story reminds me of the importance of accompanying others as they “become Lasallian.” This conviction is what gives such depth and meaning to my responsibilities related to hiring, orientation, formation, accompaniment, and vocation exploration in my work at Lewis University, as well as in my roles as a Regional formator and CIAMEL (International Council for Lasallian Association and the Educational Mission) delegate.

When reflecting on Lasallian identity, formation, accompaniment and vocation, it is evident that these dimensions of our charism have undergone significant growth and development over time. The vitality of the mission is reflected in a robust body of recent Institute documents that both extend and enrich our historic foundational “core texts.” Equally important has been the increased involvement and deepened commitment of lay Partners, evident in the expanding influence of structures such as MEL/mission councils, Institute councils and commissions, the ministry of Lasallian animators, three AIMEL (International Assembly for the Lasallian Educational Mission) assemblies, CIAMEL as an Institute level governance body, and lay leadership across ministries, Sectors, Districts, and Regions. Alongside these developments, a growing number of engaged Lasallian educators — women and men, young Lasallians, volunteers, and mission leaders — have demonstrated a strong commitment to their respective vocations, with women exercising particularly significant leadership and influence throughout the Lasallian family.

However, despite these successes, Lasallian ministries today face a number of interconnected challenges that affect their vitality and sustainability across the Institute, among them:

Employment patterns within Lasallian ministries often result in higher levels of turnover, as Partners (despite strong initial commitment) frequently leave after only a few years to pursue other professional opportunities, leading to the loss of expertise and leadership.
At the same time, formation programs, while essential, can be costly, time intensive, and difficult to access for Partners who carry significant family, personal and work responsibilities.
These challenges are further compounded by ongoing restructuring, as Regions, Districts and Sectors continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
The diminishing number of Brothers available for accompaniment and mentorship presents an additional concern, particularly when some Brothers may not fully recognize or embrace the evolving opportunity to accompany Partners in our shared mission.
Varied understandings of association, along with differing structures and terminology across the Institute, can also create confusion, especially around the meaning of “Lasallian family.”
Broader global demographic trends, including aging populations in some Regions, slower population growth, increasing urbanization, and heightened migration and mobility, also shape the context in which the Lasallian mission is carried forward.
Finally, while “synodality” offers significant promise, its value and processes are not universally understood or embraced, with some questioning its effectiveness as a model for leadership and decision-making.

Clearly, there remains much work for us to undertake together! Encouragingly, the 46th General Chapter provides both inspiration and a roadmap for this ongoing effort, particularly through two “Pathways” devoted to the exploration of these themes and opportunities: Pathway Five, focused on association, and Pathway Six, centered on Lasallian vocations and association. Here are several significant opportunities that lie before us as we continue the important work set in motion by the participants of the 46th General Chapter three years ago:

Chief among these is the opportunity to form both Brothers and Partners as “Lasallian educators” in new and innovative ways that strengthen identity, deepen commitment to the mission, and clarify their shared role as stewards who are co-responsible for that mission.
Closely related is the development of “Next Generation” formation programs that respond to contemporary realities through diverse forms, modalities, and levels of engagement, while balancing invitation and expectation for participation in Lasallian ministries and schools.
There is also an important opportunity to help Brothers more fully understand their distinctive role in accompanying Partners as mentors and sources of inspiration, while likewise encouraging mutual accompaniment in which Partners are invited to support and accompany the Brothers.
Clarifying the identity and vocation of the Brother in the 21st century remains essential to this work, as does the ongoing task of building trust, strengthening relationships, and creating conditions for meaningful collaboration.
Finally, there is a pressing opportunity to ensure a shared understanding of co-responsibility within the mission, so that all who serve in Lasallian ministries can act with clarity, confidence and a common sense of purpose.

To “become Lasallian,” then, is not to arrive at a finished identity but to remain open to an ever-deepening call, one shaped by relationship, accompaniment and faithful attentiveness to the signs of the times. My own journey has taught me that Lasallian identity is sustained not only through programs or structures, but through a shared commitment to association, mutual trust and co-responsibility for the mission entrusted to us. As we look to the future of Lasallian education, the work that lies before us is both demanding and hopeful: to form educators who understand and appreciate their vocation, to accompany one another with generosity and humility, and to ensure that the charism entrusted to Saint John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers continues to take form in new generations.

Live Jesus in our hearts!

Dr. Kurt Schackmuth is chief mission officer and vice president for student life at Lewis University and the Lasallian Region of North America’s delegate to CIAMEL.

Dr. Sara Troyani has been selected as the next principal of Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, California, effective July 1.

Troyani has served the Saint Mary’s College High School community since 2015 as assistant principal for academics and as an instructor in Latin America history and Spanish. She has more than 20 years of experience in education, having taught at the Catholic secondary school and university levels, including University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Notre Dame.

Troyani holds a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

Read the announcement from Saint Mary’s College High School.

Dr. Christopher Sindt has been appointed as the next president of Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, effective July 1.

Since 2018, Sindt has served as the university’s provost, overseeing academic affairs, enrollment management, student life, athletics, and campus safety. A university announcement stated that Sindt played a key role in furthering the university’s strategic plan, strengthening student success, expanding academic innovation, and positioning Lewis for growth and impact.

Sindt previously held roles at Saint Mary’s College of California, where over the course of 17 years he served as program director of the MFA program in creative writing, associate dean of the School of Liberal Arts, dean of the School of Education, vice provost for graduate and professional studies, and vice provost for academic affairs.

Read the announcement from Lewis University.

Johnston Cohort V Concludes with Capstones and Commissioning

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