All five Regions of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools were represented at this year’s Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies, which took place June 23 – July 6, 2024, at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York. During this intensive two-week formation program, 82 participants cultivated community, gathered in prayer and deepened their knowledge of the Lasallian mission – providing education and service to those on the peripheries.
With 14 countries and one territory represented, the Buttimer Institute has continued its trajectory of expanding this formation opportunity to the global Institute. Buttimer II participant Julia Mayer, director of mission for the District of Central Europe and based in Vienna, Austria, reflected on the diversity of her second-year cohort:
“The sharing of best practices is … enriched by our various different backgrounds and experiences. Learning about the educational mission on one side of the globe in North America to the other end in New Zealand has been eye-opening. Even if we live our vocations in different realities, we still feel a strong sense of community and belonging to one Lasallian mission.”
Under the instruction of Brother John Cantwell, FSC, Heather Ruple Gilson, Dr. Tim Gossen, Gina Hall, AFSC, and Brother George van Grieken, FSC, first-year participants studied the founding story of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, connecting his life and the history of the Institute to their own vocational journeys as educators.
Elisabeth Román, Buttimer I participant and director of partnerships and communication at Instituto Fe y Vida in Romeoville, Illinois, deepened her understanding of the Lasallian mission and connected it to the creation of her ministry that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“We all share a similar mission and work, which fosters a sense of unity and purpose. These connections help create a global Lasallian community that continues the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle.” Román then named her place within this mission, stating “not only are the Brothers Lasallian, but I am also a Lasallian.”
Coming from the Lasallian South Asia District, Brother Antony Doss Savariar, FSC, is a Buttimer I participant and director of philanthropy at Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation in Napa, California. He described the hope he felt from the Buttimer community and larger Lasallian association: “This exchange of ideas reinforced my belief that the Lasallian mission will not only endure but thrive and evolve. … Through collaboration and the sharing of the Lasallian spirit, we will witness profound transformations in the world.”
Reunited with their classmates, second-year students, taught by Dr. Greg Kopra, AFSC, focused on tying De La Salle’s educational vision, catechesis and pedagogy to the contemporary Lasallian educational mission.
Roxanna De Peña-Elder, Buttimer II participant and executive director of The De La Salle School in Freeport, New York, stated “as an educator, pedagogy is everything for me.”
She continued, “I’m excited to see that a lot of the things that we’re doing now – differentiation, small group instruction, formative and summative assessment – are things that De La Salle was doing and teaching his Brothers over 300 years ago.”
Third-year students focused on the Founder’s spirituality, being invited to deeper personal and professional connection. Taught by Brother John Crawford, FSC, and Brother Bill Mann, FSC, the final year of the program examined the Founder’s Meditations and Explanation of the Method of Interior Prayer.
“This year’s deep dive into spiritual readings resonated for me as a leader and in my own personal faith journey,” shared Crystal LeRoy, Buttimer III participant and president of Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California.
“De La Salle’s example of holding fast to faith, modeling Christ’s love for our students, while boldly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of young people fuels me to do the same,” LeRoy stated. “Love is really at the heart of all we do, and I am so excited to continue this incredible work.”
Dustin Perry, Buttimer III participant and math teacher and service coordinator at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, Tennessee, shared that after 14 years in education, this final year at Buttimer has reignited his fire and passion for teaching in a way he “never thought possible.”
“Before attending Buttimer, I was pretty well formed and under the impression that I knew it all; I could not have been more wrong,” said Perry. “Our charism is rich and complex in history, impact and spirituality that continues to adapt with the signs of the times. I am so profoundly happy to be a part of such a beautiful and dynamic institution. There will always be more to learn.”
Newly graduated from the three-year program, 24 Lasallians now have a deeper understanding, revitalized commitment and the support their Buttimer community to go forth and further embody the Founder’s vision and mission in their own ministries.
“De La Salle was so right in holding community as a ‘precious gem’ and I am so grateful to have been a part of this phenomenal Buttimer community,” noted recent-graduate LeRoy. “Learning from and alongside these wonderful Brothers and Lasallian Partners from across the Region and beyond has been transformative and has most definitely inspired me to grow in service to our incredible mission.”
The Buttimer Institute of Lasallian Studies is a formation program of Christian Brothers Conference, the office for the Lasallian Region of North America. Established in 1986, the program is named in honor of Brother Charles Henry Buttimer, FSC (1909-1982), the first American Superior General (1966-1976) of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Learn more about the Buttimer Institute.