The Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) has established a Regional Renewal Plan following a June 2023 gathering of the Superior General, General Council, 13 Brothers and 13 Partners at Mont La Salle in Napa, California.
Approved in January 2024 by the Regional Conference of Christian Brothers (RCCB), the plan responds to the 46th General Chapter’s call to “renew the five Regions of the Institute with statistical realities, the promotion of the charismatic vitality of persons, the communities, and the impulse of the educational mission in the Districts and Delegations that integrate them” (Circular 478 3.5).
The plan includes “horizon statements” for the Region to work toward in the next three to six years in the following areas: association for mission, finance, Lasallian educational mission, leadership and governance, and life of the Brothers.
“Developed in a spirit of together and by association, the Regional Renewal Plan provides Lasallians in RELAN the opportunity to consider the realities of today and anticipate future needs with continued foresight, stewardship and creativity so that the mission, and those engaged in it, respond to the invitation of the 46th General Chapter to develop new pathways to transform lives,” said Brother Chris Patiño, FSC, General Councilor. “My hope is that the carrying out of the renewal plan will deepen and foster co-responsibility within and beyond the Region as we seek to move more and more toward One La Salle.”
Over the next six years, a Regional planning team, appointed by the RCCB will oversee the implementation of the plan. The members of the planning team are: Brother Chris Patiño, General Councilor; Tom Southard, executive director, Christian Brothers Conference; Dr. Mike Daniels, chair, Lasallian Education Council; Dr. Frances Sweeney, chair, Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities Mission Officers; Dr. Melinda Lawlor Skrade, past president, Lasallian Association of Secondary School Chief Administrators; and Dr. Kurt Schackmuth, RELAN designee to International Council for Association and the Lasallian Educational Mission (CIAMEL).
As part of the plan’s oversight, three regional leadership groups – the Lasallian Education Council, RCCB, and the Regional Finance committee – will propose and carry out action steps for the topic areas assigned to them.