4th LEAD Chapter Delegates and Preparatory Committee members together with General Councilors.
DAY 0
On April 27, 2023, Brother-delegates and partners started to arrive at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle in Manila, Philippines for the 4th Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) Chapter. From April 28-30, the delegates gathered to discuss and reflect on the future of the District for the next four years.
There were 33 official Brother-delegates, composed of the 9 District Council members who are ex-officio members (members by right), 22 elected delegates, and 2 appointed delegates.
The Preparatory Committee headed by Br. Richie Yap FSC, together with the support staff composed of Brothers and partners, assured that the District Chapter will run smoothly.
"As an assembly of a pastoral and administrative nature, the District Chapter manifests the profound unity existing among the Brothers, and permits their active participation either directly or through their delegates, in the study groups or decisionmaking bodies of the District (Rule 137)."
DAY 1
After the opening prayer led by the Liturgy Committee, the Brother Visitor, Br. Patrick Tierney FSC, gave his opening remarks. He requested that Br. Jose Mari ‘JJ’ Jimenez FSC, the incoming Visitor, be assigned as President of the Chapter and the delegates approved. This was immediately followed by the approval of Chapter officers and committees. Br. Ricky Laguda FSC, PARC General Councilor and the Chapter Facilitator, gave the orientation, including a dry-run on the electronic voting procedures which will be used for the chapter resolutions.
Aside from Br. Ricky, the Chapter was graced with the presence of Br. Chris Patiño FSC of RELAN and Br. Sergio Leal FSC, Executive Secretary of the General Council.
The rest of the morning was allotted for the delegates to conduct the first reading of the commitments, divided into 4 thematic groups, namely
- Our Life as Brothers
- Association for Mission
- Culture of Lasallian Vocations
- Leadership, Governance, Finance, and Renewed Structures
Also to be discussed was the proposed revisions to the LEAD Statutes.
In the afternoon, the World Café method was used to enhance the discussion process. Thematic groups were divided into tables and delegates moved around each of the tables to share their reflections and gain insights on the specific themes. After going to all the tables, the delegates then went to their assigned specific thematic group to summarize the discussions and come up with a presentation to the plenary.
At 6:00 in the evening, Mass was celebrated followed by dinner and socials. The writing committee worked hard to provide the Day 1 Output Document and prepare for the following day.
DAY 2
The day started with an opening prayer. After a brief overview of the day’s schedule, each of the Thematic Groups presented their initial reports to the plenary for comments and suggestions.
The afternoon of Day 2 was allotted for the second reading and integration of the new comments. Delegates went back to their respective thematic groups to revise the chapter commitments. Before the day ended, 3 of the Thematic Groups presented their outputs, which, after discussion and some amendment, were approved by the body.
Anticipated Mass was celebrated at 6:00pm, followed by dinner and socials. Writing groups worked tirelessly to produce the Day 2 output, Voting on Chapter Commitments.
DAY 3
After a moving morning prayer service, the plenary continued with the remaining thematic group and proposed revisions to the LEAD statutes. Sighs of relief were felt when the last resolution was voted on.
The afternoon was dedicated to the closing of the District Chapter. Brothers and partners gathered at the 2nd floor lobby for the group picture taking. Afterwards, they went to the plenary hall to listen to Br Chris Patiño’s challenging yet inspiring message to the District. This was followed by the sharing of chapter reflections by the two appointed delegates, Brs. John Pongpat Khasochan FSC and John Win Kyaw FSC.
The Preparatory Committee and support staff were commended for their dedicated service to the Chapter. Likewise, the outgoing Leadership Team was given recognition for their service especially for steering the District during the pandemic.
Each delegate then was called to affix his signature to ratify the documents.
For the turnover of leadership, Br. Patrick donned the medal of St. John Baptist de La Salle on Br. JJ, a symbol of the Visitor’s office. After that, the commissioning of the new Leadership Team was held. They were given small symbolic gifts containing salt, flour, water, and leaven. As a fraternal gesture, they were given the Accolade by the rest of the Brothers. The ceremony ended with the communal singing of ‘Honneur A Toi.’
May the work accomplished during the District Chapter bear fruit in the years to come, bearing in mind the welfare of the LEAD Lasallian Family especially those in the peripheries. (Text: Br. Mikey Cua FSC; Photos: DLSP-CORE)
“Let us always remember that our mission is to provide human and Christian education to the young, especially the poor. This is our root and we have to continue to be men of faith, not to look upon anything but with the eyes of faith.
The past 3 days, we spent time to ponder, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead our thoughts to come up with wonderful ideas for the district, and when we go back to our respective countries, please never lose sight of the poor, especially the financially poor, and do whatever we can to help them.
As an appointed member to this chapter, thank you for not letting small sectors or countries left behind. We are so diverse but we have the same mission. It is God’s work; let us trust in God providence.”
- Chapter Reflection of Br. John Pongpat Khasochan FSC
The District Council 2023-2027 (from left to right)
- Br. John Win Kyaw FSC
- Br. Francisco ‘Sockie’ de la Rosa VI FSC
- Br. Joseph Klong Chaiphuak FSC Br. Iñigo Riola FSC (Auxiliary Visitor)
- Br. Jose Mari ‘JJ’ Jimenez FSC (Visitor)
- Br. Jorge Gallardo FSC (Auxiliary Visitor)
- Br. Victor Franco FSC Br. Lawrence Aikee Esmeli FSC
- Br. Andrew Loke FSC Br. Lawrence Humphrey FSC
- Br. Paul Ho FSC (District Bursar) - not in the picture
