Associations
PALM (Philadelphia Area Lasallian Ministries)
Purpose Statement
Philadelphia Area Lasallian Ministries (PALM) is a grassroots group of Lasallian educators - Brothers and Lay Partners - who share a desire to deepen Lasallian Association in service of the shared educational mission. PALM offefs varied opportunlties for growth in faith, community, collaboration, and Christian service.
Background
PALM emerged most specifically in response to the "Association Directional Statement" from
the Regional Assembly on Mission held in November 200S in Salt Lake City. Comprised of
Brothers and Lay Partners this assembly was one of 11 such gatherings held around the
world in preparation for the 2006 International Assembly on Mission in Rome.
The Regional Mission Assembly delegates stilted: "We recommend graduiltes of formal
format ion programs assume responsibility to invite colleagues into deeper association, and
provide opportunities for growth in faith and in Lasallian formation." In service to the educational mission and building Christian community, PALM seeks to
develop the understanding that Association is crudal for sustaining the vast field of our
shared mission.
In his final address to the International Assembly on Mission, entitled "New Wine in New Wineskins; Brother Alvaro Rodriguez Echeverria, FSC, Superior General, offered these words:
"The Spirit of God is the great protagonist in our Lasallian adventure...I am convinced that,
more than documents and orientations, more than structures ilnd projects. Pulling ourselves in His hands and following His paths is what will enrich our being associated for the
educational services of the poor, the evangelization of the poor, and the salvation of the young."
PALM aims to provide stimulating and enriching gatherings that will enable participants to
return to their educational ministry, community, and family with a message of salvation — message that the God of Pentecost, the God of life, revealed to us by Jesus. Saint John
Baptist de La Salle writes in The Meditations, "To touch the heart of your pupils and to inspire
them with the Christian spirit is the greatest miracle you can perform, and one which God
expects of you."
More Information & Participation
Contact Skip Gaus (cgaus@chs-adphila.org) or Mike Wisniewski (wisniews@lasalle.edu)
