Personal Reflection from Raymond Blixt

CIL 2010:  UNDERSTAND AND LIVING LASALLIAN ASSOCIATION TODAY

Personal Reflection on Week #1:  Ray Blixt

The separation from the MDP Ministry and community and friends to embrace a new setting, community and daily schedule of specific routines and sessions was initially a difficult transition.  However being with Lasallians from our District and other USA Districts helped ease anxieties and transitional uneasiness.  Being in an International Community of dedicated Lasallians with rich cultural diversity was most energizing for me.

The highlight of week one for me was the presentation by Louis DeThomasis, fsc which provided all of us with a stimulating challenge to see our traditions and current realities in a new way leading to transformation. The experience of association in the small English speaking language group which I lead and the conversations that resulted has been exceptional.  Significant and thought provoking and creative sharing bonded the group together from inception.  The pace of our daily schedule is most reasonable. The CIL staff were most kind and accommodating to our needs. The wireless communication in the conference room has been erratic to say the least.  However internet connection in the private rooms has been adequate.  Overall a very positive beginning to this 5 week experience.

CIL Day 6

CIL 2010:  DAY 6 

Our new week began with a reflective and creative prayer service presented by our colleagues from Spain with the theme of “Dreaming New Realities.” 

Our primary focus for today was “Association for the Educational Service of the Poor:  Our Lasallian Identity” presented by Br. Diego Munoz.  The presentation was an exceptional review of the historical traditions, movements, influences impacting on our current understanding of the vow of association and the issues and hopes for the future of understanding and living Lasallian Association Today.

Br. Diego clearly articulated that all Lasallians today (not just the brothers) are called to be the heart, memory and guarantor of the Lasallian charism and to promote the new structures of community and commitment for Association for Mission in service of the poor in our current historical period and as a foundation of our transition to the future.

Br.Diego invited each of us:

To recover the value of the dignity of teaching

To develop cutting edge community projects at the service of the poor

To break classic frameworks and give bold answers

To live our faith in the midst of a troubled world

To respect one’s own vocation, one’s own project, but in association with others (be one in our diversity)

To surrender oneself to the project of the God of Life – who wishes all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

The remainder of Day 6 was spent in personal and small group reflection.