North West Cluster Gathering focus is on Lasallian Spirituality

On Saturday 13th January, colleagues from De La Salle School, St Helens, St Margaret Ward, St Joseph’s College and St Cassian’s, came together for a day of reflection, networking and Formation.

The day opened with a beautiful, moving prayer by Sara Amarillas from St Cassian’s, on Lasallian DNA which laid the ground for Heather Ruple, Co-ordinator of Lasallian Vocations for the District, to take the group through a series of reflections based on Lasallian DNA and the publication, ‘Lasallian Spirituality Today’.

Taking time to consider what is at our core, how we shape and nurture our spiritual life and reflecting on the signs of the times today, allowed all to think carefully about where each person’s spirit was most filled in our Mission as educators today.

The programme heard from members of the 1719 Society of De La Salle School, St Helens and the many initiatives undertaken which connect directly to the Lasallian Five Core Principles; St Margaret Ward shared the journey undertaken to revitalise Faith and Mission in school through ‘Fidei’ time, which breathed new purpose and life into registration, and finally, Emma Biggins, Director of St Cassian's Retreat Centre, shared ways in which schools, educators and young people could access St Cassian’s including plans for the Superior General’s visit in October 2024 and the 50 years celebrations the following year.

Following a shared table lunch, Jo Millea led the group through a creative reflection, listening to words from Br Armin, Superior General, in his Christmas letter entitled ‘Finite, Fragile, Free’. This letter urges all to embrace their vulnerability with eyes of faith and says, ‘To be fully human, we need not conceal the cracks and fissures, but instead wear our broken chevron with distinction.’

Taking the symbol of the spiral from the Spirituality document, all were encouraged to reflect on what they heard whilst painting a ceramic tile, which was later cracked with hammers. The purpose of the crack being to act as a reminder to look beyond the whole; to look beyond the grand plans and vision for the future, and to pay attention to the fragments so we can find joy and beauty in the broken bits, because often it is in these moments that we are truly called.