More Than Teaching & Training

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John Baptiste de La Salle, the patron of all those who work in education. He was one bold pioneer!

There are many wonderful parallels between his life and Catholic Leadership Institute’s (CLI) mission:

He was innovative in his thinking, daring to reimagine the education system.

We know that we must think differently for our Church and our parishes to thrive in the next generation – this requires data, technology, new ways of thinking, strong leadership, and bold vision. Catholic Leadership Institute’s ministries share that Lasallian spirit of vision and reimagination.

While St. John Baptiste de La Salle founded schools and training colleges, he didn’t simply teach or train: he walked and even lived alongside those he educated.

Catholic Leadership Institute is proud to accompany those we serve; we don’t just teach or train, we walk alongside our leaders, with a joy in serving them and our faith. He – and we – believe that equipping, accompanying, and educating have an immense impact.

He trained and empowered lay teachers at a time when it was unheard of.

CLI believes in the power and importance of lay leadership – we have seen lay leaders rising from the pews and coming forward, particularly during this time of challenge. We are proud to facilitate ways for the laity to discover how and where to use their talents. It is a joy to provide discipleship and evangelization tools and support so that lay leaders may go out and share the Good News.

St. John founded charity schools so that cost would never prevent students from receiving training and education.

Philanthropy fuels our ministry. As we experience an unprecedented number of requests for support right now, philanthropy allows us to say “yes” more often. St. John would be proud of the ways in which CLI philanthropists have given prayers and financial resources so generously.

He shared his talents freely.

The generosity of CLI benefactors, participants, staff, and friends has humbled me in my 3+ years of serving our mission. St. John would be proud of the ways in which you have given so generously of your prayers and philanthropy.

St. John Baptiste de La Salle urges us: “Hold prayer in high esteem. It is the foundation of all the virtues, and the source of all grace needed to sanctify ourselves and to discharge the duties of our employment.”

In that spirit, I will offer a prayer today to St. John Baptiste de La Salle for all of us that we may be bold pioneers for our faith, that we never stop learning and teaching about Jesus Christ, and that we continue to share our gifts and talents with and for our Church!

𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓂𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝒷𝓁ℯ𝓈𝓈𝒾𝓃ℊ𝓈,

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝒹