The Catholic Church in the Philippines through the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) declares that "Catholic educational institutions are among the most necessary and potent means of evangelization" (PCP II, Acts, 623) because they (1) are "equipped with an understanding of the dynamics of the Christian person." (2) offer "a systematic understanding of the link between faith and life," and (3) further provide "the venue for a systematic reflection of one's experiences." (PCP II, Acts, 625-626).

     With this thrust, the Church poses a challenge to Catholic educational institutions to be centers for formation whose primary task is to foster "critical and dynamic social consciences" in and through genuine human and Christian education in order to form and "develop both educators and students to become agents for Christian social transformation" (PCP II, Decrees, Art. 106, n. 3) grounded on Gospel values.

     It is this same thrust and vision that Lasallian educational institutions, particularly those in charge of Lasallian formation, are heeding in creative fidelity to St. John Baptist De La Salle's inspiration by committing to assure "the validity and continuity of the Founder's mission by providing a genuine Lasallian [integral] formation to all members of the Lasallian family." (Foundational Principles of Lasallian Formation, Preamble).

     The University Lasallian Family Office (ULFO), under the Center for Lasallian Ministries (CLM), De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, firmly adheres and commits to this vision and mission of the Founder and the Church.  Its task at hand is to provide venues or programs to form persons consistent to Lasallian living tradition of faith , zeal for service and communion in mutual collaboration and interdependence with other units in the university (Foundational Principles of Lasallian Formation).  Specifically, ULFO gives and facilitates Lasallian formation seminars to all the members of the community drawing out the insights and reflections from these three guiding elements in view of the life and works of the Founder, the Lasallian living tradition, their faith-life experiences, and God's Word, as the primary contents.  The goal of the formation seminars is to enable them "to acquire the [same] vision, values, attitudes, and practices " of the Founder in following Christ, thereby in the process forming a Lasallian and Christian community in a university setting, where faith, zeal and communion serve as hallmarks and foundations.

Gemma P. Gosgolan
Director, University Lasallian Family Office
gpgosgolan@mail.dasma.dlsu.edu.ph

Katherine C. Bengil
Secretary

Tel. Nos. 844-9116 or 844-7832 (Manila Line)/
416-4531/4533 local 3034