DENA Staff – DENA | Brothers of the Christian Schools

District Staff

Brother Robert Schaefer, FSC

Brother Visitor

Ministry started September 2021

The Brother Visitor, sometimes known as the Provincial, is the guarantor of the unity and vitality of the District, the leader of the District, and the director of its administrative team. Appointed by the Superior General of the Brothers’ Institute, in Rome, Brother Visitor exercises his authority as a major superior according to Canon Law and the law of the Institute and in accordance with directives from the District Chapter

Brother Frank Byrne, FSC

Auxiliary Visitor

Ministry started September 2021

The Auxiliary Visitor is appointed by the Visitor of the District and approved by the Superior General of the Brothers’ Institute. Auxiliary Visitors share in the Visitor’s role as “the guarantor of the unity and vitality of the District” and in the Visitor’s principal responsibility for the animation of its ministries, communities, and associations in union with the Lasallian Region of North America, and the Center of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Brother Jules ‘Bud’ Knight, FSC

Assistant Visitor

Ministry started September 2021

Responsible for the pastoral accompaniment of Senior Brothers facing health issues, the Assistant Visitor serves as the liaison with the District Healthcare Coordinator and the District nurses in coordinating health plans for Brothers in need of medical assistance.

Office for Vocation

A Christian Brother is a member of a community of men committed to living and working together for the educational service of the young and the poor. The Office for Vocations young people throughout the District and beyond to explore their God given talents, and help them discern their life’s calling. For those young men that request it, the Office for Vocations provides the tools, resources, and guidance to discern a religious vocation, specifically to the Brothers’ Institute.

Brother Paul Avvento, FSC

Director
Ministry started September 2023

Brother Thomas Casey, FSC

Administrative Coordinator
Ministry started August 2024

Brother Edward Shields, FSC

Associate Director
Ministry started September 2018

Office for Mission & Ministry

The Office for Mission & Ministry serves to help support, animate, and facilitate the Lasallian mission for the diverse educational ministries of the District of Eastern North America.

James Logan

Director
Ministry started December 2021

Justin Martineau

Associate Director
Ministry started September 2020

Benjamin Ventresca

Provincial Delegate for Board Governance
Ministry started July 2022

Brother Ernest Miller, FSC, DMin

Director, Adrien Nyel Project
Ministry started September 2022

Administration

Under the leadership of the Director of Administration, the office provides organizational and administrative support and planning to the activities and operations of the District.